3 of Yelp’s ‘outrageously spicy’ foods are from CA restaurants. Where to go
Craving something spicy? Foods served at three California restaurants are guaranteed to “set your taste buds ablaze,” according to Yelp.
The popular review site went in search of the restaurants serving up the 10 most “outrageously spicy dishes” in 2025.
“Some like it hot — and others like it tongue-burning, mouth-blazing, thermometer-bursting hot,” Yelp contributor Luis Rendon wrote. “To satisfy those sizzling food cravings, we’ve scouted out some of the spiciest restaurant dishes across the nation.”
Here’s where to go in California to find the best diabolically hot treats:
Love spicy food? Check out these hot California treats
According to Yelp, eateries in the Los Angeles area serve up some of the spiciest food in the Golden State.
At Los Angeles restaurant Cilantro Lime, the DTLA Flaming Hot Burrito has become a “viral sensation,” the review site said.
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos lend heat and crunch to a “super-charged” burrito that includes French fries, pico de gallo salsa and nacho cheese. Protein options include carne asada, birria and al pastor pork.
“It’s a dish that combines heat, flavor and a little bit of madness,” owner and executive Chef Leo Matias told Yelp. “The key is balancing the heat with layers of flavor, so it’s not just spicy. It’s deliciously addictive.”
“Wow! What a combo!” Yelp reviewer Megan M. of O’Fallon, Missouri, raved.
Yup Dduk LA in Los Angeles offers a Challenge-level version of Yup Dduk, its signature spin on the traditional Korean street food known as ddukbokki, for diners desiring to turn up the heat
The dish features spicy stir-fried rice cakes, fishcakes, miniature sausages, cabbage and green onion topped with mozzarella cheese.
“Yup Dduk is a fiery delight for those who crave heat!” Yelp reviewer James G. wrote. “I was blown away by the intense kick in every bite. Warning, the spice level is definitely not for the faint of heart.”
“Everything has a touch of chile” at ChilOSO Gummy Bear in Los Angeles’ Northridge neighborhood, store owner Melanie Fuentes told Yelp.
That includes Elote Chorreado, her flavorful take on the classic Mexican snack. An ear of grilled corn is slathered in mayonnaise-based crema, coated in spices and served on a bed of Fuego-flavored Takis corn chips, nacho cheese and pickled jalapeno slices.
In her Yelp review, Allie G. of Los Angeles praised ChilOSO Gummy Bear’s superior snack selection and “mighty generous” portions, raving, “Everything was so good.”
Cilantro Line and Yup Dduk each have an average Yelp rating of 4.5 stars, while ChilOSO Gummy Bear has a 4.8-star rating.
Which restaurants serve up spiciest dishes in US?
These were the 10 restaurants whose “outrageously spicy” dishes tickled Yelp users’ taste buds the most in 2025:
- Cilantro Lime in Los Angeles
- Pepperfire Hot Chicken in Nashville, Tennessee
Yup Dduk LA in Los Angeles
Hattie B’s in Nashville, Tennessee
Shokku Ramen in Las Vegas
The Vortex Bar & Grill in Atlanta
Sunni Sky’s Homemade Ice Cream in Angier, North Carolina
Joella’s Hot Chicken in Crescent Springs, Kentucky
Szechuan Mountain House in New York City
ChilOSO Gummy Bear in Los Angeles
Why does eating spicy food hurt?
If you’ve ever experienced a burning sensation while eating spicy food, you can blame chemistry, according to Eating Well magazine.
“That spiciness in hot foods originate from capsaicinoids, a non-nutritive chemical compound that our brains interpret as heat or, in excessive amounts, even pain,” Eating Well contributor Michael Y. Park wrote in 2024.
Capsaicinoids bypass humans’ taste buds to go straight to the sensitive nerve endings in our bodies.
Peppers specifically get their heat from capsaicin, an alkaline, oil-based substance.
“The more capsaicin you ingest — whether by eating a large quantity of spicy foods or a smaller amount of an extremely hot one — the more intense your possible reaction may be,” the Cleveland Clinic said. “Eating extremely spicy foods can even cause physical damage and pain so severe that you need emergency care.”
According to Cleveland Clinic, possible reactions to spicy foods include:
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Burning diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Violent vomiting
What’s the best way to cool your mouth while eating spicy food?
If your tongue starts tingling after that second helping of Nashville-style hot chicken, don’t reach for a glass of water, health experts say.
Instead, Houston Methodist health care company recommends trying the following to cool down your mouth:
- Dairy products including cow’s milk, yogurt, cottage cheese or sour cream.
- Acidic drinks and foods such as lemonade, limeade, orange juice or tomato-based dishes
- Carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, rice or tortillas.
How did Yelp come up with list?
Yelp said it compiled a list of 10 places that “offered extremely spicy dishes and received top ratings from Yelp users.”
The review site also ranked the nation’s most outrageous burgers, brunch dishes, hot dogs, sandwiches and pizza.
This story was originally published April 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM with the headline "3 of Yelp’s ‘outrageously spicy’ foods are from CA restaurants. Where to go."
