Hot chicken has fully taken over New York. What started as a Nashville specialty now comes with Sichuan peppercorn twists, Pakistani and Indian-inspired spins, and heat levels that separate the curious from the committed. Here are ten spots to put on your spicy food crawl.

The heat map

Pecking House and Peaches HotHouse are the names that come up first — both with serious followings. Rowdy Rooster and Birdies Hot Chicken keep the Nashville style front and center, while Namkeen and Koji Chicken bring South Asian and Korean influences to the format.

For the chains-done-right crowd, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Hangry Joe’s both have NYC outposts, and Fluffies Hot Chicken plus 375° Chicken ‘n Fries round out a list that covers just about every corner of the city’s heat spectrum.

How to order

Start one level below what you think you can handle — Nashville-style heat builds, and the places that do it right don’t mess around. Pickles and white bread (or slaw) aren’t garnish; they’re the cooling system. And keep something cold to drink within arm’s reach.

Cool down after with 20 fun things to do in NYC today — an outdoor movie or a jazz set pairs well with a scorched palate. Or catch Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil if you want your evening as intense as your lunch.