Have you tried this new halal chicken spot in Warren?
Dear Readers,
This week we take a look at a new business in Michigan, which brings a unique food concept to town. It’s a Bangladeshi-owned business that hopes to provide a taste of Nashville and fusion foods from around the world in one space.
Let us know which business you want us to profile next.
Sincerely,
Nargis Rahman
Saa Nasta Newsletter
Cluckin Hot Chicks fusion hot chicken comes to Michigan
By Nargis Hakim Rahman
Nearly two years ago Masum Latif walked into a Nashville Chicken restaurant operated by Chef Dave Shaw. He fell in love with the food. That’s when he approached owner Shaw and asked him to bring a similar location to Michigan.
They became business partners, along with Masum Latif’s brother Mamun Latif. They opened Cluckin Hot Chicks on 12 Mile and Dequindre in Warren in September.
I interviewed Masum Latif and Dave Shaw about their business.
“We started this venture with Nashville hot chicken, which is hot chicks. We started this venture. So kind of trying to see how we can expand on that aspect,” says Masum Latif.
Latif is an entrepreneur who grew up in Michigan. He lived in Miami for the past 15 years and recently moved back.
Shaw was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I'm a country boy at heart,” he says.
Shaw learned how to cook from his grandma.
“She used to cook for everybody every Sunday after church and we would all go to her house. And if you want to be one of the first ones in line to eat, that means you had to help cook. So then I learned how to cook,” he says.
Shaw cooked throughout his childhood and school. He also worked at Princess, which is the Original Nashville hot-style chicken, when he was 15.
“I learned from what I think is the best at doing what we do, and got their blessing and just went forward with it updated it for the new millennia,” he says, about his new business.
The duo wants to bring Fusion Hot Chicken cooking to the world, using hormone-free chicken, with no preservatives, and using halal chicken.
Halal chicken-based businesses are booming in the Metro Detroit area now. Shaw says Cluckin Hot Chicks uses an open kitchen concept so people can see the work that goes behind every order.
“We don't cut any corners, we make, like 98% of everything in this kitchen. It's made with love,” Shaw says. “No matter how many other places open, they do the quick process. We're going to do the best process.”
The menu offers fusion flavors to meet the taste palettes of diverse communities.
“We have Island Chick, which is like a Caribbean jerk style to Desi, like Indian chicken 65 Tikka style. We have Seoul, which is like a Korean barbecue,” Latif says.
They also serve bone ends, leg quarters, and white quarters.
Latif says, his business serves chicken to cater to what people will eat.
“A lot of our client base, they're trying to stay away from the red meat,” he says.
He says it’s also a way to keep the menu consistent throughout different locations. As of now, Cluckin Hot Chicks has locations in South Florida and Warren.
Latif says it means a lot to be a Bangladeshi entrepreneur.
“My parents came here with what the dream. To be able to exemplify that dream is something that is glorifying. Coming from a small town in Michigan, to be able to expand our business to a national profile is something amazing.”
He says he hopes to leave a legacy, by creating opportunities for other businesses to build on this franchise.
Shaw says his mom taught him about entrepreneurship from a young age.
“When I was 11 years old when everybody else was getting video games, she bought me a piece of property and taught me how business works and how real estate works,” he says.
Shaw is proud of how far he’s come.
“Every day that I come to work, and do what we do is a testament to the things that I learned from her and her teaching me that being a minority and pushing forward in this country,” Shaw says.
Cluckin Hot Chicks is located at 28268 Dequindre Rd, Warren, MI 48092. For hours and menu items, visit https://cluckinhotchicks.com/.