Joella’s Hot Chicken is Kickin’ Up the Heat in Largo

I found my love for hot chicken during our first visit to Nashville. The spiciness, the crispiness – it all stuck with me. Since then, I have made it a mission to find a spot around here that serves up hot chicken like I had back in Music City. Most places fail to replicate the spice and consistency that I’m looking for. In a lot of cases the chicken has a sweet taste rather than what it’s menu name of “hot chicken” implies. All of that changed a week ago when Ben and I visited a new hot chicken spot in Largo, Florida. Allow me to introduce you to Joella’s Hot Chicken. As you scroll, please try not to lick your screen (or do, if you’re into that kind of thing).

Highlights:

• Joella’s Hot Chicken just opened in Largo, Florida.
• It’s their first ever Florida location.
• Joella’s is serving up hot chicken in different spice levels (the hottest one requires a signed waiver). They also have southern comfort sides and pie in a jar desserts.

Keep Up at Joella’s by ordering:

• The Chicken & Waffles (chicken spice level: Hot)
• The Pimento Chicken Sandwich (chicken spice level: Hot)
• Dippin’ Sauces: Pimento Ranchero, Jojo Sauce, Spiked Honey, Cheerwine BBQ, and Ranch
• Sides: Parm Garlic Fries, Mac & Cheese, Sweet Vinegar Slaw
• Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake Pie in a Jar, Apple Crunch Pie in a Jar

Joella’s Hot Chicken invited me out to their soft opening ahead of their grand opening later that same week. When I saw the words “hot chicken” and “Largo, Florida” in the same email paragraph, I SQUEALED. As you guys know, I live in Clearwater. Ben and I usually drive upwards of 40 minutes to go to events like this. It was nice to see a location that was only 15 minutes away from me for once. And a hot chicken restaurant at that.

When Ben and I arrived at Joella’s we immediately noticed all the cars in the parking lot. This soft opening was a big deal both in and outside of the restaurant judging by their drive thru. Upon walking inside, a hostess greeted us before we ordered our food. She ran through the full menu explaining what Joella’s had to offer: the sauces, sides, the whole nine.

Joella’s offers six levels of spice for their hot chicken. You can opt for the Southern level which appeals to those that don’t like the spice life. You can go midrange for a safe heat with Ella’s Fav. Or you can bravely convince your taste buds that you’re ready to conquer the waiver-required Fire-In Da-Hole heat level. I thought I was ready to go to the top of the spice chart. Once the cashier asked if I was “ready to sign the waiver”, I chickened out (pun completely intended). I knew this would be our first visit of many to Joella’s, so I played it safe this go around. Still feelin’ spicy, both Ben and I opted for our chicken to come in the Hot level (just one rank below Fire).

In a very unlike-Kahla fashion, I ordered the chicken and waffles platter. That combo is not usually a go to of mine, but for whatever reason the spicy hot chicken with soft, sweet waffles just sounded on point. Upon first bite I knew my choice was validated. They were insanely good. Honey butter came served on top of the waffles. I took it a step further and drizzled my spiked honey sauce over both the hot chicken and waffles. The sweet to spicy ratio was perfectly balanced. I was thrilled to actually TASTE the spice.

Ben’s pimento chicken sandwich did not disappoint. The pimento cheese came piled high. Its creamy consistency worked well to balance out the heat on his sandwich. Personally, I liked that my meal was somewhat deconstructed so that I could taste more of the heat from the chicken; however, Ben’s sandwich had a nice kick to it and it’s one that I would definitely order for myself. It might even be a good contender for the Fire-In Da-Hole spice level to really pack the heat.

Out of the southern sides we tried, the mac & cheese and vinegar slaw were my favorites. I’m VERY picky about my coleslaw and could not stop eating Joella’s. Ben’s parm garlic fries were also a clear hit with both of our taste buds.

Pie in a Jar desserts brought our meals to a close. Yes, you definitely read that right. Pie in a Jar desserts. Joella’s serves up mason jar sized pies that will fix your after dinner sweet tooth right up. They’re just as cute and Instagram worthy as you can imagine. We tried the Strawberry Shortcake and the Apple Pie Crunch. I heard a rumor that Joella’s will have pumpkin pie in a jar soon. My fall lovin’ self is SO READY.

It’s safe to say that I’m a happy gal now that I have a hot chicken place nearby – and one that actually serves it as promised. As a lover of the spice life, I can’t recommend Joella’s Hot Chicken enough. Florida’s already got the heat, but Joella’s is kicking it up a notch in a really good way.

Thank you so much to Joella’s Hot Chicken for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions shown here are my own.