New Haven-born restaurant chain Haven Hot Chicken is continuing its expansion in the state, with a new eatery planned for Middletown.
The brand plans to open the new restaurant at 524 Main Street later this year, with the exact date to be announced. The 1,800-square-foot Middletown location will be the chain’s fifth restaurant.
Haven Hot Chicken, with its fire-breathing chicken for a logo, launched in New Haven in 2020, and has been growing steadily since. It also has locations in Orange, Norwalk and North Haven.
Rob LaTronica, co-founder and chief growth officer for Haven Hot Chicken, said the Middletown location appealed to the company because of its proximity to Wesleyan University, Middlesex Hospital and Route 9.
LaTronica co-founded the company with fellow restaurateurs Craig Sklar, Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin.
LaTronica said many of the chain’s existing customers have traveled from the Middletown area to visit one of their existing locations, and now Haven Hot Chicken will be available closer to home.
“We are looking forward to becoming a part of this vibrant community,” LaTronica said.
Haven Hot Chicken offers Nashville-style hot chicken and “not chicken,” a vegetarian option made from cauliflower. Customers can order sandwiches or tenders in their choice of spice level, from “Country,” with no spice, all the way up to the extremely spicy “Haven.” The business also serves fries, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and banana pudding.
While Haven Hot Chicken does the bulk of its business via takeout orders, the new Middletown location also will have limited seating for in-house dining.
