Hot Chicken vs. Crispy Chicken: What's the Difference?

It's the most common question we get at the counter: what's the difference between the Hot Chicken and the Crispy Chicken? They're both $16.50, they both start with a brined and fried chicken breast, and they're both on toasted brioche with Duke's mayo. After that, they go in completely different directions.

The Crispy Chicken ($16.50)

The Crispy Chicken is the everyday sandwich. Brined chicken breast, hand-breaded and fried until golden, with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and Duke's mayo on toasted brioche. It's clean, crunchy, and exactly what you want when you want a chicken sandwich without drama. No heat, no gimmick, just well-executed fried chicken on a good bun.

If you need gluten-free, this is the one to order. We swap to grilled chicken and a GF bun (+$2.75).

The Hot Chicken ($16.50)

The Hot Chicken starts the same way, brined, hand-breaded, fried, but after it comes off the fryer it gets coated in our signature hot sauce. And yes, it's actually spicy. We get asked that every day. The answer is yes. Duke's mayo and dill pickles on toasted brioche are there to balance the heat, but the heat is real and it lingers.

This is not a mild heat situation. If you have a low spice tolerance, order the Crispy. If you love Nashville hot chicken and want something with genuine fire, this is your sandwich.

Which should you order?

Order the Crispy Chicken if: it's your first visit, you're sharing with kids, you want a GF option, or you just want something satisfying without the heat.

Order the Hot Chicken if: you love spice, you've had Nashville hot chicken and want more, or you've already done the Crispy and want to level up.

Both come with house-made fresh fried potato chips. Sub shoestring fries or crispy tots for $2.

Our Chicken Strips (a third option)

If you want the crunch of fried chicken without committing to a sandwich, the Chicken Strips ($13.95) are sous-vide then hand-breaded and fried. More tender than standard strips because the sous-vide step ensures the inside is cooked perfectly before they hit the fryer. Eight dip options: Ketchup, Curry Ketchup, Ranch, Jalapeño Ranch, BBQ, Honey Mustard, Buffalo, or MFB Special Sauce.

Find us in Louisville, CO

We're inside Relish Food Hall & Pickleball at 550 McCaslin Blvd, Louisville, CO 80027. Open daily 11am to 8pm (9pm Fri to Sat). Order ahead at gotab.io/loc/relishfoodhall or walk up to the counter. We'll have the chicken ready fast.