Reviews of Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack (Restaurant)

lance nelms

I was recommended Rocky's from a co-worker. I live on Kingsport, TN. We drove up for the day just to eat here. I got the "Biscuit Special" which had two tenders, with honey mild sauce, biscuit, gravy, cheese and sweet potato hash. This was one of the best meals I'VE EVER EATEN. IT WAS AMAZING. Great little place to eat that's so worth it. We will drive back again just to eat here. They also serve beer.

Mike Buckner

Spice is the variety of life...And Rocky's has juicy variety - a lot of awesome no matter what you pick on the menu my pic with this review was 3 Medium Spice Thighs, Mac-n-Cheese poppers, and Pimento Cheese Grits, yum! Decadent and highly recommended!

Tammy Ridgley

Great southern style food for the price. Service is always great but it gets busy to no fault of the business of course. Try to get there at 11 am or 5 PM before the lunch and dinner rush comes along. Our favorite menu items are the hot chicken with the hot level sauce with mac and cheese, the chicken wrap that comes with tomato, lettuce and pimento cheese. If you go and they have the soda cake on the menu, definitely get it!

Susan Painter

Excellent service. Always great quality and taste of food. Used online ordering and picked up food for our families Fathers Day meal. Fed 8 people with amazing food for a good price.

April Boyd

They are always so bus. I thought it was going b great, but it was ok

Ted Eby

Great chicken and sides! Rocky's hot is plenty hot, no need to go for their hottest.

Terry Feeney

My neighbor had told me numerous times how good this place is and that he eats there every time he's in Asheville. I was passing thru on the way home from a weekend out of town and happened to remember it so we went. Let me tell you, it is worthy of the hype! The parking lot was packed on a Monday night and the line was to the door. The line went fairly quick and the food was served pretty quickly too. The food was AWESOME! The chicken pieces were the biggest I've seen at a restaurant and the flavor was awesome. The mac n cheese is something to write home about. It got even busier while we were there but the staff was great and handled everything seemingly very smooth. I will definitely be back!

Courtney Grimsley

Amazing food and super hot if you want it to be

Bryce

The best Hot Chicken in the world. Seriously. This beats Hattie B's and any other "original Nashville Hot Chicken" by a landslide. The seasoning is absolutely delicious. It runs hot, so get a level less than you think you can handle. The chicken is cooked perfectly crisp and caked in seasoning. The tender plate is my go to. The Mac and Cheese is the best I have ever had and the Mac and Cheese poppers with the spicy ranch are amazing. They also have a great selection of craft beer. Seriously, I've eaten hot chicken around the country, and in all of my travels in the world this is my favourite restaurant. The owner is super nice too!

Greg Govertsen

This place has the best hot chicken I have ever had. Whenever I go to Asheville, I stopped there and bring home leftovers so that I have food for the following days. Nashville has nothing on Rocky's hot chicken!

David Darling

One of the best restaurants in Asheville. The service is always very kind and fast. You cannot go wrong with Rocky's

Brooke Davis

Would give closer to a 4.5. Good sides. I recommend the collard greens and Mac n cheese!

Terry Fallon

Got the pot pie, the best I have had, 5 star +

thunder gas

Amazing, everything was perfect. To start, they had a surprisingly short wait time, even fir the "15" minute wait for the pot pie, whiched turned out to be much shorter. The chicken was perfectly tender with a crunchy outside. I could hace not asked for better quality.

belinda young

My first time eating here, with my 83 year old friend She was very impressed with the food and she said the chicken and fried okra was so good. I loved the chicken also and the Mac & Cheese was the bomb! The staff was so helpful and nice, we will be back.

sarah moses

I love Rocky’s! However, I ordered take out and the order was messed up. Ordered a wrap and got a sandwich instead, fries were also overcooked and cold. So maybe just eat in store.

ginnismc

Came away disappointed after all the hype. They got our online order wrong. I'll only be eating Hot Chicken in Nashville from now on.

Shane Huth

We had the medium and hot chicken tenders. Both were really good. The hot chicken is flavorful with just the right amount of heat. The line was long but kept moving. Highly recommend.

B Cat

OK, so I have to admit, I didn't order chicken. I opted to get the 4 sides which consisted of (2) macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole and cole slaw. The mac n cheese and sweet potato casserole were delicious. The mac n cheese was creamy and the potato casserole with nuts was very tasty. The cole slaw was good too but I just like mine to have a little bit more creamy texture. It was more just vinegar based but that doesn't mean it wasn't good. I will definitely be back again to try the chicken with the scrumptious sides.

Laurie Baker

Local favorite, the chicken is spicy but I've heard some wish it was hotter. Seemed way too hot to me but whatta I know? Mac/cheese balls are wonderful, lots of delicious side dish options.....

Daniel Sciavo

Sometimes there is a long wait but it for good reason, the food is always delicious.

Ann Boger

Absolutely wonderful! Their sides are fantastic! Haven't had good corn pudding in ages.

Ryan Edge

Easily the best chicken & waffles that I have had. Both the hot and the honey hot flavors are delicious. For a relatively inexpensive meal, Rocky's is a must try.

Michael Bennett

Wow! We randomly searched for good resturaunt to eat along our route heading home back to Texas and Rockys popped up. We were definitely not disappointed. We showed up and opening for lunch and it was a line out the door even after we finished. When they say the hot is HOT, trust them. Will definitely be a regular stop on our road trips Northeast. Highly recommended.

Cyriac E

Excellent hot chicken. The medium is medium. I would stick with the hot or medium flavor. The really spicy has too much of a ghost pepper flavor. The quality of the chicken was excellent.

das mayhem

I just love this place, Great food, good price! portions are good, wish the sides were a little bigger. They are very good, just feels like such a small portion. Chicken is always good, I always go medium, got a good burn, but not gonna cry about it lol. just right!

April Dattler

Absolutely the best chicken in Asheville. I frequent here often and it's always a AMAZING!! I wish they had a frequent flyer card or something. HAHA

Serge Gadsden

Really great food and service! A must try!

Justin Clyburn

You owe it to yourself to come here and try this. The best hot chicken and waffles I've ever had.

Amanda Wooten

We eat here often and love the food. Always fresh and delicious, nice beer menu. Wish there were a few more healthy side options. Most items are fried, and living in the south I understand. I would just like a way to balance my 2 fried chicken thighs with something a little lighter.

Gil Hutcheson

Great food. Great place to people watch. Delicious home style sides.

Ryan Barbee

You will leave this place finding a new appreciation for all of the GOOD things Jesus has made! Not just "some" of the best fried chicken... Rocky's makes THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN!!! Perfectly balanced heat and the sides are incredible. The mac & cheese... I had to call my mother to tell her I'm glad she wasn't nearby because it was SLAP YO' MAMA good! (Don't ever slap your mother... that's a horrible thing to do.) The atmosphere is relaxed. The service excellent. The food... perfection. DON'T MISS OUT ON ROCKY'S! You will regret it. Your children will regret it. Your grandchildren will... you get the idea. I love this place... and you will too.

Rebecca Davis

Not impressed at all. The mashed potatoes weren't mashed. The chicken was okay; nothing special. The employees were really nice though.

Steve Saunooke

Amaizing chicken! Some of the best fried chicken I've ever eaten. I tried the mild spice and it was delicous with just the right amount of kick added, maybe I'll be brave enough to try medium next time lol. The chicken breast was HUGE! I will defiantly be coming back here. A bonus is if you come on Tuesday and show you're tattoos you get a discount, how cool is that?

Jasmine McCoy

Loved the chicken. I got hot. I will probably get mild next time. The hot was truly hot amd there are 2 flavors above hot for those who can handle it. They have a large selection of different types of chicken and lots of sides and some deserts. It was very good.

Khang Nguyen

If you love chicken and you can handle spicy food, this is the right spot for you! They has special deals for every day in the week (normally 1$ off the item on the menu). Good price. Has draft beers. If you not sure which level of spicy, go with Rocky Hot Medium. Would love to come back again!

Sean Johnstone

I love the vibe of this place. A place that is really decorated to fit a hot chicken shack. The service was also very good from ordering to bussing. I ordered wings with the Rocky's hot seasoning and my meal was good. The rub was uneven in my opinion which made some of the chicken not as hot as other parts. The rub was good, but I wouldn't say it is nearly as hot as they warn. A good experience overall, I would go back to try their other options

Nathan Hazlett

Best wings in Asheville without a doubt. The heat ratings are no exaggeration. They have a variety, but if you really like your wings spicy, go for it. The Woo Cheese is a must if you like dipping in blue cheese. I also highly recommend the Fried Mac Poppers. Great place, great food, great atmosphere, and fast friendly service.

Corey Moore

Good to see a place packed out even after the main lunch crowd. Limited parking and being the first person standing outside the door in line, after 12 minutes and the line didn't move while watching ppl who have been there a while sitting with a food number on their table still waiting also... love trying new things and apparently good if can ever get your order. We had to leave. Don't have all day when hungry.

Lizabeth Watman

Arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. Long line and took 15 minutes to the order station. Everything is homemade. I got chef salad with a tender generous chicken finger. Salad was fresh. Also tasted creamy come slaw which was good and delicious mac n cheese. Mac n cheese had a small bit of heat.

Emily Burrows

Stopped here on labor day weekend for dinner...so glad we did! Everything we got was delicious. Fried thighs with medium sauce, Mac and cheese (possibly best of my life!!), Corn pudding, appetizer was chips with a chicken and blue cheese …

Jeannine

This place is INCREDIBLE. We went here on our way out of Asheville to try their famous chicken and I am so glad we did! We have been searching for a place that has chicken similar to Nashville's hot chicken and this place came up during our search. After reading the reviews, we decided to try it. I ordered the chicken tender sandwich and my boyfriend ordered the chicken breast with a side of fried pickles. The food is so filling and delicious. The place stays busy too, there was a line out the door the entire time we were there. We both said we will have to go back when we are in the area again. Highly recommend this place!

Adventures With Tim

If you're in the area stop and check them out, delicious chicken

Matthew Avinger

Awesome chicken and sides. The buffalo chicken dip is also a must!

Michelle D

Always delicious! Try the hand pies on Mondays. They are seriously addictive. Only bad thing is you can't order daily specials online so you have to call in the order if not dining in.

Brent Ray

The food is really good. Sides are on point. I have not dared to try the extra hot yet. But I have tried all the others and is fantastic every time.

Steve Eide

Fun place to eat, good food reasonably priced.

Grant Briggs

Your west location is a great place , but you really really need to do away with the new single entrance and go back to double to the restaurant. Exiting to the left gives you 15 yards before a speeding car going 45mph down the hill T bones you and going right is almost as suicidal. There's no visibility and it's absurd to do away with the 2nd exit/ entrance just to gain 2 more parking spaces.

Aim' B

First time here. The Chicken was great. Best I've ever had at a restaurant. If you've never been you have to go at least once. There is something on their menu for everyone. Well worth the 1 hour and 20 minute drive. Will definitely be back!

Nick Lampros

Clearly a great local spot given the line of people out the door waiting to order. The medium hot chicken was delicious with a perfect level of heat and spice to have you craving another bite. The collards were excellent as well.

Matthew Boyd

Rocky's is probably my favorite place to go and eat chicken. I have two menu items that I favor, they are Rocky's way chicken sandwich and Rocky's Royale with cheese. Accompanied by fries and some of the tasty Mango Habanero Aioli.

Timothy Tye

Busy place but you get your food fairly fast

Magnus Michael

Simple, nice and fast with what a freaking good TASTE!!! But! Medium hotness might be already feeling very hot for you. You may would like to start with a lower level of awesomeness before you would regret that burn in you mouth would take away the great taste!

Jennifer Taylor

The chicken was ok but the sides were overpriced and the picnic tables and metal trays were kitschy but overall disappointing. We went once, can't figure out what anyone likes about it and won't return.

Ivan Maslyanchuk

Very good chicken. Medium sauce is pretty hot so be careful unless you like hot.

chris mercer

Authentic "hot chicken." The employees were really great. A superb beer list, and only 10 minutes to get my food, at 6:30, in the evening. I'd reccommend this delicious food to anyone, and everyone.

Walter Murdock

Great fried chicken! The biscuit is like eating a cloud and the spice is for real. The service was friendly and quick. The atmosphere fun like a back porch. Go. Eat.

Sean LaFata

Excellent hot chicken in a unique, counter service setting. The hot chicken (ordered Rocky Hot) was excellent and the perfect amount of spice. The side dishes are of good quantity and quality for the price. I recommend ordering the "Rocky Royale" for the most authentic chicken cutlet sandwich on the menu. There were no cons to the restaurant, besides the long line for service, but that's to be expected for a restaurant this good! Additionally, there is a lot of parking at the restaurant, which is relieving considering some restaurants in the area have issues with that.

Todd Moen

The Chicken was good and moist, the staff was cheerful even though they were super super busy!

Mike DeWeese

The wife and I are frequent customers at the Rocky's on Patton Ave. and have never had a bad experience, until now. We called in a to-go order, for dinner. The wife's was the roasted chicken dinner, and mine was the three strip dinner, assuming that the strips were fried. Once we got home, I noticed that they had been grilled, which would have been okay, but the strips were much smaller than previous orders in the past, and actually the chicken tasted old, or left over. Thankfully, the wife had enough, and she shared her meal. This will not keep us away, but will check the order before we leave, next time.

joseph baty

Awesome chicken, great staff

Michael Higgins

Our first time here!! We absolutely loved the food! We had the pimento cheese BLT. The amazing chicken biscuit with shredded cheddar cheese, sausage gravy, and a sweet potato hash! I chose hot for the chicken seasoning. It was absolutely my favorite breakfast dish I've had in forever! Plus we picked a side plate that had 4 sides. Fried okra, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and a corn bread stuffing/pudding. All were amazing! We will definitely be back to try more!! Awesome service at the order counter as well! She gave us wonderful recommendations!

KD Graham

The food was overcooked and the okra was not cooked, and the powerade was watered down well and it and the service was the worst and I wouldn't even send the most meanest person on earth here it would be a horrible experience for anyone only thing good were fries.Would not recommended ever

Kim Watson

Honey mild chicken strips were very good Banana pudding was delicious

Amanda Terry

Loved the honey mild chicken n all the food i got but didnt realli like the mac n chez

Gavin Pruitt

Love this place. Timely and delicious.

mudtime

Awesome dish! Sweet potato hash, topped with a buttermilk biscuit, topped with either chicken breasts or pork chops, topped with sausage gravy and cheese! Excellent!! Will definitely go back! Great service, too!

Steve Keller

Surprisingly good. First time the other day and almost missed it on the downhill. People pour in for really tasty chicken and fish and chips and more. Definitely worth your consideration.

Brian Morris

Always a great place for a good meal. Incredible spices with good range of heat in the rubs. Amazing sides too.

Emily Rose

2.5 stars. The staff was nice and they were patient while ordering. Unfortunately, the complaint is with the chicken. The chicken skin was fried nicely and spiced well. The actual meat of the chicken pieces were very large and that was where the chicken didn't taste that great. The chicken was too mature. It was big, which caused the chicken to be tough. When chickens are too mature that causes the chicken to be more tough. I can't emphasize enough that it would have been better if the chickens were younger. My family and I experienced both the dark and white meat and the dryness was noticeable, especially in the white meat (breast). The tasteful skin could not save the dryness/toughness of the chicken. My family and I also had the Fried Green Tomatoes. We were certainly not impressed with them as they were raw and not fried correctly. The pieces were thick and not fried well. If they were sliced thinner and fried more they would have tasted better. I wasn't a fan of the seasoning, but that was more us. Positives: Mash potatoes were great, fried okra good, and the chicken skin was tasteful. Negative: Chicken was tough/dry and fried green tomatoes. Not a place I will return.

Tesla Adventures

Great food at a great price

Sean G

Good atmosphere, good food, good prices. Came on a saturday during the lunch rush, but had no problem finding seating and short wait for food. Visiting from out of town. Loved it.

Elizabeth Mertes Rabeler

Let me put it this way, my family happily drives 2+ hours to eat here. Phenomenal. The sides are delicious as well and so many options. We've never had a bad experience and the staff are always amazing.

Ashley Hurley

My first hot chicken experience ! I'm a spicy food lover, and a heat seeker, after reading the reviews I couldn't wait to try it! I placed a to go order and the service is pretty great and efficient ! I got the hot chicken breast plate with pimento cheese grits and Mac n cheese. The chicken is spicy, after I took a bite I could feel the heat travel from my mouth to my chest and slowly down to my stomach. The spice is flavorful with a hint of sweetness. I'm not a fan of the pimento cheese grits, I guess I never had pimento in my grits before, so the pimento pepper pieces really overpower the grits for me. The Mac n cheese is thick and it looks like it's been in the warmer for a while. Maybe I should try the Mac n cheese poppers next time. I got chicken tenders with No spices for my toddler daughter, they're 3 big pieces, it doesn't have the heavy breading like traditional chicken tenders instead it looks and taste like they're baked in the oven and the meat are juicy and flavorful. My bf got the 2 pieces mild with fries okra, the fried okra are awesome, lightly breaded and they taste refreshing! Unfortunately we couldn't finish all the food, yes they're big portions but the more I eat the more I feel like I was about to have a bad heartburn. And for my bf ,the mild pieces were a bit spicy for his taste. I heated up the leftovers hours later, they still taste great,especially the Mac n cheese. Lol Overall the food are great but I probably couldn't eat it everyday because of the heartburn . Lol

Tatiana Vereen

First visit and not the last! When you go in, you have to order and pay then be seated with your order number sign. Afterwards you fill your own drink and your waiter/waitress will come by to check on you. The meal for my boyfriend and I was about $33 and it was well spent! The macaroni and cheese is AMAZING, ranch is delicious, and I recommend the honey mild sauce on the chicken. We also enjoyed the fried pickles air zesty ranch sauce (a bit spicy). Driving out back on the road is a bit rough

Kelly Smith

Excellent wings, dry rubbed with very hot options

Caymen Rexrode

Best friend chicken I've had in a while!

David Couch

Fun atmosphere, friendly people. Great chicken and sides. Portions just right. I prefer more salt on my chicken, but the dips are salty, so... That works. We had to wait in line out the door, but the line moved quickly. Would definitely frequent this place if we lived here. Oh and not only is the chicken responsibly sourced, they sell metal straws, offer paper ones as needed and the bathrooms are for all.

Seth Elkins

A pirate's life is the life for me, as long as I can still have this delicious chicken. Get it extra hot!

Dawn Korth

Amazing food and great diner feel!!! Can get very crowded during dinner time!!! Would recommend getting there a little early or ordering to go!!! Portions are large so plan on left overs......

Ryan W

Best chicken I've ever had. I usually like hot wings so I got the medium based on other reviewers. It was still pretty hot, maybe a bit too hot for me so I will get mild next time. This place has a lot of energy. The workers are presentable and pleasant. The rotisserie chicken was fantastic as well. Definitely a five-star experience!

Orson Welles

I love this place. It's really good food for a pretty competitive price. With that said, it can be a little inconsistent. While nearly all of my experiences out of maybe 20 have been top notch, there have been a couple times that my food arrived TOO fast. I could tell that my order was the last of a batch made for rush hours. Would much prefer to have my food come out a little slower and be made to order every time, even when I come in during off hours. While I still wouldn't call the 15 minute old food bad, it was a noticeable disparity compared to the best times.

Gene Hughes

Excellent selection and fast friendly service. An extensive menu of comfort food with classic and soon to be classic favorites. Excellent variety of heat levels to satisfy every palate. Be sure to leave a little room for dessert!

Todd Meziere

If you like spicy chicken this is your place. The food is very good and the sides are very country home style. It can get packed but they move the line along very quickly. Definitely my goto place when I need to get my nasal passages open.

Brian Cox

Some pretty delicious chicken right there. I had a chicken sandwich and some mac and cheese. Both were excellent. I can't wait to go back and try their chicken pieces.

DeeAnn Kizziah

Lots of fun. Food is great! Loved the chicken and waffles. Had to pass on the Manmosa though

Kendyl Webb

They were very busy but we got our food quickly. Everything was amazing! Especially the Mac and cheese poppers. The one thing I didn't like is that it is a chicken restaurant and they charge fifty cents for sauce for your chicken or one dollar for bottomless sauce. I feel like the cost of sauce should be included in the price of the chicken.. who eats spicy chicken/chicken in general with no sauce?

Danger Boone

It was very quality food and the service was great but I had 1 small issue. I got wings and there was a pile of seasonings on the top of the wings and bread. It may be that style of "Hot" chicken but I wasn't a fan. I'll probably go back but will get some different.

Westley Hollamon

Amazing fried chicken the Nashville style. The service has always been amazing and the food had been good! I recommend the thigh plate with potato salad and collard greens. The fake chicken cutlets come out amazing as well. Most of the sides are vegetarian I believe as well. Amazing tap list, food comes out pretty fast, and they have a Sunday brunch as well. The only complaint is that the spice level and temperature of the food has been inconsistent. Overall though highly recommend this place! This is Prince's quality hot chicken in the montains of NC!

Stacy Blum

They always have great service. I never feel rushed when ordering here. The food is fresh and hot by the time it reaches me. It has been consistently delicious and is by far my fave chicken spot in AVL.

D Seay

The medium chicken breast was fantastic

Matthew Fatheree

Chicken and the sides were good. We were told the medium is equivalent to other places hot, but it was not that spicy. Fair warning my group who ate here all enjoy spicy food. If you enjoy spicy just got hot or hotter.

Nate Brown

It was amazing! I personally got the 2 fried legs, with honey mild sauce, Mac and cheese and fries. I would come here again and again!

Eric Barnhart

Pretty delicious. I would recommend it and will visit the next time I'm in town

Keith Thurston

Service and food were great. Wish they had one in Atlanta. I had the chicken tenders salad with medium heat.

Zach Hill

Rocky's is amazing. Their chicken is SO JUICY and cooked so perfectly and the seasoning is so tasty (and as spicy as you could ever want). The side dishes, however, that's where the problem lies. The problem is that once you have tasted them, you won't be able to choose which ones to get on your return visit. I would list my favorite sides here but I would literally be listing them all, they are all absolutely delicious. And do not forget the banana pudding for dessert!

Nick Martin

Some of the best chicken in Asheville, but also I don't trust women and I saw one here. It's a long story involving my mother, a couple of my aunts, and several framed pictures of Lisa Kudrow.

Adam Eberhardt

Rocky's always delivers the goods! I highly recommend Magnificent Meatpie Monday.

Russell Blankenship

Loved it...service was great and the food was even better. Definitely lived up to the hype.

tracey gossett

When I go to a restaurant, I don’t mind a line of people or a wait...that’s expected when getting great food! The Mac n cheese poppers are amazingly delicious, definitely something different. Staff is friendly - chicken is fantastic!! We will be back for sure!

Jeremy Willis

Best hot chicken outside of Nashville. It was absurdly hot. I mean stupid hot. I got the Rocky's Hot heat level, I think 2nd from the hottest and it got the heat receptors and the taste buds going. Very delicious, but the heat is not for the weak.

Meghan Bethem

Chicken was moist and delicious with just the right amount of spice. The macaroni and cheese was fantastic. Pickle chips were great too. The batter has a hint of heat and served with spicy ranch. We dig on hot stuff so we will be back over and over again. Best chicken ever.

Amber Randall

This place has great food!! Very much impressed!

jello7X2

Love this place! It's right down the road from me and I go on Wednesdays for the wing deal. Proceed with caution though, their sauces are VERY HOT. Medium is most places Hot. Nice outdoor seating area along with indoor area. The place is always full so account for that.

arlo abrams

Amazing southern food at a great price. The bone-in chicken is so moist, and the collards, green beans and fried okra are spot on! Don't be discouraged by the line, it moves quickly and the staff will have your piping hot food out to you soon after you select your drink and login to the free WiFi to post epic Instagram pictures!

Isabella Banich

Fantastic! The staff is fantastic and they've got an amazing atmosphere. The menu was well laid out, and everything we tried was over-the-top delicious. Their really laid-back atmosphere was made perfect by the decor (local stickers) and alternative music was such a good complement to the food.

Craig Snyder

YOU MUST GO! live here or not this is an amazing Asheville staple. Rocky's is a must! Take your time and feel free to ask questions, the staff is wonderful at all locations.

blake ramsey

Great chicken, great drinks. Seating arrangement is wonky but if you don't mind the wait, go for it. It is totally worth it.

Jacquelyn Klauck

Popeye's who? This chicken is some of the best I've ever had. So juicy, perfect spice. Everything was truly amazing.

Lila Diaz

The chicken is amazing, among the best I've ever had. Side dishes are homemade and excellent. A do-not-miss stop in Asheville. Fantastic fried chicken in Asheville. It tends to your spicy, even the mildest is slightly so. Overall a lot of …

Cyan Mcfarlane

Context: I grew up eating Mexican food in Phoenix. At Thai & Indian restaurants I get 10/10 spice level. I have attended a hot sauce convention in NYC. I have participated in a spice challenge in which I had to give verbal consent. Nothing has EVER defeated me.... until Rocky's..... I walked up to the counter and ordered the vegan chicken sandwich 'extra hot'. The employee warned 'I wouldn't start there if I was you. Maybe go with just hot first.' I firmly answered, 'I can handle it.' I sat down to enjoy my first few bites. The first couple went down okay. Then, the spice started to build and I reached the point of unrelenting burning traveling from my lips through my oral cavity, down my esophagus and into my stomach. I quickly filled my water & soda cups in preparation. (Note: soda helps quell spice for me, I know it doesn't for everyone.) I neared the end of the first half of my sandwich and realized I couldn't tread any further. I had arrived to the restaurant ravenously hungry and was, quite honestly, upset that I couldn't eat more. My mother's voice rang in my head "You shouldn't leave food on your plate." At this point, 5 cups of water and 3 sodas had been gulped down. I offered bites of the sandwich (with a warning) to my unsuspecting table mates who promptly broke into tears and coughing fits when the spice hit their palates. I watched them finish their meals as I made frequent trips to the water/soda station. By the end of the meal I had consumed 10 glasses of water and 5 sodas. I went home and immediately curled up in the fetal position on my couch. I have only thrown up three times in life and thus am unfamiliar with the sensation. Even so, I knew something was wrong. I jogged upstairs to the bathroom, sat down in front of the toilet, and pulled back my hair. A few seconds later, flaming hot rocky's chicken sandwich came scorching up my esophagus, mixed with burning stomach. I heaved a few more times and finally sat back and sighed a sweet sigh of relief. In conclusion: in my 28 years of life, NOTHING has EVER defeated me in the spice arena. I cannot properly express how thoroughly impressed with this establishment. I have shared this story far and wide in the hopes it will draw other masochistic, spice loving eaters to Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack. (Needless to say, the next day was quite a ride for my bum.)

Allison Stefaniuk

Nice place, stopped for dinner when passing though town. Chef salad was huge and very good. Chicken was delicious!

Christia Meccariello

This was one of the best chicken joints I have ever eaten at. Spices were on point and the chicken pieces were HUGE!

Keely Austin

Simply amazing food. I love it here!

Elliot Mertz

This is a pretty good Chicken Shack the way they do their Fried Chicken is pretty unique but spectacular it's a dry rub. They also have pretty hot chicken if you get the ghost pepper chicken it's pretty dang hot no joke. Anything Rocky's Hot and above is just for the pros so beware if your an amateur.

Jennifer Watson

Went here a few years ago and it was awesome, however this time was very disappointing. The food looks great in the pictures, however the chicken was dry and had no flavor. It was spicy, but just didn't taste good. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but it was definitely not worth the $15 spent for one meal.

Amy Tomasko

Best fried chicken I've EVER had! The shack is definitely unique in and of itself! The staff was very friendly and inviting. We only waited about 20 minutes in line, and let me tell you - it was definitely worth it!! Also as a tip you might want to try a peg down from what you normally get on the hot scale! Delicious and well done! Will definitely be back!

Nancy Sullivan

Amazing chicken! Watch the spice and be conservative on your spice level...it is HOT!! Chicken is fresh and tender. Go!

Jose Luis Guevara

Delicious hot chicken and great sides. I thought that the spice rating was a little off (not as spicy as you think it will be), but my fiance thought that it was appropriate (she's not as big a fan of the spicy foods)

luther kincade

Omg the chicken was so good. The only bad thing I can say about this restaurant is its too many options lol. I will have to come back.

Kevin Gehsmann

Perfect lunch spot on our pit stop thru Asheville. Excellent food and beer selection!

Yukon Biker

I love this place. The staff is great. Food is great. When the say hot chicken they are not joking. Start with mild and work your way up. Good food

stacey thorn

This is the closest thing to Prince's outside of Nashville. Good selection of side dishes. Very traditional presentation with the white bread and pickle. Homemade sauces are excellent. This place is a must stop for anyone that's a fan of chicken.

Jeffrey Meyer

Great chicken, well behaved gigs on leash are welcome on the patio

Trilby Saldana

THE REAL DEAL!! yooou gotta come here!! God country home cooking done the right way!!

Earl Struble

We love this place. Chicken is always the perfect amount if heat and sweet. Beer selection is spot on to complement the food. We like to sit in the outside covered room. Sometimes there are pets out there. Deserts are great. Love the collards and mac.

David Villatoro

Local beers, good vibes and amazing chicken. A must go to spot if you like chicken.

James Stone Kyker

Up there with the best hot chicken in the country. Prince’s style with the coating added after frying. Sides are excellent, and banana pudding is the best I’ve had. Rocky’s Hot, extra dry, extra wet.

Christie W

My recent trip to Asheville was filled with great memories and wonderful food. Rocky's Hot Chicken was wonderful and well worth the wait. If there is a bit of line please don't be deterred! The food is AMAZING!

Garrett McClintock

Chicken was cooked perfectly. Loved the mac and cheese. Corn pudding was a great twist.

Scott Skanes

Incredibly flavourful Tennessee Style Hot Chicken, ranging from plain to super duper hot. They have tons of stuff on the menu but the chicken is the star of the show. Perfectly fried, juicy, and the spicy cayenne used on the chicken is addictive. Definitely check this out if you're in the area.

Brandon Martin

Great food and reasonable pricing. Somewhere under $10 plates. Chicken is amazing but be careful of spiciness because they can go hot! Oh and they have beer in case you were wondering.

Karen Fiery

So I thought this was going to be kind of a run-down dive but with really good food based on the reviews on Trip Advisor and Google, but I was wrong! It’s got a unique atmosphere, and it is actually a little urban-chic. The food was excellent—but they don’t lie when they say spicy. If you don’t like kick at all, stay within the “plain traditional” category. The food was served quickly, and there was plenty of seating for either singles, couples, or larger parties. We personally sat on the outside deck and it was perfect. I know some people have complained about parking, but we were there right at 6:15 and easily found a place, and when we came out there were still places to park. They are also pretty eco-conscious. Only paper straws if you ask for them, reusable everything, low consumption faucets in the bathroom, etc. My only complaint was I didn’t know what in the world to do with the food on my plate or how to clear my table. There are no trash cans, and the disposal bins are labeled “trash,” “dishes,” “silverware,” and “metal trays.” We waited for a while to see what other people did, but finally I stepped up and scraped my plate into the “trash” bin even though I’m pretty sure that’s not what I was supposed to do. I just kinda felt like an idiot over the whole process.

Ava Lilly

Rocky's was recommended to us by a friend, and did not disappoint! I'm not a heat seeker, so the mild chicken was perfect for me. The collards were seasoned perfectly, which isn't easy to do. I also enjoyed the textured mashed potatoes and gravy. We live in Charlotte, but look forward to dining at Rocky's again, when we visit Asheville.

Allen Rowe

Best fried chicken im America. Change my mind.

Lisa Childs

Didn't like the chicken I got the two piece hot w/ sweet potato casserole and Mac n cheese it didn't have any seasoning. The fried pickles were delicious

Tr4n515t0r

A lot of options to choose from means never having to eat the same thing twice. Huge fan of the blue cheese chicken dip and all of their wonderful hot sauces. I think the only drawback here is room, there is a lot of seating but most tables and chairs feel crammed together during rush times. Like most places in Asheville you will bus your own table after the meal. Lots of friendly staff and drink options as well including beer and wine. One of my favorite quick places to eat in Asheville.

Adam Schofield

Best friend chicken I've ever had. There is usually a long line, but it moves quickly and the food comes out fast. If you are in a hurry you can pick up take-out without waiting in line. Just call ahead first.

Cassandra Philogene

This is the southern cooking you expect while being in the Carolinas. Probably best fried green tomatoes I've had in a while. Biscuits were flaky and so buttery you didn't need butter. According to others at the table, the rotisserie chicken was seasoned to perfection. I have to admit, best mac & cheese at a restaurant. The fried okra was a hard pass for me.

Archie st John

Excellent food and service.

John Schenk

Only 1 negative, and have to get that out of the way first: parking. It is pretty bad. About half of the tables were occupied, yet the parking lot was full. The chicken is really good. I went with Rocky's Hot, the second hottest flavor. It was a sweet and spicy breading, which was really good. But not quite as hot as I was expecting. Highly recommended!

J H

Food is great, staff needs worked on

Mie Hollysharp

BEST CHICKEN OF ALL. Always cooked perfectly, with incredible flavor. The staff are all really nice, quick and helpful. The only place to go for chicken.

Ashley lanning

This place is my favorite! Chick is out of this world! Mac and cheese is home made goodness! And they will roll the mac and cheese and then put it in breading and deep fry them! What's not to love?

Beth Tuten

The food and service were amazing with good portion sizes and the best ranch I've ever had in my life.

Cheri Gibson

I'm an West Asheville native and i went there as a kid when it was Yogi Bears. The food is awesome also. I love the mac and cheese poppers.

Chuck Fisher

I'm sure to city folk it's a fine place to get fried chicken... But not for me atmosphere was good the hot chicken was hot and the mild was warm just not for me, but enjoy you city folks!

Katie Varney

This was first restaurant I tried during my trip to Asheville, and it did not disappoint! The food was amazing! The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was laid back! I highly recommend!

Ellie F

Best chicken in Asheville!! Amazing sides and friendly staff

Erik Morgan

Great food, great staff, awesome

Melisa Wallace

Excellent fried chicken! I had the greens and pimento cheese grits and it was very good!

Ryan Miranda

Amazing food. The chicken and waffles was bomb. Vibes are great. No straws saving the turtles

Johnny Jones

If you like chicken, hot or mild, this is the place to eat. Good food, friendly staff, and fun atmosphere.

Janice Stearns

Best Chicken and All other food is Amazing and it's HEALTHY. I love it because it reminds me about the old Southern Food with a hint of HEALTHY... I would recommend you to try this place ITS GREAT

Louie Carr

The best hot chicken I've ever had!

Dan Crowley

This is the real deal folks! We go here at least once a month. Honey mild is great! Spice levels are pretty high so be careful!!

Bruce Santorini

I gave 5 stars because I think the food was excellently prepared. I had never had the Nashville chicken before. There was a generous dry rub on the chicken that was spicy as advertised but I did not like because it was to powdery for me. I am the same way with the powdered flavorings on potato chips. This place has a good following, plenty of people were showing up for lunch on a rainy day. I would go back, for me I would get the plain chicken next time, but should at least try the spicy chicken once.

Hann Henson

Rockys hot chicken shack has stolen my soul. I eat there weekly. They are never bad - food is always delicious. Nicely fried, great hot sauces on top. I recommend the honey mild sauce. Be careful - their spicy is very, very spicy!