Featured image: Holly’s Hot Chicken sandwiches and beer-battered brownies @ Holly’s Hot Chicken x Dominion City Pop-up Brewery Kitchen Series.
I’ve had Holly’s Hot Chicken a few times already and am amazed every single time. They don’t have a single physical location, so I’ve been very lucky to catch them at their pop-up locations. They appear to have a great working relationship with Dominion City (one of my favourite breweries in town – see blog post), as all the times I’ve had their sandwiches, it was in collaboration with this local brewery. The story goes that Holly Laham was a pastry chef at Holland’s Cake and Shake, which no longer exists. That is a shame but fortunately, she has moved on to bigger and better things by making these Nashville-style deep-fried spicy chicken sandwiches, which are served at various events, breweries and restaurants throughout Ottawa. I have recently discovered that they are actually regularly at Bar Lulupus, one of my favourite new gastropubs, every Friday and Saturday late night from 10:30pm – 1:00am! Holly’s chicken is so crispy on the outside and juicy and flavourful on the inside. The bun encasing it is sweet, fluffy and soft. Add in some iceberg lettuce, pickled vegetables, +/- cucumber, +/- ranch sauce and it’s a party in your mouth! My favourite version is the Honey Garlic because I like the cucumber and the extra bit of sweetness of the honey. The Holly’s Hot is another solid choice as well. Those who are vegetarian, do not despair! She has a buffalo cauliflower version sans chicken! Pro tip: Regardless of which sandwich you choose, this is best paired with a cold, hoppy beer.
Trust me. Holly’s Hot Chicken is a must-try. We always end up ordering a seconds every single time because two sandwiches between the two if us is not enough. (We, obviously, don’t learn from our mistakes every time.)
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For more information:
Bowsing Nom Noms | Ottawa-Based Food and Travel Blog 