Fried Chicken. The words just sound comforting don’t they?
I love it, and so I submitted a proposal to FoodBuzz 24×24 to do a FRIED CHICKEN FACE OFF, you know how I love a good taste test.
Much to my surprise they accepted my proposal and I found a bunch of friends who were more than willing to sacrifice their hearts and minds for this challenge. I say that literally because with 8 different fried chickens I think they now have clogged arteries.
The competitors:
A: Popeye’s
B: Knott’s Berry Farm
C: KFC
D: The Loft Hawaiian style fried chicken
E: Louisiana Fried Chicken
F: Albertson’s supermarket
G: Dinah’s Family Restaurant
H: Litz Restaurant
I laid each one out in it’s own basket, then gave everyone ballots to record their thoughts.
Tastiest flavor. Most Juicy. Greazy factor. Best Overall Chicken.
Everyone had a different opinion. Some liked spicy, some people liked more crunch, some people thought greazy was a good thing while others thought greazy was a BAD thing.
I invited friends all with kids around the same age – and the kids took part too. While they didn’t eat all 8 fried chickens of course, they still enjoyed ‘filling out the ballots’ and choosing their favorite. I don’t know if they realized I had only given them two different ones to try…
I put out some palate cleansers for in between bites: Chicken in a Biskit, Corn Salad, Celery and Carrots and of course…
…cupcakes! I CAN’T have a party without making cupcakes.
But chicken was the focus here. And the winner?
Albertson’s. What.
It was a true shocker because it was the one I added as kind of a joke. A supermarket fried chicken? The cheapest of them all? Crazy. But everyone loved it and it got the most points overall. The second place by only a few points was Dinah’s, which was also mighty tasty. The loser? Knott’s. ~sniff~
All in all it was great fun, and like every taste test there are surprises. Now I just need to figure out what to do with 10 zillion lbs of leftover fried chicken. Yikes.
**I know everyone is saying, where’s Honey Kettle, where’s Roscoe’s, Huckleberry, etc. and believe me, they were all on the list plus many more. But in alllll the years of taste tests I’ve done – 8 or 9 is pretty much the limit on anything. After that it’s all a blur. Therefore a Round 2 is probably in order…
Kid's lunches, simple dinners and a whole lot of geeky baking.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with 10 zillion lbs of leftover fried chicken.
Um, Miss Jenn? (raising my hand and volunteering)
I was partial to Albertson’s — before they packed up and nearly left town. I am envious that you have so many places to choose from!
Leftovers. I see the meat stripped for chicken salad and over green salads and maybe even the occasional casserole. Bones go for stock. Lucky that you have something already cooked!
Chicken cupcakes?
Gah! Sounds like so much fun! While I don’t eat it often, I do have a love of fried chicken. Since I grew up in the South, it’s no surprise really. Now I’m thinking I have to get some for the Hollywood Bowl tonight! Maybe from Albertson’s…I never shop there, but there is one down the street!
i don’t know of an albertson’s nearby, but our pavilions (aka. fancy vons) in weho makes darn tasty non-greasy fried chicken. i love that dinah’s came in second…haven’t been there in years because i can’t stand the sight of the german apple pancake, but the fried chicken is worth the trip.
Wow, Knott’s came in last? I’ve never had Knott’s, but I’ve been wanting to their famous Fried Chicken. Can’t believe Albertson’s came in first place. Intersting…
Wow! Very surprised by the winner, too!
Hurrah! Albertson’s! We get our fried chicken there all the time and the lady behind the counter knows us but good to know it won.
When I first opened this blog post I thought you’d fried all that! At any rate, you throw a good party.
I’ve been buying our fried chicken at Randall’s (Safeway) lately. They sell it cold and you just heat it up. I’ve given up on making it because it smells up the house and makes a mess. Eventually, I’ll try again, but I’m having more fun buying the friend chicken and making various sides (hence all the biscuits).
This is amazing! Kudos to you for such an awesome idea and even better execution. I’m only sad that KFC, Roscoe’s, and Honey’s Kettle weren’t in the running!
What about Golden Bird?! I think their broasted chix is wonderful, even though they are in the ‘hood.
Interesting…sometimes at work we go on fried chicken runs for lunch. Seems that the work favorite is LFC, but there is no consistency as each Louisiana chicken location varies in terms of taste and spice.
Adding pinoeer chicken and golden bird to your test would’ve been interesting as I like those brands.
You missed Honey’s Kettle in Culver City.
Dude, I didn’t even read this post. I just checked out your list to make sure Albertson’s was on it and then checked out the winner to make sure Albertson’s won. WTF do they do to that chicken? It’s so freaking good.
When you do round two, add Kyochan and Pollo Campero to the list! I really would love to see how those guys compare.
“What about…!?” “You missed…!?” “How could you not include…!?”
Howsabout all the armchair chicken face-offers just can the clucking over what wasn’t and instead savor the awesomeness that this was.
JustJenn, you rock.
Albertson’s here I come.
Hey, the new issue of Family Circle has 5 fried chicken recipes. I just thought you should know.
bbq chicken is 1000x better than kyochon!
Wow, there’s an Albertson’s right by my house. I haven’t ever tried theirs, but if I ever want the BEST fried chicken, then I’ll go there.