Albert W.
Yelp
Okay, this review is long overdue. Went to Ricky's for the first time after being hyped for so long. True to self, I thought it's just gonna be an overhyped spot, but after experiencing Ricky's first hand, I gotta say the hype is real.
Let's get some of the complaints out of the way, starting with their business hours. They're open for a bit during lunch time and then again for dinner. When I say a bit, it's literally only a few hours, so if you want to get your chicken dinner, you better get there fast (by 7 pm). Speaking of hours, they do run out of certain things, come early, so you can get what you want. Last is their location, specifically the Richardson one. There's practically no seating, so just be prepared to eat in your car or take it to go. They will put your food in a to go container anyway.
So with all those complaints, is it worth it? In my opinion, it's a resounding hell yes!!
I visited Ricky's 3-4 times in a week; something I don't do very often. I wanted to make sure that it's not just a fluke before writing a review. I tried both the bird's nest and the quarter bird. Both were amazing!! The tenders are so juicy and flavorful even without the sauce. The combination of slaw and fries and sauce made it the perfect meal. As for the quarter bird, the bone-in pieces are even better. Ricky's doesn't just try to hide behind its spiciness like most hot chicken establishments do; they also seasoned their chicken so well that they can stand on their own!! Honestly, there's not much else I can say when it comes to good fried chicken, and Ricky's definitely has one of the best hot chicken.
Speaking of spicy, fair warning that their hot chicken is HOT, so please start off with medium even if you're an avid hot chicken fan. My friend, who has a very high spice tolerance, ordered half hot and half extra hot or something, and he was bawling all the way (had to stop mid way and continue his meal because the spice kicked his ass). Luckily he didn't throw up, especially not in the sink. Ricky's staff prob has seen their fair share of people soiling the sink that they put up the sign (pictured) in the bathroom.
Two other aspects I love about Ricky's are their prompt service and value. You order at the counter and wait till they call your name. You can have your meal there if there's space, but the tables were full every time I went there. Your meal also comes with fries and drinks, so there's no need to order separate, which makes it a perfect spot for me to frequent lol
All in all, I can't say enough good things about Ricky's despite the minor complaints. I do hope they stay humble and continue to maintain their quality. And for us, dear patrons, the least we can do is to NOT throw up in the sink please!