Fried Chicken News

Nashville hot chicken chain closes 3 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth

This sandwich is still available in one location.

Photo courtesy of Hot Chicks

A local restaurant concept known for its combination of Nashville hot chicken and boozy slushies has shuttered: Hot Chicks Chicken has closed, after three years of operations in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Their final date was March 10. They shared news of the closure on Instagram, saying, “After 3+ years, a pandemic, record inflation and blood/sweat/tears, we have made the decision to close our doors."

The concept had three locations, in Dallas, Plano, and Fort Worth. All three are now closed.

Hot Chicks was a fast-casual restaurant from One Entertainment (Landmark Bar & Kitchen, Texas Republic, The Yard, Playground in Fort Worth; Theory Nightclub, Cutie Pies Pizza, Playground Bar in Uptown Dallas) that did scratch-made, Halal, dairy-free, peanut-free hot chicken, with heat levels varying from none to “Hot AF.”

The concept began as a pop-up in Fort Worth before opening its first permanent location in Plano in late 2020, followed by two more locations in 2021, in Dallas and in Fort Worth's Willow Park.

They arrived right on the cusp of the Nashville hot chicken trend - one that has since seen entries such as Hattie B's, Birdcall, Budlong, Rise Southern Biscuits & Chicken, Crimson Coward, The Cookshack, Sammy's Famous Chicken, Hangry Joe's, Palmer's, plus Lucky's which has already come and gone, with Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy! and possibly many more still to come.

That's a lot of hot chicken.

Meanwhile, those who still crave Hot Chicks are not being left out in the cold, says One Entertainment Principal Sam Sameni.

"We are still serving the Hot Chicks sandwich and tenders at our new Landmark location in Fort Worth," Sameni says. "Nashville hot chicken is a delicious food item but I don't think it can sustain an entire concept, unfortunately."

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Healthy Eating News

Mediterranean chain Cava brings healthy bowls to Saginaw

Photo courtesy of Cava

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A Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant has opened in Saginaw: Cava, a concept based in Washington DC, just opened at 1428 N. Old Decatur Rd. #150 with Mediterranean-inspired bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings.

“Our mission is to bring heart, health, and humanity to food, and everything we do at Cava is grounded in that spirit of generosity, to our guests, our team members, and our community,” said Tony Frazier, Regional Director. “We couldn’t be more excited to be in Saginaw.”

Cava is known for its customizable menu featuring their signature "crazy feta" - whipped with jalapeño, onion, and olive oil - as well as a rotating seasonal offering of juices, soups, and roasted vegetables.

You start with a base from a selection of salads, bowls, or pita bread, which you can make into pita sandwiches and plates, salads, greens-and-grains bowls, and a mini pita plate for kids. Sandwiches include options such as Greek chicken, falafel, or spicy lamb meatball. Sides include hummus, red pepper hummus, roasted eggplant, and more.

They made their DFW debut in early 2020 with a location in Uptown Dallas, and currently have 29 locations in the DFW area, including Arlington, Euless, Southlake, and Fort Worth.

Cava started out as a full-service restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, in 2006. The concept was founded by three childhood friends to celebrate the flavors of their families' traditional Greek and Mediterranean cooking in a casual modern setting, dedicated to fresh, Mediterranean-inspired, better-for-you cuisine.

The chain has since evolved into a fast-growing, fast-casual brand with locations in 25 states across the U.S., including 62 across Texas - a number that grew quickly after Cava acquired the Plano-based Zoës Kitchen Inc. chain in 2018.

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