Editor’s note: Voting has closed on the poll. We will report the winner soon.
Our March Madness spicy chicken sandwich bracket all comes down to this: national vs. local.
Last week, The Denver Post readers voted on the Final Four in our search for the best spicy chicken sandwich in the Mile High City, and in both matchups, it was an upset.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, an L.A.-based franchise that started in 2017 and has since expanded to more than 100 locations, pushed out its local competitor Denver Biscuit Co. with 57% of the votes.
Meanwhile 300 Suns Brewing, a Longmont brewery that joined forces with Scratch food truck owner Nate Say in 2019, just edged out local chain Blazing Bird with 50.7% of the total.
Say started his food truck Scratch, focusing on smashburgers. He eventually wanted to open a Nashville hot chicken food truck, but ended up partnering with Dan and Jean Ditslear, owners of 300 Suns Brewing to open the brewpub kitchen in 2019. Say said he sells more Nashville hot chicken, which is hand battered, soaked in buttermilk overnight, seasoned with a flour mixture, fried to order and brushed with hot chili oil, more than anything else on the menu.
“We’re really honored to be on the list,” Say said. “Honestly, we’ve kind of flown under the radar in Longmont, but we have great local following. Every year, we’re seeing more and more attention and customers driving in from the southside of Denver and Fort Collins to get our food and beer, so it’s a great feeling to see that growth.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which has two Denver locations, was started by friends Dave Kopushyan, who trained at the three Michelin-star restaurant The French Laundry, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan as a small stand in an East Hollywood parking lot. Specializing in hot chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels, Dave’s Hot Chicken has since been named the fastest-growing chain in the U.S.
So cast your final votes for Dave’s Hot Chicken vs. 300 Suns Brewing. And if you haven’t yet sampled their dishes for yourself, now is the time to indulge. Voting for the final round runs through Monday, April 3, at 9 a.m.
The Final March Madness Spicy Chicken Sandwich matchup
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened in Los Angeles in 2017 and has since expanded to 100 locations. (Provided by Dave’s Hot Chicken)
Try 300 Suns Brewing Nashville hot chicken sandwich is brushed with spices and topped with slaw and pickles on a buttery brioche bun. (Courtesy Nathan Venzara)
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Dave’s Hot Chicken vs. 300 Suns Brewing
This bracket is sponsored by Society Insurance. Learn more at societyinsurance.com/colorado.
