West St. Pete has a sneaky new hotspot for tasty Latin eats and Texas-style mesquite grilled chicken. Fire Chicken Latin Grill recently opened at 5281 Park Street North, and despite not having so much as a website or even a facebook page, the new restaurant is already receiving rave reviews and developing a devoted following in only a few weeks of business.

Fire Chicken, as one would imagine, specializes in fire-grilled chicken, but the new spot offers far more than just well-prepared yard bird. In addition to fire chicken plates, the restaurant’s menu is filled with tacos, burritos, tostadas, pupusas (served with Salvadorian slaw!), quesadillas, burgers, and even seafood plates, including whole tilapia. Fire Chicken also serves chicken wings, pastelitos, yucca, and calamari, as well as churros and flan.

Located in a strip mall and nestled between a jeweler and a now-closed magic shop, Fire Chicken can be easy to miss, but those who have made the discovery swear by the delicious eats. The restaurant is currently sitting at an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google, and it doesn’t seem to be family-and-friends puffery. In fact, even the worst review posted is a still a four-star that reads, in part, “Tons of food for the money and great flavors. I will definitely be back.”

That review wasn’t the only one to mention the apparently excellent flavors, as nearly every comment praised Fire Chicken for the great taste of their meals. “It’s obvious that these folks are passionate about their craft,” one reviewer noted. Another called it “Authentic and delicious,” while yet another said “this chicken was awesome!”

Fire Chicken could be a star in the making

Indeed, the namesake item – mesquite chicken – appears to be mentioned often, while at least two reviewers said the pupusas were the best they’d ever had. There are also several recommendations for the red beans filled with bacon, sausage and an apparently delicious broth.

“Went in for lunch on a whim,” another said, admitting he was looking for the Lebanese restaurant that used to be there. “So glad I decided to stop … I know the odds are stacked against new restaurants, but this place definitely deserves to stick around for a long time.”

We haven’t been ourselves, but please let us know if you try it out. Based on early reviews, we’re excited to make a visit. From the restaurant on google: “Here at Fire Chicken Latin Grill we take pride in cooking fresh food with fresh ingredients. Our signature Texas style marinated chicken grilled over mesquite wood charcoal is delicious, not to mention our marinated steak tacos, or quesadillas with our fresh salsas, mmm so delicious.”

Well, we can’t say no to that.

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