Mojave Hot Wings is putting a tasty new twist on its menu that is gaining lots of attention in Whitesburg and the surrounding area. The popular takeout restaurant is well-known for its delicious wings and friendly service.
In addition to serving wings, fries, burgers and other common wing shack menu items, Mojave has introduced an Asian flare to its menu.
“We recently started offering some Asian flavored items that people really enjoy,” says Chris Ferrell, who owns Mojave with his wife Janet. “Every Wednesday we have what we call ‘Pho’-Nummy-Nal Wednesdays’ where we serve a very popular Vietnamese soup called pho.”
Vietnamese pho’ (pronounced “fuh”) is a traditional beef noodle soup with a one-of-a-kind flavor that is among the most popular dishes in Asia. Pho’ consists of thin rice noodles in a delicate beef broth perfumed with spices and served with various thin cuts of beef and meatballs. It is also garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables.
Janet says the recipe is one that has been passed down through her mother’s family, who are from Vietnam.
“We serve the pho’ that is traditionally found in her region of Southern Vietnam,” says Janet. “Her recipes and food that we use are all authentic, and it’s what my siblings and I grew up on. This was one of the ways that my mom demonstrated her love for us. And, of course, I believe that my mom’s pho’ is the best around!”
She explains that preparing the pho’ broth is a time-consuming, arduous process that is done with love every step of the way. The bones used in the dish are cleaned, boiled, drained, and cleaned again, even before the broth is made. Then the broth is prepared by simmering for several hours. A special combination of herbs and spices is added to the broth to infuse it with the unique flavor.
“It’s a very healthy menu item that people really like. I have even read that it is considered a super food. That could be from all the nutrients that are extracted from the bone,” says Janet. “Pho’ is pretty hard to find around here, and it’s even harder to find good pho’.”
Chris mentioned that Mojave serves other popular Asian menu items like fried rice, crab Rangoon, and spring rolls. They also serve a Vietnamese iced coffee known as cafe’ sua da. This traditionally strong and sweet iced coffee is characterized by using a chickory French roast that is brewed via a French press and added to ice and condensed sweet milk.
“Mojave has some of the best food around, and the fried rice is to die for,” says Stephanie Jenkins, a customer who recently tried the new menu choices. “The pho’ was absolutely pho’-nummy-nal!”
While Mojave’s Asian menu items are popular, it’s still not enough to steal the spotlight away from the takeout eatery’s wings.
“We’ve got some of the best wings around, and we’ll put them up against anyone else’s wings,” says Chris. “We get the jumbo sized wings and we have many different kinds of sauces to toss them in. Our hottest sauce is the Terminator Hot Sauce. I dare anyone to try it.”
Mojave also serves black angus burgers, chicken sandwiches, Brunswick stew, and other items. The restaurant has a coconut flan as a dessert choice.
“We have one menu item that people really like called hickory fries,” says Chris. “Hickory Fries are served with barbeque pork, cheese and jalapenos on it. It’s a large order that can probably feed about 3 or 4 people.”
Chris says that new customers can order the Mojave Sampler if they want to experience a variety of the Mojave Hot Wings menu items in one sitting.
“We really hope people come by to try our food,” says Chris. “We are a local, family-owned restaurant, and we take pride in giving people great food and great service.”
Mojave Hot Wings is located at 1069 B Main Street in Whitesburg, and is open:
Wednesday: 3 p.m to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To learn more about Mojave Hot Wings and view the full menu, visit their Facebook page, or call 770-830-0488.
