New Corpus Christi restaurant showcases spicy flavors of chicken

Have you ever had to sign a waiver before enjoying a plate of chicken tenders?

Now you will, if you choose the reaper flavor at Hot Chicken Run located in Corpus Christi's Southside.

The new local restaurant opened in July and promises to bring something new, exciting and hot to the city, according to owners Louie Stewart and Chester Simon.

The pair became friends 15 years ago after relocating from the Houston area to the Coastal Bend to work in the refineries. The two had backgrounds in business and food and decided to create a tasty product for Corpus Christi.

"The food is excellent," Simon said. "It's something we made from our heart. Nothing is frozen or pre-battered; everything is made to order. There was months of trial and error to get the food right, so you can see we put everything into this."

The restaurant serves chicken tenders, chicken sliders and loaded fries that arrive covered in macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and a selected sauce. The sauces include chickie, boom boom, ranch, BBQ, garlic parm and Caribbean.

The flavors for the chicken include no heat, mild, hot, habanero, ghost pepper and reaper. The latter requires the customer to be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver before consumption.

Stewart said since they've opened, about 30 to 40 people have ordered the reaper.

"The whole concept of Hot Chicken Run is derived around that flavor," Stewart said. "It's a bit of a challenge, that spice level. It brings out the extremists and adventurists to come check us out."

Hot Chicken Run is a cashless business, meaning the eatery only takes credit or debit cards, Apply Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay. There are also discounts for military and first responders.

An official grand opening will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, the owners said.

The event will have food tastings, a "Dunk-a-Chicken" booth, live music from Planet 102.3 and a reaper-eating contest.

"Our short-term goal is to continue to grow and reach our community," Stewart said.

"We want to let people know we're here and we're here to give back," Simon said.

ADDRESS: 6917 S. Staples St.

CONTACT:facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095477894818

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at [email protected] or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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