Chick-n-Mortar! JAM Hot Chicken soft opens today in Winter Park
If you thought Orlando was at chicken saturation point, think again.
The long-awaited brickand-mortar of popular pop-up JAM Hot Chicken soft opens today, cutting its own path well off what some locals are calling — among other things — the Orlando “chicken strip.”
Located in the breezy, patio-driven space formerly occupied by The Sausage Shack, owner Andrew Scala invites the city to come down for a for-now limited menu featuring their Sando, along with a Nashville-inspired platter served atop sliced white bread.
Each Bell & Evans breast is 12-hour brined before getting its buttermilk and batter bath.
“I’m just thankful we’re here and it’s real,” said Scala of the imminent opening, which had initially been planned for early October. “I’m excited to bring the city something that’s at the same time familiar — it’s fried chicken — but at the same time something that’s unique and different and hopefully bring people tears of joy.”
Heat levels range from 1 to 5: plain, mild, hot, hotter and JAM, likely the best “tears of joy” option.
Scala has created a small seating/standing area inside. “It was important to me for people to be able to come in and see, hear, smell the vibe,” but for now, it’s outdoors-only.
Soft opening hours will
be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, or until they run out. Keep an eye on social media (instagram. com/jamhotchicken; facebook.com/JAMhotchicken) for updates and menu additions.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@ orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.