Fire on the Mountain

[March 19th, 2008] If Portland had just one altar at which to offer prayer to the great and terrifying God of Fried Foods, it’d be Fire on the Mountain. The locally owned, acid-flashback-themed hot-wings outfit—which just opened a second, larger location on East Burnside Street with a flat-screen and a fireplace—produces juicy, cult-worthy wings ($9.50 for a dozen) and fries and super-oversized portions of anything else you can think of to deep-fry, from pickle spears ($3.95) and Tater Tots ($1.25-$4.95) to oozy battered Twinkies ($2.50). The flava-packed hot-wing sauces may be what sets this joint apart. They’ve got 12 so far, including the righteously mouth-burning El Jefe and a Thai-hinted spicy peanut. Sneak a sample from the muffin tins at the front counter (they sell take-home Ball jars of the stuff for $4, $8) and grab a microbrew ($3.75) to cool your mouth off while you’re at it. You’re gonna need it. (KC)