Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Jim2903)

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:07:11 GMT

I discovered Hill Country Chicken by accident a couple weeks ago. Great place ...

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Pigiron)

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:13:25 GMT

ken8038

I've been both a NY City dweller and a NJ suburbs dweller. The foods good in NJ too. I'm never at a loss for some funky hot dog stand, pizza joint, roadfood stop or old school deli or Italian restaurant. Maybe not as "foodie" oriented but good in it's own way.

I'll clarify a bit. My world is pretty much limited to North Jersey (Bergen and Hudson counties for the most part), so I can't speak for the rest of the state. Yes, there is some great food up by me- particularly Italian and Asian. There's fantastic pizza, some world-class bakeries and some great pubs. But, generally speaking- the chain restaurants rule the land. They are EVERYWHERE. And it's pervasive in the culture too. I'm finding that the majority of families that I've met patronize chain restaurants more often than independent restaurants . And yes, there is indeed good food and a smattering of great food around, but you have to really look for it.

As for hot dogs, if you know of a single place in Bergen County besides Hiram's where I can get a decent dog, please let me know! This Jersey Hot Dog thing feels like nothing more than an urban legend to me!

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Pigiron)

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:06:38 GMT

RCDoggin

Pie shakes?

It's a milkshake in which they throw a little mini pie into the blender with the ice cream and milk.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (CCinNJ)

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:55:03 GMT

See...now that amusement park idea between Hill Country Chicken & BBQ is not such a bad idea.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (ken8038)

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:48:57 GMT

(I have no such issues since I moved to Bergen County. It's a very, very sad food scene in the suburbs)

I've been both a NY City dweller and a NJ suburbs dweller. The foods good in NJ too. I'm never at a loss for some funky hot dog stand, pizza joint, roadfood stop or old school deli or Italian restaurant. Maybe not as "foodie" oriented but good in it's own way.

Just to keep this on-topic, I do plan to try Hill Country Chicken. One thing I've not been able to find in NJ is really good fried chciken. Thanks for the tip.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (RCDoggin)

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:54:36 GMT

Pie shakes?

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (rumaki)

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:16:16 GMT

Sounds good! I'll definitely try to get there in November. Thanks.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Pigiron)

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:59:09 GMT

What I find amazing is the flavor. Its in the crust and penetrates the meat The crust is tender and a little sweet- kind of like peppery cornbread. There's a good amount of salt and paprika too (I'm pretty sure they shake a spice mixture onto the pieces after they fry). And the meat is moist beyond belief, even the enormous breasts.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (rumaki)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:13:51 GMT

I'll be in NYC in November, so I would certainly consider going to this place.
Aside from the size of the pieces, what makes this chicken so special? I'm actually a little concerned about enormous chicken parts, which in my experience can sometimes be tough.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Pigiron)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:46:40 GMT

GB: I lived on 22nd street for 6 years. I also had Ess-A-Bagel, Defonte's, Artichoke, Momufuku Milk Bar, City Bakery and Eataly to deal with!

I have no such issues since I moved to Bergen County. It's a very, very sad food scene in the suburbs.

Re:Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (GB944)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:34:54 GMT

I keep meaning to stop there when I'm in the vicinity, but I keep getting highjacked by Hill Country BBQ, RUB, and Shake Shack. Oh, what a lovely dilemma!

Hill Country Chicken, New York, NY (Pigiron)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:40:47 GMT

I am now fully prepared to declare that Hill Country Chicken has the very best fried chicken I've ever had anywhere in the world. It's so good that I need to put myself on a program to limit my consumption. I would eat it every day if left unchecked. I had it for lunch today and I want to have it for dinner too.

I recommend the classic recipe, but the Mama El's (skinless) is also surprisingly excellent.

Yes, the sides and pies and pie shakes are great, but not life changing, like that damned chicken.

And yes, $5.50 is very expensive for a single chicken breast, but a) it's NY, whaddaya gonna do? and b) it really is an enormous piece of chicken.

Summary: It's really, really good.

Pigiron