McKenzie's Chicken in a Box

McKenzie's Chicken in a Box in Gentilly is not just where you can get great tasting chicken but you'll find satisfying soul food, too.

Dad got the fried okra, red beans and coleslaw with our 10 piece order (plus 5 jumbo wings for Mom). Tasty fried chicken with a tender crust and very juicy. The pieces are a little odd shaped but sort of look like what happens when I cut a chicken up at home.

This isn't a place where you can eat in - it is very utilitarian and spare - but, when you need anywhere from 5 pieces to 100 of some of the best fried chicken in the city, come here to pick it up. They are fast and food will still be hot when you get home or to your party.

Danny's Fried Chicken

When driving back from Lafayette, I decided to take the Scenic Byway of Highway 182. When passing through Morgan City, I was struck by the motto of Danny's Fried Chicken - It'll Make You Smile!

Challenge accepted!

The chicken was delicious - very juicy and flavorful with a bite of spice. There was even a good crunch to the crust.

I admit that I did smile!

The mashed potatoes tasted like they were out of a box, though.

All in all, I give it a thumbs up!

Home of Chicken and Waffles - Oakland

I was wandering around downtown Oakland today and ended up at Jack London Square around lunchtime. The picture at left is the Cheemah Mother of the Spirit-Fire monument.

On my way to a BBQ joint, I passed by Home of Chicken & Waffles. As many of my faithful readers know, I'm a sucker for fried chicken, especially when served with waffles.

I ordered Angie's Delight which is the chicken breast with waffle and a side of grits. The chicken was juicy but fairly bland. The waffle was crispy outside and soft inside although it was pretty thin. The grits hit the spot after my chilly morning of walking.

The server was nice and attentive and the food arrived quickly.

This place was a franchise of Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. I've got to say it has nothing on the original - the flavor of Roscoe's chicken alone is waaay better. However, you can't find Roscoe's in Northern California anymore so this is the next best thing.

Of course, dining experiences that requires a moist towelette at the end of the meal is good in my book.

High Hat Cafe

I joined a fellow board member from the LGBT Community Center to continue my eating journey down Freret Street. We went to High Hat Cafe. Right across from the Sojourner Truth Academy, it delivers on the promise of casual dining with locally sourced food.

I started with a Satsuma Lemonade and was convinced by the waitress to come back later to give their Satsuma mojitos a try.

My lunch was the fried chicken plate that came with pimento mac & cheese and a bowl of greens. The coating on the chicken was cornmeal and it delivered a nice crunch. The chicken itself was juicy and tender. I really enjoyed the mac & cheese and tried to get my dining companion to eat my greens. A pescetarian, she tasted the hamhock that the greens were cooked in and wouldn't take more than that single bite. She enjoyed the BBQ shrimp and a side of the stone ground grits, which she raved about. We finished the meal with the chocolate chess pie. The crust was flaky and the filling delicious, making the pie itself the perfect Southern ending for the meal.

We very much enjoyed our lunch and I'm looking forward to returning to try the catfish and their full bar.

Mr. Ed's

There is a family restaurant hidden in the residential Metairie neighborhood of Bucktown and they boast that they have the best fried chicken in the city. Not one to ignore such a claim or let it sit without challenge, I made special plans to go visit Mr. Ed's Restaurant.

I had spent the early morning protesting with Occupy NOLA and even made WDSU's slideshow (picture 1)! After walking from Tulane/Broad to Lafayette Square, we were ready for some good fried chicken.

Once we arrived, I was quickly served a very delicious Bloody Mary and a pretty tasteless salad composed of iceberg lettuce, a single cherry tomato and a single cucumber round. Good thing my drink contained two large olives, four pickled green beans and two cocktail onions or I wouldn't have gotten any veggies at all!

The fried chicken was three pieces that were cooked to order for us. It was piping hot and served on a bed of french fries. The coating was good and stayed with the chicken for every bite. It was not at all greasy. However, the chicken itself had very little flavor. I'd have to say that it was good but certainly not the best fried chicken I've had.

We shared a chocolate mousse cake that was a pretty good way to end the meal. Again, it was good but not spectacular.

Perhaps I'll head back and see if they do a better job on their Italian entrees.

Fried Chicken NOLA 1

So with all the parades this weekend, I decided to make a chicken run on my way home between Tucks and Endymion instead of having to cook. I could have gone by Popyeye's but I decided instead on McHardy's.

McHardy’s Chicken and Fixin is at 1458 N Broad St @ Esplanade

This isn't the place to go when you want chicken strips or to dine in. Their take out menu only starts at a half chicken and ends with 100 pieces. They also do fried fish and have good, thick fries. The coating is dry, so it isn’t too thick and it is deliciously spiced.

I got 10 pieces so I could enjoy it cold for lunch on Sunday between Thoth and Bacchus. Quite delicious.

Ad Hoc

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a fried chicken aficionado. I make a point to visit all the best chicken joints in any given city. Heck, during my last cross country drive, all my stops were mapped by Chick-Fil-A restaurant locations.

That being said, the best fried chicken I've ever put in my mouth is from a small place in Yountville, California. If you are ever in Northern California, especially around Calistoga, plan on making Ad Hoc one of your destinations.

Ad Hoc is one of Thomas Keller's restaurants and offers a prix fixe meal for around $50 a person. The buttermilk fried chicken is worth it, though. Be sure to call first--as they don't always serve it (Monday is usually a good bet).

They use a wet batter but the chicken is brined beforehand and the taste and crunch is exemplary. Perfectly seasoned, it is fried with just a few sprigs of rosemary in the oil to give it an extra dimension for the nose.

Now, I know that it is a bit out of the way for many people. While I encourage the trip, I do want to let you know about a way to cheat and get the experience in your own kitchen. Williams-Sonoma offers those who cook a chance to create this incredible meal at home. The Ad Hoc Fried Chicken Kit contains nearly everything you need and no-fail directions, too.

Whatever choice you make, your mouth and belly will thank you.

Cochon Restaurant

One of my favorite restaurants in the city (and by that, I mean one of the ones I've gone to more than twice) is Cochon. I love fire and the open kitchen with fire pit is incredibly attractive but, it is the food that keeps me coming back. The rabbit dumplings were so good, I burned my mouth in my haste to gobble it down. All of the pork dishes are sublime and even the fish was well done.

When the Saints are playing at home, they offer fried chicken for lunch. A wet coating is used that is crisp but just a bit too dense. The chicken itself is juicy and flavorful.

Their sides are pure Southern comfort from the mac and cheese, the creamy grits, the stuffed twice baked potato.

Be sure to go around the corner to the Butcher for high grade cuts of meat and artisan sausages and salamis. Place your special order for rabbit, etc on Wednesday and get it on Friday. One of these days, I will have to try their lunch menu as the sandwiches looked delicious the last time I stopped by.


Oh, and Chef Donald Link's book Real Cajun is a delightful read. While several of the recipes are a little too involved for most chefs, the love of food comes through. He doesn't just have pork recipes, although bacon plays a big part in many of them. There are plenty of finds for those who love the simple fare the Cajun's are known for.