Recently, a new chicken chain opened in Buffalo. I went there the day after it opened. If you like hot, spicy chicken, HCK Hot Chicken is the place for you.

HCK Hot Chicken was started in 2020 by Anthony Sarago and his father Mike. Their first location was in Woodbridge, Virginia but they are rapidly expanding. They currently have 8 locations, but 20 more are coming. In addition to several in Virginia and Buffalo, there are franchises in Texas, New Jersey, Florida, and one in Maryland coming soon. Buffalo is their northernmost location.

During the Buffalo opening, HCK offered free sandwiches to the first 28 customers and $5 chicken sandwiches the rest of the day. (The normal price is $8.99.) I was not there that day, but when I spoke to the owner he said it went incredibly well. The line went well out the door and down through the parking lot. The turnout was much bigger than their last opening in Texas. It was not that crowded on the second day, but there was a steady stream of customers coming in.

Their signature item is the Nashville Style Chicken Sandwich. It is a deep fried chicken sandwich with pickles, coleslaw, and their signature GOOD sauce. The chicken can be dipped into the hot sauce of your choice: Base (cayenne), After Burner (Habanero), Angry Hot (Trinidad scorpion), or Medic (Carolina Reaper).

Their other main dishes are: Loaded Fries, Country Chicken Salad, Chicken & Waffles, Boneless Chicken Wings, Loaded Mac and Cheese Bowl, and Chicken Tenders. Classic Wings (i.e. wings with bones in them) were listed as a new item. The sides are fries, fried pickles, Mac & Cheese, and Home Style Coleslaw. Combos pairing a main with drinks and fries are also options. There is one dessert: Fried Donut Drops.

I ordered the chicken sandwich with the After Burner hot sauce. I chose After Burner because I prefer the taste of the scorpion pepper to that of the Habanero. That it is hotter is a plus. Made with fresh chicken, breaded with their own blend of seasonings, and deep fried in soybean oil, this sandwich is quite tasty. The portion size is huge. The chicken is sticking out of the bun on all sides. And while the chicken is dipped in hot sauce, it is not drenched it in. So you while it is very spicy, it is not overpowering. I loved it.

HCK Hot Chicken is a fast food restaurant and feels like one. But the food is made fresh; We had to wait about 6 minutes for our order. That was time well spent as I was able to converse with Sarago, who was still in town for the opening. Friendly and gregarious, he was talking with everyone who came in. He was quite happy with how the opening went. A super nice guy, I hope his business continues to do well.

The hot sauces, which are all made in house, are available for sale. There is a rack filled with bottles, each shelf stocked with a different style. The cost is $6.95 a bottle, a reasonable price for boutique hot sauce. My companion, who likes things hot, bought a bottle of the Medic. I’ll have to report back on what he thinks of it.

The restaurant’s slogan is “Unity Through Food.” Franchisee Naiem Rizek describes that as being all-inclusive to people from all walks of life. But it is more than a slogan, as the restaurant hosts Unity Days which provide a way for non-profits to raise money through the restaurant. Unity is something Sarago is serious about.

Final thoughts

HCK Hot Chicken does not have an extensive menu. It focuses on one thing, spicy chicken, but does it well. If you like hot, spicy food, I highly recommend you give them a try.