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    HOTBIRD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Hotbird

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    The menu
    Markus R.

    The location is great. It's right in the heart of Downtown Oakland with so many other restaurants and attractions nearby. There are a couple parking structures close and there is also street parking available. The inside of the restaurant is a bit on the smaller side but it has tables to sit at. The service is quick. The bathrooms are clean. Not much to complain about service wise. I like how they have a hotness-level of their spices. The food was great. The chicken was extra crispy and packed full of flavor. I got the most un-spicy flavor since I do not like spiciness and it was great. Virtually not spicy at all! The fries were also very crunchy and covered in a spice. My only grit with my meal was the oil, the fries and chicken were a bit greasy. I had to wash my hands after eating and even then the smell still kind of lingered on my fingers. The prices are also a bit high. For a meal for two, expect to walk out of here for around $35 making this a ($$$) for me. The flavor of the chicken almost makes up for the hefty price tag. Bottom line/TLDR: great chicken but expensive and oily.

    Montage of images from Hotbird
    Ed U.

    If you're a fan of Nashville hot chicken, you no doubt are wetting your pants over the presence of this Oakland cafe. And why not? They do a pretty good job of replicating the spicy down home style of a Hattie B's (review: https://yelp.to/7VXLRu1VQw), but they were sorely lacking the Southern hospitality I was hoping for with this type of operation. Glum is the best description of the service here. Because of its proximity to the Fox Oakland, Jamie W. and I have been here a couple of times for pre-concert bites. On our first visit, I tried to be good by ordering The Salad with Fried Chicken. It consisted of shredded cabbage, peanuts, carrots, cucumber, tomato, red onion, dill pickle, crispy shallots, various herbs, and green goddess dressing (photo: https://yelp.to/m9ii5JdLwF). With the chicken, it came to $17. It was quite a generous serving and packed with flavor. As with every dish, you have the choice of six different levels of heat. I went with Mild because I'm a wimp. Jamie had the $14.50 Fried Fish Sandwich, a beer battered filet in a buttered bun stuffed with slaw, dill pickle, and their comeback sauce (photo: https://yelp.to/L6zgweS0aD). He went Mild, too, and the sandwich was a hefty delight. We came back several months later and tried a couple of other favorites. Still the same glum service, too. This time Jamie was smart and had the $8.50 Hotbird Jr., just a smaller version of the fish sandwich (photo: https://yelp.to/pVKxP_1sgh). I went in the other direction and had the heavy $21 Nashville Fish & Chips, whole beer battered and fried catfish with apple slaw, dill pickles, and a pile of fries (photo: https://yelp.to/fD82Y0xJRb). That was definitely for the seriously committed. FOOD - 4 stars...hefty portions of fish and chicken that manage to satisfy AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...not enough tables when we come but we made do SERVICE - 2.5 stars...turn that frown upside down TOTAL - 4 stars...Nashville-to-Oakland, get on board RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

    Fried chicken sandwich
    Jill U.

    The food was well put together and fish sandwich sizable. I was surprised that the sandwiches didn't come with anything. But we'd ordered a side of Mac n cheese with was noodles and liquid cheese. It took a long time for someone to come to the counter to take our order. Seemed like just one person working. There were plenty of seats and a good amount of people dining in.

    Medium regular chicken sandwich
    Nadav M.

    The Bay Area seems to have nice places to have a good chicken sandwich. This is one of the nice places I've tried. The inside seemed a bit empty but lovely with the 'All you need is hot chicken'. Service was clunky but thorough. Waiting time was fine. I did notice that their fry selection is not too extensive. I went with waffle fries and the regular hot chicken sandwich, I believe medium was the spice level. I can recall there were layers of sweetness. The coleslaw was sweet to me, not sure if it was the pickles as well. The flavour was nice. The spice was potent but not extreme; very comfortable while I watched people pass by. Waffle fries were crispy and fresh. The sauce was more on the sweet side but a good layer of flavour. Water and utensils are self served by the doorway. Right in the middle of downtown Oakland. Easily accessible with public transport.

    Fried chicken sandwich and fries
    Ayro P.

    I would actually give this place 3.5 stars. It was recommended by a friend who lives nearby so we were excited to try it. When we walked in there were a lot of bugs flying near the entrance but at least that was the only place they were flying. The guy working the register was super friendly and let us try some of the spice levels using almonds. I was on the fence between mild and medium but didn't want to ruin my first time. My fiancé and I ordered fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and collard greens. The chicken sandwiches (7/10) were pretty big and filling. The chicken didn't seem dry at first but the more I got into it the more it seemed like it. Just a little though. The fries (8/10) were good but nothing that really sets it apart from other burger/sandwich places. The collard greens (6/10) were flavorful but super heavy. I'm sure it's intentional but I'm just not used to it. We didn't even finish it. Also, they came out a little late because the guy working accidentally left it in the window. Overall I probably wouldn't return to this place on my own, but not against coming here if my friend wants to go.

    Fried fish sandwich -  Very tasty!
    Shayla B.

    The Hotbird is pretty damn legit if you ask me! There seems to be quite a few of these hot fried chicken spots opening up in the area. I'll admit that I'm a creature of habit and have been basically stickin' with my old and faithful World Famous Hotboys. And while I love them to death, I also love that I have options now. Because... who doesn't love them options?! Dropped by one evening to check this spot out for dinner. The location is prime time. It's located just one short block from the Fox Theater and tons of fun bars off Telegraph. For a chicken shop, the interior is pretty spacious. They have a beer and soju cocktail bar with a couple of big screen TV's inside. You order at the register and they'll deliver your food to your table. They've had some burglaries in the past unfortunately, so they don't accept cash for payment (which is totally understandable given the circumstances). The sweet young lady who assisted me at the register was really kind and helpful. You can adjust the heat level to your liking. One thing that I found unique about this spot is that they offer hot fried fish. Can't say that I've seen this option at any other hot fried chicken spot that I've been to thus far. I was intrigued and you know I had to try it. And that, I did. Welp, it was... ***wait for it***... FIYAH! As in, hawt fiyaaah! Me likey, me likey a lot. I'll be honest, it's truly nothing like a hot chicken sandwich. The texture is a lot softer of course and even though I got a medium heat level, it didn't seem too hot to me. Now if I had gotten a medium hot sammy from Hotboys, my ass would have been on the toilet pronto. So in essence, the medium spice level here worked on my behalf. Loved the aioli sauce and the simple slaw. They hooked it up with a fat ol' piece of fish for me too. It was super filling. I liked the waffle fries too even though I'm more of a traditionalist and would have preferred plain Jane fries since the sandwich is pretty fancy itself. The only thing I'd say is don't expect the fish sandwich to be anything like a hot fried chicken sandwich. It's a totally different experience and I don't mean that in a bad way. The fish is just a lot more subtle and less textured. Pretty impressive for my first ever hot fried fish sandwich. I'd get the fish sandwich again, but I will def try their chicken sammy on my next visit.

    Jessica K.

    Random training class downtown. Talked a bunch of strangers into going to lunch with me. The person taking our orders was pretty nice, offered his opinion on menu items. I got the honey butter chicken sando, no cheese no jalapeno. I would have liked to sub the cheese for something else but only pimento is offered I guess. I got the fries, thinking they were waffle fries since there were a bunch of photos with waffle fries. They were not. Kind of disappointed about that. I wanted to get the Mac but I knew I was going to be too full, and I wanted the banana pudding. The banana pudding was not a disappointment. Overall, great vibes, great food. I will return.

    Inside
    Alvi L.

    Delicious food in a comfortable casual restaurant with friendly customer service. Recommendations: Chicken Sandwich Fish and chips Banana pudding

    Chicken Tenders with slaw and two sauces. Yum.
    Aaron Z.

    We stopped here before a weeknight concert at the Fox and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a simple menu plus beer, wine, and some soju cocktails. Perfect for a pre-show bite. The inside was very quiet and service was quick. It's nice that you can choose the spice level (and maybe get on the wall of fame if you're brave enough!). It gets pretty serious even for people who like spiciness. We got the tenders and a chicken sandwich. Both brought the heat and the breading was perfectly crisp. Not greasy, not soggy. The sauces (esp the Come Back Sauce) were a great compliment. The slaw was tangy and sweet. I'd love to try more of their stuff!

    Carol C.

    Date: 7/23/2023 Time: 5:20 PM 67° Sunny My husband wanted fish 'n chips. Our go to place in East Oakland is closed today. Yelp search of somewhere close to Alameda resulted in Hotbird at 1951 Telegraph Avenue. I called in the order of the fish and chips and the fried tenders platter. Both entrees included coleslaw, pickle chips and sliced garlic bread The bread reminded me back in the struggling days when bread was used for hamburger bun, hot dog bun, butter/sugar sandwich. To y'all in the hood, ya know what I'm talkin' about...LOL. Gentleman who answered the phone told me food would be ready in about 15 minutes. Wow! The fried tenders had a kick to it without the medium level sauce. With the medium level sauce, the tenders were delicious. The honey mustard sauce was okay. I should have asked for ranch dressing. The coleslaw cut some of the spiciness down. I didn't think I would find coleslaw as good as KFC's, but Hotbird's coleslaw is even better. Yummy! When I checked in, the owner had my order ready, all in a bag. Hotbird was not busy and I was in and out of there in less than 5 minutes. I'm impressed with the quick service. A quick glance of the ambience has a small dining area with red highback stools and chairs, several tables and two flat screen TVs. Front of restaurant has big picture window for those who enjoy people watching. The place is comfy and casual. I can't say anything about the fish, except it is a huge piece, included waffle fries and tartar sauce. P.S. Husband says fish is spicy. He couldn't even finish of his dinner. Return visit? Yes, on a quiet Sunday.

    Fried Chicken Sandwich (~$15) + Waffle Fries (~$5)
    Aya E.

    Ordered: Fried Chicken Sandwich (~$15): fried chicken breast (medium spice), slaw, dill pickle, comeback sauce, on buttered bun Waffle Fries (~$5): seasoned waffle fries with comeback sauce Aya's take: I actually came in wanting to try the Fish Sandwich since it sounded unique but the worker told me to try the Chicken Sandwich if it was my first time. It was surprisingly empty when I stopped by around 3pm on a Friday. The Fried Chicken Sandwich was crispy, juicy, and had a nice kick at the medium spice level. The Waffle Fries were pretty average but complemented the sandwich well. I've definitely had better Nashville-style chicken sandwiches but there's nothing wrong with Hotbird's. It was a good try.

    Corina S.

    I really really enjoyed the staff and the environment on top of the food!!! Found this spot near underdog film. I got the spicy and my husband got the southern chicken. Really wish I got the Mac and cheese! It looked fire!

    Mild chicken tenders with fries
    Mariam M.

    Hot chicken has gotten pretty popular lately but I'm a fan of Hotbird. I tried their chicken tenders (got mild - it was actually pretty mild while still maintaining flavor) and they came out so fresh and warm. I would say there's a bit more breading than actual chicken but is that really a bad problem? The fries were those oh so delicious crispy shoestring type. The actual restaurant itself as far as ambiance goes is pretty similar to any kind of fast food place. A good spot definitely worth checking out!

    Fried Chicken Sandwich Hot.

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    Yessss thank youuu!!!

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    The chicken sandwich was great The meat was fresh. The bread was fresh and the coleslaw was awesome on it.

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    Page 2 of 8

    Ask the Community - Hotbird

    What type of oil do they use?

    Rice bran and soy bean oil mix

    Do you offer any halal meat?

    Yes! I confirmed with the manager that all of their chicken is halal.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    World Famous Hotboys

    World Famous Hotboys

    4.4
    (2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Simple takeout spot with lots of chicken-y goodness. There's street parking nearby…read more My order was placed online and I got a text after my order was ready. I ordered the sando and fries combo and enjoyed them at the picnic tables nearby. 5/5 Chicken sandwich I'm no fried chicken connoisseur, but I really enjoyed this sandwich. My mild fried chicken sandwich was crispy and savory with a hint of sweetness. The coleslaw was a creamy tangy addition that paired well with the sandwich. It's nice they offer various spicy levels; the mild is flavorful without burning off your taste buds. 4/5 Fries were nicely spiced with cajun-esque flavors. Not spicy at all. They included a mysterious (aioli?) sauce that went well with the fries. Fries were crispy though without the pillowy insides I crave. The portion was huge, quite shareable. I also tried a few bites of the thick gravy seafood etouffee. Other folks in my party were impressed with the flavor and generally liked it, but I didn't care too much for it. You might enjoy it if you, too, enjoy curry-type food. I don't often eat fried or hot chicken, but I consider this to be one of the better spots locally.

    Casual southern spot for fried chicken sandwiches. Don't be afraid to turn up the heat!…read more The menu offers flavorful versions of southern comfort foods. We ordered a chicken sando, the chicken and waffles, and a couple sides -- the greens and etouffee. The sandwich was the clear highlight: moist chicken thigh with a breaded crunch, covered by a thin layer of mayo coleslaw. The light, sweet crunch of the cabbage and carrots gave balance to the dark meat. The waffles were crispy but just soft enough you could wrap them around the chicken to make a sweet sandwich out of that dish too. The server was very friendly when we came. I expressed curiosity about the different heat levels, and he shared nuggets batter d in the medium and hot sauces. He shared our excitement at trying the hot stuff! For the record, the medium is hotter than your typical spicy chicken sandwich and probably a safe go-to. The hot level just cracks "painful" but not unmanageably so -- might be fun as a treat. TBH I was pleasantly surprised by how much flavor each sauce packed -- and how different they were. The medium is especially sweet. Go for the sando. Crank up the heat. It doesn't miss.

    Photos
    "Front" or exterior
    "Front" or exterior
    Chicken Sando Combo
    Chicken Sando Combo
    I forgot to take a picture of it before I bit into the Sando Combo LOL!

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    I forgot to take a picture of it before I bit into the Sando Combo LOL!
    Lola's Chicken Shack

    Lola's Chicken Shack

    3.8
    (791 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $

    This place has been around for awhile and comes highly recommended by locals. A friend and I went…read morehere on a Monday afternoon. The staff was cordial and friendly, and the chicken-themed decor, charming. Now it IS a chicken joint, the go-to chicken spot for my full carnivore friend. He loves them for their chicken, their inexpensive menu and their large portions. I'm mostly pescatarian, though I do sometimes cheat with bacon. (I always feel SO guilty afterwards too!) I ordered the honey mustard salad with bacon and no chicken. My friend ordered the chicken Mac n cheese and tater tots. The bill came up to $30, and the portions were good on on the salad, GREAT on the tater tots and decent on the chicken mac. I can't speak personally on the chicken but my friend says it's amazing. I tasted some of his Mac n cheese with no chicken, and it was really good and flavorful, nice and cheesy. I tasted his tater tots. They were plentiful, well-seasoned and fried to golden perfection, with a nice crunch. I ate all of my salad. My friend couldn't finish his chicken Mac or his tater tots and was happy to be able to take them to go for another meal. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place.

    I have been coming here over the years and never had any issues…read more However tonight the following happened: The friendly staff took our order : two sandwiches and an order of fries. About 10 minutes later the server brought what looked like our food to the only other table at the restaurant. The pair sitting there brought it back to the server as it wasn't what they ordered. Our server apologetically just handed us the food that another pair had inspected and returned (they said they didn't touch it). No napkins, fries, or ketchup for the fries. I went to the counter and asked for napkins and fries and politely asked about our fries. They apologized and said it would come right out. My sandwich bread turned out to be fairly burned, and it tasted burned. Towards the end of finishing our sandwiches (about 20 minutes after I ordered and 10 minutes after I asked about the fries), I asked if my fries could be to-go. The friendly server was again apologetic and said they would check on it. A minute later they came out with a box of fries and apologized they they had been forgotten about in the kitchen. They were no longer hot. I was disappointed with my most recent trip.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Signature Chicken Tenders
    Signature Chicken Tenders
    Rubber skin type thing

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    Rubber skin type thing

    Hotbird - comfortfood - Updated July 2026

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