**Lucifer’s proprietor Andrew Betteridge**. *(Jacqui Birchall Photos)*

LUCIFER’S HOUSE OF HEAT

by Jacqui Birchall
(click images to enlarge)

A reincarnated Lucifer’s House of Heat has moved from its Denman Street location to 1682 Davie Street. It is now a restaurant and a store.

The food is delicious and well-priced. The new store/restaurant is attractive and spacious after three months of renovation by its delightful proprietor Andrew Betteridge.

Customers familiar with the Denman Street location will remember a store just selling hot sauces and vapes. No more! The new location incorporates a huge selection of hot sauces, with many fine dealcoholized wines and of course, the very new restaurant section.

Andrew has constructed a beautiful, wooden bar-style eating area that looks out to Davie Street. Customers can eat and watch the world go by.

A new storefront to heat things up on Davie Street.

The menu is delicious and great for the budget-minded. The sandwiches cost $8 and there are eight to choose from on sourdough, white or whole wheat buns. The selection will satisfy both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Two soups are offered daily: vegetarian and meat at $6 a bowl. Wings, oven-baked not fried, are another menu offering. Customers may choose the hot sauce to go with the wings from the huge selection.

There is a wide variety of hot and cold beverages to choose from, and Andrew plans to offer mocktails in the future

I was lucky enough to be invited to Andrew’s soft opening on October 15. I tried the potato and leek soup, and the Sizzling Smash, smashed chickpeas topped with smashed avocado, sprouts, onion and banana peppers, finished off with drizzles of spicy mayo and hot sauce. Delicious!

Click to enlarge and have a look at the menu.

Let’s talk about hot sauces.

Super hot is not for me. I found that despite the name, at Lucifer’s House of Heat many of the sauces are subtle, and even delightful on this wimp’s tongue. I asked for my hot sauce on the side, which worked well for me. For the Sizzling Smash, the sauce is curry. A perfect combination.

Each sandwich has a hot sauce assigned to it. Customers may ask for the sauce of their choice.

The staff from the Denman store will be moving to the new location and Chantel, Andrew’s charming partner in life, will be in the restaurant from time to time. The Denman Street location is closing.

Andrew’s plans include chilis, a picnic service, and he will be hosting events of all sorts in his new location.