Heatwaves started in Seaside, CA in 2020 by Chef Rudy Ponce. Trained in Michelin star kitchens and newly graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, Rudy started searching for the best hot chicken--learning about frying methods and killer spices. During the pandemic, Heatwaves began operating out of his parents’ home in Seaside, gaining a huge following on social media as people lined the street for the best HOT chicken on the peninsula. In 2021, Rudy opened Rudolfo’s in Pacific Grove, moving Heatwaves into the cafe every Sunday.