If you are looking for a fire chicken spot in Phoenix, one where you can sit and eat in peace, you have to try Monroe’s Hot Chicken. Let me tell you a story.
I’ve been following Monroe’s Hot Chicken since their open in 2019. I’m a fan of the family, to be honest. This black family not only owns and operates the Monroe’s Hot Chicken brand, but the Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles and Mrs.Whites brands as well.
Talk about black excellence…
This is it!
But that’s a whole other story. So anyways…
Listen, the presentation is there. The chicken looks damn good. I literally be drooling, it’s embarrassing!
I will rewatch Monroe’s Hot Chicken make chicken sandwiches and mac and cheese, over and over again. That honey bun chicken sandwich is something serious to look at, food porn is real.
Not only is the presentation there, but also the reputation. I’ve tried Lolo’s, they’re pretty good. It would only be right that Monroe’s Hot Chicken be just as good if not better.
But… the price.
The price is what held me back for so long.
$13 for a chicken sandwich?!
Just the sandwich?
I had to put it in that “food wish list” category. You know, like the food splurge list if you will.
I’m a loyal consumer and if it doesn’t make sense for me to have it regularly, then I place it on a wish list for special occasions.
As the stars align, for me to make “random” purchases, I like to check items off my wish list instead of making impulsive buys.
Not only did the stars align for me to try Monroe’s Hot Chicken, but I was made a believer that they earn every cent they up in there charging for them chicken sandwiches.
Monroe’s Hot Chicken has two locations, one in Phoenix and the other in Tempe. My hubby and I decided to have a date at the Tempe location.
As soon as we walked in we were warmly welcomed by their all black staff. Great first impression! It’s always a plus to be properly acknowledged in an establishment I plan to spend my money in.
We walked straight to the menu, you would think I knew exactly what I was going to get.
We decided on the two chicken sandwiches, one southern spice and one mild spice sauce, both no coleslaw. (Neither of us are a fan of coleslaw.) We also got the cornbread mac and cheese, the smoked turkey collard greens and the beer battered onion rings.
You order your meal on the kiosk found at the counter where the registers would usually be. The staff is friendly and willing to help if you have any issues.
It took about 15 minutes to get our food after ordering, I’m estimating, as I wasn’t actually keeping count.
When the order was ready they called our name and my hubby went to go pick it up. They packaged it neatly into these white Monroe’s Hot Chicken branded boxes that can be folded up and used as to-go boxes for any leftovers.
Everything was steaming hot! (In my opinion, the best time to try a new meal is fresh and hot in the establishment that prepared it.)
I, quickly, captured some content and then got right to it. I was ready to eat!
The first thing I tried was the cornbread mac and cheese. It was so creamy, cheesy and flavorful… dare I say the best mac and cheese I’ve had in Phoenix thus far.
The beer battered onion rings were my next taste. It was a very nice crunch and flavor, perfectly paired with ranch. It was a fair and shareable size.
I’ll be honest, greens are one of my favorite sides in a comfort meal. I can be a bit hard to please. The smoked turkey collard greens at Monroe’s Hot Chicken were ok, I’d have to add hot sauce in the future. It wasn’t enough flavor in the greens for my liking.
My first bite of the chicken sandwich with mild sauce was heaven sent. That sauce is hella fire, I mean finger licking good for real. The chicken was perfectly cooked, fried and crunchy on the outside then tender and juicy on the inside.
I didn’t need to finish the whole sandwich in one sitting, but I did. I am not ashamed.
& I’ll do it again!
The meal was so good, I’m haunted by the coleslaw I didn’t try. I played it safe, I should have got that chicken sandwich on the honey buns.
I wouldn’t definitely go back!
Monroe’s Hot Chicken in Tempe was a vibe. The playlist was top tier. I was eating and dancing, dancing and eating. We completed our date at this eatery with an adult beverage. The Pruno, it was so bomb, great way to top the meal.
I wish I had more room for one of their famous chocolate moonpies!
I highly recommend anyone looking for fire chicken in Phoenix, Arizona to visit the nearest Monroe’s Hot Chicken location asap.
If you are a local restaurant owner or have a restaurant in mind you’d like for us to try and give a review. Let’s chat, email us at darkphxnewsandent.com.
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