WOW! WOW! WOW! Does that adequately convey my enthusiasm for Chicken Delight?…read more
First of all, lets be honest about expectations. This review is for a cheap storefront operation, where you can satisfy your need for a fried chicken fix. The help was gregarious, they got my order correct, my dinner was fresh and hot, and the place was cleanish, if a little time worn.
It is not a Michelin starred restaurant...
If you go here expecting ambience, witty repartee', and an extensive wine cellar, you're F'n delusional!!!
That said, this particular location (HIdden in the strip mall at the circle where Knickerbocker Road, and Madison Ave. intersect.) has been serving up fresh, hot, fried chicken for 50 years give or take. THAT'S 50 YEARS PEOPLE!!! I know, because as a kid, my Dad would occasionally pick up a bucket with fries on a Friday night. I'd be salivating as soon as that ethereal aroma started to tug at my olfactories. How many other places do you know around here still serving it up after a half century?
Now I haven't stopped in here since maybe the 90's, possibly even the 80's, but decided I'm getting me some fried chicken for dinner, and you know what? In this world of food disappointments, and "NEW IMPROVED RECIPES" (always changed for the worse), Chicken Delight tastes exactly the same as I remember!!! Crispy, Juicy, Hot, and not oversalted like the big boy competitors KFC or Popeye's. The Snozberries taste like Snozberries, and the Chicken tastes like Chicken!!! Also, they've got old school Crinkle Cut French Fries, not the ones with the stay - crisp coating, which to me are inedible.
What I ordered:
A four piece meal, basically half a cut up chicken (not sure if it was a mistake, but I discovered a 5th piece, an extra wing hiding under my fries) a dinner roll (Yea just a soft little old dinner roll, not a biscuit) and the above mentioned, crinkle cut fries. $6.95
An order of ribs - just nice babybacks, (oddly enough served with two packets of Chinese Duck Sauce, as opposed to BBQ) that were pull apart tender, moist, and with just enough char. (These are not long - smoked BBQ ribs, OK? So don't order expecting those.) In the old days, their ribs were the big St. Louis Cut Spare Ribs, served separated, not as a rack. These were actually tastier. $10.95 for something a little smaller than a full rack.
The bottom line - Want to experience fried chicken as I did 45 or more years ago?
Want your Chicken Fried to order? (If a walk in like me, expect to wait 10 to 15 minutes.)
Are you constantly going back to KFC or Popeye's because it's easy, even if you think it doesn't taste as good as it used to, and you keep hoping that will somehow change?
Well then, get yourself over to the Cresskill/Dumont Circle, and experience some deep - fried euphoria of your own!!!
BTW - if you drive around the circle to Madison Ave. heading West, the first driveway on your right, will take you right to parking for the place.
Don't Cook Tonight! Call Chicken Delight!