Fried Chicken in Detroit or Western Suburbs
What is the best place for fried chicken in the area? A friend and I are trying every fried chicken place we can find to see if we think it is better or worse than KFC, which is our baseline.
-
-
re: worldwarz
momskitchen
Jan 29, 2012 02:41 PM
Thanks for the tip, @worldwarz.....I haven't been to Howells in over 20 years, but it is time to pay a visit. I was there strictly for the drinking back then - didn't know they served food. Do they serve chicken at lunch time?
-
-
-
Lee's Famous Recipe on Ann Arbor Rd in Plymouth. Been there forever. This is a franchise, but is the only location in the area. I haven't had KFC in ages so can't speak to that comparison, but I mentally compare other fried chicken to Lee's to see if they measure up.
›2 Replies-
-
re: gooddog
We have gotten Lee's Famous 4 or 5 times for partys. Everyone seems to like, but I think it is too salty - and I am one that likes salt. We went to Guernsey's Dairy the other day in Northville - both my wife and I thought that was some of the best chicken we have had in a very long time. I think they are pretty well known for it there - from what I could see just about every table had ordered chicken. Great cole slaw and ice cream as well.
-
-
Two places you may be interested in. Chicken Shack has a few locations in the Metro area. There is one on Northwestern practically across the street from Beans and Cornbread. It's located in the strip next to Sero's.
Famous Fried Chicken, on Orchard Lake just North of 13 Mile in Farmington Hills, has been there about as long as anyplace on "Restaurant Row". -
to revive this post....any additions/changes to finding great fried chicken?
my favs from elsewhere are pollo campero (guatamalan fried chicken chain) and prince's hot fried chicken (nashville, TN). though popeyes ain't bad...›7 Replies-
re: gan911
this place has delicious Korean fried chicken:
http://eatseoulstreet.com/
1771 Plymouth Rd Suite 101 Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-719-0085-
re: Michigan Mishuganer
momskitchen
Nov 2, 2011 10:35 AM
It's a pain to order - you have to call it in 30 minutes ahead of time.
-
-
re: Michigan Mishuganer
momskitchen
Nov 2, 2011 07:55 PM
I've heard it's greasy...so that's put me off waiting the 30 minutes, but I will probably give it a shot sometime. I found their bi bim boip to taste okay, but it''s overpriced. Also the chicken is spendy, too.
-
re: momskitchen
Compared to most places in Ann Arbor, it seems pretty inexpensive to me.
Much cheaper than eating at Marks Carts!
6 chicken strips + 6.00 + Kim bop for 3.25 or Mandoo $4.00 = a meal for 2 for around $10.00
I was not impressed by the duk or kim chee jun & have not tried the bi bim bop.Another place for chicken in the area (chain) is the Popeye in the truckstop by Baker Rd & Jackson.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Not sure if Ypsilanti is really considered part of Western Suburbs or not, but Haab's "Chicken in the Basket" is always a sure winner. The pieces are pan-fried, flavorful, and impressively sized. Since it is just pan-fried there is not excessive batter either. And it comes (all in the same basket) with some of the best shoestring potatoes you'll find ( certainly the best shoestring potatoes in Washtenaw county).
It used to be "Chicken in the Rough", an old-time patented pan frying process which was considered a franchise. From what I can tell, it had laid mostly dormant for years and was a franchise in name only. A new owner did eventually emerge though and apparently tried to cheapen the ingredients to make the process mass-marketable. Haab's would have none of it. Ergo, it is now simply "Chicken in the Basket". Sadly, they had to take down all of their quaint and wonderful "Chicken in the Rough" paraphernalia and trappings they had assembled for decades. Fortunately the food itself is as good as ever!
-
As simple as it sounds, you will find the best fried chicken in the kitchen of someone you know or are friends with; it will be made with care and love.
Try Steve's Soul Food, other soul food spots along Grand River, Van Dyke, Mack, Gratiot, Jefferson, or the kitchens of those who invite you in with open arms and open pots and pans!
-
I second, third and fourth the recommendation of Beans and Cornbread. Their fried chicken is FAB as are ll of their sides! The BEST greens, potato salad and black eyed peas. Also, friendly local ownership, great management and staff. As Boagman mentioned in a post about fish and chips, it's the kind of place where you like spending your duckets!
›1 Reply-
re: luckygirl
And you know, if the whole place were burning down, and they could only save *one single recipe* before the place was totally engulfed in flames, I'd be screaming, "Save the Sweet Potato Muffins recipe!" at the top of my lungs.
I do agree that, for the most part, their sides are great. There are some that I don't care for just based on my own personal tastes (doesn't mean that they aren't good, or that they aren't quality), and on occasion a side dish will come out a bit cold or something. But overall? They really know their stuff there.
Here's a tip from your Uncle Boagman: if you're going after church on a Sunday afternoon, be prepared to wait, and wait, and wait for a table. Then be prepared to wait some more. It is nothing short of a *destination* for folks to go after church from miles around. I'm always fascinated with the snazzy outfits (especially the hats the ladies wear) that are present on Sunday afternoon...everyone's decked out in their Sunday best, and it really adds some character to the place, as well.
I always gorge myself on those muffins, though...I'm not a proud man. ;)
-
-
momskitchen
Dec 19, 2006 09:32 PM
I didn't mean that KFC is my favorite - it is just the baseline because it is the most commonly found fried chicken. As for their sides, I like their coleslaw. As for fast food chicken, Popeyes isn't any better than K Fry, in my view. I do like their spicy mashed potatoes and gravy, though. I might try the place in Southfield someday, but it is pretty far out of the way for me, so it won't be anytime soon.
-
Well, a lot of people tend to rave about the fried chicken at Beans & Cornbread: A Soulful Bistro in Southfield on Northwestern Highway. I've had it, and it is darned tasty, but I don't know what your taste scale is. I wouldn't say that it's the best I've had, either, but I couldn't cite where the best fried chicken I've had, is.
About KFC...while it does have some tasty batter, too often the chicken-to-batter ratio is just, well, disgustingly low. I certainly like good fried chicken, but you can literally take an entire bite of some KFC pieces and literally get no actual meat. It's good, but even I have my "kill your arteries but have fun doing it" limits. KFC often surpasses that. Plus, dollar for dollar, KFC is probably the priciest fried chicken out there, at least in terms of fast food fried chicken.
As well, their side dishes are *terrible*. Can't stand their fake mashed potatoes (and the gravy is positively gross), their cole slaw is edible but certainly not good, they somehow manage to beat the corn on the cob into some defeated version of itself, etc. That's one thing that's for *certain* about Beans & Cornbread's food: their sides are fan-freaking-tastic. And the tiny sweet potato muffins they bring to the table are worth the trip alone.
Oh, sorry. You caught me babbling. ;)
