The Brief

Dozens of Nashville-style hot chicken shops dot the streets of L.A., and opinions abound about whose spicy chicken is the best. But the inner spice fiend in me couldn’t help but wonder… whose spicy tender is the most scorching?

I set up a (highly unscientific) LAist experiment to find out.

The experiment

First, I needed to figure out a few variables.

Style of chicken: I avoided sandwiches or sliders because I didn’t want the heat of the chicken to be masked with bread, pickles or sauces. I also opted for a non-bone option so all attention could be on a clean, spicy bite. That left me with the classic tender — all flavor, no fuss. Just pure heat.

The contenders: There are many excellent Nashville hot chicken places in L.A., but I realized I needed to narrow down the contenders to save the judges' palettes — and LAist’s budget. So I scoured Reddit forums and other social media posts for recommendations from heat lovers, and saw that three names popped up the most: Dave’s Hot Chicken, Howlin’ Rays and Main Chick.

Oh, and another important consideration: proximity to the LAist office in Pasadena.

The participants: I opened the floor to anyone at LAist who’d want to spend a lunch break sweating over chicken with their colleagues. In the end, we got 11 brave souls to take part, including editors, producers and interns.

Now, asking my colleagues to try the spiciest chicken in L.A. without an out would be akin to torture. Plus, any tasting must include a palette cleanser! So one final, and crucial, question remained… what's the best way to cut the spice?

Turns out it’s a one-word answer: fat.

Capsaicin is the chemical component that makes your mouth burn when you eat something spicy. But it’s fat-soluble, so foods that are high in fat may dissolve capsaicin and help mask some of the heat.

So, armed with two tubs of Thrifty’s ice cream, two gallons of milk and a dream, we began the experiment.

The trials

First up: Dave’s Hot Chicken's Reaper Tender

The reaper tenders from Dave's Hot Chicken.

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Danika DeLaczay

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LAist

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Dave's is infamous for making people sign a liability waiver before ordering their reaper level — and we at LAist quickly found out why.

Our players started eating with the utmost confidence … until the ultra-spicy Carolina Reaper pepper-extract started to kick in. Faces quickly turned red, and people were desperately reaching for milk and ice cream to cool off.

“I literally just taste death,” said Managing Editor Jason Wells.

Nic Perez, (L) Ross Brenneman, Matt Ballinger and Dana Littlefield go for the burn.

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Aiko Offner

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LAist

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“Yeah, can we tap out?” said Senior Editor Dana Littlefield, slapping the table and pleading for relief.

Even after it seemed like the spice level had peaked, the reaper seemed to keep getting hotter. The actual flavor of the tender was mostly masked by its heat.

The judges were charged with rating each tender out of 10, with 1 being no big deal, and 10 being the fires of hell.

Most gasped out a 9 or a 10. But AirTalk Producer Nicolas Perez gave it an 8, the lowest ranking of the staff.

“It’s not, like, all-enveloping,” Perez said. “I don’t feel like my entire mouth is on fire. It’s really just concentrated on my tongue. I don’t like the air on my tongue right now.”

The judges consumed a gallon of milk and an entire tub of ice cream recovering from a few bites of that tender alone.

The chicken shop also offers a cauliflower tender option, which is dubbed ‘Dave’s Not Chicken.’ Two vegetarians on our staff tried it out.

The cauliflower tenders dubbed 'Dave's Not Chicken' from Dave's Hot Chicken.

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Danika DeLaczay

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LAist

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“I might finish this actually, this is really good,” All Things Considered Producer Kevin Tidmarsh said. “I’m going in for another bite.”

Reporting intern Vitus Larrieu said the cauliflower patty had a nice flavor and decent texture.

“Sometimes the best chicken is cauliflower,” he said.

Either the cauliflower damped down the spiciness, or our testers had iron constitutions.

Average meat score: 9.18 out of 10
Average vegetarian score: 8 out of 10

Next up: Howlin’ Rays howlin' tender

The howlin' tenders from Howlin' Rays.

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Danika DeLaczay

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LAist

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Dubbed the best-tasting chicken by most online users from my research, I was curious to see if Howlin’ Rays would live up to its reputation.

Our testers took their first bite of the hottest level, the “howlin’ tender,” a blend of the Carolina Reaper, Ghost Pepper and Trinidad Scorpion peppers. Sounds terrifying, but it didn't seem to take our testers down. They even commented on things other than the spice.

"Oh, the skin on that's good, like the outside is actually good," said Senior Editor Ross Brenneman.

Matt Dangelantonio posing with a tender from Main Chick.

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Aiko Offner

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LAist

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“It has so much more flavor than the last one,” said Senior Editor Matt Ballinger. “I could eat this whole thing.”

While the spiciness was very strong, they said it wasn’t overwhelming, allowing the juiciness of the chicken to come through.

It was clear this tender packed more of a flavorful punch.

“Spicy, but I’m not dying,” Littlefield said. “That one’s my favorite [so far].”

Average score: 6.58 out of 10

Finally: Main Chick's spicy tender

The spicy tenders from Main Chick.

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Danika DeLaczay

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LAist

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Now, a disclaimer. We'd selected what we thought was the spiciest level when we ordered the tenders online. But when they arrived at the office, we saw that our chosen "spicy tender" was outranked by another, an even hotter level — the "supreme tender.” Aaagh! So much for scientific rigor. Still, we had mouths to feed, so we continued with the test.

Our testers’ initial response: "It tastes exactly like the XXTRA Flamin' Hot Cheetos," engagement intern Mikaela Perez said. "That's the amount of spice I'm feeling."

The spice level continue to build. "It's hot," said Ballinger.

"Oh, it's growing!" said Littlefield.

“It has a good tongue burn,” Senior Producer Matt Dangelantonio said. “Not too deep in the back of your throat to the point that you start hacking or hiccupping, but good flavor.”

Wells described it as "having a little kick." But no one was reaching for their milk.

“I expected it to peak a little more,” social intern Danika DeLaczay said. “It hit around my tongue, nowhere else.”

OK, so not really a contender in our trials. But I think it can take its place in the spice universe as a great on-ramp to heat heaven.

Average score: 3.72 out of 10

The winner(s)

Since our test became (ahem) scientifically challenged, we decided to expand the judging categories. Trophies all around!

Hottest: Dave’s Hot Chicken

With a sizzling tender that left our tongues burning long after the challenge was complete, the reaper certainly swept the spice competition.

Most flavor and staff favorite: Howlin’ Rays

Howlin’ Rays expertly blends some scary-sounding peppers into a tender that certainly leaves you howling… for more.

Best gateway tender into the spice world: Main Chick

A spice level the non-contestants in the office could still enjoy, Main Chick brings a subtle sizzle to the table that’s a good on-ramp to more heat.

If you’re interested in seeing our faces burn in real time, you can check out our video on the experiment at @laistofficial.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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The LA Local

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.