Good Fried Chicken

Around Knoxville, you use to be able to buy good fried chicken but that is not the case anymore. I am not sure if KFC ran them all off or what. I would drive 100 miles for some gooooood fried chicken along with some good chicken gravy, cole slaw and hot bisquits. If anyone knows of such a wonderful place, I wanna go and soon. I like it moist on the inside and a real crunch outside or crust.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I don't know if Nashville is within 100 miles (I don't think so), but Lovelass Cafe south of Nashville has one of the best fried chicken dinners in the country. I don't remember anything about cole slaw there, but if you like country veggies, they've got 'em. I've taken many clients and co-workers there, and I've yet to get a bad review.

It's worth the extra miles. They also make their own preserves. I think Michael Stern likes the Peach preserves best, but I'm a Blackberry fan.

You indicated that Loveless Cafe is south of Nashville. Do you have an address, city or approximate location.

Thanks
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

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Originally posted by Sundancer7

You indicated that Loveless Cafe is south of Nashville. Do you have an address, city or approximate location.

Thanks
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

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I agree; they have some of the best:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=198

If it wasn't so late, I think I would drive down tonight. I gotta have a good fried chicken fix and PDQ

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Michael, in your extensively traveled expertise, where is the best fried chicken in America?

I want to go there!!!!

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

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Originally posted by Sundancer7

Michael, in your extensively traveled expertise, where is the best fried chicken in America?

I want to go there!!!!

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

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Oh, boy, is that a loaded question! But I don't mind taking the plunge. At this moment, for classically excellent fried chicken, I vote for [url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1266']Buntyn[/url] in Memphis:



But for great fried chicken with a twist, I like [url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=343']The Bon Ton Mini Mart[/url] (Sorry, too delirious to photograph the food!) or the "Bar-B-Que chicken" (actually pan fried, then quick-dipped in hot BBQ sauce at [url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=621']Keaton's[/url], not too far from you near Statesville, NC:

Memphis is exactly 387 miles from Knoxville and I needed an excuse to go there anyway. I am going to Buntyn's PDQ. Great pic

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

The best fried chicken in America? Easy. In Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And now's the time to go. It's Carnival, and during Carnival they fry up absolutely great chicken right on the square in the center of town. The secret? They skin the chicken, roll it in spices similar to jerk, then deep fry it.

Ambrosia!

I wish I could go there but my obligations keep me from doing what I want. The islands are out of the question. I am on a fried chicken salary and definately can't go there now. Wish I could.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Ok, now you know I have to disagree and report that the absolute BEST fried chicken is in Mississippi...at The Dinner Bell

OK mike, where is it located?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

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Originally posted by Sundancer7

OK mike, where is it located?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

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[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=648']Right here![/url]

Right on and thanks

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Go VOLS

Thanks for those pictures that made me drool all over my key board
I made it to The Loveless Motel last October, driving all day, from
The Gulf Coast, running away from Hurricane Lilly, got off I-65 and weaved
over to the Loveless, just in time to park a trailer in the back of the
restaurant, put the poor dogs in the trailer to smell all that fried chicken ...
The Parking Lot smelled so good out back ...
Poor Dogs, we walk in to the restaurant, and they asked us if their were any more in our party, then turned off the front sign ... What timing
The chicken was delicious, and the dressing ... Had to be made from the biscuits & cornbread... It was so good I bought their Tee Shirt
Gulf Coast to Nashville ... 500 miles ... Nashville to Detroit ... 600 miles
Can't wait to go back
Nice roadtrip, but the Dogs aren't happy when you come out w/o leftovers

For those a little to the left of Knoxville, here are some great chicken places on the Left Coast...

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles - Pasadena, Ca. and a couple locations in Los Angeles, Ca. Featured in a number of movies, Roscoe's is an eclectic mix of great waffles and great fried chicken. The cliente is always a strange mix of neighborhood folks, suburban explorers, and the famous or infamous.

Lois the Pie Queen - in Oakland, Ca. near the Berkely border. A really tiny place located a block off MLK Blvd. Where else can you get fried chicken and pork chops for breakfast? Lois still has the old fashioned counter, lots of locally produced art on the walls, and photos of the famous who have somehow found their way in. Yes, the pies are fit for a queen. The biscuits are to die for as is the conversations with the last of the social radicals on Saturday and Sunday.

My brother and I own a NHRA race team and we are in Pomona every February and November and we always go to Roscoe's for the chicken and waffle's REAL GOOD. Featured in "Pulp Fiction"

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I second THAT emotion!
Yes, Lois the Pie Queen [851 60th @ Adeline in O-Town] makes some rockin' fried chicken - but I have to say I've encountered a good number of places that serve or feature chicken and/or pork chops for breakfast. Just not enough of them around here....
I didn't get to try Roscoe's in Oakland until they moved from Broadway over to Grand, across from Lake Merritt. I loved & lived for their brunch buffet - a little Southern heaven in the Bay Area - and was shocked to find them closed down without any indication of whether they would reopen. I keep meaning to try Roscoe's down in L.A. (on Pico & La Brea?), but always seem to have other culinary quests to conquer.
Hungrily,
Richard
Berkeley,CA

No question as to the best.

Mrs. Rowe's Family Restaurant, just off of I-81, north of the junction of 81 and I-64, in Staunton, Virginia.

We love the place. After the terrorist attacks in 2001, my wife turned to me at one point and said, "Well, if this is it, if it's all over for us, let's head to Staunton. I'm not getting done in before I have a last helping of fried chicken and mashed potatoes."

Boy you folks are driving me mad for some of that chicken at Rowe's will have stop next time I make that I-81 run.

The Loveless Cafe is on Highway 100, southwest of Nashville. I am not sure how many miles, but not too far.

My vote goes to Stroud's in Kansas City.

Both locations are great. The fried chicken is just like my grandma used to make, back in the good ol' days when frying in lard wouldn't shoot my cholesterol through the roof.

I challenge anybody to think about dessert after their chicken breast dinner - which includes three breasts, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, green beans, salad and hot cinnamon rolls.

The pictures of Rush Limbaugh on the wall are a good indicator of why he developed a couple of chins after regularly eating at Strouds when he worked with the Royals. But once in a blue moon, I can afford the calories.

Tim G.

In the Chicago area, the best is the White Fence Farm.

quote:

In the Chicago area, the best is the White Fence Farm.

If Chicago is going to get into the game, I have to mention - on behalf of the thousands of drunken U of C students who have been nourished there and thrived - Harold's Chicken Shack. A friend of mine used to live near the corner of Woodlawn and 53rd, right across from their location in the Kenmore Plaza. Grab a couple of quarter darks with hot sauce, get some Schiltz at the liquor store and head back up to watch the Bulls with chicken and beer. Along with the Swissburgers at Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap, Harold's chicken sustained me through my time in Hyde Park.

JL

Michael (or anyone in the know)-
Any suggestions for good fried chicken right here in Fairfield County, CT? Stew Leonard's is inconsistent at best, and they don't use the skin. Popeye's would be great if I didn't have to travel to NYC.
Thanks,
Alan

The best commercially available Fried Yardbird in the world is currently available on Oak St. in New Orleans at Jacquimo's. It is being floured and fried by Austin Leslie. Formerly of Chez Helene, a soul food emporium with few peers. The place is small and always packed, but there is a great nightspot next door (The Maple Leaf Bar) and a happening live music scene in the neighborhood. The best fried chicken in the world is available to those in the know at my mama's house in Chatham, LA., but you gotta know somebody to get a table.. I would also like to point out, while we are on the subject, that really good fried chicken comes from real chickens, not chickenhouse process chickens. The flavor is like night and day. I don't much go for all of that free range business, but yard chickens are a whole lot tastier than ones from Wally World.

Mayhaw Man

That is big news -- the whereabouts of Austin Leslie. I won't make it to NO till sometime in the fall. I hope he'll still be there. Wasn't there another very good place called Eddie's or something close.

breezy heights tavern

near route 70 just outside of washington pa on the way to bethany wva you will find breezy heights tavern and one of the best fried chickens around . actually broasted , its got a tender tasty crust and a juicy inside. Make sure you eat in the old dining room - apparently someone was a hunter and in that room type of stuffed animal head will gaze down at you as you dine ;for those who may get nervous with all the peering eyes looking down there are other areas available.

Dearfolk,
The Loveless Cafe is about 12 miles, maybe fifteen, southwest of Nashvegas. Jest (speling corect) git you on Number 100 Highway towards Memphis; hit's a ways out on yer right. If'n ye cross the county line, ye done gone to far: turn aroun' an' go back.
While I do live in Athens, Georgia, it's been aeons since I've chomped down on a piece of Weaver D.'s fried chicken. Too many things there are too good; I haven't been there because I tend to overeat!
My two other Athens recommendations would have to be Wilson's Soul Food on North Hull Street and Plantation Buffet on M. L. K. right where it turns back into Commerce Road, just inside the perimeter.
Additionally, The Gateway Cafe will fix you fried chicken for breakfast and not look at you funny. Pie as well.
I've run upon a new-to-me place that serves a killer breakfast until 3:00 P. M. seven daze a week. They have fresh vegetables every day, with a rotating menu. The place is The Normaltown Cafe' and it is located at 175B Tallassee Road. They originally started on Prince Avenue in Normaltown, but lucked onto this location a few months ago. Since moving, their menu is expanding one item at a time... now they have ham/cheeseburgers where they didn't before! - And everything is from scratch, uninstant, and hand-made. Yum. I only wish they stayed open later than 9:00 P. M., because it's 8:58 right now and I've still got some more to do here before the library closes.
When I encounter somemorepossibilities to add here, I'll repOrt. back to y'all.
Ramblingly, Ort. Carlton in crackling good Athens, Georgia.

Dearfolk,
Dadgonespacerkeydoesn'twanttowork.Dagnabbit.Dingbustit.
Runonically,Ort.Carlton.

My favorite chains are Bojangle's, Popeye's and Lee's Famous Recipe.

My favorite independent is Vint's, located in Greenville, Ohio, south of Wayne Hospital on Sweitzer Street (OH 49).

Have to add one for anyone that might be traveling to northwest Arkansas -- AQ Chicken, one in Fayetteville, one in Springdale. Great pan-fried chicken, just the way gramma made it. Great sides too -- like sweet potato casserole, and dipped fries (the french fries are fried, then dipped in batter and fried again). Ozark smothered chicken -- a breast smothered in Swiss cheese, mushrooms and white gravy. Makes ya wanna slap ya mama.

If you are all stuck up north, I would recommend the broasted chicken at Guernsey Farms, a family owned dairy and restaurant in Northville, Michigan. It is delightful chicken, not greasy, big meaty pieces with just enough crust to form a thin coating. And they cook the potatoes the same way -- they are served with sour cream, not ketsup, although they taste fine with that, too.

Signman, right you are. Eddies is on Law St. in the seventh ward. Great place to eat, but REALLY hard to find and not exactly in a gardenspot neighborhood (call ahead, they have a great buffet one night a week, but not always the same night). It is run by the Bacquet family, who have been cooking around town in various spots for a hundred years or so. They also have a place on Oak St. just down from Jacquimos that does a great job on all of the Creole Standards (housed in the former location of Constantins, a really great place that was closed because the husband a wife couldn't raise children and run rest. at the same time). The Bacquets ran a place on Washington avenue near Dillard U that was one of the best breakfast/lunch places in town, but again, closed. Dunbars does a pretty good job on fried chicken as well. If you like fried chicken livers (mmmmm, how can you not like them), the spot to go is The Praline Connection. Cheap and plentiful and delicious.

Austin Leslie is a KING among chicken chefs, but I'd say Jacques-Imo's (like the song chorus) is tied with Zachary's, just a few doors down on Oak Street. I think their chef is Eddie Baquet, who used to have Eddie's, a great soul food place. I'd like to visit both of these gems right now and have my very own taste-off. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong; both places take me back to Chez Helene, late of N. Robertson St. in N.O., which was, as far as I'm concerned, THE place.

Parenthetically, when I was 7 years old, I went across the country w/ my family and wrote "jackie's Fried Chicken Guide to America" in which I had an elaborate rating system based on juiciness, crunchiness, etc. I remember a fabulous place in a cabin in the Smoky MTNS. where the bird was served with a side of local honey; it's probably long gone, as that was about 40+ years ago.

Jackier: After I graduated from high school, I spent the summer in Gatlinburg working at the Pioneer Inn, which was a log cabin and they served great fried chicken. I worked there for three months before I started school at the University of Tennessee. I was wondering if that might have been the log cabin in the Smokies you were referring to?

That was in 1960

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Laughing Goddess

Have to add one for anyone that might be traveling to northwest Arkansas -- AQ Chicken, one in Fayetteville, one in Springdale. Great pan-fried chicken, just the way gramma made it. Great sides too -- like sweet potato casserole, and dipped fries (the french fries are fried, then dipped in batter and fried again). Ozark smothered chicken -- a breast smothered in Swiss cheese, mushrooms and white gravy. Makes ya wanna slap ya mama.

I also love AQ's pan fried chicken but my son is partial to their Over The Coals Chicken. The chicken pieces are breaded and are then put (guess what?) over the coals. The pieces come out with grill marks and a great burnt/crunchy crust. A unique and wonderful chicken experience.

I can vouch for Laughing Goddess and Howard Baratz' high recommendations of AQ's pan fried chicken and french fries (also its rolls), but am unfamiliar with its "more exotic" dishes such as "Over the Coals" and "Ozark Smothered" chicken. They surely sound good and am looking forward to trying them next time up that way. Will save them for dinner to avoid James at the Mill's night time prices; will hit it for its great and bargain priced lunches and do AQ for dinner. That goodness for presence of the original AQ Chicken House in Springdale and for the Venesian Inn and the old Mary Maestri's out at Tontitiown for weekend eating when in school there years ago (and for presence of Jug Wheeler's Drive In and George's on Dixon Street in Fayetteville all of the time).

Liketoeat,

Don't forget Maxine's Taproom. I was rudely awakened to my surroundings when I found out that my newly acquired 18 year old status would not get me very far, unlike Louisiana, where 18 was legal age. Maxine's seemed to understand my plight and was very loose on the ID's and very easy on the pocketbook. I also remember being in the know on when to go to the driveup at Dickson St Liquor. If the right people were in the window, they were happy to accomodate. Used to see former Governor (and future POTUS) at On the Corner eating a French Dip. He was between jobs at the time, teaching at the Law School (I think).

Liketoeat,

Don't know if I've mentioned this on the board before, but Miles James of James at the Mill is opening a new place, called Ella's, in the new Inn at Carnall Hall on Maple St. No word yet on what the menu will be like, but they sure are doing a great job on the building's renovation. There's a little info here: http://www.innatcarnallhall.com/ The inn itelf is already booked up for every single football weekend, even though it's not even open yet.

I've never tried the over-the-coals chicken at AQ because the pan-fried's so good, but will have to get it next time. Nothing like bringing a bucket of AQ chicken to the drive-in on a hot summer night.

Laughing Goddess, years ago the original AQ had nothing but different types of the pan fried chicken, and in more recent years when I've been thru there, like you, I've not ventured out from the pan fried because of knowing how good it is. I will have to go to the over-the-coals and your Ozark smothered next time I'm there. Yes, you did earlier mention Carnell Hall renovation into the Inn and fact Miles James would be doing the restaurant there. That was first I knew of either event. Then in new issue of Alum magazine last week there was a small article on Carnell Hall, but really poor & inadequate coverage, I felt, not nearly as good info as that you have provided. Thanks for the website. I'll surely check it out. Regardless of how other things are at the Carnell Inn, you know the food there will be just over the top in all regards with Miles James in charge.

Mayhaw, when first read your post I could not place Maxine's Taproom, but now its come back to me. By time I was familiar with it I was over age 21, so it did not have the memories of challenge which George's held. As far I as know, when I was there you could get a beer, with varying degrees of ease/difficulty, at most places in Fayetteville before the age of 21 except from Mary (bless her soul) who ran that tight ship at George's. While some folks may have done so, I never knew anyone (including myself) who ever get a beer from Mary before the age of 21, regardless of what you tried. We used to go in there, knowing we weren't going to get one, but just to play the game of seeing if we could beat her, and we never did. Never knew a barmaid/tavern keeper like her. And no one could ever call out, "Draw One" like she could. Will never forget the evening of my 21st birthday walking in there with friends and so proudly flopping down that legit ID and having my first beer at George's! Mentioned Jug Wheeler's in earlier post. Think you could drive into Jug's and get a beer even if you were still in diapers. Most other Fayetteville taverns, restaurants, etc. in my day lay somewhere between the extremes of Jug's and George's in ease/difficulty of getting a beer before age 21.

Are either of you familiar with the Tontitown Grape Festival? Recently noticed its scheduled this year for mid-August. Haven't been there in years, but it really used to be a blast. All of these topics are ones of great memories.

Laughing Goddess, thank you so much for the website info. It was wonderful! So enjoyed it. And you Roadfooders with no interest whatsoever in Univ. of Ark., go to this http://www.innatcarnallhall.com/ website which Laughing Goddess provides simply to link to the Inn at the Mill and especially James at the Mill websites to read of that place for such great dining experiences, see pictures of and re it, its cookbooks, and especially some menu info and photos of some of its vertical food offerings. Thanks again, Laughing Goddess. You made my day.

quote:

Originally posted by Liketoeat

Laughing Goddess, years ago the original AQ had nothing but different types of the pan fried chicken, and in more recent years when I've been thru there, like you, I've not ventured out from the pan fried because of knowing how good it is. I will have to go to the over-the-coals and your Ozark smothered next time I'm there.

The real solution to the AQ dilemma is to order an all you can eat chicken dinner or mixed chicken dinner. With either of these options you can get a combo of pan fried, over the coals, and bar-b-q chicken. Personally, I am not very impressed with AQ's bar-b-q but the other 2 are knockouts.

By the way, the Ozark Smothered is a different dish and must be ordered as a meal.

Howard, thanks so much for the great suggestion. Seems that to try it all at least two visits will be required to the AQ, which is something not at all bad. And surely can get 2/3 of the job done with one visit with your all you can eat combo suggestion. Looking forward to hopefully being that way this fall and catching up on my AQ eating.

As to Laughing Goddess' much appreciated http://www.innatcarnallhall.com/ website which I recommended for everone, when first going to it earlier this afternoon, had no trouble linking from it to and then clicking through all the various sections of the James at the Mill and Inn at the Mill links, but later on was at times getting error messages when trying to link to either of those or for some of the various sections in both of those Mill links. Then when would return to them a bit later they would be ok; then would be back bad, so don't know the problem. Hope it clears up or that you all will try again, for they are all worth a look.

"Pan Fried Chicken Dinner", being served exactly the same way since 1952 in a very special location. West Seattle. 1/2 block from the beach, surrounded by Apartments, Condos etc; Sit's a Stone and Wood Mansion built in 1905, converted to a Restaurant in 1952. The "Alki Homestead Restaurant", fill's up with regular customers daily by 6:00PM for it traditional American meals [Doesn't need to advertise]. The specialty is the "Pan Fried Chicken Dinner", with Crunchy Peppery Coating, real Giblet Gravy, Homemade Bisquits, Creamy Fresh Mashed Potatoes, Assorted Fresh Vegetables [seasonal]. They serve Prime Rib and other items but Chicken rules. Reasonably priced, great athmosphere, parking and kid [grandkids?] friendly. Feels like Old time America, Have to shake your head to remember your in Seattle.

wesza, Seattle is totally out of my terrritory, but "Aki Homestead Restaurant" sounds like a wonderful institution, totally the opposite of all I'd ever thought of Seattle as being, and its meal offerings sound super delicious; definitely the kind of restaurant that any city should be proud to claim. Surely wish I'd sometimes have opportunity to try it.

I like the fried chicken that I get in (don't laugh) the Deli at Publix Supermarkets. Eight pieces to a box, and they are meaty, and the breading has just the right amount of black pepper in it.

Had lunch today for first time in about four years at Tradewinds Restaurant in DeWitt, AR,. a small town only about 30 mi. away but in a direction I seldom have occasion to travel. Was talking with chef & owner who said they bought place about a year ago but had attempted to keep everything pretty much as it always was. They've succceeded in that it seems, save for one thing, their fried chicked - and that was much improved from what I remembered as always being good restaurant fried chicken. This today, though, was liked mama cooked-at-home skillet fried chicken - beautifully crispy on outside and so moist, juicy, and flavorful on the inside; truly some of the best fried chicken I've had in years. Am sure it will not be another four years before my return; rather will be there next time I'm fried chicken hungry. Tradewinds has order-from-menu service and a small (compared with most) noontime buffet, and odd operating hours - 6A till 1:30P Sun. thru Fri. plus 5 to 9P Thurs. & Fri.; closed all day Sat. All I ate there today was good, but the total quality of that fried chicken was surely a most unexpected and pleasant surprise.

A good place for chicken that is not well known is The Skyview Club in Kaukauna Wisconsin. It is also very inexpensive. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

I dont known if its still there, However the Smithfeild Inn , In of course Smithfeild Va. Was the best Fried Chicken in my experience.

The best fried chicken I ever had was near Lexington, KY at Georgetown (just a short hop north of Lex on I-75). Name of the place is Jessie Pearl's Country Kitchen. It's right at the main intersection in Georgetown. Modest little place with great home cooked food. While in Kentucky, we were searching for the perfect fried chicken dinner and found it at Jessie Pearl's.

I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, and I can definitely sympathize with anyone trying to find good fried chicken up here. This is much more a pizza, hot dog, greek food kind of town.

The best fried chicken I've found is at Gladys on the South Side. If you're white, you'll probably be the only white person in there. It used to be in the shadow of the Robert Taylor Homes housing project before most of those bleak high rises saw the wrecking ball. It was a classy place 10 years ago when I was last there, and I assume it still is.

Also, the fried chicken wings at Leon's BBQ, with numerous South Side locations, are worth a try. Avoid the hot sauce, however, as all you can taste is the heat and it covers up the nice flavor of the chicken. I don't know how Leon's does it, but it comes up with some of the largest chicken wings you'll ever see, with huge pieces of fried skin hanging off various parts. I can't even imagine the fat content these must have. The fried skin just melts in your mouth. I usually order mine with sauce on the side for dipping, but others like them covered with sauce. That makes them rather messy to eat.

Harold's is also OK, but nothing out of the ordinary. They're all over.

I plan to try White Fence Farms this weekend, and I'll report back. I also want to try Hecky's fried chicken in Evanston. I was there last week but was told fried chicken would be a 10-minute wait - and I didn't have the time. Their BBQ chicken is excellent.

Well, if believe the ads, KFC fried chicken has less Fat than a BK Whopper....and even less if you take off the skin. That in istelf is sacrilegious.

Charles' Southern Style soul food on Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem has great southern fried chicken.

Stater Brothers Markets here in the Los Angeles area has Fried Chicken from their Deli Section that gives KFC, Church's, and Popeye's some stiff competition. It has to be fresh out of the pressure cooker, if it sits too long it just isn't any good. For the price, it just can't be beat. I know, I can't believe I am saying it
either. And I grew up in the South. I know Fried Chicken!

Around here if you want GOOD chicken you are better to go to a local supper club(I mentioned Skyview before) or some of the local wedding hall type places than to hope for good KFC stuff.

Barberton Ohio (near Akron) is famous for a secret recipe fried chicken. It has a flavor like no other! There are four or five restaurants in Barberton that all specialize in this fabulous chicken-plus they all serve it with the best skin-on long, skinny french fries just like Boardwalk used to have. I have seen recipes online for Barberton chicken and have tried a couple, but they are just NOT the same! I live in NE Arizona now and sure miss it!

A lady in our company Parent's owned a fried chicken place in a old brick building in Barberton, OH and all they sold was fried chicken. I do not know the name of the place but they were famous and the place was featured on the town picture. They were European and maybe were Czeck. I was there once and the chicken was excellent. I have not been there for many years.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Buntyn's in Memphis is pretty hard to beat! However, I live in Indianapolis, so I guess I need to plug a local restaurant. If you're in Indy and want fried chicken, check out Hollyhock Hill at 82nd and College. They've got the family style fried chicken dinner, and it's great. You can smell the lard on it when they bring it out!;)

I posted the Red Barn Chicken Breading recipe on the Burger message board, a member suggested I post the recipe on the chicken message board also. I was told that Accent makes a flavor enhancer if you want to replace the MSG

Hi Paul,
Thanks for visiting my site. The chicken breading recipe was quite simple; flour, fine ground black and white pepper,salt, baking powder and MSG. The key was pressure cooking. The old Red Barn cookers are long gone and were only made by one company in Ohio. The cooker was never reproduced as made in the 70's because the cleaning of this particular cooker took hours(newer units are easy to clean, so I hear), heavy pressure weights had to soak over night, overhead filters would clog and have to be cleaned, I know from personal experience! I know that there are home pressure frying units out there, but I have not found one that I think would do the job. As for who made the breading, Bulk ingredients were trucked into one location(don't know where), and then packaged by Servomation Corp. the company that owned the Red Barn system, at that time ingredients did not have to be listed, so the breading came in a plain white Red Barn chicken breading 20 lb.bag with the Red Barn logo. As for the restaurants, the last lease for the Red Barn franchise ran out in or about 1986, after that there were no more licensed products, cups, paper item etc. made. This is probably more then you wanted to know, but I hope you get a kick out of it!
http://barnbuster.homestead.com/