Hangry Joe's Hickory Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Hickory

Edit/ update: I've been back twice now, and the service has not improved. All three times I've visited, my order has been wrong. The second time I ate here, they brought me someone else's order, and when mine finally arrived, it was still wrong. Whenever I order a shake it comes out well after I'm done eating my meal... This leaves me waiting awkwardly at the counter trying to decide whether or not to give up and just leave. I wish this was just a me problem; however, tonight I watched two other sets of customers deal with similar frustrations. Restaurants have a hard time staying long-term in Hickory unless they develop a strong customer base. I'm the perfect candidate for this type of place since I love Nashville Hot Chicken... It's just a shame that the shoddy service has left a sour taste in my mouth.

First Visit: I'd like to start this review by saying that I've had the privilege of trying both of the original Nashville Hot Chicken restaurants in Nashville, TN (Prince's and Hattie B's). That being said, I'm no stranger to Nashville Hot Chicken. While Hangry Joe's is neither of those places, I'm happy to announce that their chicken is incredibly juicy, flavorful, and most importantly... hot!

That out of the way, I do believe that this restaurant has some room for improvement. While my food was delicious and served fresh and hot, the service left something to be desired. Upon my first visit, I ordered the chicken tenders combo for dine-in with buffalo sauce instead of their signature sauce. Unfortunately, I was given my order in a to-go box and bag, without a drink cup and without any buffalo sauce. Thankfully the ladies working there were kind and willing to fix everything for me. I completely understand that things like this take time to work out, and I'm sure that things will get better over the next few months.

My recommendation is for people who like spicy food to start with the medium heat level. I eat spicy food on the regular, and this was the perfect balance of heat and flavor for me. If you think that pepper is spicy... I would recommend you try your chicken with either no spice, or their lowest level of spice. Also, my oreo shake was rather tasty, and worked great as a fire extinguisher for my mouth!

Overall, I was very happy with my food, even if ever so slightly disappointed by the service. I have full faith that this place will only get better with time, and I hope that Hickory will fully embrace this diamond...

Please let me tell you, it was atrocious! If I could leave negative stars, I would! I'm definitely contacting corporate! Only been open for a few months and were like 9 months late doing that! My first visit took my granddaughter there for her 5th birthday. No cars in the parking lot, 3 men ( definitely workers) out front smoking "something", literally ran in when they see me. Once inside, they peaked out the windows to see if we were coming in. The smokers went straight to the kitchen without washing their hands. I went in to ask if they had any regular flavor food (granddaughter won't eat spicy at all), and they said yes. The floor was so sticky that my shoes literally half pulled off my foot with every step. I was discussing the floor with the friend that went with me, we thought it was leftover glue from where the floor was evidently taken up during renovations and not replaced. A worker sitting directly beside where I was standing heard us. I mentioned to him how sticky the floor was, and he reiterated twice that he was not on the clock! Cool, I started to at least try it once, im already here, maybe an off day? Started our order, oh, we're out of that, happened on a couple of items. It's a Thursday afternoon at 4 pm, not 1 customer in the place. With all the above having already happened, we decided to go to Granny's Kitchen only a quarter mile away. By the way, Granny's Kitchen was great as always...Advice for a new business and new franchise in Hickory, get it together quick, or you won't be here! The friend said never again for her, her first visit as well...Me, I believe in 1 second chance, I definitely will not be in a rush to...

Great chicken! Still working out the kinks. Kids meal ONLY comes with Sunny D and soda or a shake is an upcharge, okay...but no it's rang as a separate item at full price. None of my group want Sunny D. Just charge the difference in price, Hangry Joe. Mac n cheese both times I went....great but served differently and in different portions each time. Ranch ordered both times with upcharge, neither time got it with out asking again. Korean bites once served with some sauce on the side then second time, no sauce on the side. Pickles once no pickles next time. Ordered Honey BBQ tenders asked what heat, was told could get mild even though menu looked like Honey Bbq didn't come in mild. It infact did not. Came as mild tenders, no honey bbq. Receipt provided afterwards showed it as Honey BBQ on the side??? I ordered cider slaw and it came on my kids plate so she ate some of it, before I realized that it was mine then acted like I had taken something from her when I told her I ordered it. What if she was a coworker and not my kid? Place ala carte sides on a tray not on someone's plate just because it fits. I think this place is a gem! Honestly these were just some mild hiccups compounded to make it a bit frustrating, but the idea is solid and the food quality is wonderful. This will do well in Hickory and I know will be added to my...