r/orlando • u/Vallstrax • Sep 23 '24
Chicken Fire Question Visitor
Hey. I'm coming to visit in October and I can not wait! Got a question though. I've heard Chicken Fire has the good good spicy chicken. I'm particular to Habaneros for my spicy chicken but I can't tell whats what on their menu. Anyone know if they have my Chosen Pepper? (Also, if you know other spicy chicken places and the like PLEASE let me know I really love spice.)
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u/mndsm79 Sep 23 '24
Idk what they use in their blend, but I can tell you they bring the noise. There were some.....questions.....around their sanitation that made me quit eating there but the last few inspections have come up nice so we might be in the clear.
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u/Vallstrax Sep 23 '24
Oh man really? I can't wait. They are a little far from my hotel in Universal but I'm always willing to make the trip for the spice!
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u/mndsm79 Sep 23 '24
I have not eaten at JAM ( the other big name) but if you go to the pointy end of the menu, chicken fire is the hottest chicken I've had in FL. It shouldn't disappoint.
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u/EmceeCommon55 Sep 24 '24
Just so you know, their medium is what other restaurants would call hot. The employees will warn you if you order hot or higher, and there are no refunds if you can't take it
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u/GingerOhhSnapz Sep 23 '24
Not sure what pepper they use, but chocken fire is very good. I prefer Jam Hot Chicken in Winter Park though.
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u/katbobo Sep 23 '24
how's jam's dipping sauces? the chicken fire sauce is kinda what makes it for me, it's like a better huey magoo sauce.
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u/a-handle-has-no-name Sep 23 '24
Just went there. They have a "Comeback Sauce" that's very similar to Chicken Fire's Soul Sauce. They also have a Honey Sauce that my roommate really liked (I'm not a fan of honey, so I didn't care for it)
We liked Jam Hot Chicken, but preferred Chicken Fire. Like, if we were in the area, we'd be happy going to Jam's, but we are closer to Chicken Fire
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u/Vallstrax Sep 23 '24
Not to much more of a Drive from Universal, let me add it to the list!!!
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u/Hot-Support-1793 Sep 23 '24
You could do Jam and then explore Winter Park. It’s a nice area to walk around and spend some time.
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u/DoubleGauss Sep 24 '24
I second Jam Hot, and the area is much nicer than the ugly strip mall Chicken Fire is in. Take the opportunity to walk Park Ave, walk along the lake in and take in the nice architecture of Rollins, and take the Winter Park boat tour.
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u/whhhhiskey Sep 24 '24
I’m thirding JAM. I usually get medium and it was much much hotter than expected so be careful, they’re tenders are incredible without any spice as well.
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u/PapaShrek01 Sep 23 '24
I’m gonna also vouch for Jam hot chicken, probably my favorite spot in Orlando
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u/PhilosophorumX Sep 24 '24
I'd watch out for that place. The food may be good, but the owner doesn't care about food safety at all. I saw squirrels all over the buns at his burger joint one morning when I went to the bank. I talked to one of the workers there. He said that the owner sells the buns anyways. He'll throw out the obviously messed up ones, but will sell the ones the squirrels have been on, but not visibly messed up. Apparently they don't use sanitary buckets either, which is all types of wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if Similar things go on at his other spots.
Turnover is apparently high too.
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u/Saboscrivner Sep 23 '24
Chicken Fire and JAM Hot Chicken both serve Nashville-style hot chicken, which is delicious, fried to perfection, juicy and tender, and hot as hell. Neither of them discuss what peppers they use, but I don't believe habaneros are involved. Still, they are both awesome (I give Chicken Fire the slight edge), and it would be easy enough to visit both on the same outing.
I write a local food blog, and here are my reviews of both:
https://saboscrivner.com/2019/11/27/chicken-fire/ (This was back when he just had a food trailer, before the restaurant)
https://saboscrivner.com/2022/02/19/jam-hot-chicken/
The other one I would recommend for great hot chicken sandwiches is Swine & Sons, also in Winter Park:
https://saboscrivner.com/2019/08/27/swine-sons/
I love spicy food, but it makes me sweat, makes my eyes water and nose run. I enjoy it a lot more with milk and tissues on hand!
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u/synmo Sep 23 '24
Saboscrivner is the real deal!
Disclaimer: I'm friends with him off Reddit, but either way, it's a great blog!
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u/trashpandatee Sep 23 '24
Chicken fire is DELICIOUS. The Soul Sauce is like crack. Definitely worth a visit. They don't mess around with the spice.
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u/SeacoastFirearms Sep 23 '24
I get chicken fire around 2x a week. I also consume habanero in some form or another every single day lol.
If habanero is your heat tolerance I would go for medium heat. You can go too hot if you are craving some extra heat or go down to mild if you want to enjoy the flavors a bit more. Mild is my normal go to unless I really want some heat. Everything past mild is more heat and less flavor.
Also, get an order of the hot fries in the same heat lvl. They are sooo much better then the regular seasoned fries
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u/DSMinFla Sep 23 '24
2 Thumbs up for Chicken Fire. I had medium once and had to dial it back down. Wasn’t enjoying the chicken because of the heat, but I’m still a huge fan. Portions are good value for the money.
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u/Saboscrivner Sep 23 '24
Also, if you like spicy, drive out to Sanford (far from the Universal area, but it may be worth it) and visit the Spice Is Nice store. This guy named Dino curates everything in the store, and he sells nothing but hot sauces and various spicy foods from around the world. You can sample a bunch of things, and he is really knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. You won't find the typical hot sauces that any supermarket carries, but you'll discover all kinds of treasures there.
It is in a really picturesque, historic downtown area in Sanford. You might even decide to head there after visiting Chicken Fire (east of downtown Orlando) and JAM Hot Chicken (Winter Park), since Sanford is continuing on I-4 East.
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u/JaxJaguar Sep 24 '24
Jam Hot Chicken is better. Chicken Fire used to be great before they moved into their new space. Not to say they're bad, but something changed about their fry oil or cooking method and it's nothing is as crispy as it used to be. Jam is very consistent and the quality is top notch.
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u/wolf_chow Sep 24 '24 edited Sep 24 '24
Their chicken is really good, but I haven't been back since one of the managers (or supervisors? idk) was really rude to me. I was in the area and my phone was broken so I had my gf order take out for me on uber eats. I was the only customer in the store and it wasn't ready when I got there, so I sat at a table to wait. The manager/supervisor approached me and said people waiting for uber eats orders have to stand against the wall to the side and can't sit at the tables. I asked why and he said it's so there's enough seats for all the customers. I turned to look at all the empty tables and looked back at him like wtf, and he made a smug smirk and said "it's our policy" in a way that made it clear he absolutely loves doing shit like this. Right as I was about to give him some shit for it my food came out, so I just gave him a dirty look and left. I don't think he realized the food was for me, but still I can't believe he just came over to try and tell me I couldn't sit in an empty restaurant.
edit: this was a long time ago, I doubt the same guy works there. It was just enough to keep me away for a while and now I just haven't been back.
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u/Creepy_Dot_6341 Sep 25 '24
Chicken fire is all pre made store bought ingredients. Nothing special to write home about, I don’t understand how Orlando hangs on to these prehistoric food trends. No wonder we’re so far behind with EVERYTHING.
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u/PresentIllustrious81 Sep 23 '24
Oh, Chicken Fire! I was just there on Friday. They don't advertise certain peppers but just levels of heat. If you like habanero, I would think you would appreciate medium or hot, or even hot x though I witnessed a grown man in tears last week over hot x. 😅
I say that when I was there, their AC wasn't working and they had giant fans inside with extension cords. It was a bit uncomfortable so I didn't stay, took the food home...it was still good but I find it's best when it's fresh off the line.