On Saturday, I met up with Summer, Sydney, Sydney's husband, and few of Sydney's friends for the very first Fried Chicken Club meeting at The Drink in Williamsburg. So what's the deal with Fried Chicken Club? It's pretty simple. Bring any sort of fried chicken (chicken fingers, Korean wings, nuggets, fancy or cheap, sandwiches) to share with other people. We did really well for our first meeting. A nice variety of fried chickens.
Here's what everyone brought...
Summer brought a whole bucket of fried chicken from Wilma Jean that came with pieces of fried chicken + skewers of fried chicken chunks, 2 sides, and buns. Sydney brought hot chicken sandwiches from the Meat Hook Sandwich Shop. Sydney's friends brought a whole box of Popeye's fried chicken (regular and spicy), Korean wings from Brooklyn Seoul, and chicken strips + chicken nuggets from Sticky's Finger Joint. I brought a whole box of thighs and couple breast from Yafa Deli.
I have never been to The Drink. It's a great bar with a really nice backyard. It was buy 1 beer get 1 beer free when we went but most of the people preferred their delicious $5 punch.
Thanks to everyone that came out and brought delicious fried chicken to share.
The hot chicken sandwich from the Meat Hook Sandwich Shop made it to my top 5 sandwiches out of the 13 I've eaten so far list.
Also, Wilma Jean made it to my top 5 fried chickens out of the 27 I've eaten so far list, back in 2014.
Okay, if you really REALLY need to know which sandwich is my favorite then here it is. Nate Smith of Allswell makes my favorite fried chicken sandwich ($13). It's a very simple sandwich. Housemade bun, chicken soaked in buttermilk and fried, escarole, and copious amount of mayo inside the sandwich. That's it! And also crazy good fries that aren't skinny, more mayo, and pickles on the side. The sandwich is amazing but so is the entire plate. Check out how the sandwich is made 
I expected epic sandwiches from the Meat Hook people and they did not disappoint. The Hot Chicken ($13) is really really good and really really big. I love the different layers and temperature and texture. Hot, spicy, crispy, cool, juicy, salty...etc. Awesome sandwich.
I actually took a day off from work so that I can eat this sandwich cause they only have it during lunch time and it was so worth it. Squishy bread, delicious crispy chicken but what won me over is the honey/tabasco/mayo mixture all slathered inside the sandwich. Though I wasn't too thrill with the chips. Give me fries!
I still remember the very first time I had the chicken biscuit ($7.50) from Pies 'n' Thighs. My friend and I shared one at the very first Madison Square Eats. I think we both regretted sharing because it was so damn freakin good. Flaky delicious biscuit and fried chicken but what really got us was the honey, hot sauce, and butter sauce all dripping from the sandwich and from our hands. *They also serve a fried chicken sandwich ($12) that I still haven't had.
Keeping things simple is always the best. Potato roll, chicken, and lettuce, simple ($7). Nothing gets in the way and you can really taste the chicken. Also, did I mention potato roll?!
Buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, slaw, and gravy all in one sandwich ($6.50). What's not to love about it?
I love love love The Commodore. I love their drinks and their fried chicken, so I totally jumped on the chance to try out their brunch when I was in the area. Their chicken biscuit ($9) is a little more expensive than other chicken biscuits but it's a solid....delicious sandwich. Bonus points for making awesome hash brown and nachos. *They also have a hot chicken sandwich that I hear is good.
I heard many great things about this sandwich ($11) but I guess I was expecting more. It's a solid, delicious sandwich but $11 for just the sandwich is a bit pricey. I do give them points for using potato roll.
Oh...what a trek from 8th Ave. It's a pretty darn tasty sandwich ($15) and I love that they use thigh meat. The meat needed more seasoning but great fries and great space.
I'm not sure if I went on an off day but this sandwich ($12) wasn't that great. There was just too much slaw and the crispy layer of the chicken began to soak up all that slaw juice. Eventually the crispy layer just slid off the meat. I love their chicken and waffles but not so much the sandwich. Also I'm not a fan of skinny fries.
I was so confused by this sandwich ($14). It sounded awesome on the blackboard but once I bit into it, it just didn't work for me. The spicy guac and fried chicken combo was kind of weird. Also the chicken needed seasoning. Though they do make great fries.
Midtown prices! $14 for just the sandwich. This sandwich was actually pretty decent for a hotel beer hall kitchen in Midtown Manhattan. The bread was crusty and the chicken was crispy. It just needed some seasoning. I do recommend getting the fries ($4). It was enough for sharing with people and they were great fries.
I was excited when I found out that Schnippers serve a fried chicken sandwich. I like their burgers so I thought their chicken sandwich would probably have the same level of goodness. HECK NO! Oh boy, this sandwich was terrible. A thin piece of fried chicken inside an okay bun with loads and loads of pickles. Skip! Stick with the burgers.
He is like the godfather of fried chicken. If you read reviews, they're pretty mixed but I love it. My friends and I go right when the door opens, when the food is hot and fresh. Also, what beats an all-you-can-eat fried chicken brunch for under $20?! Good thing for me, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken is an hour away by train or else I go there once a week.
Holy fuckin fried chicken. This whole meal was intense. It's expensive (with drinks) but it was so worth it. The chicken, the sauces, champ, salad, BISCUITS!, desserts. Probably my favorite meal of 2013.
Get it hot and don't look back. The plain fried chicken is good but man...get the hot. Spices on the crust and on the meat.
I was so happy when I shook Rob Newton's (chef and owner) hand at Taste Talks. I thanked him for opening Wilma Jean. Seersucker was good but all I really wanted was just the fried chicken.
I love their fried chicken because they only serve the thigh (best part!) plus honey butter. Oh and they have tiki drinks and probably have one of the great nachos of NYC.
I see Pies 'n' Thighs as one of the pioneers in NYC fried chicken. There will always be a place in my heart for their fried chicken but lately I've been going for only their chicken biscuits. Flaky biscuits, fried chicken, and hot sauce/honey. *drooooooooooooooooool.......
I feel bad. I've been neglecting Bobwhite. I'm just rarely in East Village and that's a sad thing because they fry up some really nice chicken.
I came here for my birthday once and quickly fell in love. The chicken is great here and my vegetarian friend approves their vegetarian fried chicken. Everybody wins!
Because the pieces of fried chicken (tasty) and biscuits are served on a silver platter. Wow. I don't mind trekking out to Soho on the weekend for this.