Fried Chicken between Berkeley & Sonoma

[Celery]

Making a road trip Thursday up Anderson Valley way - starting in Berkeley mid morning and ending up in Boonville and am looking for the best suggestions for some take out fried chicken for picnics.

Thought of Louisiana Fried Chicken in El Cerrito, but not sure it's open early enough so extra points for places say north of Petaluma figuring by the time we get that far the chicken will be ready.

Any suggestions all?

Thanks!

[cherrylinda]

Just realized this reply is almost to the day a year ago. Just wanted to remind people out there that it's really worth a trip to Ricky's Corner for their fried chicken basket. Half of a chicken comes with huge steak fries for $7 on Thursdays. I have tried so many different fried chicken places and this little restaurant/bar in Rodeo still has the best. I'm going tonight for dinner with my husband and to have one of their super bloody mary's!

[J T]

Another place to consider is Max's in Vallejo. I like their fried chicken. I don't know what other's opinions are.

[Scrapironchef]

Ricky's Corner in Rodeo, I haven't tried Trinity's that RW mentioned, but I know Ricky's holds up well cold. My inlaws schedule their last meal there when they visit so they have leftovers for a box lunch on the plane. The light coating doesn't end up greasy and congealed.

Ricky's Corner
18 PARKER AVE
RODEO, CA 94572-1119

PHONE [phone]

[J T]

Do we know if Ricky's (1) opens early enough or (2) serves fried chicken that early (special fryer machine)?

[rworange]

Actually, on Thursday Ricky's has a $7 chicken special and opens at 11 am ... and really, few places serve fried chicken before that time. So if that fits the schedule ...

Previous Ricky's posts
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/45887
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/45722

Trinity also opens at 11
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/367703

Church's in Vallejo makes a mighty fine chicken the caveat being you have to catch it at opening or fried fresh. It doesn't hold well, but fresh from the frier it is quite addictive. So it really doesn't apply here, but if there is a Church's at your destinaiton and you ask them for fresh-from-the-fryer ... it might work.

[rworange]

Louisiana Fried Chicken in El Cerrito totally sucks. You could do better at KFC..

Trinity's Southern Cuisine in Rodeo has good fried chicken. Up the street is Ricky's which is a nice fried chicken too. I prefer Trinity's and they have better sides if that is important.

Trinity's
364 Parker Ave
Rodeo, CA 94572

Ricky's Corner
18 Parker Ave.
Rodeo, CA 94572
[phone]

House of Soul in Vallejo gets lots of postivie mentions, but don't know the hours and haven't tried them yet.
1526 Solano Ave
Vallejo, CA 94590
[phone]

In Sonoma, Sonoma Market has mighty fine fried chicken. It is kept warm under a heat lamp, but it is Rocky Jr. and it holds up well.
500 W Napa St Ste 550
Sonoma, CA 95476
[phone]

That being said, the Willie Bird suggestion sounds good .. .though I haven't been
Willie Bird's Restaurant
1150 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
[phone]

[susancinsf]

In a fit of desperation, I had some Louisiana Fried Chicken from the Oakland (Broadway) branch the other day, and that one also sucks. I agree with the Sonoma Market recommendations, but it is a bit out of the way (though scenic, as Melanie says)

[Kathleen M]

Willi Birds, on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa, does killer fried chicken and would probably give it to you to go. They make it to order, so give them at least 20 minutes notice. You know, as much as I love Oliver's in Cotati, I've always found their rotisserie chicken a bit dry. Too bad, because their mashed potatoes are excellent.

[Melanie Wong]

Well, there's a new Popeye's in Rohnert Park. But maybe you'd consider taking the scenic route through the town of Sonoma and stopping at the Sonoma Market or a little further north the Glen Ellen Market. Washoe House on the north end of Petaluma makes a very plain fried chicken, be sure to bring your own salt and pepper plus hot sauce. The Owl Cafe in Cloverdale used to do a credible chicken in a basket, but it's been years since I last had it. If you can handle a garlic and rosemary-scented rotisserie chicken, then Oliver's in Cotati or Cafe Citti in Kenwood.

[NYJewboy]

Popeye's is substandard and beneath contempt.

[chocolatetartguy]

On Tuesday's in Berkeley, Popeye's is merely standard and slightly above contempt at 99 cents for 2 pieces. All the homies from West Btown eat there then!