Chicken sandwich and fries on plate

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Unseating Chick-fil-A, the top-selling chicken chain in America, might seem like an impossible task. However, there is an up-and-coming Las Vegas-based chicken restaurant poised to take the country by storm and possibly give industry leaders a run for their money. With just 29 locations in nine states (Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, California, Idaho, Washington, Michigan, and Ohio), Houston TX Hot Chicken has yet to reach household name status. However, the restaurant has recently received an enviable honor, as it was named first place in Restaurant Business's Future 50 list, which shines a light on smaller food establishments growing at an impressive rate. 

Houston TX Hot Chicken may not have originated in Texas, or even Tennessee, but the fast-casual chain's dining concept is fully inspired by Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. Founders Houston Crosta (Las Vegas-based entrepreneur) and Edmond Barseghian (entrepreneur, influencer, and racecar driver) launched the eatery in 2021 and hope to expand to more locations by the end of 2026. 

Along with the existing 29 stores, Houston TX Hot Chicken has two pending locations in Arizona and Washington. As for the menu, diners can expect chicken sandwiches, tenders, and nuggets, plus fries, milkshakes, salads, mac and cheese, and more. The defining dish seems to be the Original Hot Chicken Meal, which features a fried chicken breast on a brioche bun with coleslaw, pickles, and a house sauce that is made fresh, along with the cheese, ranch, and Texas Caesar sauces. 

What makes Houston TX Hot Chicken stand out from the rest?

If you're a connoisseur of spice or simply love testing your palate, Houston TX Hot Chicken offers a variety of heat levels: mild, Buffalo, medium, spicy, lift-off, and "Houston, We Have a Problem!" This final boss of spice levels comes with a $2 surcharge plus a waiver relieving the restaurant of any spice-related mishaps you incur. 

Customers can also choose from no spice or honey butter, both of which are spice-free, as well as lemon pepper, which is the least spicy among the selection at only 250 heat units on the Scoville scale, a method of measuring the amount of capsaicin in food that was developed by a pharmacist in the early 1900s. According to the Houston TX Hot Chicken website, "our ingredients are all natural, sourced responsibly, free range, and never frozen." 

This commitment to wholesome, high-quality ingredients could explain why the restaurant is so highly rated, as illustrated by reviews for one location. On Yelp, one diner raved about "Everything from the taste of the spicy chicken sandwich to the amazing flavor of their fries," while another customer stated, "Greatest chicken, better people...Can't wait to come back." With so many chicken chains competing these days, Houston TX Hot Chicken certainly has a long road ahead. Based on early indications, the restaurant has a legitimate shot of becoming a staple establishment among lovers of hot chicken.