Haven Hot Chicken Shows Off Its New Location In Storrs

STORRS, CT — There's a new chicken joint in Downtown Storrs and it comes with a Nashville Flair.

Haven Hot Chicken opened its doors Wednesday for a sneak preview of the menu ahead of its official public opening on Saturday. It's 1206 Storrs Road location marks the fifth for the chain in Connecticut and the first in the northeastern part of the state.

"We needed a chicken place in town, so we're excited to see this," University of Connecticut lacrosse goalie Landyn White said while sampling what Haven calls THE Sandwich. "And this is really good."

Back to the sandwich in a bit. Aside from the need for a chicken place in Storrs, co-founders Etkin Tekin and Jason Sobocinski were on hand Wednesday and said they felt the need to bring their love of Nashville-style chicken to Connecticut.

"We wanted to share the experiences we have when visiting Nashville," Tekin said. "We fell i love with the chicken there. The combination of the pickles, the slaw, the double-fried chicken on a potato roll. It's all these dynamic flavors coming together."

UConn lacrosse midfielder Tori Tomalia also ordered the chicken sandwich.

"This sandwich is better than I expected ... it's so good," she said. The players were also raving about the side dishes and even the ranch dressing.

"I've had a lot of homemade ranch and this is as good as any," White said.

Aside from the sandwich, the menu includes chicken and waffles and the Tendie Trio. The chicken is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside and they key is frying it first, then dunking it in hot oil, Sobocinski said.

"It's this," Tekin said, pointing to his staff shirt that said, "crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy, delicious."

There are also multiple versions of hot, he and Sobocinski added.

"Ordering 'country' has no spice at all and 'mild' is just a hint of hot," Sobocinski said. "As we progress from 'medium' to 'hot' to 'haven' levels, you start to see things."

A cauliflower-based "not chicken" steak is served on a sandwich as well. Sides include slaw, fries, garlic dill pickles and mac and cheese.

Oh and banana pudding.

"Order the banana pudding," Tekin said. "Order two and bring one home."

The banana pudding and the sandwich are the trademark dishes. The pudding is thick and creamy and full of flavor.

"And people have been known to dip their fries in it," Tekin said. "After all, it is considered a side dish."

For every banana pudding sold, Haven donates $1 for Food Share programs in Connecticut. Since the beginning of last year, the tab has reached $40,000.

White and Tomalia also noticed something else about the location at the former Wing Stop in the plaza anchored by Price Chopper.

"It's aesthetically pleasing," White said.

"It's comfortable," Tomalia added.

Haven Hot Chicken's Storrs Road store is joining locations in New Haven, Orange, North Haven and Norwalk. Up next is Middletown early next year.

Here are more images of Wednesday's sneak peek: