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Best Fried Chicken? I'll get shot for saying this, but the Chicken "Fingers" at the KFC (when fresh and not sitting for hours) on 14th St off 2nd Ave is actually pretty good. They use the Original Recipe instead of the rather dry Extra Crispy recipe found at most KFC's.....still with me? On a more upscale note: City Bakery in Manhattan on 18th street b'tween 5th and 6th Avenue....and once you're there you'll discover other cool offerings like Pretzel Croissants. If you can catch them when still warm out of the oven they melt in your mouth. I was actually one of the first patrons there when they opened about 18 years ago. Discovered this truly amazing place 'cause the contractors who built the original space on 17th street shared office space with me. Enjoy!
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Well, here is my two cents... I have tried most if not all of the picks the Chowhounds have posted in reply so far. Charles Southern Fried Chicken WAS the best, but I think it has definitely slipped a notch. Yes, fried chicken "nirvana" does exist, and you don't have to go to 151st to get it. There is one catch though...unfortunately, the best fried chicken currently available for consumption in NYC is not available for lunch...or for dinner...or for take out either....nope...it's free. Free that is, as long as you buy a drink at the bar of this upscale establishment in midtown Manahattan. Do I have your attention now? Run, don't walk, over to Bobby Van's Grill, 135 West 50th Street, and belly up to the bar. Every evening at 6:00 pm (or thereabouts) you will witness a serving cart full of plastic cereal bowls being wheeled in. These bowls, full of free finger lickin' good fowl are distributed across the length of the bar to encourage your thirst. My friends, this chicken is AWESOME! After you take your first bite, with its subtle unique flavor, I think you'll agree it was worth the $8.00 beer to sample. You'll need to eat fast though, because it goes quickly, and once it's gone there will be no more until the next evening. Oh, and don't bother asking the bartender if they will please add it to the menu or let you take an order to go... they won't. I'll see you there.
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re: btsqnyc
Finally tried the Mild Fried Chicken at Popeye's since someone on this site mentioned that Popeye's in The South is revered like Starbuck's is in The Northeast. And, ooooohhhh baby - it was goooood! It was also good to be Uptown on a Sunday and check out the fancy Old Timer's dining at the tables after comin' back from Church.
TRY THIS CHICKEN and...be sure to order the thighs!!! (about $4.50 for two pieces a side and a biscuit)
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re: a_and_w
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re: a_and_w
ditto. went to the location in the 30s for lunch. completely empty.
it was upstairs and there was no sign.
the waiteress gave us a menu, and when we tried to order some starters before the chicken she said, no, we only have chicken (then why give us the menu??)
but GREAT chicken. AND they deliver
It's not american fried chicken, though. there is no subsititute for some good southern fried chicken.
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re: chrispypanfry
Mr Conlin
Oct 27, 2008 10:57 AM
I rather liked the surprising juxtaposition of great fried chicken and hidden clubby bar. It was not what I was expecting. And I thought I was lost trying to find it. If I had any hesitation, I would have walked away.
I have to say that this board, although watered down lately with more requests than reports, has rarely let us down. Bon Chon Chicken has some of the best fried chicken we've ever had.
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I just went to Walkers in Tribeca last Friday, not intending to have fried chicken, but once I saw it on the menu, I had to order it (after reading this thread all last week). It was just one big piece of breast, but it was delicious - not oily or greasy, perfectly seasoned, crisly, etc. The waitress informed me that it was a Friday special. Highly recommended (especially when accompanied by a nice, cold Blue Point).
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hambone
Sep 24, 2008 09:31 AM
The BEST fried chicken in NYC is available (for the non-faithful) only at the annual Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn every fall. The ladies at the Baptist church east of Smith on the north side of Atlantic make tons of it. Get the mac and cheese while you are there to.
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DarthEater
Sep 19, 2008 08:39 AM
In Tribeca, I love Gee Whiz Diners fried chicken. It comes with 4 peices and the meat is juicy with a crispy thin skin.
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Hands down Georgia's Souther BBQ on Orchard Street has the most crispy on the outside, perfectly hand battered buttermilk crispy outside , super tender and moist inside.
They make it to order, so you can't get it any fresher.
Also, their cheese grits are insane.
it's pretty affordable for the lower east side. I believe it's around 12 bucks and you get 2 sides. -
Thanks to everybody for their suggestions. I went to Rack and Soul a few nights ago and was disappointed by their fried chicken (which is usually my favorite menu item) so I may have to try Charles. Thanks again!
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re: Wilfrid
My understanding is that Charles is not one of the owners of Rack and Soul- he has a kind of consultation deal and does the fried chicken. But as I said in an earlier post, I've been told that he makes the chicken early in the day - which is why it is not nearly as good as the chicken uptown.
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Here's one more #1 vote for Charles'. You also can't forget the great sides. If they have it you have to get the okra and tomatos. I love their albeit a bit sweet but so buttery yams. Amy Ruths is a good second and more complete dining experience. Note on the steam table issue. Order from the take out counter, not the all you can eat room next door. Although I've never felt the chicken sat to long in the all you can eat room.
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re: apple342
Candice
Sep 16, 2008 08:06 AM
I was there last weekend and it was great. Not heavily battered but very crisp skin and juicy meat. We had 1 order fried chicken and waffles (dark meat) and one order fried chicken (dark meat) w/ collard greens and fries. Fries were limp and greens nothing to get excited about but the chicken was great.
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I second the Pink teacup on Grove St. Been going there for 15 years and it never dissapoints. Pork chops and ribs are great too. Until now you could bring your own liquor but they sadly stopped that practice. Not sure why. They do not have a license. But their Iced Tea is very good.
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re: Gossomer
The 2 votes for Pink Teacup have made me want to give it another try. The first time I went for lunch and the crust was soggy but the meat was dry. Must've been sitting around for awhile. Perhaps I caught it on an off day. I find that the quality of the chicken depends on that day's turnover.
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I had the fried chicken at Delicatessen (Prince and Lafayette) on Sunday. 1/4 chicken is served in a bucket along with a biscuit and a ranch-buttermilk dipping sauce. I thought it was the best fried chicken I have had in NYC. The server said it is the #1 item on the menu. Actually, everyhting we ordered there was great. Good luck!
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Wilfrid
Sep 10, 2008 12:24 PM
Every time the question is asked, Charles gets offered as the answer. I wonder if anyone has been there recently? It's a small steam-table in a restaurant which has low turnover most of the time, so your chicken will have been sitting around getting soggy unless you miraculously show up when a new batch is served.
All the branches of Manna's in Harlem are much, much busier and the fried chicken you get will be fresher and crispier than at Charles. The other offerings are better too.
Downtown, try Birdie's.
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re: Wilfrid
Believe me, the chicken at Charles' does not sit around on the steam table, as you put it (which is why it is never, ever soggy) Charles's take-out operation, which is right next door, is constantly busy to jammed.
And even the chicken on the steam table never lasts more than 15 or 20 minutes before they bring out another batch.-
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re: Ann900
I agree with Wilfrid.
I was just there a few weeks ago. The chicken was sitting in the case, in a big stack and it was served soggy. Pieces were tiny. Sides looked like they had been sitting too long, drying up with that filmy layer on top. There were no lines, even though the streets were crowded, and there was a performance nearby at Jackie Robinson Park. The only upside is that by the piece a breast piece was only like $1.60 or around that, but it was more like the size of a thigh instead. A small thigh at that.
Birdie's is too greasy, and reeks of old oil in my opinion, so in my experience, neither Charles or Birdie's can hold a candle to Amy Ruth's. There might be better chicken out there but I haven't found it.
Amy Ruth's is top notch with plump pieces of crispy chicken.
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I am a HUGE fan of The Pink Teacup. http://www.thepinkteacup.com/
I haven't been to Charles, although I have always meant to go. But the Pink Tea Cup always hits the spot when I am looking for that kind of "home cooking." The Fried Chicken & Waffles is one of my favorite breakfasts after a long night.›1 Reply -
cmballa
Sep 10, 2008 07:48 AM
The Popeye's at Essex & Delancey, it seems particularly better than others
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re: cmballa
maybe im just a food snob.....but
i'm still baffled after all these years when this post comes up and people mention popeyes. Maybe im baffled as i got food posioning from there, or maybe it's because most people who post on this list are seeking something outside of chains. it's like nails on a chalk board when i see Popeye's.hands down Charles to answer AMIEBD
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re: namreb
Even though Popeye's is a chain, their chicken is still pretty darn good. Plus, there are not many places in NYC that have awesome or even memorable fried chicken.
See this thread for more: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/428401
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re: closer53
I had the fried chicken at Big Daddy's for lunch today based on your rec, Closer....it was fantastic. Crispy, right amount of spice, and the tater tots were nice and crispy too. And, since it's open 24 hours a day, I'm sure I'll be making a 3 AM stop sometime soon-- I imagine it would be great after a long night of drinking...
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re: Adrienne
Yeah I have a Popeye's near me, and it's sold about 3 times as far as I can tell. The quality of the chicken has drastically changed depending on who owned/managed it. At it's best, it was about as good if not better then Charles. They hand dip their chicken and fry it fresh. The batter is a mix of course, but the breast pieces were easily a meal with a lot of meat on them. At it's worst, the chicken was rubbery and low grade with a strange extra filmy layer of weirdness between the batter and the meat. The fries were soggy instead of crisp, and well spiced. It's fast food, sure but when they're good they're goood.
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re: jb44
cmballa
Sep 11, 2008 06:08 AM
I've had Charles (and a few others, the best I've had recently was at Egg in Williamsburg), but I absolutely disagree on your (political) stance against Popeyes. Yes, it's a fast food chain indeed, but the product is simple, executed with rigid consistency, and with fast turnover; it has a reason to be as incredible as it is.
I'll leave this thread to Manhattan chicken-related posts though.
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Charles' Southern Kitchen on 8th Ave and 151- hands down. Charles also makes the fried chicken at Rack and Soul on Broadway and 109th. But the chicken uptown always tastes better to me- I believe the chicken at Rack and Soul is made early in the day and reheated. So sometimes its better than other times.
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re: Ann900
I would second Charles'. It's quite good. The problem though is you just aren't going to get truly GREAT southern fried chicken in NYC. None of this compares to places down south.
My favorite kind of fried chicken that I can get in NYC is probably Korean Fried Chicken. Bon Chon is quite good as is UFC (Unidentified Flying Chickens), which is in Queens and is cheaper but just as good.
