NASHBIRD Hot Chicken - Automobile Alley

NASHBIRD is a hot chicken counter-service restaurant and bar on 9th Street in Automobile Alley, founded by local restaurateurs Marc and Jenny Dunham with the goal of serving what they call "Hot Dang" Nashville-style chicken in a laid-back, high-energy room. The whole menu is built around one question: how much heat do you want? The scale runs from Chirp (no heat at all) through Kickin' and Hot Dang up to Crazy Hot for the genuinely brave, and you pick a level for every chicken order. The core lineup is big, crispy jumbo tenders and hot chicken sandwiches served on white bread with pickles the traditional way, plus a Nashville-style Hot! Chick sandwich on a brioche bun, chicken and waffles, chicken tacos, tenders baskets, and bowls like the Nash Bowl and Smokin' Hot! Bowl built on mac n' cheese and hot tots. The snack side of the menu has its own following: mac n' cheese poppers with bacon and crispy fried pickles, both served with ranch. Signature sauces — NashSauce, buttermilk ranch, pickle ranch, jalapeño ranch, chipotle ranch, honey mustard, and BBQ — round out the order. The room doubles as a bar pouring local craft beer and sweet tea, with a patio that people-watches along Broadway, making it a natural stop before an OKC Thunder game at the Paycom Center or a walk through the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Service is counter-style with a plainspoken guarantee: if you're not happy with your order or experience, they fix it on the spot, replace or refund. Catering is available for groups and events. Practical details: NASHBIRD is at 1 NW 9th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM and Friday through Saturday 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Call (405) 600-9718 or order online at nashbirdchicken.com.