Few restaurants achieve the perfect balance of being well-known for their food and atmosphere, but World Famous HotBoys (WFHB) does just that. The vibrant decor, welcoming staff and extraordinary food give customers an experience they are not soon to forget.
WFHB is a family-owned and -operated restaurant that offers a unique take on Nashville-style hot fried chicken called Oakland hot chicken. The halal chicken is brined overnight before being fried and seasoned to perfection.
The chicken can be bone-in, tenders, wings or sandwiches, with seven different heat levels and customizable additions. The degree of spice ranges from Southern, which has no spice, to Hot-Hot.
One of the most popular items is the Classic Sando. This delectable sandwich consists of a fried and seasoned chicken thigh, creamy coleslaw, pickles, and an in-house sauce called Money Sauce for that extra zing, all sandwiched between a warm Martin’s potato roll.
The menu features much more than just chicken, and there is something for each customer and every appetite. WFHB also offers several options of loaded fries, chicken étouffée, bonuts (fried biscuit donuts), and more.
WFHB was originally established in Oakland, California, in 2019, and quickly began to expand throughout the state. WFHB now operates locations in Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Hayward, and Novato, California.
Cousins Aaron Tann and Kyle Roberts, both longtime Indiana residents, brought it to the Hoosier state with a vision to foster community growth through food and art.
“My cousins, Victor and Berk, are the two founders,” Tann says. “They live in California but they’re the founders of HotBoys. They came up with this idea a while ago and started developing recipes for hot chicken back in 2016 and 2017.”
Opening in May 2021, the Fountain Square location of WFHB took root in the community immediately.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” Tann says. “This Fountain Square community has really embraced us. We are a very community-driven restaurant down there. We are involved in all the arts, we do stuff with the Hi-Fi, stuff with all types of local artists, throwing parties, and serving hot chicken – the best chicken in the city. “
While the Fountain Square location was a success, the family saw an opportunity to expand even further. A few years later they brought their famous chicken to the north side by opening a location in Carmel just off Michigan Road.
What makes WFHB stand apart from the competition, besides the mouth-watering menu, is its unique atmosphere. It feels more like a house party or an artist collective than a restaurant.
“When you take that first look, you open the door and you walk in and you’re just like, ‘What’s going on in here?’” Tann says. “There’s artwork, there’s music, there’s lights. I don’t think they know what to expect when they walk into HotBoys.“
The entire restaurant, from the tables to the bathroom, is vibrant and colorful. Everywhere you look there is graffiti art, flags, vintage toys and even classic arcade games. The bar area also has several TVs and an extensive selection of drinks, making it the perfect place to watch the big game.
WFHB also offers a variety of special promotions, such as Tuesday’s Kids Eat Free nights, and even a Secret Menu available upon request. It has even hosted stand-up comedy nights in the past.
Additionally, every Friday night at the Carmel location hosts what they call Flashback Fridays, where DJ Topspeed spins all kinds of old-school hits and an area is cleared for customers to dance the night away. Don’t worry, though; they are still serving food the whole time.
“We’re not a restaurant chain or a franchise,” Tann says. “It’s just cousins who got together and combined great food with art, music and community.”
While the outside world continues to grow increasingly complicated, WFHB keeps it simple. It remains committed to the same principles that it was founded with – great food and great vibes.
No matter what the future holds, Tann makes one thing abundantly clear: “The original HotBoys restaurants will always be family owned.”
A great meal is something never to be taken for granted. WFHB certainly excels at delivering that and more.
If you would like more information about World Famous HotBoys, visit worldfamoushotboys.com, follow on social media, or stop by one of the locations.
