2021 Best New Restaurants // No. 9 Chuck's Hot Chicken

When the name of the food you’re eating is in the name of the restaurant, it better be phenomenal. And at Chuck’s Hot Chicken, it certainly is. From the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, which features a massive, juicy breast on a sturdy, well-buttered brioche bun, to tenders and bone-in wings and thigh/leg quarters, the protein is truly on point. The chicken is hand-breaded and cooked to order for an amazingly moist center with a lightly crispy exterior.

“The chicken is hand selected, all fresh, never frozen,” said co-owner Chuck Taylor. “We created all of our own ingredients; everything is proprietary. We have our own breading that took a while to dial in, and our Nashville hot sauce is incredible.”

Choose your spice level, from 1 to 5, but beware: Even the level 2 has quite a kick, and levels 4 and 5 come with a warning (suggested by the restaurant’s lawyer) to keep away from children and pets. The key to Taylor’s perfectly sauced chicken? Dipping the parts in a light, oil-based sauce after they’ve been fried and letting them dry before serving. “Since it’s oil-based, [the sauce] kind of bakes into the breading without feeling too saucy,” Taylor explained.

The menu is fairly limited, but that allows the restaurant to hone in on its specialty and let the chicken shine. While the chicken is the star of the show, some of the Southern-style sides and appetizers are also exceptional. The deeply flavorful garlic cheese curds, served with house buttermilk ranch, are chewy yet crispy, and the slightly sweet, breaded corn fritters are heavenly, especially when dipped in the honey-sriracha aioli. 

The operation is pretty bare bones; the Maryland Heights location offers only takeout and delivery, while the O’Fallon spot has a handful of seats inside and a few more on a small patio. Taylor has begun franchising the restaurant, however, and said forthcoming Chuck’s locations will have more seating. “Going forward, we’re pretty committed to having a small, indoor dining area and an extended patio,” he said. As for where you might find the franchises in the near future, Taylor said to look for spots opening in the St. Charles and Chesterfield/Ballwin areas. Eventually, they’ll head for the city of St. Louis.

Chuck's Hot Chicken, 11648 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights; 2758 Highway K, O’Fallon, chuckshotchicken.com