104 - VFC, 2021 Update 🍗
Hey there, !
It’s been about 100 posts since my last Vincent’s Fried Chicken list was posted - see VFC nearly 2 years ago.
Thought it might be a good idea for an update - things to look forward to after lockdown!
As a reminder, this is a subjective favourites list, that uses the following assessment criteria:
- The batter is crunchy and full of different fissures and crevasses to hold the spices and seasonings (and have some strong crunch factors!)
- It can’t be too separate from the chicken either; it’s the worst when you can just pull the chicken out of its shell…they should be joined as one unit!
- The chicken is juicy and hot when you bite into it, and the meat has a little resistance to your bite
- It can’t be underdone, but it can’t be overcooked either (dry meat sucks)
- Doesn’t really matter which cut of meat it is, as long as everything else is kept in mind
- The combination of the batter and the chicken needs to be the right ratio as well - not too starchy, but not too weak and flimsy either
- It’s not super oily to the point where it’s making everything too slippery to eat
- The seasoning is strong but not overpowering (there’s no need for sauces that drown the flavour of the chicken itself - which is why you won’t see buffalo wings on my list)
- I haven’t experienced this often, but sometimes the taste of chicken itself has been changed because of the brining - I’ve had a super herby tea (?) based brine that unlocked even more wondrous flavours!
Without further ado - top 3 fried chicken places to go:
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Gym Chicken - this used to be Clayton BBQ Chicken from the previous post, but it has since shut up shop, and the brother store has opened up on Police Rd in Springvale. I don’t think I’ve every said no to go to this place, and it’s one of the only places that I will go out of my way to get to for the fried chicken. The ratio of crunch to chicken, the pieces of chicken (either boneless or boned), the spice of the batter and the quality of the combination makes this top of the list. It has a much more uni-vibe for me, but that’s what I like. No fuss, no muss, just perfect fried chicken.
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Belle’s Hot Chicken - literally the best southern fried chicken I can find in Melbourne. I tried Sonny’s (another joint) for their fried chicken as it has been recommended as comparable, but the breast is real dry, and the batter is just…not as nice. Belle’s seasoning is still one of the best in the business, and the buckets are extremely good value. It also has the best array of sides (mac and cheese is a standout!) that you can get when compared to any other place on this list - so it’s better as an overall ‘restaurant’ vibe.
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Miss Katie’s Crab Shack - sounds weird, but this New Orleans eatery, supposedly more well known for its seafood, serves up some of the most flavourful, lovely fried chicken you’ll ever eat. It has the most interesting mixture of herbs and seasoning I’ve ever had; I don’t think there’s anywhere else that has something so unique. The fried chicken is served with waffles usually, which is alright, but the fried chicken just shines. Highly recommended.
Honourable Mentions that didn’t make the cut
- Hot Chicken Project - this one’s in Geelong, and is a really great place to get chicken. The reason it isn’t in the top 3 is because its spot is taken by Belle’s, which does it just slightly better, and is more accessible for me (so I’ve eaten it more). Granted, I might need to eat more of it to really make the comparison, but its otherwise strongly recommended if you’re in the area as well.
- Royal Stacks - does a mean fried chicken burger called the Duchess which is a double fried chicken burger. It’s an INCREDIBLE burger - the chicken can often lose its crunch after being slathered in sauce, but this one has incredibly satisfying bites every single time you bite into it. In the short time I was able to get back to the office, I had it nearly every week. Really rate this one (and you can get potato gems on the side too!), but it’s a chicken burger, so doesn’t count for the above.
- Gami / Nene - both great fast food chicken joints which are good, just not great. You want a good feed, or a great night out with some cheap fried chicken, this is your best bet. Nene especially has some funkier flavours (like Snowing Vegetable!) which make it really delicious to try.
- Hot Star Fried Chicken - has only gone down in rating because I haven’t been out enough in the city to remember how good it is. Plum salt where you AT.
- Tian’s Chicken - in Singapore is the #1 best chicken dish in the WORLD that I’ve tried. Honest to good the way they poach that chicken and then put the sauce across it, as well as the rice it gets served with - fuck I’m salivating just thinking about it. It doesn’t count because it’s not fried chicken but if this was a general chicken list it would be right up top (just behind My Dad’s Homemade Soya Sauce Chicken which can never be beat).
More fried chicken recommendations requested! I have to go back to Parlour in Windsor for a feed, as well as Rockwell and Sons again. I’ve heard Leonard’s House of Love does some good fried chicken too - so have to make a trip out there. BTW to answer the question before it’s asked: Karaage (the Japanese version) as a dish is good, but usually a side dish not the main meal, so I haven’t found one that is satisfying enough.
Chat soon :)
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✔️Real Life Recommendations
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Independence Day - a classic that I found was being shown on Disney+. A fascinating disaster movie that’s perfect for these times, featuring a young Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. Aliens come to town and try to take over, so of course our heroes need to save the world - it’s very Arrival like but with much more campy stakes (they literally go to the mothership without any oxygen masks? They find out about Area 51 for the first time ever? Forcefields that look ridiculous?). Surprisingly still a great watch!
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Arnott’s Scotch Finger packs - random recommendation, but we’ve been buying these for the house because they’re good little snacks to eat during the day. Yum!
🚌 Adventures on the Information Super-Highway
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A cool cake!! - Just a really fun cake frosting / decoration. Next year’s cake hopefully…!
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Shady URL - a link shortener that makes all your links look super sketchy. E.g. This one links to my archives - PROMISE -> http://www.5z8.info/taliban-meetup_b7j1mn_gruesome-gunshot-wounds
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Wooden floors rotted by fungi generate electricity when walked on - science is cool - imagine this on a club floor, or maybe on roads / pavements / in your own house! It’s still in a prototype stage but still - you have to envisage the future before you can create it.