The Ghost: Burrito or bowl with spicy chicken, Carolina Reaper-infused cheese, white rice, fajita veggies, jalapeños, roja salsa, ghost pepper sauce and Hot Head sauce
The Burrito Balancing the Scoville Scale
Hot Head Burritos | Based in Kettering, Ohio
Kelly Gray
Given the name, it’s no surprise that fast casual Hot Head Burritos strives to score high on the Scoville scale. Nonetheless, pure, eye-watering heat is not its sole mission, even when it comes to the brand’s spiciest offerings, such as The Ghost, available as a burrito or bowl.
“We focused on creating an amazing flavor profile, not simply how hot we could make it,” says Kelly Gray, VP and co-owner. In fact, identifying the right combination of flavors and ingredients was a delicate dance. “The trick was finding flavors that complemented rather than competed with our zesty garlic Hot Head sauce and signature marinated chicken,” Gray explains. “Many of the hot sauces were heavy on the heat and vinegar, but with little flavor, while some of the cheeses were overwhelmed and lost in the mix of other toppings.”
While excessive heat was not the main goal, The Ghost does marry the two hottest peppers in the world through Carolina Reaper-infused cheese and ghost pepper sauce. White rice, spicy chicken, fajita veggies, roja salsa, jalapeños and the signature Hot Head sauce round out the build. The combination of these ingredients yields a nuanced flavor profile, although an “extreme heat” warning label is applied as a cautionary.
About the Author
Nicole Duncan is the digital managing editor of Flavor & the Menu. She's reported on the restaurant industry for a decade, most recently as the editor of FSR magazine. In 2021, she won a Folio award for her feature on restaurant tycoon Tilman Ferttita. The following year, FSR was awarded Best Overall Issue for its May 2022 issue featuring Andrew Zimmern. She has profiled well-known chefs including Paola Velez, Fabio Viviani and Daniel Boulud, but also relishes the opportunity to spotlight under-the-radar trends and innovators.Read More Stories by Nicole Duncan
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