Tumble 22 Hot Chicken, a Nashville-style hot chicken business that started as an Austin food truck and now has four stores in that area, has opened its second Houston location. It’s at 1017 Houston Avenue between Washington Avenue and Center Street. The name stands for the 22 times chicken is tumbled in its proprietary batter mix, and the company’s slogan is, “Cold Beer, Hot Chicken, and Cheap, Stiff Drinks.” Features of the new Tumble 22 include a pick-up window and a full bar, as well as a full-service dining room.

The official grand opening date is on Tuesday, September 12. To celebrate, the company is donating all of the new location’s grand opening day profits, splitting them evenly between Memorial Hermann Foundation and Fresh Arts. There will also be plenty of activities at the restaurant during the grand opening, including a raffle to win free chicken for a year, a kids’ coloring contest that uses Fresh Arts’ line art and free samples. Some undisclosed “fun surprises” are also in store. 

Tumble 22 is known for its all-natural, Texas-raised, bone-in fried chicken and boneless chicken sandwiches in six heat levels ranging from Painless (none) to Stupid Hot, which is made with ghost pepper. There are Southern-style sides, such as Steve’s Collard Greens, Heavenly Eggs — deviled eggs with candied bacon — and Large & Dirty Mac ‘n’ Cheese with additions of pulled hot chicken and ranch. (You can get regular ol’ Mac ‘n’ Cheese without those additions, too.) Soon to come are grilled chicken sandwiches, two new salads (there’s currently a Cobb and Caesar on the menu) and housemade milkshakes. 

“At Tumble 22, we take pride in offering full-service dining with a smile and friendly hospitality. Our incredibly caring staff, led by managing partner Jackson Nascimento, AGM Ashley Vella, and Chef Jaime is dedicated to providing a memorable experience to each and every guest,” said CEO Doug Tompson. “We look forward to serving Houston our award-winning delicious chicken, pies, and shakes. Our margaritas, by the way, are out of this world!”

You can view Tumble 22’s full menu on the website. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.