Great news for Perth’s fried chicken fiends, a Nashville hot chicken joint is now open and my god, we can hardly contain the drools.
Nestled among other top eateries at The Mezz in Mount Hawthorn, is the creation of Perth-raised journalist turned chef Drasko Jankovic who has long dreamt of bringing the traditional Nashville chicken experience to Perth—and boy are we glad to see that dream finally come to fruition.
“There is something magic about turning a humble piece of chicken into an experience that brings tears of pleasure and pain in one mouthful,” Jankovic says. “Taking inspiration from my time in Nashville and Noma, I look forward to bringing this special kind of experience to Perth.”
Don’t worry, you’ll get to choose just how much pain vs pleasure you want to take on. Much like the grading system at Nandos, there’s five different levels to choose from, ranging from Southern (no heat) to Blame Drasko (extra hot). Real chilli addicts can even brave the off-menu triple hot ‘Bastard Chilli’ which is made with a special Carnarvon chilli that requires a signed waiver to try.
No matter which heat level you choose, rest assured you’ll be biting into the highest quality ingredients, including free range chooks from the Swan Valley, organic sourdough from Maylands, and fresh produce from local organic and biodynamic farmers. And thanks to Drasko’s experience in the kitchen of Noma (one of the world’s best restaurants), you’ll get fine dining level quality with a relaxed fast food vibe.
Alongside the Nashville hot chicken—which is available on its own or in their mouth watering signature sando—you’ll find plenty of top sides that are equally as impressive. Think house-fermented pickles and sauces, organic hand-cut fries, Mama’s beans, and vinegar slaw. Plus, gluten-free eaters can also rejoice as they’ve worked with local pizzeria Monsterella to develop a knockout gluten-free bun for the signature sando that hits just as hard as the gluten-full version.
Wash down your hot chicken feast with a glass of their cooling homemade iced teas, or if you’re after something harder, just bring a few beers—the Nashville-inspired diner is BYO.
is officially open for walk-ins only from 12pm this Saturday 9 January. Start planning your taste trip now.
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Image credit: Sam Watson, James Simmons