I think the real question, which has remained unanswered, is "It Tastes Better " ... than what? I can think of plenty of things that don't taste as good as Brown's Chicken, but nothing I'd actually pay for.

HI,

Maybe someday, if ever, try all the carry out fried chickens together: Church's, Kentucky Fried (original as the Colonel liked it), Evanston Fried Chicken, Harold's, Brown's ... it may be a crawl, because optimal is fresh from the grease. As well as cold with chicken compared later.

I found the Evanston Chicken Taste Off from 2005.

As for the fried mushrooms, so many bars and restaurants have their secret recipe from central distribution. Brown's mushrooms are especially good and it is hard to find any better ... though I would be thrilled to learn of any (that I don't make myself).

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

Maybe someday, if ever, try all the carry out fried chickens together: Church's, Kentucky Fried (original as the Colonel liked it), Evanston Fried Chicken, Harold's, Brown's ...

As a former New Orleanian, don't forget Popeye's (although what you get around here is actually only a pale imitation of what they serve at the stores in NOLA).

boudreaulicious wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

Maybe someday, if ever, try all the carry out fried chickens together: Church's, Kentucky Fried (original as the Colonel liked it), Evanston Fried Chicken, Harold's, Brown's ...

As a former New Orleanian, don't forget Popeye's (although what you get around here is actually only a pale imitation of what they serve at the stores in NOLA).

Certainly and any other other additions to the list, too.

Regards,

ronnie_suburban wrote:Did it ever really taste better? No, I don't think so.

=R=

It did taste better..... than it tastes now. They changed their recipe sometime in the 80's and it was definitely a turn for the worse.

nr706 wrote:I think the real question, which has remained unanswered, is "It Tastes Better " ... than what? I can think of plenty of things that don't taste as good as Brown's Chicken, but nothing I'd actually pay for.

I always took it that "... than KFC." was the unspoken but intended end of that sentence.

I recently carried away 60 pieces from the Elk Grove location for a party and it was, if not better, as good as any other fried chicken coming out of similar type of establishments including those from a road trip in Kentucky (Coach's Corner and Mr D's). Still no comparison to the individual order pan-fried variety (Kurtz in Bardstown KY my fav) but this location on this day served up some very good bulk made fried chicken; which was well eaten among other Chicago made food items at this party from Malnatis, Portillos and Johnnies Beef.

After reading this post recently, I decided to give in, take a trip back in time and have some Brown's (Northbrook) for lunch today. I have to say, the service was very fast and friendly and the chicken was very good. Even though I prefer a peppery or spicy breading, Brown's definitely brought their classic crunch. I was even pleasantly surprised that the biscuit was not hard a rock this time. All in all, no complaints today - I really enjoyed it.

The location on the Geneva/St Charles (west Rte. 34) border is still being remodeled, the Mexican place that most recently occupied it really messed things up. But a Brown's is going back to be a Brown's and I am looking forward to it!

T comp,
Glad to hear that my first employer is still pleasing. And to as a small world, I bought a house in Bardstown and loved Kurtz when I lived there.

Ram4 wrote:Even though I prefer a peppery or spicy breading . . .

I think this is the crux of it for me with Brown's. It's a bit bland. I definitely prefer more spice, though the crunch is nice. As iahawk89 posted above, Brown's is good cold. I may even prefer it that way to freshly made.

=R=

My son and I did a taste test of various fast food chicken in our area (writing this in response to Cathy2's post, the taste test was a while ago)
My wife (bleeds KY blue, we were friends with Claudia Sanders in the latter part of her life) always gets KFC. The son, myself, and our two cats sampled KFC, Popeye's, Churches, LJS, and a couple others whose name escapes me right now. The kid, the cats and I all agreed on Popeye's as the best.
However, i used to write warehouse software and any place that had poultry that was delivered to chicken chains- KFC was required to get the freshest chicken of any that was in storage.

Cathy2 wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Maybe someday, if ever, try all the carry out fried chickens together: Church's, Kentucky Fried (original as the Colonel liked it), Evanston Fried Chicken, Harold's, Brown's ...

As a former New Orleanian, don't forget Popeye's (although what you get around here is actually only a pale imitation of what they serve at the stores in NOLA).

Certainly and any other other additions to the list, too.

Another for the list:
A sign in Hecky's window (1902 Green Bay Road in Evanston) boasts:
"Best Fried Chicken -- or your money back.
Zagat agrees: Chicken's great."

Someone should take on that challenge.

tarte tatin wrote:Someone should take on that challenge.

Especially since Evanston Chicken Shack is a mere two blocks away.

TomInSkokie wrote:

tarte tatin wrote:Someone should take on that challenge.

Especially since Evanston Chicken Shack is a mere two blocks away.

As Cathy linked to above, we have. But it might be time for a redux.