Fried Chicken on the north side?

Hi Folks..

Looking to the LTH pool to help me with a quest. I'm having a major fried chicken jones but I don't want to go too far from my home in Andersonville -- any thoughts as to where I could find good fried chicken? Doesn't need to be stellar -- just good.

Big Jones, not my favorite place, doesn't have it on Fridays and I probably could mosey up to Evanston to Dixie Kitchen but I'd prefer something closer if possible.

I've been spring cleaning all week and I'd really like a treat. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

Shannon

http://www.barbquebobs.com/

I haven't had fried chicken in ages but coworkers swear by Harold's.

Harold's on Clark or, even better yet, Evanston Chicken Shack

Harold's Chicken Shack
6952 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60686
(773) 465-2300

Evanston Chicken Shack
1925 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-9360

Evanston Chicken Shack, in my opinion there's no other alternative on the North Side, not even Hecky's (whose chicken is better than their ribs).

I think people had said (at one time or another) that the chicken at Chalkboard was very good. Is it still open? It's just S. of Montrose on Lincoln.

Octarine wrote:Evanston Chicken Shack, in my opinion there's no other alternative on the North Side, not even Hecky's (whose chicken is better than their ribs).

Evanston Chicken Shack is terrific, I like Harold's on Clark as well, but Hecky's fried chicken is right up there. Hand dipped fried to order, takes 20-minutes and well worth the wait.

Hecky's Fried Chicken



Hecky's
1902 Green Bay Rd
Evanston, IL 60201
847-492-1182

I haven't tried either Evanston or Hecky's because I have been too enamored with Harold's since moving to the RP. On that note, consider my Harold's recommendation highly biased but not without merit as I have never had anything but super fresh, moist chicken from there that is surprisingly not very greasy. Also, they cut their own fries, which sets them apart from many competitors.

I recently had the fried chicken at Chalkboard and didn't really like it. I'm not sure how to describe it other than overly herby. As a chicken dish, it was good, but it wasn't "Fried Chicken". Try the Chicken Fried Chicken at Erwin. They have it only one night a week, so call to check. The fried chicken at Stanley's (Van Buren & Racine) is good, classical Fried Chicken.

StevenStern wrote: The fried chicken at Stanley's (Van Buren & Racine) is good, classical Fried Chicken.

Stanley's chicken is quite good and now I think I may need to hit brunch at their Lincoln Park location soon. However, in case the original poster, earthlydesire, is not familiar with Stanley's - neither location is near Andersonville. Also, Racine and Van Buren is not on the North Side. It's the West Loop.

Hey folks -- want to thank you for your responses! I'm definitely going to check out Chalkboard and Hecky's -- I haven't had a chance to do it yet, i ended up pooping out on going out last night. The cold came, my desire for quick and easy beat out the fried chicken jones.

I am actually a major fan of Stanley's -- i just didn't want to haul my backside all the way down to Lincoln Park. I think Stanelys' chicken is technically "broasted" but it is definitely delicious. It always totally supplies my fried chicken needs when I yearn. It's just not next door!

In Georgia, where my family lives (Atlanta area) some of the best fried chicken is at Publix Grocery Store. It's absolutely delicious and cheap cheap cheap. I miss it....OH so much.

But the crappy grocery stores in our fair area are a story for another thread...

Hey earthlydesire: If you are willing to travel as far as LP for FC then I am going to direct you to a place that might be along the lines of your FC @ Publix situation. And by that I mean you need to make a trek (that is not such a trek actually) to Pollo Campero. Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan Fried Chicken chain and they have a bustling little shop in a stripette mall on Pulaski, just north of Lawrence. Even if you don't equate tucking your FC into a corn tortilla, that's okay. Just get the chicken and take it home and enjoy it as is with whatever sides you love. But if you are willing to stretch a bit, try having the chicken with some of their bacony, brothy beans and rice and it opens this whole new world of fried chicken options.

We served Pollo Campero for a big party the night of the Obama inauguration, with very non-Guatemalan sides (including Spam Musubi) and pretty much everyone loved it.

Here's a link which might help
http://www.campero.com/index.php?showPage=38

don't read the nutritional/calorie detail or you won't ever eat Fried Chicken again.

but enjoy the Pollo!

bjt

earthlydesire: I ain't sayin' - I'm just sayin" that if you have enjoyed the Publix version of grocery-store fried chicken, then you might want to try Jewel. Some of their stores do a very good grocery-store fried chicken.

bjt -- thanks for the Pollo Campero suggestion -- I've seen its name bandied about and now I'll make it a travel adventure! I'm a CTA girl so I don't get to a lot of far flung GNRs (and the like -- oh, Depot Diner, how I long to taste your donuts!) but this sounds like an awesome idea. Maybe I can strong arm a friend with a vehicle!

Jim -- alas, I have tried the Jewel chicken and I'm afraid it just doesn't cut it in a comparison to my mythical and beloved Publix model. Plus, the last time I had it -- I experienced some major abdominal distress. I ain't saying...but I"m saying. <smile>
Nonetheless...I do appreciate your suggestion.

Anyone had any experience with the joint on Broadway -- Crisp, maybe is the name? Or something like that? It's Korean owned I think...i'm not often in that area and I'm wondering how it compares to typical American style friend chicken?

I haven't decided if Publix chicken is good all by itself, or good because I'm eating it while on vacation at the beach

Ha! Food Diva, I've had that Publix chicken in my sister's very messy kitchen watching a 3 year old run around like a nutball (a very cute nutball) and I can tell you -- it's the chicken. When I visit my family, it's absolutely the first request I have -- let's go to Publix!!! Luckily my sister's family is totally happy with my request. Then she hands me her list of what she wants me to cook for her to freeze for when I'm gone. But at least I get the chicken!

e.d.

Pollo Campero is not a big deal for you to get on CTA. Take the Foster Ave #92 bus west to Pulaski, get off and take the Pulaski bus #53 south for not long at all. I reckon you could even walk the Pulaski leg if you are a mildly fit urban walker.

Let me know if you give it a shot.

bjt

We fondly refer to it as Gas Station Chicken. There's a Brown's Chicken, at the Citgo on the SE corner of Montrose & Pulaski. Their chicken can be greasy sometimes, but I still think it's yummy.

4359 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL
(773)478-0228

Crisp, the Korean Fried Chicken place that was mentioned up-thread is great. Fried well, sauced perfect and you don't have to compare or analyize wether or not it is true Southern Fried Chicken! Get more than you want as it also re-heats well or in the fried chicken tradition is great eaten cold.

For this Kentucky boy it's not proper fried chicken unless their is a cast iron skillet involved!

Regards,

bourbon

Louise wrote:We fondly refer to it as Gas Station Chicken.

I know I'm drifting from the OP's question, but the best gas station fried chicken I've had is a Shell on 55th St. just East of 294...is that Hinsdale? The last time I had it I kept thinking "this is the best chicken I've ever had that a white person made......" I'm normally an Uncle Remus kinda guy.

earthlydesire wrote:In Georgia, where my family lives (Atlanta area) some of the best fried chicken is at Publix Grocery Store. It's absolutely delicious and cheap cheap cheap. I miss it....OH so much.

I was just in Florida and while I was in a Publix picking up some bottled water, I remembered this thread. I decided, since I had plenty of water to wash it down, I'd try a couple of Publix' Fried Chicken Thighs. These were some big chicken thighs! The crust was extremely crispy and nicely, but subtley seasoned. A little salty with just the slightest hit of cayenne at the back of the throat. The chicken was perfectly cooked and was not at all greasy. I don't know about cheap, though. My two thighs were nearly $3.50, but worth it.

Publix Fried Chicken


I don't know how they get the breading to be as crispy as it is. I'm sure it's chemically induced somehow, but I'm willing to look the other way on this one. Publix Fried Chicken is some seriously good stuff. Thanks for the heads up, earthlydesire!

Hey Stevez -- i'm so glad I could point you in the direction of some good eats! God knows I've followed your advice many times in the past!

If only Publix was up here for us Yankees....<sigh>

Shannon

Steve,
Did you put a piece of fried chicken on a white bathroom towel? Anything for the sake of the photo, I guess. Not as bad as slicing a hot dog into thirds, but close.
Kenny

I hesitate to post this because I have only tried it once, I was pretty hungry, and I got lucky as the chicken had just come out of the fryer. Nonetheless, Strack and Van Til grocery store on Elston had some pretty good fried chicken a few weeks ago.

Kennyz wrote:Steve,
Did you put a piece of fried chicken on a white bathroom towel? Anything for the sake of the photo, I guess. Not as bad as slicing a hot dog into thirds, but close.
Kenny

It's a tradition.

stevez wrote:I was just in Florida and while I was in a Publix picking up some bottled water, I remembered this thread. I decided, since I had plenty of water to wash it down, I'd try a couple of Publix' Fried Chicken Thighs. . . I don't know how they get the breading to be as crispy as it is. I'm sure it's chemically induced somehow, but I'm willing to look the other way on this one. Publix Fried Chicken is some seriously good stuff. Thanks for the heads up, earthlydesire!

The secret might be baking powder in the breading, which results in a much crispier crust. I tried it (as I mentioned in this thread) and I was amazed how crispy the chicken was. Egg in the wash can help too, but I find it takes a little of the lightness out of the crust.

Had some excellent fried chix @ a new soulfood place on Division called Dee's Place. The place was pretty good all and all, but the chix was the standout of the meal. They also do music.

Dee's Place
2114 W. Division

I happened to be still in Evanston around 10:00 last night, and after stopping by WASC for a snack earlier in the evening, I finally remembered to try one of the fried chicken joints mentioned in this thread. I went with the Evanston Chicken Shack. I ordered the 2 breast special (for $6.00 you get 2 breasts, fries, bread, and slaw) and it was great. Juicy, moist and tender chicken with a great crunchy breading that had some nice spices in it (not spicy - but a little peppery). I am definitely a fan, and now I'm really looking forward to trying Hecky's. I just can't believe of all the time I've spent in Evanston over the years that I never tried them. My only wish is that they had biscuits. Great stuff!

HT70 wrote:I hesitate to post this because I have only tried it once, I was pretty hungry, and I got lucky as the chicken had just come out of the fryer. Nonetheless, Strack and Van Til grocery store on Elston had some pretty good fried chicken a few weeks ago.

I was at the Wal Mart on North and Grand earlier this week and they had an Uncle Remus inside. How do you expect me to give proper thought to my purchases when that smell is filling the store?

bjt wrote:.. And by that I mean you need to make a trek (that is not such a trek actually) to Pollo Campero. Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan Fried Chicken chain and they have a bustling little shop in a stripette mall on Pulaski, just north of Lawrence. Even if you don't equate tucking your FC into a corn tortilla, that's okay. Just get the chicken and take it home and enjoy it as is with whatever sides you love. But if you are willing to stretch a bit, try having the chicken with some of their bacony, brothy beans and rice and it opens this whole new world of fried chicken options.

We served Pollo Campero for a big party the night of the Obama inauguration, with very non-Guatemalan sides (including Spam Musubi) and pretty much everyone loved it.
bjt

There are a few conflicting opinions on Pollo Campero on LTH.. and the last views offered are a year ago. Does anyone have any more recent opinions at all? For reference, my fried-chicken standards are generally fairly high, with most of my fried-chickens coming from the not-too-far-away Hecky's and Evanston Chicken Shack..

The reason I ask is, it is on a half-off special on Buy-with-me... and Iam wondering if its worth the investment (though bjt's solid review above has me definitely leaning towards the purchase). For those interested, BTW, you can find the offer here: https://www.buywithme.com/ref/3RBDZYUH? ... urce=RAFLI


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