When visiting the new Houston TX Hot Chicken in north Fresno, I was told tasting the spiciest offering could ruin my day.

The latest entry into the quick serve chicken restaurant game — which opened earlier this month at 8482 N. Friant Road #107 — rubs spices into their chicken, as opposed to providing a hot sauce.

The Original Hot Chicken sandwich ($9.99) is the top seller, coming in a variety of spices — from none, to spicy (150,000 SHU) to its top level is “Houston, We Have a Problem.” It is rated at 2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Adventurous eaters are required to sign a waiver.

The “Houston”-level spice is a combination of Carolina Reaper and Scorpion powder.

For comparison, a jalapeno is 8,000 SHU.

“You need to be pretty brave,” said store general manager Andrew Tauscher. “It’s a little bit of pain, a little bit of suffering. And then at the end, you kind of get to say, I did it. It’s pretty intense, though.”

Dairy is recommended to combat extreme spiciness. Too bad HHC doesn’t offer a simple glass of milk. They do offer 21-ounce shakes ($4.99) in five flavors, including waffle. It tastes like maple syrup, with waffle bits included.

Why do eaters love spicy foods?

“There’s something visceral by eating something really spicy. You know, it gets you sweating, it gets you kind of moving in your seat a little bit,” Tauscher said.

HHC also offers chicken tenders, paired with waffles ($13.99 for two tenders, a waffle, and fries).

“Chicken and waffles is our shtick for our chicken sandwiches here. So we cover them with syrup,” Tauscher said.

Although not on the menu, you can order the sandwich with a waffle instead of the brioche bun.

Houston By Way of Las Vegas

Fresno has seen several hot chicken restaurants open up lately — Fluckers Nashville Hot Chicken, Angry Chickz, and Al’s Hot Chicken to name a few.

Tauscher says HHC’s specialty equipment puts them over the top.

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“We use a $40,000 pressure fryer to be able to create a nice, consistent, crispy outside that holds up and keeps all the juices in, creates a very, very flavorful chicken product,” he said.

The “Houston” name is more marketing than an indicator of the restaurant’s background. HHC is based in Las Vegas, and was founded in 2020 by Houston Crosta and Edmond Barseghian. There is one location in Houston, however.

And, despite the Houston name, HHC serves the Nashville spicy style.

“After we dunk it in our housemade honey butter, we dunk it in our housemade spiced oils and then we do our spice blends depending on what level and how brave you are that day,” Tauscher said.

Tauscher said HHC plans to expand up to five Fresno locations, although he did not provide details.