What’s filling the former Woodstock’s space?
Plus, a young coffee entrepreneur roasts to order, and a dumpling restaurant is on the way
The largest section of the former Woodstock’s Pizza space finally has a tenant. Crazy D’s Hot Chicken, which opened an outlet in August inside a Woodland convenience store, is adding a full restaurant in Davis too.
The space at 219 G St. has been empty since December 2022, when Woodstock’s moved to 238 G St. The smaller bar side of Woodstock’s, 217 G St., was filled in August 2023 by Shipwrecked Tiki Bar.
Crazy D’s specializes in giant chicken tenders with the spice level chosen by the patron: country style, mild, medium, hot or crazy. There are also beef smash burgers, wings, mac and cheese, fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and a Greek salad. It’s all halal, meaning it meets Islamic dietary standards.
I spoke with Ankush Walia, who owns the California franchise with silent partner Davinder Sahota. The chain has five locations in Nevada and one in Utah. See the chain’s website here.
He emphasized that they get the meat straight from a farm, twice a week. It’s never frozen. Then, it’s marinated for 24 hours before it’s hand-rolled in batter and deep fried. Sauces and seasoning customize the flavor. The hottest level – crazy – requires a signed waiver. “It will give you a 15-minute burn.”
Walia said they plan to expand all over Northern California. “This is our first flagship restaurant,” he said.
They are waiting on plan approval from the city to begin construction. All other permits have been approved. They hope to begin construction in July and have it open in September or October. When it does open, expect a big event with lots of giveaways, he said.
Though the space has an upstairs, the city is not allowing them to use it for the restaurant, Walia said. It will likely become an office. However, they are saving all the names scrawled on the wall.
“There are a lot of memories in that building,” he said.
And more memories will be made. Students and veterans will get 15 percent off their bill by showing a school or military ID.
Walia, who lives in Woodland, said, “We’re very community people. We want to be a part of the community.” They plan to allow fundraisers and welcome sponsorship opportunities.
You can try Crazy D’s Hot Chicken inside the ExtraMile convenience store at 2020 E. Main St. in Woodland. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Davis has another hot chicken brand, Nash and Proper Nashville hot chicken, inside Local Kitchens in Davis Commons. For regular chicken tender specialty chains, there’s also Raising Cane’s on E Street, and Bruxie chicken and waffles in Davis Commons.
→ Brewing entrepreneur: Continuing a tradition started by his father, a 15-year-old Davis boy is roasting, bagging and selling coffee to Davis residents – and delivering them by bike.
Harvey Uyeyama, who finishes his sophomore year at Da Vinci High School on Thursday, is using skills his father taught him. John Uyeyama once owned Lafeyette Coffee Roasters in Contra Costa County. When it closed in the 1990s, he kept the vintage roaster and grinder, using it to roast beans for family members. Harvey took an interest in the craft, and John started training him last summer, learning the process his dad did for 35 years. They launched Harvey’s Coffee in June.
On Aug. 31 – Harvey’s birthday – John suffered what they believe was a heart attack, and died. He was 72. Now, the venture is more important than ever, as he helps save money for college, to ease the burden on his mom Sarah Uyeyama, a substitute teacher. He has two sisters, ages 18 and 12.
“I grew up my whole life watching my dad roast coffee,” Harvey said. “I am super grateful for the opportunity my dad presented me with, and I’m happy I was able to make the most of it.”
Harvey started door-to-door sales in his South Davis neighborhood, with the help of his good friend Dash Voskuhl, a 16-year-old sophomore at Davis High.