Coast Cafe- Cambridge- Now I understand!

[Posenose]

I have lived near Coast Cafe for a while now and despite hearing great things about it didn't try it til last night. What have I been doing all these years? OH MY, that was the best fried chicken I have EVER had. Mac and cheese on the side was good but not spectacular, but candied yams were fantastic. I will be going back!

[KansasTornado]

You might want to try their fried haddock as well. It's the best fried fish I've ever had.

[oystershucker]

I usually get the collards (good, not great) and the black eyed peas (excellent!)
Not sure what seasoning they use on the black eyeds, but they are addictive.

[twentyoystahs]

Is there anywhere to sit and enjoy your fried chicken at the coast cafe? I get the impression it's strictly a takeout place, but I don't live around there and I'm sure it would taste much better just-cooked.

[BarefootandPregnant]

IIRC, there are a couple of stools. It is very cramped, in my experience, as I have never been there without there being at least 4 other people/parties eating or waiting.

Fried chicken does suffer for waiting, but, heck, this weekend we feasted on my husband's favorite-which had been driven up from Long Island the evening before. We brought it to room temperature, then pooped it in hot oil in a skillet for a couple of minutes. It was good enough that I've been tempted to see if someone could ship us some for XMas dinner.

[peelmeagrape]

I've eaten there at lunchtime. It's just a counter with a couple of stools but I guess we're lucky since we've been the only customers there each time.

I am completely in love with their banana pudding (sort of grainy and very homemade-tasting and a steal pricewise), and generally like all their sweet stuff. Agreed that their yams are super-sweet, but I find them a nice counterpoint to the bitter collards. I'd second the pork chop rec...not crazy about their fried chicken, though.

[Snowflake]

I was so close to going there last night myself, but I have a few questions!
Is it crispy? what else is good on the side? Is it just sitting there waiting for someone to order it or is it fried at request?

[Posenose]

It is SUPER crispy and they make it to order (on their take out menu it even specifies this so that you know there will be a 10-15 minute wait for it!)
Unfortunately I don't know what else is good on the side besides the candied yams, but they were amazing!

[Luther]

It's uber-crispy, to the point of being mildly burnt (you can tell it touches the pan... not cooked in a fryolator).

Candied yams taste like they're cooked in pure syrup. I'd say they're barely edible. Green beans are mushy and watery like from a can. Collards are similar but have nice bits of meat in them... I'd go with that.

I highly recommend the smothered pork chops.