by Bottom Line: The Cookshack is making some excellent hot chicken, and their Texas Hot and AMF seasoning definitely brings the heat.
There is no shortage of hot chicken places these days. You can find the spicy poultry at national chains like Dave’s Hot Chicken (more on that one here), local spots like Pete’s Hot Chicken in San Antonio (more on that one here), and regional chains like The Cookshack, which got its start in Fort Worth. That chain now has locations in Houston, College Station, Webster, and San Antonio. If one of their stores is near you, I highly recommend stopping by.
Unlike some other hot chicken places, The Cookshack has a slightly more extensive menu, as they also offer ribs, which you can order at various heat levels. I came looking for the chicken tenders, though, so I did not give the ribs a try. Instead, I went for the three-tender plate, choosing two at the Texas Hot heat level and one at the AMF level (which stands for “Adios My Friend”). Note that the latter is not on their menu and you have to know it exists to order it. The meal also comes with a side, so I went with the Mac & Cheese, figuring it might provide a nice counterbalance to the heat.
These are big tenders, as is typical of hot chicken places, and they are flavorful and juicy throughout, not greasy all. They have a nice crust that suggests beer in the batter, and they deliver a satisfying crunch. The heat comes from their seasoning rather than a sauce, and the Texas Hot has a deep, peppery kick that definitely brings the burn. It features a habanero seasoning, though I didn’t pick up much of the distinct flavor of that chili pepper. Still, it has great taste, even if the heat starts creeping up on you right away.
The Texas Hot started out approaching Fiery on my scale, but it continued to build beyond that, setting my lips on fire. The average mortal would definitely run in fear from this, but chiliheads should enjoy it. The Shack Sauce offered a nice counterbalance with some sweetness and a taste similar to a peppery Thousand Island dressing. A few bites of that Mac & Cheese also helped douse some of the heat in my mouth.
As for the AMF tender—you better buckle in if you order that one! To start with, they make you sign a waiver, so you know this has some serious heat. The seasoning tastes similar to the Texas Hot, but with the added firepower of Carolina Reaper, Ghost, and Scorpion peppers, it packs one heck of a punch. It takes a moment for the heat to register, but then it quickly jumps right up to the Insane heat level. I was able to finish it, but by the end, numbness was starting to set in. I’d say it’s not quite as hot as Dave’s Reaper Tender but slightly spicier than Pete’s Aw Hell No!!! Tender. I definitely wouldn’t order more than one AMF, and I preferred the Texas Hot because the heat didn’t overwhelm the flavor.
My secret weapon for getting through the tenders was the wonderful Mac & Cheese at The Cookshack. It’s rich and cheesy, with a creamy sauce, and I believe there’s a touch of nutmeg in there. I also appreciated that the noodles had some chew rather than turning mushy, which happens with some versions of this dish. I grabbed a bite of Mac & Cheese whenever the heat from the tenders got too intense, and it definitely helped—especially with the AMF.
The three-tender plate with a side costs $11.79, which is a solid price for a meal of this size, and they even gave me an extra tender—probably in case I couldn’t finish the AMF piece. No problem there, though, as my plate was clean when I left! I will definitely be heading back because I want to try the ribs with the spicy seasoning as well. I’ll probably go with the Texas Hot, though, because the AMF might be a bit too much for a rack of ribs. Stay tuned for an upcoming review!
The Cookshack
8211 Agora Pkwy #112
Selma, TX 78154
Phone: (210) 888-0444
Website: www.thecookshack.com
Hours:
Sun to Thu: 11 AM to 9 PM
Fri to Sat: 11 AM to 10 PM
