About Us
Made for everyone, served with care.
Phase 1: Origins!
Lifelong friends Amin and Ashraf brought diverse experience, from professional cooking to high-end catering. They initially came to Knoxville to pursue religious studies part-time at Tayseer Seminary. During this time, they discovered the comforts, hospitality, and culinary imagination of Southern cuisine. Inspired, they began experimenting with Nashville Hot Chicken rubs, creating their own proprietary blends and a unique sandwich sauce.
Phase 2: Real Good Kitchen
Inspired to change careers, they quit their day jobs! Within two months, they hosted three sold-out hot chicken pop-ups. Recognizing that Knoxville Showed UP, they launched the city's very first home-grown Hot Chicken spot. Amin leased hours at East Knoxville's Real Good Kitchen. Sales quickly soared from 200 sandwiches at a single pop-up to 2,000 per month. The operation was growing so fast it needed a bigger space than the shared kitchen could provide.
Phase 3: Marble City Market
Unable to find new dedicated restaurant spaces, they signed a lease with the Marble City Market food hall. In June 2024, they proudly launched their new Hot Chicken restaurant, finally welcoming dine-in customers! The grand opening was celebrated by giving away hundreds of sandwiches, tenders, and banana pudding. Their operation quickly ramped up, and they now sell over 5,000 sandwiches monthly.
Committment to Quality
What sets apart Hot Birds is a commitment to using the highest quality ingredients and standards, the scratch-made sauces, and the 100% halal certified chicken which is by definition also hormone-free, additive-free, chemical-free, never frozen chicken. We get the chicken raw, and we cook it by hand without anything more complicated than a fryer. If we are sold out, we don't rush to make new chicken. We patiently wait for the 24-hour brine process and ask customers come back the next day.
Why Visit Us?
Visit the restaurant to enjoy well‑prepared chicken, a simple menu done right, and a team that cares about what they serve. With focus on quality and consistency, this spot in Knoxville stands out. We invite you to drop by or order online—it’s flavor made with purpose.
