Willie's Hot Chicken
Taste Nashville in Hawaii! Willie's Hot Chicken offers spicy fried chicken, unique flavors, and a vibrant atmosphere with live music.
Highlights
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Willie's Hot Chicken
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Taste Nashville in Hawaii! Willie's Hot Chicken offers spicy fried chicken, unique flavors, and a vibrant atmosphere with live music.
"This Kona gem serves crispy fried chicken that's a must-try, especially with their signature Sweet Hawaiian sauce."
Spice Level Guide
Start with a milder heat level, Sweet Hawaiian is a popular and flavorful choice.
Order Ahead or Off-Peak
Consider ordering online for takeout or visiting during off-peak hours to avoid waits.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American (Southern)
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(808) 796-3088
Address
74-5599 Pawai Pl Ste#1&2, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Website
willieshotchicken.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Nashville Hot Chicken
Experience the heat! Choose from seven spice levels, from mild Southern Classic to fiery Like Lava.
Flavorful Sides & Sauces
Beyond the chicken, savor delicious sides like beans, mac & cheese, and unique sauces like Sweet Hawaiian.
Lively Atmosphere & Live Music
Enjoy a vibrant setting with colorful decor, live music, and a dog-friendly patio.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Spice Level Guide
Start with a milder heat level, Sweet Hawaiian is a popular and flavorful choice.
Order Ahead or Off-Peak
Consider ordering online for takeout or visiting during off-peak hours to avoid waits.
Dietary Options
They offer a dedicated fryer for GF chicken tenders, and knowledgeable staff.
Shareable Portions
The chicken sandwiches are very large and can easily be shared.
Tips
from all over the internet
Spice Level Guide
Start with a milder heat level, Sweet Hawaiian is a popular and flavorful choice.
Order Ahead or Off-Peak
Consider ordering online for takeout or visiting during off-peak hours to avoid waits.
Dietary Options
They offer a dedicated fryer for GF chicken tenders, and knowledgeable staff.
Shareable Portions
The chicken sandwiches are very large and can easily be shared.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Willie's Hot Chicken is praised for its flavorful and crispy fried chicken, with many highlighting the Sweet Hawaiian sauce as a standout. The lively atmosphere, often enhanced by live music, and friendly service contribute to a positive dining experience. However, some diners have found the heat levels to be inconsistent or milder than expected, and a few have noted that certain sides could benefit from more seasoning.
"This place is clean with great service. We were there during the main dinner hour and they were getting people in and out. Chicken was delicious. They need to update the scale of how hot you want your chicken. I ordered middle of the road for hotness and it had no heat to it. Chicken was still good quality and a great atmosphere. I would go back."
Andy A
"Really liked this place!! They have great reviews and I see why.
Choices are simple. Choose your cut of chicken, level of heat, sauce, and a side. Got Nashville hot leg/thigh and it was perfect amount of heat for my pallete. Dark meat was cooked perfectly, so juicy. Side of beans was fantastic! Tasty, full of flavor, with little shredded chicken in there. Wasn't greasy, and I didn't walk away feeling stuffed.
Decor and ambiance were fantastic. Live music (they were awesome by the way!), wide open restaurant, lots of color and flair. Chicken art everywhere!
We'll definitely be back."
Mark Brush
"This was a nice find. We already had eaten a couple of times at Kona brewpub (great place!) this trip so thought we would give Willie’s a try.
We both had the tenders (one with tots and the other with Mac & cheese). They were out quickly and were tasty. We got ‘Nashville hot’ which was flavorful, but we might step up a heat level next time.
Employees were very friendly - thanks for a great visit!"
Mark Smith
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Heat levels range from Southern Classic (0 Scoville) to Like Lava (1.15M-2.2M Scoville), with popular options like Sweet Hawaiian and Nashville Hot in between.
Yes, they have a dedicated fryer for breaded GF chicken tenders and gluten-free fries are also available.
Yes, it's a lively spot with a casual atmosphere that families can enjoy. They also have a dog-friendly area.
Yes, they often have live music performances in the evenings, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
Yes, online ordering is available for takeout, making it convenient for beach days or a quick meal.
Customers rave about the Nashville hot chicken tenders, Sweet Hawaiian chicken, and sides like beans and sidewinder fries.
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Willie’s Hot Chicken is another one you can order online and grab for a day at the beach or stay and eat and have a drink with one of the fantastic bartenders. Spiciness ranges from mild to Like Lava (beware – it’s hot!) although the Sweet Hawaiian is a personal favorite. They also have big TVs for sports fans and it’s dog friendly so you may get to pet a pooch.
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Willie’s Hot Chicken may be in Hawaii, but it sure tastes like Nashville. This Kona gem serves responsibly sourced, all-natural, crispy fried chicken, alongside seven different sauces (each with its own level of spice). Whether you get a breast or a wing, you’re guaranteed to experience the flavors and textures that make Willie’s famous.
Restaurant Recommendations
Willie’s Hot Chicken opened just before the pandemic, and there is a reason it's been THE place to go, despite it all!. This place is the place to go for…you guessed it…hot chicken. The quality of the chicken and the way it's prepared is spectacular (think crispy outside, juicy inside!), and the owners really care about your experience.
Best Places to Eat in Kona Hawaii
Southern-style fried chicken with all comfort food sides you love like waffles, fries, Mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and slaw. Choose your spice level, from mellow ‘Southern Classic’ to ‘Nashville Hot’ and for the brave - ‘Like Lava’. Plates come with your choice of 1 side, 1 sauce, bread, and sliced pickles.
Restaurants in Kailua Kona
Everyone love’s this spot for Nashville style chicken served in a multitude of ways. Try their chicken tenders, fried chicken, chicken sandwich, Hawaiian sweet spicy chicken wings or their Jerk chicken and it is all good and tasty. 74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
The 8 Best Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Spots in Kailua-Kona
This place appears to not be celiac friendly/GF friendly but they have a dedicated fryer for breaded GF chicken tenders!. Nothing on the menu is marked GF but staff was knowledgeable and able to answer my questions. The fries when ordered gluten free are safe to eat too.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Willie’s Hot Chicken brings a little piece of Nashville to Kailua-Kona. This restaurant has won over the hearts of locals and tourists in Hawaii with its huge hot chicken plates. This is the perfect stop when you want some delicious fried chicken in a lively atmosphere.
Top 5 New Restaurants in Kona in 2020
Willie’s Hot Chicken is the place to go for…you guessed it…hot chicken. While I had heard of the Nashville Hot Chicken phenomenon online, I had never experienced it for myself until Willie’s moved into the Brewery Block. May I say, it is delicious.
Best Restaurants & Places to Eat in Kona
Our favorite is the Nashville Hot chicken tenders, Franch sauce, and waffle fries!. This place is truly delicious, their merchandise is cool, and the staff is super friendly.
Our Favorite Touristy and Authentic Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
If anything spicy and southern-style fried chicken are your things then Willie’s Hot Chicken ( website) is a really good place to go for a quick bite.
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