fried chicken

My husband's birthday is Saturday and he LOVES fried chicken. Where would you suggest I take him? I'm not having much luck with the search function. Thanks.

Here's one thread that might be interesting:

Evanston Fried Chicken Taste-Off

I have always loved the fried chicken (and food in general) at MacArthur's. It is a meat and 2 sides place, and far from fancy though. Not sure what determines if a restaurant is "birthday worthy" for you, but if cafeteria style fits the bill, it is worth hitting!
Jamie

MacArthur's
5401 W. Madison Ave.
773-261-2316

Personally, I love Stanley's fried chicken. Good sides as well.

Stanley's Kitchen and Tap
1970 N Lincoln Ave.
Chicago Il 60614
312.642.0007

I just read about West Town Tavern adding this to their menu (maybe on Mondays?). A specific point mentioned was that they are frying in trans fat free oil. WTT is a nice spot for a birthday dinner, tho it is a little loud in there. Both times we've eaten there it has been delicious.

1329 west chicago ave
312 666 6175

I just looked at their menu and their specials this week, I don't see fried chicken, but it may be worth it to call and find out when they're doing it again, or if you could special order it.

messycook wrote:I just read about West Town Tavern adding this to their menu (maybe on Mondays?). A specific point mentioned was that they are frying in trans fat free oil. WTT is a nice spot for a birthday dinner, tho it is a little loud in there. Both times we've eaten there it has been delicious.

1329 west chicago ave
312 666 6175

I just looked at their menu and their specials this week, I don't see fried chicken, but it may be worth it to call and find out when they're doing it again, or if you could special order it.

Fried chicken is on Mondays only. I've tried it and it's excellent although the accompanying biscuits suffer from the leaden-effect once they're cooled down, as all biscuits do. I ordered it at the end of the night, so I definitely give them a pass on the biscuits for this reason. I imagine if you time your visit, or ask if for fresh biscuits, you would fare better. Setting that aside, the chicken was crispy and juicy, and the mashed potatoes textural yet smooth.

Speaking of fried chicken at West Town Tavern, this would be a good gift:

http://www.westtowntavern.com/events-details.asp?ID=98

FRIED CHICKEN THROWDOWN

Sunday, March 11, 2007


For more information click here

Dinner starts at 6:00pm.
Join us as we welcome author and fried chicken expert John T Edge of the University of Mississippi for an evening of fried chicken, fried chicken lore and wines from Garretson Winery in Paso Robles. Three courses of crispy fried chicken: three styles, three flavors, and three wines including Garretson's new Cornbread Nation Cuvee White and Red. John T will regale us with fried chicken facts and show two short films about venerable fried chicken restaurants in the south. A portion of the proceeds goes to The Southern Foodways Alliance.

MENU

First
Scotch House Fried Chicken with Lora Tatum-Smith’s
Buttermilk Biscuit and Apricot Chutney

Garretson “Cornbread Nation” Cuvée White

Second
Prince’s Hot Chicken with Caesar Salad

2005 Garretson “Celeidh” Rose, Paso Robles


Third
West Town Tavern Fried Chicken, Garlic Mashed ‘Taters,
Southern Greens and Wild Mushroom Gravy

Garretson “Cornbread Nation Cuvée” Red

Dessert
Lemon Chess Pie with Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream

* A throwdown is a challenge; here it refers to three different styles of fried chicken

Pricing info: $75 per person, including tax and gratuity

Ina's fried chicken consistently gains high marks and I believe it won a blind tasting by some local chefs (held by the Chicago Tribune).

I've tried it a couple times and I don't like it personally (I found it greasy and over-breaded), but the raves are loud and consistent.

Ina's
1235 W. Randolph
312-226-8227
http://www.breakfastqueen.com/

Best,
Michael

Jamieson22 wrote:Speaking of fried chicken at West Town Tavern, this would be a good gift:

http://www.westtowntavern.com/events-details.asp?ID=98

FRIED CHICKEN THROWDOWN

Sunday, March 11, 2007


For more information click here

Dinner starts at 6:00pm.
Join us as we welcome author and fried chicken expert John T Edge of the University of Mississippi for an evening of fried chicken, fried chicken lore and wines from Garretson Winery in Paso Robles. Three courses of crispy fried chicken: three styles, three flavors, and three wines including Garretson's new Cornbread Nation Cuvee White and Red. John T will regale us with fried chicken facts and show two short films about venerable fried chicken restaurants in the south. A portion of the proceeds goes to The Southern Foodways Alliance.

MENU

First
Scotch House Fried Chicken with Lora Tatum-Smith’s
Buttermilk Biscuit and Apricot Chutney

Garretson “Cornbread Nation” Cuvée White

Second
Prince’s Hot Chicken with Caesar Salad

2005 Garretson “Celeidh” Rose, Paso Robles


Third
West Town Tavern Fried Chicken, Garlic Mashed ‘Taters,
Southern Greens and Wild Mushroom Gravy

Garretson “Cornbread Nation Cuvée” Red

Dessert
Lemon Chess Pie with Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream

* A throwdown is a challenge; here it refers to three different styles of fried chicken

Pricing info: $75 per person, including tax and gratuity

That sounds like a great event; I plan on going. As an aside, the organization that this event's money is going to -- the Southern Foodways Alliance -- is helping to re-open one of the venerable fried chicken joints - Willa Mae's Scotch House (the inspiration for the first course), a casualty of Hurricane Katrina.

I can't exactly vouch for West Town Tavern's biscuits since I haven't had biscuits there, but when Sue & Drew Goss had Zinfandel they served brunch on Saturday mornings, and they offered the best biscuits and gravy I have ever slopped down my pie hole-by far.

TimeOut ran a piece last summer with local bigwig chefs weighing in on the best in the city. Try this link.

stewed coot wrote:I can't exactly vouch for West Town Tavern's biscuits since I haven't had biscuits there, but when Sue & Drew Goss had Zinfandel they served brunch on Saturday mornings, and they offered the best biscuits and gravy I have ever slopped down my pie hole-by far.

Yes, I can believe that even from the biscuits I had. They're advertised as Chef Susan's great-grandmother's recipe and you can discern that the texture and flavor is sublime, even cold. My complaint was that they were not served warm and lost something as a result. But again, I showed up at the end of their night, and they happily fried up some chicken for me nevertheless, so I didn't expect a fresh batch of biscuits to come out at 9:45.

I really enjoy the fried chicken at White Fence Farm - crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside. The chicken is accompanied by a number of sides that are served family style - Bean Salad, Cole Slaw, Cottage Cheese, Pickled Beets, Corn Fritters.

White Fence Farm
11700 Joliet Road
Lemont, IL 60439

David Mitchell wrote:I really enjoy the fried chicken at White Fence Farm - crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside. The chicken is accompanied by a number of sides that are served family style - Bean Salad, Cole Slaw, Cottage Cheese, Pickled Beets, Corn Fritters.

White Fence Farm
11700 Joliet Road
Lemont, IL 60439

There are also a few carry out locations...

3704 Harlem Ave
Riverside, IL
(708) 447-9325

I have tried this location and the food is good. I was talking to the staff and they mentioned the partially cook the chicken and finish it after you order. This is to insure quick service.

5005 Fairview Ave
Downers Grove, IL
(630) 964-5505

80 Barney Dr
Joliet, IL
(815) 744-2072

12337 S Route 59
Plainfield, IL
(815) 609-4477

It is curious that the other locations are not listed on their website.

http://www.whitefencefarm.com/chicago/index.htm

Panther in the Den wrote:

David Mitchell wrote:I really enjoy the fried chicken at White Fence Farm

There are also a few carry out locations...

3704 Harlem Ave
Riverside, IL
(708) 447-9325

Just note that all locations are closed every year for the month of January. Should be open on Thursday, but a call to check first might save a trip.

Kristen

eatchicago wrote:Ina's fried chicken consistently gains high marks and I believe it won a blind tasting by some local chefs (held by the Chicago Tribune).

I've tried it a couple times and I don't like it personally (I found it greasy and over-breaded), but the raves are loud and consistent.

Ina's
1235 W. Randolph
312-226-8227
http://www.breakfastqueen.com/

Best,
Michael

I disliked it as well.

crrush wrote:TimeOut ran a piece last summer with local bigwig chefs weighing in on the best in the city. Try this link.

haha, of all the Haroldses to pick!

Jamieson22 wrote:FRIED CHICKEN THROWDOWN

Hm, i think I'm going to have to check this out. Kind of pricey for a Fried Chicken dinner, but the Southern Foodways Alliance is pretty cool, and I enjoyed Edge's book on Fried Chicken...

The most enjoyable chicken I have found so far is at Pollo Campero. It's definitely not the chicken I think of when I am having a comfort-food craving, though; it's spicier, crunchier, and comes with tortillas. It's a fast-food place, so no atmosphere to speak of. Word to the wise: do not order the ice cream. It's thick and creamy, but has no discernible flavor whatsoever.

Pollo Campero
2730 North Narragansett Avenue
Chicago, IL
(773) 622-6657

The best fried chicken in the Chicagoland area IMHO is Tiebel"s in northwest Indiana (Schererville, at intersection of Rts. 30 and 41). Check out at http://www.teibels.com/dinner.htm You can get it as a meal or family style, which is always all you can eat. A very nice Sunday afternoon drive and meal. I often got it in combination with their delicious Yellow Lake Perch, which I rate the highest in the area also. Makes my mouth water to think about it.

A few miles south of Tiebel's is Dick's restaurant which is well known for a different style chicken, i.e. pressure fried chicken. It is a very popular place, but my leanings are still for Tiebel's. Dell Rhea's Chicken Restaurant is off the Stevenson Expressway at Rt. 83 (on Frontage Rd.) in Willowbrook and has excellent regular fried chicken. It's chicken has got to be in the top five in the Chicago area. It is rather plain, but sometimes I like it that way. And I've never found the chicken at White Fence Farm to be anything spectacular and I've tried them many times. But admittedly, they have their following.

Up north in Long Grove, the (Village Tavern) has excellent chicken and it is all you can eat on Monday and Wednesday evenings (at least last I knew). They were always packed on those nights. And last place that I remember was the Lantern Tavern (http://www.lakeforestlantern.com/) and Restaurant in downtown Lake Forest. It is a small place, but also very popular and their fried chicken -- I think it's broasted -- is excellent.

HI,

Rene G and I have been in Teibel's, though we have not yet dined there. The menu seemed to feature a lot of Austrian food. I am looking forward to getting there soon. Are there any other must-haves on the menu?

Regards,

Now fried chicken is a personal thing and opinions obviously vary quite a bit, but my current favorite FC place is Leon's. Really. If you get it freshly made (this is CRITICAL), this stuff can be truly outstanding. With or without sauce (I like hot/mild mixed) , There's none better on the north side.

Leons
2418 N. Ashland

The best fried chicken that I've had was prepared by Sarah Stegner for an event at Green City Market. I just checked out the website of Prairie Grass Cafe and it doesn't appear that they are serving the delicious fried version but they do offer two other chicken preparations. I'm not sure what the crispy chicken dish is, but it's worth a call. Ask her to make her fried chicken special for you. Who knows, maybe she will and it's really awesome. I think that buttermilk is the secret.
Cindy

no harold's?
he;s the fried chicken king!
as we all knoew tho the quality of harold's varies from location to location. the reader did a bit of a test to see the best one and it was harold's #55.

my favorite fried chicken is at ribs & bibs in 53rd & dorchester, hyde park
they, like harold's willput barbecue sauce on the chicken if requested. their spicy barbecue sauce is delicious and powerful, definitely for spicyness lovers

90% of my fried chicked is always going to be from Harolds... just too hard to beat.

However, I did have some outstanding Halal Fried Chicken on Devon - west of Western on the southside of the street, there is a little fast-food joint that sells chicken and sandwiches (and samosas etc...) - surprisingly tasty fried chicken.

Also, gotta give love to the triumverate of ethnic fried chicken:

Crispy-skin at LTH
Gai tod at Spoon
Pollo Frito at Borinquen

Maybe add Sabri's chicken as well...

since we're posting on out-of-town places, the best i ever had was

http://www.brookvillehotel.com/

Kansans think nothing of driving 90 miles each way from Wichita for a Sunday repast of country fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cottage cheese, creamed corn, sweet slaw and baking-powder biscuits. The restaurant serves 1,600 dinners a week. Unlike deep-fried chicken, the Brookville's secret is traditional pan-fried country chicken, coated with canned milk, flour, salt and pepper, and cooked in less than an inch of pure lard in a huge rectangular frying pan. The lard never covers the chicken. It just bubbles around it as the chicken is turned. The crusty crumb residue is saved for the cream gravy.

But even before the chicken dinners got started, a restaurant existed here. For 110 years, first as the Cowtown Cafe, and since 1894 as the Brookville Hotel, it served food to buffalo hunters, railroad men, cowboys, soldiers, farmers, townspeople, traveling salesmen and tourists from as far away as Paris. For 93 years the Brookville has been run by one family, the Magnuson-Martins. Today, the restaurant is Brookville's only business besides a garage, a gas station and an antiques shop.

Long ago, I had a plate of macadamia-crusted fried chicken at Ginger Islands on Fourth Street in Berkeley (since vanished) that was just wonderful. It was moist and flavorful, just crispy enough, and the macadamias added an incredible richness to the breading. I've never seen anything like it since - any ideas on where I could find such a thing?

El Panzone, I hate to break it to you but... the Brookville Hotel moved a few years ago to Abilene. Otherwise, pretty much unchanged, they even built a replica building, but they seemed to think they needed to be in something other than a ghost town (Abilene is both right on I-70 and the home to the Eisenhower Library and Museum-- as well as, if memory serves, the Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame and the Museum of Independent Telephony) to make it another 100 years.

yep, i ate at the original. it was in the middle of nowhere. and it was packed! i heard they moved the entire hotel to abilene!

El Panzone wrote:yep, i ate at the original. it was in the middle of nowhere. and it was packed! i heard they moved the entire hotel to abilene!

I went to the website and it seems they did. I've put the place on my list of KC places to visit. I know its a drive... I grew up in Kansas and hitchhiked to Denver several times back in the early 70's.