Hot Sauce - Looking for Both Retail Stores with Large Selections and Recommendations for Different Types

[boagsmemphis]

I just moved to Crystal City (Arlington) and I need to restock my hot sauce supply, as the bottles that I have left are going quickly!  I've done a little internet research for places that sell hot sauce in the DMV area and the resarch has revealed that there is a place called Mediterranean Bakery in Alexandria, which has a lot of hot sauce.  Also, Uncle Brutha's and Infusion Hot Sauce Company are both based in Rockville.  I'm hoping that there is a place that has an entire wall of hot sauces (like Peppercorn, on the Pearl St. Mall, in Boulder or Hot Licks in Old Town San Diego).  Does anyone know of a place like this and/or can you confirm that Mediterranean Bakery has this many hot sauces?  Thanks!

[TheMatt]

Mediterranean Bakery does indeed have a pretty extensive selection of hot sauces. It would be my first stop (though it helps I live right near it and am there nearly every week) and while you're there, you can partake in some stellar baklava!

Another place you might try is Rocklands Barbecue. If I recall, they have a policy that if you bring in a hot sauce they don't carry, you get a free sandwich. That said, I'm not sure which site has the best "wall of fire".

[zoramargolis]

Was just at Rockland's in Arlington yesterday, and can confirm that they indeed have a wall of hot sauces. It's not as extensive as some hot sauce only shops that I have been in, but it ain't bad.

[Escoffier]

I seem to remember a large number of hot sauces at World Market as well.

[FunnyJohn]

If you can't find it at a Brick and Mortar shop:

http://www.mohotta.com/?gclid=CIz5k6-Um7kCFRGg4Aoda3MAgA

Dave's Insanity Sauce

[TedE]

If you ever take a weekend to go down to the Eastern Shore, Peppers is located at the northern edge of the outlet centers near Rehoboth Beach.  I think they can still claim the largest retail selection of hot sauces in the country.

[Tweaked]

The green hot sauce produced by Uncle Brotha's is excellent.  Not super hot, but tons of flavor.  It's a very good sandwich hot sauce, for when you want some kick but not something that's going to take over the sandwich.  Plus he's a local producer.   

[DC Deb]

California Tortilla  locations have a "wall of flame" displaying a pretty big selection of sauces.  The prices are pretty reasonable.  The selection may vary because they are a franchised chain.

[Pat]

The green hot sauce produced by Uncle Brotha's is excellent.  Not super hot, but tons of flavor.  It's a very good sandwich hot sauce, for when you want some kick but not something that's going to take over the sandwich.  Plus he's a local producer.   

I like that sauce too.  I'm still sad that they were unable to keep their bricks-and-mortar store open.  I found some interesting hot sauces there.

[Scott Johnston]

I have bought and tried a lot of hot sauces over the years, there are only a few that I buy a second time. Many bottles are insanely hot with little or no flavor, others you buy because of the label. The ones I like are Franks (which I think the test kitchen liked the best) chalopa (with the wooden cap, Tabasco, and Texas Pete (very mild, the first one I ever tried). I often make my own as well. I seem to get several a year as gifts and they are used till they are gone.

[zoramargolis]

Marie Sharp's regular strength, from Belize. It is made with carrots, habaneros and lime juice. Lots of flavor. The extra-hot version is so spicy that you can't use enough to taste it.

Cholula chipotle, with the wooden top.

[lperry]

Cholula makes a chipotle?  I need to try it.  The Tabasco chipotle is nice.  I've also made this one with great success using habaneros and some little yellow bird peppers, although, unless you are trying to fumigate, it's best made outdoors.

[zoramargolis]

I've also made this one with great success using habaneros and some little yellow bird peppers, although, unless you are trying to fumigate, it's best made outdoors.

Looks like someone is recreating Marie Sharp's. As far as I know it's the only commercially made sauce that uses carrots.

[DonRocks]

Let's not forget Zora's Butt-Kickin' BBQ Sauce, winner of the Washington Post competition.

[The Hersch]

I think it' funny that Texas Pete comes from Winston-Salem, NC. Because it reminds me of North Carolina, I avoid it.

Of the widely available hot sauces, I particularly like Tapatio, which is pretty hot but not violently so, has a lot of pepper flavor, and contains no vinegar.

[Rhone1998]

Let's not forget Zora's Butt-Kickin' BBQ Sauce, winner of the Washington Post competition.

I think I saw this packaged and for sale at Eco Friendly's stall at the Dupont Circle farmers market Sunday. Either that or they're selling another BBQ sauce named "Zora"!

[zoramargolis]

I think I saw this packaged and for sale at Eco Friendly's stall at the Dupont Circle farmers market Sunday. Either that or they're selling another BBQ sauce named "Zora"!

I make the sauce in bulk for Bev Eggleston. He uses it in his pulled pork and has just started packaging it. I don't much like the vacuum bags, and would love to be able to sell it in jars, but once I bring it to him in gallon jugs, he does what he wants with it.

[Rhone1998]

There's a small number of hot sauces for sale at A Litteri in DC. Aficionados will know better than I how interesting this collection is.

(My son's arm and toy car not for sale.)

[TheMatt]

It's been a couple years, but I also remember the Apple House in Linden having a bunch of hot sauces. Then again, I was mainly focused on buying the donuts.

[Pat]

I'd been trying to remember the one hot sauce I discovered at Uncle Brutha's old storefront that I really liked.  All I could remember was that it was from Hawaii.  It was this: Hula Girl Chipotle Habanero Hot Sauce