Photography by Cooper & O’Hara
Fried Chicken and Donut at Have Mercy
Over two years ago, Avenue highlighted five fried chicken dishes around town that were doing the comfort food justice. Since then, several new spots have opened up that are serving up the perennial favourite in their own special ways. So, since it’s our duty to bring you Edmonton’s best dishes, we’ve revisited the category to bring you four new finds that will have you contemplating just how much fried chicken is too much. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it.
at Have Mercy
Sometimes, you spot a dish on the menu that seems too crazy to be true, which is what you may think when you see the Fried Chicken and Donut at this Whyte Avenue spot. After all, fried chicken is an indulgent enough dish on its own – adding a doughnut seems way over the top. It’s just as decadent as you might expect – which is kind of the great thing about it.
There are three flavours to choose from – crispy salted, “chile” honey, and Nashville hot rubbed – and when you’re in a spot that oozes Southern hospitality, you have to go for the Nashville style. The generous portion of chicken comes slathered in hot sauce, and the doughnut underneath is simple and savoury rather than glazed and sweet. The sauce soaks into the doughnut while you’re eating it, creating a messy but oh-so-delicious feast.-Adrianna Szenthe
8232 Gateway Blvd., 780-760-0203, havemercy.ca
at Seoul Fried Chicken
If you’re a regular reader of this magazine, you’ve seen us give glowing endorsements to Seoul Fried Chicken since it opened last year. It made the Best New list in our Best Restaurants issue, and won the Best To-Go category.
You can order the original chicken without any added flavourings, or one of six other varieties that have delicious sauces, powders and spices. Now, I say, it’s time to pick. Like Highlander, there can be only one.
My favourite is the Golden Kari. The delectable pieces of fried chicken are covered in a golden Japanese curry coating. What I like about these little morsels of curry flavour is that they add to the chicken without taking away in other areas. I like hot sauce on fried chicken, but it will make that wonderful, crunchy breading a bit soggy. The kari adds flavour but doesn’t take away from the wonderful crunch of the crust and the moist, brined-overnight chicken inside. –Steven Sandor
7904 104 St.,780-761-3616, sfcseoulfriedchicken.com
at Meat
Meat has countless carnivorous delights on its brunch menu, as well as peaches-and-cream waffles for those seeking something sweet. However, if you’re looking for a dish that combines sweet and savoury in an intoxicating partnership, the fried chicken and waffles is the ticket.
The Belgian waffles are rich and decadent, crisp on the outside and buttery soft on the inside. The fried chicken is similar – a spicy, crunchy coating on flavorful, tender chicken. Top the whole thing with maple syrup infused with rosemary for a herbaceous kick, and a generous dollop of butter. –A.S.
8216 104 St., 587-520-6338, meatfordinner.com
at Northern Chicken
Until Northern Chicken opened, hot chicken wasn’t something that was really in the consciousness of Edmontonians. Sure, every now and then some major chicken chain would claim to make hot chicken, Tennessee style, but you knew that to get the real thing, you’d need to get on an airplane.
But Northern Chicken’s hot chicken, alongside Have Mercy, have changed the game. It will have you gulping back that fantastic lemonade (not overly sweet, with a little bit of zest to add some bitter tones). The chicken is served on top of white bread and with bread and butter pickles.
I tried the extra hot, and man, they aren’t kidding. I took a bite of the bread for relief, forgetting that it had sponged up the spice. Wow. Trust me, get the creamed corn with bacon, because you’ll want something rich that will soothe the tongue here and there. –S.S.
10704 124 St., 780-756-2239, northchickenyeg.com
This article appears in the June 2017 issue of Avenue Edmonton.Subscribe here.
