A few months back My Special Man Friend ("MSMF") said he spotted this hot chicken place he wanted to try for lunch. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what place he was talking about... I have walked as well as rode a million times up and down Venice Blvd and I've NEVER seen a fucking hot chicken place.
Not that that's surprising. I have a strong visual memory but everything from Overland Ave to at least Sepulveda Blvd is a blur because I'm convinced that every building between those blocks is a front for something.
What, I don't know. But each spot is shady as fuck.
You've got the odd dentist building with faded signage. Next door to that is the Techno Mexican seafood place with blaring music and no customers. Then there's a bean bag place. Seriously. Bean bags. And to make sure that you know there's a bean bag place there to, you know, buy all your bean bags, they have hung 3 or 4 from the store front. But they're not fresh, shiny bean bags. They have definitely been hanging there since bean bags were a thing, so... the 70's?
Somewhere between the techno ceviche and the withered sad bags there apparently is a hot chicken place. Al's Hot Chicken. I was just excited to eat fried chicken and french fries for a meal, since MSMF and I had been dialing it in after quite a few decadent weeks of eating. While I do love chicken tenders and even on occasion make them at home, I've never had "hot" chicken before. Al's was decent. Toasted but soft buns, crispy flavored hot chicken and fresh crunchy fries. Forget the slaw because you know, white sauce.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. While MSMF and I were riding home from the beach we spotted a new place was taking over the old Umami Burger spot - Dave's Hot Chicken. We were like "OH SHIT!" Al has competition! It's going to be an all out hot chicken turf war in our hood! Que the hot chicken cock fights!
I noticed Dave's had finally opened, so it was time to do a taste test. Thing is, the place has had a massive line every time we've passed by. When we mentioned going to Dave's later that evening for dinner to a girlfriend of ours she went on and on about their sauce and the honey and the hotness. It just built up the fried chicken suspense!
Last night was the night. We bought all the things Dave's Hot Chicken had to offer and what can I say?
We're both sticking with Al!
Our final conclusion: While MSMF and I both liked the seasoning and moist chicken at Dave's, Al's is just as good. Isn't a chain and is less expensive. Gotta rep your local hood and support local. Fuck you Dave!
And for some finger licking reading on how hot chicken really happened, per The Bitter Southerner:
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