Well… remember when I said back in July that the Clintonville Hot Chicken Takeover closing “hurt more” than the others? Yeah, well, apparently the universe heard me and said, “hold my sweet tea.”
Because as of this week, Hot Chicken Takeover has closed three more locations in Columbus (Gahanna, Grandview, and Westerville), leaving just one lone survivor: the North Market Downtown stall.
That’s it. That’s the list.
Hot Chicken Takeover…
If it feels like this has been happening a lot lately, that’s because it has. Earlier this year, HCT also shut down its Clintonville, Lewis Center, and Gateway spots. Three more gone, just like that.
It’s wild to think about, especially since Hot Chicken Takeover once felt unstoppable. When they first opened over a decade ago, people were lining up for that signature Nashville-style heat, the sweet tea, and of course, the homemade ranch and banana pudding. They had the kind of cult following most local restaurants dream about.
Now we’re down to one.
Why This Hurts (Again)
I get it… restaurants have to make tough calls. Hot Chicken Takeover has always talked about “growing with intention” and keeping their mission of second-chance employment and hospitality at the center of everything. And I genuinely want to believe that’s still true. But ever since they were bought out, things just haven’t been the same.
What’s Left for Hot Chicken Takeover?
Honestly, who knows?!
Will Hot Chicken Takeover reinvent itself? Will the North Market location keep the flame alive? Or is this the final death rattle before we see Hot Chicken Takeover disappear forever?
A Spicy Goodbye
Look… I know it’s just chicken. But food memories hit harder than people realize. Restaurants like Hot Chicken Takeover become a part of your story, even if that story just involves you sweating bullets over drumsticks with friends.
It’s literally a big part of my story with my boyfriend, and it sucks to see it go.
So here’s my spicy little eulogy for the now-closed Gahanna, Grandview, and Westerville shops: thanks for the heat, the sweet tea refills, and the banana pudding therapy sessions. Columbus will miss you.
And to the North Market location: you’re carrying the torch now. No pressure… but you’re all we’ve got.
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