When nothing else will do but crispy fried chicken made as spicy as you’d like it, get on over to Willie’s Hot Chicken. At this Kailua-Kona eatery, they only use the finest all-natural chicken, and then kick it up a notch with their crispy, flavorful breading. Then, they pair it with tasty dipping sauces and sides to remember.
Whether you get bone-in chicken, go with the tenders, or take it to the next level with a sandwich, the chicken is the star of the show, of course. They’ve mastered the art of creating perfectly crispy breading infused with all the right spices. So, even if you get yours at the lowest level of the spiciness tree, you just know it’s going to be delicious.
But the real magic lies in choosing the spice level that speaks to you. Their Southern classic serves as the base, while lava hot is the hottest you can get. They even have sweet heat deliciousness in the middle of the scale if you prefer. Not sure which spice level will suit you well? Just ask for their chart with the Scoville units to figure it all out.
Once you decide what level of spice to try, you’ll get to dive back in the decision-making process by selecting between all their amazing housemade sauces. Out of all their options, their spicy remoulade stands as the fan-favorite. If that’s not quite your style, you could get ranch, BBQ, honey mustard, and many other incredible sauces instead. They even have an exquisite Fireball Maple that offers an ideal balance of sweetness to offset its intensely fiery heat.
Although their chicken is good enough reason to stop by all on its own, their sides are pretty wicked good as well. They have three kinds of fries, including their popular waffle fries, plus mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, and so much more. Their potato salad is absolutely incredible, too, with its genius addition of both bacon and eggs.
Their most popular fare include:
Tenders
A true local favorite, the Tenders always treat you to delightful crispiness on the outside and tender juiciness inside. This popular dish starts with three all-natural chicken strips, breaded and fried to perfection. Once they’re done, the tenders land on a slice of bread alongside any side of your choice. Sliced pickles come with as well to help kick all the bold flavors into high gear.
The Hammah
For a chicken sandwich unlike anything you’ve ever had before, set your sights on The Hammah. Available grilled or crispy fried, this sandwich starts with a toasted bun topped with whatever chicken you want. Over that, they pile on the sliced ham and muenster cheese. Smoked tomato mayo gets slathered on the top bun before it pops on top as well. You get one side of your choice, but it’s wise to add sliced pickles alongside for an extra charge.
Fried Tempeh
If you want to skip the chicken without missing out on all the fiery goodness, go with the Fried Tempeh. Made to mimic their signature homemade goodness, they take strips of tempeh, and then fry them until crispy. Then, they add as much heat on it as you’d like before putting it over a slice of bread. You get one side and sauce of your choice plus sliced pickles.
On the first Friday of every month, come by to enjoy chicken however you like it while listening to live music. The restaurant warmly welcomes local musicians, including Ronnie V. and The Family Band, to play for all their patrons. The music starts at around 6 pm and continues until 9 pm, giving you plenty of time to jam.
Insider Tips:
-Add a tasty tender to any meal for just a dollar more.
-They charge for extra sauce, but it’s well worth the expense.
-Their hottest spice level comes at an additional charge, just to make sure you’re serious.