Belle’s Hot Chicken, Barangaroo
What’s hot in Barangaroo?!
There’s something about Southern-style fried chicken that makes me weak at the knees. Maybe it’s the crispy batter or maybe it’s the succulent goodness that is encased inside. Either way, there was no stopping me from making the trip to Belle’s Hot Chicken in Barangaroo.
The menu is very unique in the fact that it is customisable. Patrons get the option of choosing the level of heat as well as the choice of meat. For heat levels, it ranges from mild “Southern” all the way to “really fucking hot”. Patrons can choose between tenders, drumsticks or wings for their choice of chicken. Vegetarians are even catered for with a mushroom variety and pescetarians have the option of fish.
I first ordered the Wings in Southern style so that I could let the flavours of the chicken truly shine. The exterior was extremely crispy and the dark meat from the wings was juicy and tender. It was accompanied perfectly with a side of seasoned crinkle cut fries. This was a great start to the meal!
I upped the stakes by trying Tenders in a “really hot” sauce. The founder, Morgan McGlone, was not kidding when he brought the spices from Nashville, Tennessee to the streets of Barangaroo. The chicken was coated in tear-inducing hot seasoning. Luckily, there was a slice of white bread to minimise the intensity of the heat. The side of broccoli salad also helped to cool down the tongue!
Along with the classic chicken dishes, we also tried Peach BBQ Ribs. The ribs were marinated in a sweet and sticky peach sauce then topped with scallions. It was generously sprinkled with sesame seeds that gave the tender ribs a lovely crunch. The sweetness of the sauce was a nice change from the savoury chicken and sides that we started with.
Overall
Having opened for a little more than two years, Belle’s Hot Chicken has become an institution at Barangaroo. It’s a reliable joint that brings the authentic tastes of the South to the urban streets of Barangaroo. I would highly recommend trying the chicken in a milder sauce as the “really hot” seasoning was (honestly) a little bit too hot to handle. Along with the food, patrons should also pair their meal with a drink from their well-sourced and extensive collection of natural wines.
Rating: Yummy in my Tummy
Service: 3/5
Cost: Around $20 pp (excluding drinks)
