Spicing up the Bay Area
California-based Nashville hot chicken chain makes Texas debut in Houston
Angry Chickz is known for its signature sliders.
A Nashville hot chicken chain from California is coming to Texas: Called Angry Chickz, it'll make its Lone Star State debut in Houston, at 18207 Egret Bay Blvd. in the space that was previously Bay Area Turning Point Resale Shop. According to a spokesperson, it'll open in October.
Angry Chickz was founded by David Mkhitaryan, an entrepreneur who came from a restaurant family, and who opened his first location in Hollywood in 2018. The chain now has 26 locations in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Angry is known for its spicy-hot chicken — available as a tender, on white bread, or in their signature slider format, served with coleslaw and french fries. They also do a trio of bowls, in which tenders are combined with rice, fries, or mac & cheese.
Bringing the chain to Houston is Jim Wang, who operates more than 50 restaurants across seven states, including the Houston locations of Japanese concept Jinya Ramen Bar, all-you-can-eat concept Gen Korean BBQ, and the French cafe and bakery Paris Baguette. Notably, the first Angry Chickz location is in the same shopping center as the Bay Area outpost of Jinya Ramen.
After visiting Angry Chickz at its location in Aliso Viejo, California, Wang was inspired by the brand’s growth story and unique flavors.
“While I was visiting California recently, I heard about the concept and its unique history and had to try it firsthand,” Wang said in a statement. “Not only was the chicken utterly fantastic, but I immediately recognized the opportunity to scale this concept and stand out in the chicken category.”
Once Houston is open, Wang plans to take the concept to San Antonio, too.
The menu includes caviar, hot dogs, and taquitos.Photo by Julie Soefer