Hotbox by Wiz – Restaurant Review: Don’t Miss it!

There’s nothing that a true New Yorker hates more than being told he can’t go out to eat – enter HotBox by Wiz. It’s like asking someone from California to avoid the waves, or telling those in Washington to ignore politics. 

It just can’t be done. 

But in the interest of staying safe, even a New Yorker has to listen to the best medical advice out there. So, what is a foodie to do in these situations? Order in, of course. 

I’ve been making the rounds of the food delivery service opportunities in New York, and I am always excited when something new comes on the scene to review. 

But when that something new isn’t just something new – but is something new owned by Wiz Khalifa – then my ears perk up and my mouth begins to water.

Who doesn’t love Wiz Khalifa, the crazy-talented rapper, singer and actor? Add to this list the restaurant owner, and you had me at the letter ‘R’. Wiz has been awfully busy during this pandemic, while the rest of us have been huddling around the home fires and he’s got a new restaurant delivery business in place. It’s a delivery chain called HotBox by Wiz and he’s partnered with Nextbite to make it happen. If you love Wiz like I do, then you want to know more about him. And getting to know his taste in food – and then actually tasting and reviewing that food – is quite a treat.

So, what’s on the menu? 

Starting from the most decadent to the least, we’ve got a Mile High Dark Chocolate Brownie and a TGOD Cookie (chocolate chip with optional hot fudge). I tried the cookie and it was just crispy enough, with a bit of gooey love inside. Divine. 

For the big eaters among us, there is Mac & Yellow (awesome macaroni and cheese), Hot Bowl (three bean chili with cornbread on the side), Taylor Gang Turkey Burger, OG Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Blazed OG Fried Chicken Sandwich. I tried the Hot Bowl and I look forward to ordering it again on those freezing winter nights. It was topped with tortilla strips, shredded cheese and cilantro and was filled with such delicious spicy-goodness that I was sad to see the empty bowl when I finished. The cornbread topped off the meal and made for the perfect companion. 

I also tried the Blazed OG Fried Chicken Sandwich which was a spicy delight, filled with both sweet honey mustard and slightly sour pickles. It came with a side of the Chip Hits (we’ll get to those in a minute) and was the perfect meal for a big lunch or a hearty dinner.

For starters or for those snacky nights that all New Yorkers find themselves having, there are a number of smaller delights. They’ve got Blazed Ends (burnt ends with sweet BBQ sauce), Chip Hits (potato chips with three dipping sauces), Tangy Buffalo Wiz Wings, Smoky BBQ Wiz Wings, Classic Fried Mac Bites, Hot Cheetos Buffalo Mac Bites, and Bluffin’ Buffalo Cauliflower. I ordered the Hot Cheetos Buffalo Mac Bites (because who can resist something this original?) and the Blazed Ends. The Mac Bites blew me away; they are hard to describe but the flavor is so rich and unexpected that you just want more when you finish. Who ever heard of taking mac and cheese, pairing it with buffalo chicken tenders and then deep frying the whole glorious thing? It’s something to behold…in your mouth! 

For the meat lovers among us, the Blazed Ends were smoky and sweet, and had just the right amount of crispy texture to them. The prices were certainly reasonable for the market today, particularly in New York, and made the whole experience even that much more satisfying. Delivery was fast and efficient – looks like they’re using Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates and GrubHub for now for delivery, and I assume that list will expand with time.

Those of us in New York City get to be on the cutting edge of enjoying Wiz Khalifa’s HotBox by Wiz. Aren’t we always on the cutting edge of everything? 

Other lucky firsts include Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., Indianapolis and Houston. If this bums you out and you’re not in the list, then you need to get voting! They are voting for expansion, and the additional cities will be added based on interest. I highly recommend showing that interest. You, too, can soon be enjoying hot, delicious and highly unique grub delivered right to your door. What a way to say goodbye to the COVID blues, and hello to a satisfied stomach all in one motion.

For more information, check out the HotBox by Wiz Instagram and Twitter accounts and get ready to lick those fingers!