SEATTLE — We gave the operations manager of Ma'Ono Fried Chicken, Brianna Diener, quite a surprise outside her workplace.
"That's awesome! I had no idea!" Diener said, reaching for the Best of Western Washington award certificate, "Can I see that?"
It's no surprise to the Ma'Ono staff that KING 5 viewers voted their fried chicken sandwich as the best in this year's poll.
"It's a couple-day process," Diener said.
Every piece of chicken is brined, and then battered in a special recipe inspired by owner Mark Fuller's island heritage.
"Definitely Hawaiian-influenced," Deiner said.
You'll find Ma'Ono within three Rachel's Ginger Beer locations around Seattle.
"It goes really well with our food," Diener said.
It's a match-up proposed a few years ago.
Diener recalled the 2017 pitch from Rachel's: "'We'd love to partner up and have you guys do the food. We'll do the beverage,'" Diener recalled, "And it's worked really nicely for us."
The award-winning sandwich's umami goodness is layered with your chosen level of heat, from naked or mild to quite beyond.
"We've got medium, hot, and then a big jump up to our XXX Hot." General Manager Nik Shere said.
"Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper," Diener added.
The XXX Hot is not for the faint of heart.
"Tears going down their face because it's too much," laughed Diener, "Once, somebody left the restaurant, went home, took a cold shower, and came back to finish eating their sandwich."
Ma'Ono has four locations around Seattle.
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