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    World Famous Hotboys

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order World Famous Hotboys Takeout or Delivery

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    WORLD FAMOUS HOTBOYS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
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    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - World Famous Hotboys

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    sando
    Serena H.

    Fast service and really yummy! Read their spice level descriptions - I got the "mild plus" and it was perfect for me. Mostly to go but they do have some small outdoor tables to sit and eat at. Street parking was easy and meters are free after 6pm.

    Liz S.

    SHELLFISH ALLERGY: They recently updated the menu to include shrimp items which after speaking with staff they cannot deem safe to order non-shrimp items if you have a shellfish allergy due to cross contamination. Therefore I cannot eat here anymore. This makes me sad as it's close to work and it was a consistent lunch option.

    Aude O.

    So, this was nothing special. All seating is outside. Parking was limited ao it took a few drives around the block to find something. Service was fine. I ordered and had to wait about 25 minutes (evidently there was a huge order before me). However, as for the most important part, the food. It was just okay. Sure thw chicken was big, but too big to eat normally. I tried medium and it was pretty good heat. But it wasnt tasty heat. The fries and sauce were good though. Overall, it wasnt as great as i would have hoped.

    Arthur L.

    I came on a weekend afternoon with a few friends. There was a good amount of parking nearby and plenty of outdoor seating, but no indoor seating. The service was positive and welcoming, and the atmosphere was pleasant. We ordered at a table that was effectively the ordering counter. There were printer-paper-sized laminated menus to browse through. I got a Sando Meal at the HOT spice level with fries and a drink, and also tried the One Strip Challenge (1 HOT HOT Tender). You could choose between fries or slaw and the drink was a soft drink of your choice. The sandwich at HOT was great. The fries were good to pair to eat, although I wondered if the slaw would've been a better pairing. The HOT had a good amount of spicy and flavor but not to much that it was unbearable. The one strip challenge was excellent. The tender was huge. They also provided two disposable gloves to eat with, which was a great idea. If you're a favorite of spicy food, this is a must try, the spiciness slowly builds up to a great peak. Thankfully the drink that came with the sando helped with the hotness. After trying this, I would definitely recommend having some drink (water, milk, etc) to help with anything on the HOT HOT level. The tingling spice sensation in my mouth lasted for a few minutes and beyond. This is a great place to go if you like spicy chicken. I'll definitely be back!

    Frankie L.

    This fried chicken sandwich is one of the best I've had in the bay. The crinkly cut fries are so perfectly seasoned and they come out so hot and crispy. Service is good, you order at the front and wait around outside for them to call your number, it's about a ten minute wait. There is some outdoor seating or you can walk a block down to the little plaza area to find more seating. The area is a bit run down, but this place has a lot of character. Highly recommend if you are craving a fried chicken sandwich.

    Sando Combo
    Alex S.

    Hands down the best chicken sandwich in the East Bay; a juicy cut of red meat covered in a crispy exterior, perfectly balanced by a cabbage slaw and a spiced mayo dressing. Truly a phenomenal eating experience. I got the sando combo on Monday night; there was no wait, and the food took around 20 minutes to prepare. I got medium spicy, which was the perfect amount of heat for someone who enjoys spicy food. This place is a must stop if you want a good chicken sandwich. Note: they do not take mobile orders

    Sando
    Samantha C.

    When I saw picutres, it reminded me of Howlin Ray's from LA. We ordered takeout before heading back to LA. I got the chicken sando mild with fries and my best friend got the chicken sando mild+. The chicken sando is definitely one of the juiciest I've had, but something about the seasoning was different to me. Their seasoning is not your normal typical Nashville hot chicken you'd expect. Also, their fries are really good even though I don't like crinkle cut. Think Shake Shack but 10x better.

    Tender Sando Combo
    Shayla T.

    I really like this place!! It's kind of located in the middle of an intersection and parking is if you get lucky along the street. The wait times are pretty insane so I highly recommend ordering online. Even ordering online for a weekend evening the wait was 45 minutes!! Boyfie got the mild chicken sando and I got the training wheels tender sandwich. The tenders are pretty big and juicy!! Crispy as well. Their spice levels tend to be spicier than what you expect so if you don't handle spice well, go down a level. We ordered 1 slaw and 1 fries in our combo but both orders got fries. Fries are crinkle cut. A couple tables and benches to sit on outside.

    Kathleen W.

    The chicken sandos here ar eno joke! They are generous with the piece of chicken and it is fried to a desirable crisp. We wolfed it down quite quickly and it is a satisfying burger. Service is quite speedy here and the food is top tier!

    Outdoor Seating + Ordering Table/Counter
    Johnathan Y.

    Came by on a Sunday night and there was no wait for placing an order. Ordered the classic sandwich made using a chicken thigh with medium plus spice and got my food within 15 minutes. Everything was hot and fresh, which was a pleasant surprise given either the chicken or the fries had been cold in the past. This was a truly delicious meal and I was quite satisfied with the portion size given the price. Will be coming back!

    Chicken Etouffee
    Evelyn H.

    Hubby and I deliberately hunted this place down before a Marina concert in Oakland because it was something he had found online and wanted to try. I love a good hot chicken sandwich, but as we were riding BART up to Oakland, I was not feeling my best. I was praying that they would have something a bit more tame for me this evening because of how I felt and was relieved to know that they were serving chicken étouffée. It was a cold night and with me feeling less than my best, this was the meal I didn't know I needed. When you walk up to the place, you know you've arrived because the line is just unreal. We got up to the front and ordered in front of a folding table. It wasn't a go-inside-and-settle-in kind of place. We had to scout for a seat outside and share a picnic table with other people since there weren't a whole lot of seats, but a whole lot of people. The place was really popular - freight trucks were double-parked right in front as the drivers stopped in to order their food. Most people took their food to-go, but we had nowhere else to go, so we ate there. Food didn't take long to be ready, and when I got my meal, I was excited. It was exactly what I envisioned, and brought the exact comfort I needed from a meal at the time. I was bummed to not try their famous hot chicken, but that stewy flavory goodness of the chicken stew and rice was on point. Fresh, cozy, and comforting, it was the warm hug in my belly that I desperately needed. I hope to return one day when I feel well enough to set my stomach on fire with a hot chicken sandwich, but I was very satisfied with the warm, cozy chicken hug on this day.

    Sando combo with fries
    Kevin T.

    I love me some Hotboys! If you're craving their pretty much the perfect chicken sando and you're in range, hard to go wrong with these guys. The name is a bit on the nose, but the repoutation is deserved. Just a shame there are service quirks to this particular location. Walnut Creek has it done much better imo. There's no interior seating as it's mostly a take-out spot with some outdoor tables. While it's convenient if you order ahead, getting responsive service is difficult and orders and special requests like water can get lost if you don't push for yourself a bit. At least the food quality is still top notch! Delicately plump and juicy fried chicken with that oh-so-delightful sauce.

    Chicken Tender Combo
    Sophia H.

    I stumbled upon this place while trying to satisfy my Howling Rays craving! I ordered the chicken tenders combo (comes with a piece of toast and pickles) and sandwich combo. They have different levels for spice (mild, mild plus, medium, medium plus, etc). I was nervous about medium and opted for mild plus. Mild plus had a good kick and was genuinely between a mild and medium. I read some comments about the mac n cheese potentially lacking flavor. The mac n cheese was creamy, but the only flavor i tasted was the red pepper that was inside. Who doenst love fries with their sandwich?? But the fries were disappointing. Even though they looked crispy, the fries were hollow inside. They have a few tables outside for seating, but the inside is closed for dining. Would come back for their chicken sandwiches/tenders the next time im in the area.

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    Thanks for the review Samantha!

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    3 months ago

    Loved it. The chicken and waffles were delicious, the service was great, and the graffiti added a really fun, cool atmosphere.

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    World Famous Hotboys Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - World Famous Hotboys

    Is this a chain?

    Mini-chain, but that's the original. They have four or five locations

    Does anyone know if they use peanut oil?

    their website says "we use 100% halal chicken, peanut oil, wheat and soy products."

    Is there a vegan or vegetarian "chickn" option? I keep seeing it when I search but then nothing definitive?

    There's a veggie sando on the menu made from soy! If you want it vegan get it with no slaw or sauce cause they're made with mayo👍🏾

    Is the small parking lot behind Hotboys for customers or is it staff only?

    It's permit parking only. That lot is quick to tow so I wouldn't recommend!

    What's the difference between sandos and guap sandwiches?

    Sandos have slaw, pickles, and homemade sauce. El Guapo has cheese sauce and pickles.

    Is the coating crunchy?

    You betcha!

    Are the non spicy options still tasty?

    Yes!! Most definitely!! I do not like spicy either so I order non spicy also. Tastes so good! Enjoy!

    Is there seating or is it just "take out"?

    There is seating outside!

    Is chicken sandwiches are made with chicken breast or thigh meat?

    Thigh meat

    Does food and sauces contain peanuts.?

    Cooked in peanut oil

    When will you open in Walnut Creek?

    It's open!

    Is the chicken halal?

    Yes!

    What's the difference in the El Guapo Sandwich to the others?

    El Guapo has cheese

    Is the chicken served halal here?

    On their website it says they are 100% halal

    Do they use chicken breast or thigh for the sandwiches? The answer is 100% thigh. I just asked when…

    Definitely dark meat. It's a thigh.

    Does hot boys offer a chicken breast option for the sandwiches ? Also are the tender chicken breast?

    The sandos are made of breast and they have chicken breast tenders.

    What oil do they fry with? I have a nut allergy so peanut oil is a no for me :(

    Their website says peanut oil. </3

    Is everything halal?

    I doubt it. There is a good deal of pork in their offerings.

    If i order takeout how long on average does it take?

    Anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours

    Scoville score for hottest wing?

    Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to

    View All 56 Questions

    Lois the Pie Queen

    Lois the Pie Queen

    4.0
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    So glad there is a DoorDash pickup option to enjoy this restaurant when I don't have "cash only"…read moredining as an option. I had to try the Fried Chicken and I got the breast meat. It was flavorful, delicious and tender. It came with a couple eggs, a couple biscuits and I did the hash browns as my side. I love sweet potato pie and cheesecake so I had to order the sweet potato cheesecake and it was amazing. The food was ready in about 15 minutes and the lady helping me was friendly and provided good customer service. I love the decor with all the photos of all the folks that have enjoyed Lois' food. Looking forward to returning:)

    I hate leaving negative reviews, but unfortunately I have to be honest about my experience…read more I ordered the macaroni and cheese, short ribs, yams, and rice with gravy on Father's Day and spent about $57. Out of everything I ordered, only the fish trom the second plate was decent. The rice was extremely hard, as if it wasn't cooked properly. The gravy had an unpleasant taste and ended up being poured over everything, including the macaroni and cheese, which made it difficult to enjoy. The yams were cut into huge chunks with little care or presentation. The biggest disappointment was the short ribs. The meat quality was very poor, with an unpleasant taste and texture that made it nearly impossible to eat. I was genuinely shocked by how bad it was. For the amount of money I spent, I expected much better quality, preparation, and presentation. Nothing was separated properly, and the meal felt rushed and carelessly put together. I am very disappointed, especially since this was supposed to be a Father's Day meal. I wanted to support this business, but based on this experience, I cannot justify spending $57 for food of this quality. I hope this feedback is taken seriously so improvements can be made in the future

    Photos
    Great ambiance in the dining room
    Great ambiance in the dining room
    Hash browns, veggie sausage and eggs
    Hash browns, veggie sausage and eggs
    Corn Beef Hash

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    Corn Beef Hash
    Touch of Soul

    Touch of Soul

    3.4
    (799 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    We stopped by touch of soul to try their food on our way to San Francisco . Touch of soul is…read morelocated within an area where parking is much like downtown street parking but it is plentiful. The location is on a cute little corner and had patio seating . The service is so kind that it makes up for the next part of the review which gives the food a 3/5. The fried shrimp didn't have much seasoning but was crispy. The red beans and rice was a little mushy and had more beans than rice. The potato salad was lacking in flavor. These sides 3/5 I did enjoy the collard greens, cabbage, and the Mac and cheese. My partner said the cabbage should have had some meat in it to make the flavors more robust. I like it without the bacon and meat personally. It caters to a more vegetarian clean eating crowd. If it was in the stock I'm not sure... these sides were a 4/5 The oxtails we ordered was DELICIOUS. Probably some of the best most tender oxtail I could buy from a restaurant . 5/5!!

    My experience with this restaurant has been inconsistent, but my most recent catering order was…read moreextremely disappointing. The first time I visited, it was late in the evening and they had already sold out of several items. The food I did try was average at best--about a 2.5/5. The second time, I went with someone who knew the owner, and the experience was completely different. Everything was excellent--easily a 5/5. Based on that visit, I felt confident enough to place a large catering order for a Black History Month event at my job. I ordered yams, dressing with gravy, greens, mac & cheese, fried catfish, fried chicken, cornbread, peach cobbler, and German chocolate cake. The total came to $590, which I paid immediately after confirming via text. I requested that the food be ready by 2 PM since the event started at 3 PM. When I arrived, nothing was ready. There was also confusion about my order--they initially only prepared one dessert, even though I was charged for both cobbler and cake. I had to show proof of my order to resolve that. As the food slowly became available, I was handed trays one at a time with no assistance, meaning I had to carry everything to my car by myself. On top of that, the cornbread I ordered was never provided. The food wasn't fully ready until around 3 PM, which caused delays for my event. Unfortunately, the quality didn't match my previous experience either. The fried catfish pieces were extremely small--more like nuggets than full portions. The dressing was undercooked and even had large turkey bones in it, which was unacceptable. The greens had excessive liquid, which I had to drain before transporting them. Overall, this was a frustrating and disappointing experience. Order accuracy was a 1/5, timeliness and service (including lack of assistance) was a 1/5, and food quality was about a 2.5/5. Based on this experience, I will not be returning. For catering orders or anything from a local soul food restaurant I'd highly recommend Ys Choice.

    Photos
    Kanaani was nothing short of amazing, working the entire counter herself with such grace and professionalism!!!!
    Kanaani was nothing short of amazing, working the entire counter herself with such grace and professionalism!!!!
    2way combo with greens and red beans and rice !
    2way combo with greens and red beans and rice !
    Taking up most of the parking as they please no regard for customers or other biz in area

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    Taking up most of the parking as they please no regard for customers or other biz in area
    The Front Porch

    The Front Porch

    3.9
    (3.4k reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    There are very few restaurants that are as important to me as The Front Porch. It's a place my…read morefriends and I only come to about once a year. It's an annual tradition that we've held since 2019. My Southern friends would say this is the closest you can get to New Orleans in San Francisco and they're probably right. This dimly lit, quirky, old fashioned hole in the wall is a special place. The service is always great and the owner always comes to say hello if he's there. They are about to celebrate their 20th anniversary and one can see why. They make the best fried chicken in town! Not just great fried chicken, but other great dishes as well. We always start with fried okra and fried pickles. The fried okra is always cooked to perfection, and never slimy! The fried pickles are thin, crispy with a spicy remoulade that pairs perfectly. The corn bread comes with a delicious, sweet butter and the Red Beans and Rice with Andouille is not to be missed. The mashed potatoes and gravy and Mac and cheese are always ordered along with a bucket of fried chicken. The fried chicken here is crunchy, juicy and full of flavor. I also love their spiced popcorn. I have tried their Collard Greens, but they're not really our thing so we never order them. Please come and support this great, local business in the Outer Mission! It's worth it!

    The Front Porch is one of those places that gets everything right. The food is creative,…read morecomforting, and packed with flavor, blending Southern-inspired classics with a distinctly San Francisco personality. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared and beautifully balanced. The atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming, warm without being pretentious, and the staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Whether you're stopping in for brunch, dinner, or drinks with friends, it feels like the kind of neighborhood restaurant every city wishes it had. Great food, great service, and a memorable experience from start to finish. The Front Porch is well worth a visit and deserves a spot on any San Francisco dining list.

    Photos
    Bar area!
    Bar area!
    Asparagus with poached egg
    Asparagus with poached egg
    Citrus and arugula salad

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    Citrus and arugula salad

    World Famous Hotboys - halal - Updated July 2026

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