BEST PLACES FOR FRIED CHICKEN

We have all tried recipes for fried chicken. From great recipes handed down for generations to tossing chicken pieces in a bag with "Shake n' Bake". If you are a Food Network junkie like me you have seen endless fried chicken competitions, visits by network chefs to famous fried chicken haunts and even famous chefs competing against very popular local chefs who serve fried chicken.

The toughest thing about making fried chicken is we all have a different perspectives on the breading...too thick...too thin...too much flour...too much grease....

So since most of my followers are from New England, Chicago and the Pacific Northwest...here are the best places for fried chicken for 2010 as determined by Bon Appetit Magazine. In no particular order:

Trina's Starlite Lounge
Somerville, Massachussetts
3 Beacon Street
617-576-0006
trinastarlitelounge.com
This comfort spot serves the best and meanest version of fried chicken and waffles north of Harlem. The chicken is served with a hot pepper syrup.

Big Jones
Chicago, Illinois
5347 N. Clark Street
773-275-5725
bigjoneschicago.com
If its Tuesday, you will find fried chicken junkies at this Andersonville hangout. The chicken is served with beans, mashed potatoes and cornbread. Chickens are from the local Gunthorp Farms.

Pine State Biscuits
Portland, Oregon
2640 SE Belmont Street
503-236-3346
pinestatebiscuits.com
Purists will certainly debate whether boneless fried chicken is really proper fried chicken at all. But if taste alone is the deciding factor then the "Reggie" boneless fried chicken, bacon and cheese with gravy on a biscuit certainly qualifies....no calories there.

Others that made the list:

Huckleberry in Santa Monica, CA
Little Skillet in San Francisco, CA
Pies 'n' Thighs in Brooklyn, NY
Fearing's in Dallas, TX
Cork Market & Tasting Room in DC
Resurrection Ale House in Philadelphia, PA
Bar Symon in Avon Lake, OH


So if you go...go to these!
ENJOY!