New Concept from Willy’s Mexicana Grill Founder Brings out the Flavor and Heat to Cooked-to-Order Nashville Hot Chicken
The wait is over. East Cobb residents will finally get to taste what all the fuss is about when Howlin’ Willy’s Hot Chicken opens its doors on Tuesday, April 9. Located at 4250 Roswell Road, Howlin’ Willy’s is celebrating its first freestanding restaurant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9 and a grand opening event featuring a Beat the Heat Challenge on Saturday, April 13.
Conceived by Willy Bitter, the visionary entrepreneur behind Willy’s Mexicana Grill, Howlin’ Willy’s serves fresh, never frozen, hand-battered tenders and wings, cooked-to-order with a unique combination of heat and zest, boasting a flavor profile beyond jalapeños and cayenne pepper. Guests can choose from five heat levels: Not Hot, Kinda Hot, Sweet Heat, Willy Hot and Howlin’.
“Howlin’ Willy’s delivers more flavor than other hot chicken restaurants,” says Bitter. “That’s because we introduce different chili peppers to our dry rub seasonings for each heat level.”
On April 9, the first 50 guests who purchase a meal will receive a Howlin’ Prize Pack, and any guest who purchases an entrée with Howlin’ Heat (includes ghost peppers) will get a free Howlin’ Heat T-shirt (while supplies last). There also will be giveaways, free samples of milkshakes and fried apple pies, and the chance to spin a wheel for fun prizes. Guests are invited to tag Howlin’ Willy’s on Instagram and Facebook while in the restaurant for the chance to win a free meal. One winner will be randomly selected each day through Friday, April 12.
On Saturday, April 13 from 11a.m – 2p.m, guests can take part in raffles that include a Howlin’ catering for 15 and a TREK bike, chance to spin a wheel for prizes and can participate in the Beat the Heat Challenge where daring individuals will have two minutes per round (three total rounds) to eat a Howlin’ Heat chicken tender – no drinks or sauces of any kind allowed. Space is limited for the challenge and a waiver must be signed to participate.
“Howlin’ Heat gets its kick from ghost peppers and a special secret ingredient that keeps turning up the heat with each bite,” says Bitter. “It’s a ton of fun watching participants try to keep their game faces on as they keep going.”
Those who succeed will earn a t-shirt and prize, plus a well-deserved spot on the Howlin’ Wall of Flame where their photo will be posted for all to see.
In addition to tenders and wings, the menu includes a classic chicken sandwich and a chicken tender salad, along with craveable sides including Ultimate fries (covered in bacon bits and melted cheese), crinkle-cut fries, and made-in-house twice a day mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw. Finally, guests can choose from dipping sauces and dressings including buttermilk ranch, honey mustard, house-made comeback sauce, Howlin’s buttermilk vinaigrette house dressing and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. Craving something a little sweet? The eatery offers fried apple pies, fresh-baked cookies and milkshakes made with real ice cream.
Fans of Howlin’ Willy’s (and Willy’s) who like to get rewarded can join the Willy Good Rewards program and receive a free order of Ultimate fries from Howlin’ Willy’s or a medium cheese dip or guac from Willy’s Mexicana Grill.
Howlin’ Willy’s East Cobb is located at 4250 Roswell Rd, Suite 600, Marietta, GA 30062. For additional locations and other information, please visit howlinwillys.com.
About Howlin’ Willy’s
Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder Willy Bitter founded Howlin’ Willy’s Hot Chicken after a trip to Nashville, where he fell in love with the city’s hot chicken offerings. Bitter was inspired to bring more flavor and bold heat to this popular favorite through various chili peppers. Hand-battered and deep-fried, crispy tenders, wings and sandwiches come in five different heat levels (Not Hot, Kinda Hot, Sweet Heat, Willy Hot and Howlin’) and various dipping options. The first Howlin’ Willy’s opened as an outpost inside the Willy’s Piedmont Park location, and two more soon followed in Hapeville and North Druid Hills. The most daring spice fans can take the Beat the Heat Challenge: If they can finish three Howlin’ chicken tenders in three 2-minute rounds (without a drink), they earn a prize and a well-deserved spot in the Howlin’ Hall of Flame. For more information, visit howlinwillys.com.
