BY JACKIE FENDER for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 10/30/2026
May I now present a Mukbang Master’s guide to University Place’s B’s Hot Chicken.
I’m turning a new leaf in my career path and plan to eagerly nosh on good eats in my car, cellphone set up influencer style, car stationed in some random parking lot, dining at its finest. My new moniker … Mukbang Master. You see it all the time, folks indulging in their cars. A certain corporate chain chicken spot seems to be a recurring spotlight, but I’ll have none of that. Let’s support local.
My go-to when craving something spicy is B’s Hot Chicken in University Place. It seems unassuming, residing in an old Wendy’s, but it’s locally owned and excels with scratch-made, halal-certified chicken. Fresh, never frozen, and raised without antibiotics, the chicken is served up Nashville-style. This isn’t your usual fast-food experience.
The kids dig in on the Chicken Tender Meal, with a single meaty tender as the main staple. When they say jumbo tender, they mean large and in charge. Rather than chicken breast cut into strips, this tender is a whole chicken tenderloin, juicy on the inside, crispy-crunchy on the outside. Served up with a side of fries, B’s Sauce, a side of pickles, and sliced white bread, it hits the spot.
With any of their chicken, they have six spice levels, from zero spice to B’s Hottest. Whatever level calls to you, know that the spice level doesn’t take away from the flavor. You get that nice heat that builds with each bite while not overpowering the quality of the chicken, or in the sandwich’s case, taking away from the pillowy-soft bun and fresh slaw. The sandwich has me in a chokehold and inspires my mukbang noshing. The chicken has the perfect texture, and each bite is well-balanced: heat, bread, meat, spice — a cacophony of flavors.
While the chicken is the star, B’s Hot Chicken has plenty more to offer. Like their crisp crinkle fries, well-seasoned with a special blend of spices that are bold and savory. Delicious on their own, but make a meal out of them and get them loaded, topped with chopped chicken tenders, pickles, coleslaw, and B’s Sauce. Someone might try to compare B’s Sauce to a number of other familiar condiments, but it stands alone and is utterly craveable. It’s great for fry dipping and is part of what makes the spicy chicken sandwich next-level.
Obviously, they have mac and cheese on the menu, which comes in many different forms. The traditional version is ultra-creamy and great if you’re looking for a break from the fire, but you can also get the spicy mac and cheese with a kick of jalapeño, or load it up with crispy chicken tenders and more B’s Sauce.
Beverages include sodas, slushies and Breeze Freezes, not quite a milkshake and not quite a slushy, but creamy and just decadent enough, with chocolate and strawberry to choose from. Last but certainly not least is the level of service. Don’t let a drive-thru fool you. On all of my visits, whether ordering inside or driving through, the team has been friendly, prompt, and on it. Too often, we assume “fast food” doesn’t come with a level of hospitality, but over the years, I’ve been reminded that this is not the case. It’s worth noting, too, that B’s Hot Chicken has two locations: the flagship in University Place and another location just north of us in Kent.
Now that I’ve waxed poetic about Nashville-style chicken sammies and their accompaniments, I’m hungry all over again. I might have to try the pizza-dipped-in-butter-chicken trend next. Yes, it’s a thing. If you didn’t know already, I know you’re intrigued now … so the question is, where to next?
B’s Hot Chicken: 2102 Mildred St. W., University Place, WA, and 23221 Pacific Hwy. S., Kent, WA. Bshotchicken.com
