Haven Hot Chicken Brings Southern Flavor to North Haven, CT

Although I was born and raised in the South, I’ve always loved real Nashville hot chicken. There is nothing better than bacon-wrapped chicken skin that is seasoned with a spicy cayenne pepper sauce. So when I heard that a new Haven Hot Chicken was opening in North Haven, CT, I had to go check it out.

Haven Hot Chicken brings a taste of Nashville’s famous spicy fried chicken to cities in Connecticut. Their new North Haven location is their 9th in the state so far, and I went on opening day to see how this Southern transplant stacked up against the real thing.

Stepping inside the order counter, the decor immediately evokes the casual vibe of hot chicken shacks in Nashville. Exposed brick walls checkerboard floor tiles and Americana accents like vintage Coca-Cola ads make it feel homey yet hip. Chalkboard menus list out chicken tenders, sandwiches, sides, and wings in heat levels ranging from no spice to really freakin’ hot.

My first order was six Haven Famous Tenders with a medium level of spice. When the chicken comes out of the kitchen, its golden breading is crisp and full of spices. The heat doesn’t get too strong; it builds up slowly and stays low. Each tender was juicy on the inside and very crispy on the outside. It passed this Southerner’s taste test with flying colors!.

Next I sampled one of their signature sandwiches, the Fry Guy. Brioche buns get stacked with two peppery tenders, pickles, comeback sauce, and bacon. Every bite was a perfect meld of flavors and textures – the tender meatiness of the chicken, creaminess of the sauce, crunch of the breading, and smoky saltiness of the bacon.

No hot chicken meal is complete without sides, so I tried out the mac and cheese and fries. The mac and cheese was rich and velvety thanks to lots of gooey cheese. Shoestring fries had a great crunch and came out steaming hot. But the real star was the comeback sauce for dipping. The tangy creamy condiment made everything even more craveworthy.

I washed it all down with a cold Mexican Coke to cool off my taste buds. You can only get cane sugar soda in certain places, and it makes the down-home dining experience better. Haven’s own hot sauces, like spicy Ranch and honey mustard BBQ, were also on my list of things to buy.

By the end of my feast, I was stuffed and satisfied. As a hot chicken veteran, I can confirm Haven did right by this Southern specialty. Their chicken is always fresh, never frozen, and seasoned to perfection. I’m beyond thrilled to have a legit hot chicken joint right here in my hometown. This North Haven location brings the heat and flavor!

If you’re looking for a bite of Nashville’s famous spicy chicken, head to Haven Hot Chicken’s new North Haven shop. It’s located at 146 Washington Ave, just off Interstate 91. You can order online for takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup. Dine-in seating is limited.

Haven serves tenders, sandwiches, wings, and sides Tuesday to Sunday from 11am-10pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open an extra 2 hours until midnight.