I rarely trust lists that people make. You're telling me, these 5 plates of salad is the BEST in New York City and I should go eat them. Have you tried every plate of salad from everywhere? I doubt it. My goal is to find my favorite fried chickens and to do that, I've been trying to eat all of them in New York City. Yes, all of them. This is a long term research project that started many years ago but didn't take it seriously till last May. My economics professor once said that if you want the facts, the truth, don't rely on the news. Go out and find out for yourself. Food is subjective. Many people have said The Redhead does a great fried chicken but when I had it, I thought it lacked seasoning and that it was boring.
The rules are simple, no chains, no wings places, no chicken tenders, no chicken nuggets. I have a whole other list for fried chicken sandwiches because those are darn tasty too. There are some places that serve boneless fried chicken which my friend doesn't consider to be "fried chicken." What do y'all think? Talde in Park Slope does a good one but it's boneless!
Anyways...
So to be fair and honest, I'm listing out 5 of the BEST fried chickens in New York City from the 27 I've had so far.
In no particular order, they are... 1. Birds & Bubbles (picture above) I'm gonna say it, Sarah Simmons is the queen of fried chicken. I couldn't get enough of her fried chicken when she was only serving it at City Grit. I was so excited when she told me she was opening a fried chicken restaurant. The fried chicken is just really really good. Birds & Bubbles - 100B Forsyth St. Manhattan
2. Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken
He is like the godfather of fried chicken. If you read reviews, they're pretty mixed but I love it. My friends and I go right when the door opens, when the food is hot and fresh. Also, what beats an all-you-can-eat fried chicken brunch for under $20?! Good thing for me, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken is an hour away by train or else I go there once a week.
Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken - 2839-2841 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 151st St. Manhattan
3. The Breslin
Holy fuckin fried chicken. This whole meal was intense. It's expensive (with drinks) but it was so worth it. The chicken, the sauces, champ, salad, BISCUITS!, desserts. Probably my favorite meal of 2013.
The Breslin - 16 W. 29th St. Manhattan
4. Peaches HotHouse
Get it hot and don't look back. The plain fried chicken is good but man...get the hot. Spices on the crust and on the meat.
Peaches HotHouse - 415 Tompkins Ave. Brooklyn
5. Wilma Jean
I was so happy when I shook Rob Newton's (chef and owner) hand at Taste Talks. I thanked him for opening Wilma Jean. Seersucker was good but all I really wanted was just the fried chicken.
Wilma Jean - 345 Smith St. Brooklyn
I love their fried chicken because they only serve the thigh (best part!) plus honey butter. Oh and they have tiki drinks and probably have one of the great nachos of NYC.
The Commodore - 366 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St. Brooklyn
Pies 'n' Thighs
I see Pies 'n' Thighs as one of the pioneers in NYC fried chicken. There will always be a place in my heart for their fried chicken but lately I've been going for only their chicken biscuits. Flaky biscuits, fried chicken, and hot sauce/honey. *drooooooooooooooooool.......
Pies 'n' Thighs - 166 S. 4th St. at Driggs Brooklyn
Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter
I feel bad. I've been neglecting Bobwhite. I'm just rarely in East Village and that's a sad thing because they fry up some really nice chicken.
Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter - 94 Avenue C Manhattan
Sweet Chick
I came here for my birthday once and quickly fell in love. The chicken is great here and my vegetarian friend approves their vegetarian fried chicken. Everybody wins!
Sweet Chick - 164 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn & 178 Ludlow St. Manhattan
The Dutch
Because the pieces of fried chicken (tasty) and biscuits are served on a silver platter. Wow. I don't mind trekking out to Soho on the weekend for this.
The Dutch - 131 Sullivan St. Manhattan
Thistle Hill Tavern They do a great job with the fried chicken. Coated in rice flour, it's really crispy and the meat is juicy. A lovely neighborhoody restaurant. Thistle Hill Tavern - 441 7th Ave. Brooklyn
That's about it. I have 40 more places to go in New York City and another dozen of places in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Philly. Oh boy!
Obviously, don't take my word for it. Go out and eat. Find your own favorite fried chicken.
Let me know in the comments, where I should eat next. Thanks!