Ricky's Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Richardson

I’ll start with the positives because I feel the service deserves it. Although it’s hot outside and the line was long, it’s not their fault. They were super friendly and very welcoming. Amazing service.

Let’s get to the issues.

Value. There is none. We got 2 sandwiches and a side of loaded fries and it cost $40. The food is very over priced. Especially when you consider my following points.

Quality. The food was thrown together and the sandwiches aren’t the size you see in other reviews/pictures. Our loaded fries (birds nest) looked like it was picked up off the floor. Fries were super soggy and somewhat undercooked. Considering the fact that you’re throwing wet pickles and slaw on top, they should be cooked closer to well done. We weren’t able to enjoy more than a bite of the fries.

Flavor. I’m a big foodie. There wasn’t much flavor in the chicken. I’m not sure if they’re marinated or just fried from being cut. Seasonings were or abysmal quality. They’ve got the spice down but that’s about it. The texture of the chicken was very hard and chewy (hence why I’m assuming not marinated). Nashville Hot Chicken should have a distinct flavor in comparison to other sandwiches. I wasn’t able to distinguish the flavor (that was there) from any other commercial joint. I would much rather a spicy deluxe from chick fil a. Better flavor, better texture and decent value.

Summary: This isn’t worth the wait, doesn’t live up to the hype, and certainly doesn’t match up to the price. I would love to have another go and see if maybe my visit was a fluke day but unfortunately I don’t think this is a place I could give another shot.

Awesome service....

I was shopping in the area and I decided to give Ricky's a go on a whim.

First impressions were positive, a large line at 4 P.M., a team freshly frying chicken, and a great buzz in the air. Ricky was at the register and helped me decide my order (3 tenders, hot spiciness).

There's not a lot of seating inside, so it's an intimate fit in there, but I managed to get a chair over by the trash can.

Once I got the tenders, they were a letdown. The breading was falling off in some parts, the chicken was dry and wasn't particularly hot. Upon telling the staff this and seeing if I could get something else, they immediately got me a fresh order of dark meat and it was a night and day difference.

The chicken quarter was fresh out of the fryer and steaming once I bit into it. There was plenty of juice and the chicken skin had a phenomenal crunch to it. Overall, the redo was delicious with great flavor and spice. The fries were also really solid, as they had a great texture and the seasoning mix from the chicken. The spiciness level was just right, as hot is about the level of a habanero, so I'd recommend getting some ranch or comeback sauce to cool down your mouth if you need it.

The level of service provided by the staff turned an otherwise disappointing visit into a positive memorable experience. I'm hoping that the tenders were a fluke, as I'd like to give them another shot again, but the chicken quarter is simply divine. Definitely worth the hype if you're...

Yes, it's some good chicken but a tad overpriced (the sandwich). Especially considering in Nashville I had some really good hot chicken sanwich for much less. But in DFW, if you're having a craving, must try Ricky's. Just get The Sando. That's probably what you had in mind for a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich and it is their best offering. The patty and their Comeback sauce are really flavorful together. (Comeback sauce reminds me of the Raising Cane's sauce). Now, when it comes to heat, I think Mild is a good starting point where you get all the flavors without sweating it. I feel that beyond that, the higher heat levels don't really contribute to the overall flavor. It's diminishing returns. Don't bother with Xhot or A-bomb (not worth it...unless you wanna get back at someone). The higher spice levels are more superficial (I think they just dip or spray the patty) rather than baked in. You could see its effects on the bread that ended up looking quite unappetizing. I wish they could just serve The Sando without the fries and drinks and thus, reduce the price. The service was friendly but it's a rush out/in there. They don't do phone orders! They have a lot of people working behind the counter which begets the question: why not have one person dedicated to phone take out orders? Especially in these times, I really don't want to wait in a tight space for my order. I understand they get busy but other...