Carriage House has some pretty great fried chicken served with pickles and a sweet potato hot sauce. Also, Longman & Eagle's fried chicken and waffles are the best chicken and waffles I've ever had.

chicken shack in Evanston

Write-up on Rip's Tavern in today's Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/ ... 9405.story

Can someone post that article? It's a "premium feature" on the Tribune website and won't let me access it.

HonestMan wrote:Can someone post that article? It's a "premium feature" on the Tribune website and won't let me access it.

That would be a copyright violation and we can't allow that here.

Thanks,

=R=
For the moderators

HonestMan wrote:Can someone post that article? It's a "premium feature" on the Tribune website and won't let me access it.

Somehow I squeeked in this a.m. and didnt have to subscribe/etc. Cant get back in now.

Article was pretty much a rehash of everything that has been written about Rip's in Chicago media outlets. The comment section was funny, someone said folks should save their time and gas and just go to White Fence Farm.....

HonestMan wrote:Can someone post that article? It's a "premium feature" on the Tribune website and won't let me access it.

Here's how to get around that.... Do a search for Rips's Tavern on Google and then when the results come up,further search under the News category. You'll get a direct link that will take you right to the article.

I cannot claim to be a fried chicken expert, but the fried chicken at The Boarding House (sold as a medium plate and as one of the three preparations on the Chicken Three Ways entree) was mighty tasty when I had it shortly after The Boarding House opened.

Speaking of fried, and in this case broasted chicken, I was dismayed to find out that Chicken Inn is no longer open during lunch hours. Looks like they don't open during the week now until 4PM. Still open on weekends at 11AM.

midas wrote:Speaking of fried, and in this case broasted chicken, I was dismayed to find out that Chicken Inn is no longer open during lunch hours. Looks like they don't open during the week now until 4PM. Still open on weekends at 11AM.

This has been the case for at least a year and a half (as long as I have been working in the area). I really need to pick up dinner there one evening....I have yet to try it.

I'm not sure how long they've been offering it, but last night at Frontier the special was $12 Fried Chicken, Cheddar & House Smoked Ham Hock Biscuits (4 pieces, biscuit and small side of slaw).

Not only was this a steal, it was some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. Incredible corn meal crust with a touch of heat, coating 4 perfectly cooked pieces of meat with a small side of syrup. The biscuit was as decadent and delicious as it sounds. If they continue this special, it will become a regular Monday night dinner.

The fried chicken at Pollo Campero and the pica frita at El Sitio are the best fried chicken I've had in recent years. they might be unlikely candidates, but that just makes it a more satisfying find.

jfibro wrote:I'm not sure how long they've been offering it, but last night at Frontier the special was $12 Fried Chicken, Cheddar & House Smoked Ham Hock Biscuits (4 pieces, biscuit and small side of slaw).

Not only was this a steal, it was some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. Incredible corn meal crust with a touch of heat, coating 4 perfectly cooked pieces of meat with a small side of syrup. The biscuit was as decadent and delicious as it sounds. If they continue this special, it will become a regular Monday night dinner.

Let me second that. I needed to meet some folks somewhere for food, talk and drinks last night and when my gf said she wanted fried chicken I remembered your rec. Only thing a little different about mine than what you described was this batch had some real heat. Which I enjoyed. It was also as juicy of an order as I've ate of late. I have yet to get to Mini Hut but when I do I'll be comparing it to Frontier's Monday Night Special as far as best in city goes. Thanks for sharing.


Monday Night Fried Chicken Special

Frontier
1072 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 772-4322

Just went to Chicago Chicken and Waffles in Evanston (there are other locations in Bronzeville and Oak Park). The Fried Chicken was pretty good, I still prefer Harold's but it was definitely good enough for me to return. The waffles were the highlight to me, and the sides all looked pretty good, I had the mac n' cheese which was quite good, though next time I would rather get the collard greens as they looked and smelled delicious and had random pork parts floating in them. This place is located on Dempster just east of McCormick, I don't know the exact address because there's nothing about this location on their website or on Google since it's pretty new (I think 2 weeks old).

http://chicagochickenandwaffles.com/

3947 S King Dr
Chicago
(773) 536-3300

543 Madison St
Oak Park
(708) 524-3300

Dempster & McCormick
Evanston, IL

Suiname wrote:This place is located on Dempster just east of McCormick, I don't know the exact address

Chicago's Home for Chicken & Waffles - Evanston
2424 Dempster
Evanston, IL 60202

+1
Chicken shack in Evanston
1925 ridge
Evanston, il

Breasts were great, legs were even better...but man, the thighs were out of this world!!! (Chicken)

Fries & slaw were embarrassingly bad-but the chicken was AWESOME!!


Sent from my iPh

Da Beef wrote:

jfibro wrote:I'm not sure how long they've been offering it, but last night at Frontier the special was $12 Fried Chicken, Cheddar & House Smoked Ham Hock Biscuits (4 pieces, biscuit and small side of slaw).

Not only was this a steal, it was some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. Incredible corn meal crust with a touch of heat, coating 4 perfectly cooked pieces of meat with a small side of syrup. The biscuit was as decadent and delicious as it sounds. If they continue this special, it will become a regular Monday night dinner.

Let me second that. I needed to meet some folks somewhere for food, talk and drinks last night and when my gf said she wanted fried chicken I remembered your rec. Only thing a little different about mine than what you described was this batch had some real heat. Which I enjoyed. It was also as juicy of an order as I've ate of late. I have yet to get to Mini Hut but when I do I'll be comparing it to Frontier's Monday Night Special as far as best in city goes. Thanks for sharing.


Monday Night Fried Chicken Special

Frontier
1072 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 772-4322

Glad you enjoyed it too. I was really impressed, and I'm glad to hear it wasn't just a one off experience. I've been craving it and need to make it back soon.

pretty confident in proclaiming Sip-n-Snack in Mendota one of the best around, some nights even preferred to GNR, and northern Illinois favorite Rip's:

hit S & S last night for an early supper, 1/4 lights with fries $4/ea. Wings $2.75, $1 drafts.

spot was packed:


1/4 light(great crust, juicy tender interior):





wings(breaded, corn meal in the mix I think, crunchy and flavorfull:, some of my favorite around and @ $2.75/order a steal.:



S & S has its own thread here, but a catch all thread touting the best fried chicken in the area needed some pics of one of the heavyweight contenders.

Sip-n-Snack
10n4250th Rd.
Mendota, IL.

815-539-7525

no website or p.r. folks - old school,a word of mouth driven business at its finest.

jimswside wrote:pretty confident in proclaiming Sip-n-Snack in Mendota one of the best around

That's the problem. All of those places you mention are not "around" Chicago, they're in the sticks. I'm impressed that stevez and a handful of LTHers made it out to Rip's once.

Most out of the way chicken dinner places have been a near total miss for me. White Fence Farm, overrated. Del Rhea's Chicken Basket, overrated. Chicken Mary's and Chicken Annie's of Pittsburg, KS (both on Food Wars) - WAY overrated. And I sometimes wonder if not having anything else nearby (in most cases) is the reason they get the hype. But I love fried chicken when it's great, so I have a feeling I will make it to LaSalle County one day. And if I do make it out and these places are not even close to what you said Jim, I'm coming after you!

Ram4 wrote:

jimswside wrote:pretty confident in proclaiming Sip-n-Snack in Mendota one of the best around

That's the problem. All of those places you mention are not "around" Chicago, they're in the sticks. I'm impressed that stevez and a handful of LTHers made it out to Rip's once.

Most out of the way chicken dinner places have been a near total miss for me. White Fence Farm, overrated. Del Rhea's Chicken Basket, overrated. Chicken Mary's and Chicken Annie's of Pittsburg, KS (both on Food Wars) - WAY overrated. And I sometimes wonder if not having anything else nearby (in most cases) is the reason they get the hype. But I love fried chicken when it's great, so I have a feeling I will make it to LaSalle County one day. And if I do make it out and these places are not even close to what you said Jim, I'm coming after you!

Seconded about Del Rhea's and White Fence Farm, both whose fried chicken is "European-style" rather than Southern-style, as might have been mentioned upthread. I recommend the smoked, fried chicken at Lillie's Q on North Avenue, especialy with the Alabama-style "ivory" barbecue sauce.

kenneymarlatt wrote:Also, Longman & Eagle's fried chicken and waffles are the best chicken and waffles I've ever had.

Wow! Seconded. Made my first trip today for a quick lunch with my wife. The chicken and waffles were nothing short of amazing. Expertly seasoned, hot and juicy chicken, a nice fluffy waffle and an incredible sweet potato and pork belly hash on the side. I am already dreaming of my next trip back (weekday lunch seems to be the way to go). There were many things I wanted to try on the menu but can't see how I could ever pass on the chicken and waffles.

Ram4 wrote: I'm impressed that stevez and a handful of LTHers made it out to Rip's once.

More than once, my friend. More than once. It's worth the drive.

Picked up lunch at the Chicken Shack yesterday. The chicken was wonderful - as always. They have a lunch special of two thighs, two legs, fries, cole slaw and bread for $5.77. Since I am both dark meat-centric and frugal, this really appeals to me.

Despite the fact that there is no evidence of a smoker there, they are offering rib tips, including a Jamaican style rib tip. Has anyone tried these? They also have buttermilk biscuits which I have been meaning to try, but after two thighs and two legs, I am about done. I do, however, hold out hope for these biscuits. Anyone tried these?

When asked about where one can get some good fried chicken in the Region I was never able to give a confident answer. I'm not big on Teibel's and it's not just not as common around the area like it it is further down state. There was always this one place I'd wanted to try but was never riding by when the chance to do so allowed. A while back I was with jimswside not far from Lee's Carry Out and decided to make it finally happen.


A wonderful spot in Calumet City frying up gold

We were one of a few sets waiting and the others had been talking about it like they'd been going for a while. One longtime regular got worried when the proprietor asked if we thought his place would be popular in the city? "Maybe around Chinatown?" Where some Chinese businessmen told him to go and make dough. Convo started when he told me how it'd been years since the last time someone took a picture of his place. That was a Scout from the mini-chain Lee's Chicken who was prospecting the area. Because Lee's Carry-Out had been there long (over 40 years) there was nothing the chain could do. Hell yeah! As to his question about the chicken being able to sell in the city? Without a doubt.


Fried Chicken Box

Since Cal City is a suburb I cant call this the best fried chicken in Chicago but can say its best in the 'land. That's what I said when I ate a leg that was lightly breaded but still had serious crunch with juices popping out when I bit in. Waiting as the owner took orders and went in back to coat, toss and fry it, you knew something good was coming. Order a box and you're gifted with cole-slaw which packs a black pepper punch, a warm roll and fresh made perfectly fried golden crinkle cut fries. The man has a gift because the lake perch was on point as well. Mini-Hut and the rest have a new contender, he just so happens to have been around for a while.


Old School

Lee's Chicken Carry Out
610 Burnham Ave
Calumet City, IL 60409
(708) 891-3200

Lee's was really solid. Owner, (who I thought looked kind of like Steve Mcqueen) was certainly adept at the frying arts.

I sampled a wing and it was dang good, minimal coating, crunchy, juicy. I do think I chowed more of the perch which was top notch.

Don't know about "best" but I enjoyed first visit to Smalls.

Buttermilk brined fried chicken quarter dark. Juicy, crispy, damn tasty.



Smalls is..... small



Smalls
4009 N Albany
Chicago, IL 60618
312-857-4221
http://www.smallschicago.com/

Rita's up in Lake Bluff makes some pretty damn good honey crusted chicken thats served extra crispy. Probably the the best in Lake County. If you've ever been inside or driven by you can see how this could be since it's a roadhouse. They also have a fish fry on Wednesdays and Friday's featuring lake perch. It's a very popular place with the longtime locals.


Honey Crusted Fried Chicken

Rita's
13744 Rockland Rd
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(847) 362-0157

Lees Carrouts in Calumet city is about an hour due east of my house, an easy shot when coming into the city from the sw. Popped in for a second visit saturday.

I enjoy fried chicken, not hipster fried chicken, but old school spots(not a fried chicken concept restaurant that in a few years will be a cupcake diner or whatever might be hot at the time )but taverns where you can have a drink or simple carryout spots. No frills, no nonsense.

Thinking Lees has the some of the better fried chicken i have tasted east of where i Live. Breaded and fried to order, nice crust, perfect. Like $4.50 for a 2 piece dark dinner, gotta love a place that charges a fair price for good food.

Some fried chix from lees and some of their fried lake perch is a treat, Really need to try their skrimps and maybe some frog legs.

Da Beef wrote:

jimswside wrote:Breaded and fried to order, nice crust, perfect.

Is it really pan fried?

Rene G wrote:

Da Beef wrote:

jimswside wrote:Breaded and fried to order, nice crust, perfect.

Is it really pan fried?

Man I'm not sure. I haven't seen the guy pan fry it with my own eyes so i will trust the sign until i know Better. The texture/density of the breading is similar to cast iron fried chicken i have had.