'Hot Ones' host talks show partnership with Firehouse Subs for spicy new sandwiches

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Firehouse Subs is partnering with social media talk show "Hot Ones" to showcase a new line of hotter-than-hot sub sandwiches. "Hot Ones" host Sean Evans tells Paste BN that the collaboration felt like "natural chemistry."

"I can't tell you how many firefighters over the years have told me that they do the Hot Ones Challenge in the firehouse," Evans said last week. "Firehouse Subs, they have the hot sauce lineup just like we do, so I think that in a lot of ways, I'm wondering why it took us so long to actually get together and do something."

Started on YouTube in 2015, "Hot Ones" is an internet celebrity talk show hosted by Evans. During each interview, Evans and his guests devour 10 chicken wings smothered in hot sauce, with each wing spicier than the last. Over the past 10 years, "Hot Ones" has welcome celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Bill Murray, Lady Gaga and many more.

The show has inspired two new sandwiches debuting Monday at Firehouse Subs: the Spicy Dill Hook & Ladder and the Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder. Built from Firehouse Subs' first classic sandwich, the new subs feature official "Hot Ones" hot sauce.

Here's what to know about the new "Hot Ones" sandwiches coming to Firehouse Subs and what else Evans had to say about it.

What are the new Hot Ones sandwiches?

• Spicy Dill Hook & Ladder: Smoked turkey, honey ham, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, deli mustard, Firehouse Hero Hot Sauce and Hot Ones' The Last Dab Reaper Edition
•  Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder: Smoked turkey, honey ham, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic chips, mayo and Hot Ones' The Classic Garlic Fresno

The Last Dab Reaper Edition hot sauce is made with Carolina Reaper peppers, distilled vinegar, ginger root, turmeric, coriander, cumin and dry mustard.

The Classic Garlic Fresno hot sauce is made with Fresno chile pepper, water, apple cider vinegar, garlic puree (garlic and water), vinegar, kosher salt, organic dried garlic, organic turmeric and organic black pepper.

Just how hot are the 'Hot Ones' sandwiches?

Speaking to Paste BN, Evans said the Spicy Dill Hook & Ladder is 10 out of 10 spicy, as The Last Dab Reaper Edition hot sauce is the hottest sauce Hot Ones has to offer.

"I've had things that are so blown out that you can just take one bite and that's enough, even for me," Evans said about spicy food. "You want something that as much as it pushes you, it's always inviting the next bite. That was really important to us."

As for the Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder, Evans rated it a two or three out of 10 on spicy scale. He added that the Classic Garlic Fresno hot sauce is a common favorite among his guests.

Don't forget the pickle

As part of the collaboration, Firehouse Subs will be offering a dill pickle marinated in Hot Ones The Last Dab XXX Hot Sauce. This is the 10th hot sauce eaten by Evans and his interviewees during each episode of "Hot Ones."

"It truly is a pickle that'll challenge even somebody with the kind of city miles that I have," Evans said. "If you're somebody who wants to have a culinary experience where you're just sweating from the eyebrows and really feeling like you're in the throws of the show, you can order the pickle."

When will the Hot Ones subs be available?

The Spicy Dill Hook & Ladder, Zesty Garlic Hook & Ladder and Last Dab Dill Pickle will all be available in restaurants nationwide on Monday, March 10. Find a store near you at firehousesubs.com/store-locator.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.