Pollo Club’s Fried Chicken
When the team behind Moody’s Deli opened up a fried chicken spot, we could practically smell the goodness all the way from Waltham. Located right on Restaurant Row, Pollo Club aims to elevate what it means to be a fried chicken restaurant. Start your meal off with their deviled eggs sprinkled with espelette pepper, then move over to the star of the show: the fried chicken. You get to choose your type of meat, and all options are served with a buttermilk biscuit and two sauces. And as much as we love it fried, their half rotisserie chicken dinner is another delicious option. Visiting with a vegetarian friend? Pollo Club also offers a halloumi sandwich with mango chutney and minted cabbage, as well as a tofu banh mi. Catch our show on Saturday, January 11th to see just how much we loved it.
Hot new location, hot fried chicken. Lily P’s Fried Chicken + Oysters is one of Kendall Square’s recent additions that specializes in pressure fried chicken. Choose from original, hot, or black pepper honey (read that again: black pepper honey), or go for one of their sandwiches. We’re eyeing the Lower Broadway sandwich: Nashville hot chicken with Lily P’s southern slaw and mayo. But don’t just come for the chicken; come for the fun. Inside the restaurant you’ll find shuffleboard tables, darts, bar games, and live music. It’s truly an eat + play experience to add to your Cambridge bucket list.
When thinking about fried chicken, Sarma may not be the first restaurant to come to mind. But if you’ve been to Sarma, it should be. One of the coolest things about Sarma’s concept is that in addition to their regular menu, servers come around the restaurant offering nightly specials. It isn’t always easy to say no as the trays pass by, especially when they’re showcasing Sarma’s Turkish-style fried chicken. The crispy chicken thighs are served with a sesame and nigella seed coating with a tahini remoulade and are incredibly flavorful. If you seemed to have missed this dish during your meal, you can generally order it from their late-night menu. Go soon, and go hungry.
Another Kendall Square gem is The Automatic, a partnership between East Coast Grill founder Chris Schlesinger and B-Side Lounge alum Dave Cagle. They’re primiarly known for their outrageous bar snacks and late-night eats, but there’s a sandwich on the menu that should not be overlooked. The Automatic’s Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich is served with gochujang, kimchi, and cilantro. The variety of flavors (spicy, tangy, and sweet) is what makes this sandwich so interesting. If you can manage to save room for dessert, or just need a beverage to wash down your meal, order one of their mudslides and call it a win.
Over in the heart of Back Bay you’ll find Buttermilk & Bourbon offering fried chicken with a side of Southern hospitality. The vibrant, cozy restaurant serves a Southern-inspired menu with dishes like BBQ shrimp, moonshine mussels, and alligator meatballs. But of course, the fried chicken too. Guests can choose to have their house-fried chicken served either Southern-style, Nashville-style, or with sweet & spicy or white BBQ sauce. The buttermilk fried chicken is well seasoned with a perfect crisp crunch and juicy center. Heading in for brunch? You know you’re getting chicken & waffles, but more specifically, cheddar-bourbon waffles with honey butter. Now that’s worth setting a weekend alarm for.
