Over the last few months, a string of fun restaurants have opened up along Union Street, ranging from the swanky to the salty and from French to Mexican. Along the south side of the street between Fair Oaks and Raymond, as part of the One Colorado complex, a row of casual and unique restaurants over a wide range of tastes has taken shape.
There Asian vegan, there’s tacos, there’s hot dogs, there’s chai tea, there’s Vietnamese and there’s chicken. We’ll get to the whole row as the week progresses, but now let’s talk chicken.
The latest trend in fried chicken offerings these days is hot chicken, reportedly inspired by a style called “Nashville Hot Chicken.” Influencees include Dave’s Hot Chicken, with a location in Burbank, the Crack Shack in Old Pasadena, and now, Main Chick Hot Chicken.
Main Chick’s menu is basically their spicy chicken, which ranges from “naked” to “supreme,” over five gradients. Let’s assume “Supreme” will make your eyes water and your nose run, as you happily down that bird.
We opted for a more mild concoction, which results in a sweet, crunchy sandwich, all the sweeter since the sandwiches are served on King’s Hawaiian Bread, which is almost like cheating in the sandwich department. People will devour King’s Hawaiian at the very mention. Wrapping your sandwich in it will definitely give your sandwich a head start.
You can also get your chicken served as a chicken tender, with the same range of heat.
Every combo—there are five—comes with seasoned crinkle cut fries, my favorite, pickles, cole slaw, and the Main Chick (“MC”) sauce.
There is a range of combos, from one sandwich and one tender to two sandwiches, to leg quarters, to well, that’s about it. Order a little or order a lot. Life is simple.
I think we ordered two combos for two people, which are probably designed as one combo for two people. I wondered why we had so many fries. I blame myself in a funny way.
All of that aside, the sandwiches have a “perfect crunch,” said my dining partner, and are perfectly delicious and messy. Get a lot of napkins and head over to the dining area in One Colorado. Eat like the wind, mon amis.
Main Chick Hot Chicken is at 25 East Union Street #130. Pasadena, CA. (626) 660-9204.
