Rate-A-Restaurant #405: Tokyo Hot Chicken (Glendale)

Restaurant: Tokyo Hot Chicken

Location: 237 S Brand Blvd, inside Bourbon Steak (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Japanese/Chicken

We stipulated: Maria and I continue "New Food Sundays," inspired by the Los Angeles Times' latest 101 Restaurants special issue. And we've also been on a spicy fried chicken kick, as has the rest of the world, apparently. Tokyo Hot Chicken was a quick, nearby choice.

They stipulated: Speaking of trends, this is a pop up, available only to go at Michael Mina's Boubon Steak restaurant in Glendale. "Tokyo Hot Chicken is a pop-up from the culinary minds of Chef Michael Mina and MINA Group. Hot Chicken meets Japanese Karaage, Tokyo Hot Chicken is the best of two worlds, combining the Nashville Classic with Japanese flavors and ingredients. This unique concept delivers food that has bold flavors, and that is satisfying and crave worthy."

What we ordered: CRUNCHY CHICKEN SNACKER kimchi slaw, spicy kewpie, pickle ($6.99); CHICKEN & WAFFLES Leg, thigh, mochi-matcha waffle, yuzu honey ($13.99); KARAAGE MAC Chicken nuggets on our classic cheddar mac and cheese with 1 sauce ($11.99); WASABI MASHED POTATOES ($5.99); KIMCHI SLAW ($3.99)

High point: The mochi-matcha waffle came and the yuzu honey sauce were unexpected delights next to the fried chicken. Plus, the portions were large enough that I even enjoyed leftover waffles as breakfast the next day.

Low point: That kimchi slaw portion was way too small.

 

Overall impression: I think the biggest win might have been the crunchy chicken snacker -- it's perfect for lunch, and priced right at $6.99. Well worth the carryout.

Will we return:  We're still making our way through all the hot chicken offerings in our area, but I would like more of those waffles, wasabi mashed potatoes and kimichi slaw — so yes, likely..

The Ghost Pepper Donut Challenge

Nathan and I were eager to try the new Dunkin' Donuts ghost pepper donut. The verdict? Delicious, with just a little bit of spice! Here's Nathan's verdict.

Rate-A-Restaurant #391: Dave's Hot Chicken (Glendale)

Restaurant: Dave's Hot Chicken

Location: 1350 E. Colorado (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Chicken

We stipulated: We were sad to see our nearby Burger Im shut down, but in its place: An outpost of new-ish spicy chicken chain Dave's Hot Chicken. For movie night, we were up for trying.

They stipulated: The chicken comes in a variety of spices: Reaper, Extra Hot, Hot, Medium, Mild, Lite Mild, No Spice.

What we ordered: Half and Half (one medium spice slider/one medium spice tender) with fries ($11.99); Half and Half (one extra hot spice slider/one extra hot spice tender) with kale slaw ($11.99); two tenders (one hot spice/one medium spice) with mac and cheese ($10.99); Half and Half (one mild spice slider/one mild spice strip) with fries ($11.99). 

High point:  The extra hot spice was perfectly spicy -- and the sliders were much bigger than expected.

Low point:  Nathan was disappointed that the "hot" wasn't spicy enough for him.

Overall impression: A bit on the pricey side, but you get *a lot* of food. We had leftovers for the following day lunch. Kale slaw is a nice touch too.

Will we return:  Yes! Good spice, good chicken.

The Spicy Bonanza

Thanks to my pal Diane Gordon for putting together the spiciest of all food baskets for my birthday!