Some How, Some Way....(Danny's Wok)

Quick Disclaimer...This post might not be for you.


If you have never seen 'hot cheese' popcorn this post might not be for you.
If you have never eaten them all now and saved none for later this post might not be for you.
If you don't know that 'red' is in fact a flavor this post might not be for you.
If you actually know the name of the man at your corner store and don't just call him 'papi' this post might not be for you.


This post is for a friend. @craftsyr
   When I first told my friend about my fried chicken idea we spoke of the possibility of hitting a Chinese restaurant in the hood. My friend is an expert on Chinese restaurants. I am not speaking here of the noodle and dumpling operations in the beloved Chinatown. I am speaking of the types of places described by Beanie Sigel . The places my friend refers to as "yellow signs"
   My buddy told me without hesitation the place to go was at 58th and Baltimore, Danny's Wok. He told me how throughout West and Southwest Philadelphia this place is revered. I actually recently found a Facebook page dedicated to it. So before work one afternoon I took the subway and trolley rides necessary to experience fried chicken at Danny's.
   Danny's is a rather nondescript place in a small strip of shops. Unassuming in every way possible. The standard bulletproof glass and soiled menus posted on the walls are of course present. The first thing that stood out was the 'wing chart' a huge sign that list the cost of every amount of wings you could possibly ever need to order. This places has prices up to 400 wings. My friend told me he knows of people who have catered their weddings from Danny's.
   We grabbed our fried chicken, some vegetable fried  rice and headed across the parking lot to find outdoor seating at Checkers. (real 'yellow signs' don't have tables. Craft mentioned that the true masterpiece meal is Danny's fried chicken and Checker's fries. I wasn't quite ready for that especially before work. The last time I ate at Checker's I needed a nap. Fried chicken was actually really good at Danny's. I am not typically a fan of fried chicken wings at such places , but wasn't pleasantly surprised. The combination of that with the fried rice and a kiwi-strawberry Mistic took my memories back to a simpler time. That beautiful sunny day was only ruined by the fact that I had to work that evening. So of I went on a nice afternoon walk towards work. And about 3 block from there suddenly the idea of Checker's fries sounded pretty awesome.

The Skinny Fat Kid

Danny's Wok
5750 Baltimore Ave Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 471-9020
http://www.facebook.com/Dannys-Wok

You ain't got enough stamps in ya passport....Thinking Outside of the box part 2 (Maru Global)

   Lunch time in Philly can be boring. There are many great options. There are a good amount of inexpensive options as well. Unfortunately there is a lot of repetition. I often find myself limited in deciding where and what to eat. I was very happy when  I heard of Maru Global opening. Maru Global is Philadelphia's only place dedicated to Takoyaki. Takoyoki are small grilled balls of fresh batter traditionally filled with octopus and grilled to order in special pan. At this point I am sure readers are wondering what any of this has to do with fried chicken. Bear with me as I think outside of the box.
   As much as I am loving the traditional and some of the newer methods of doing fried chicken, I wanted to look at how some other cultures include frying in their cuisines. The Korean fried chicken craze is currently all the rage in food culture but the Japanese have also given us Tonkatsu. Tonkatsu is traditionally a fried pork cutlet, but if you look you will sometimes find a chicken version. that is what drew me to Maru Global. I decided to take the chef Ryo Igarashi's advice and try it with his house made vegetable curry instead of the traditional Tonkatsu sauce and it was good advice. The tender fired breast of chicken was enhanced by the curry. It also reminded me that although takoyaki is the specialty at Maru, there is great food to be found throughout the menu. The chef's wife also mentioned a special they were thinking of doing before the end of the month inspired by chicken and waffles. Although this was the most non traditional chicken  and waffles I have ever seen, it was also quite good.  The fried chicken leg, glazed with teriyaki and waffle batter takoyaki and syrup was a nice suprisingly tasty lunch. And much like the other menu items at Maru, very affordable.


Maru Global
255 South 10th Street (btwn Locust & Spruce)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
267-273-0567
http://www.maruphilly.com

  I will start with a bit of honesty. I have eaten at Silk City at least 200 times. It is conveniently located just 2 blocks form the fortress of solitude I call Bri-Bar. But even as much as I love my apartment, there are times when I need to eat and don't feel like cooking. Most of these times are attached to long night at work and the need for a kitchen that stays open late enough to feed me. I have eaten at Silk so many times that I usually only order off the menu of specials. I have had almost everything on the menu so many times I need to try new items. Like I said almost everything. A few months ago when pondering my dinner choice with some friends I decided on one of the 2 items I have never ordered, the fried chicken.
   I was in love with the first bite. How did so much time pass while I missed out on this hidden gem? As much as I complain about the lack of places in this neighborhood for soul food, I have never tried this dish. I had the chicken for the second time in September and was pleased to find it just as good. The jalapeno cornbread and chorizo green beans are just as tasty.
   If you are ever in my neighborhood you should make it a point to eat at Silk City. Great food, Great music, Great fried chicken.

The Skinny Fat Kid

Silk City
5th & Spring Garden
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.silkcityphilly.com/

Wrong Side of the tracks..... (South Philly Tap Room)

 When I moved to Northern Liberties over six years ago someone issued a warning. They told me the downside of this or any neighborhood in Philadelphia was that I would stay in it too often. I scoffed at the notion much like I do with any such statement. There is no way you are going to tell me that with all the wonderful places in Philly to eat I will stay local too often. I will admit I was wrong. Although I do travel throughout the city and neighboring states packing in the calories, I spend a huge chunk of time near home. There is a reason some places are called neighborhood places.
  Quite often I find myself turning down invites for post work cocktails based on where people are going. I factor in taxi cost and travel time and sometimes the commitment to reward just don't even out. My South Philadelphia friends love their Grace, Royal and SPTR as much as I love my Silk City and North 3rd. None of us are wrong, but we are all a little stubborn. Having only been to South Philly tap Room for the most special occasions (pre- Eagles game brunch and the engagement of my little brother,) I was surprised to find there was another reason to head to SPTR.
   I am of course speaking of September's obsession; fried chicken. Chef Scott Schroeder has been getting a lot of well deserved props on his great menu. I lost count of the number of tacos I have eaten there while meeting friends. I recently started to hear more people talking about his fried chicken and decided to take the trip. the fried chicken is listed only on the specials menu, but I understand that it has become a staple there so you shouldn't have trouble getting it. There is also a warning that it does take time to prepare and advice on ordering some appetizers while you wait. I decided on the guacamole which was great and settled in with an Allagash. The word on the street about the fried chicken is correct. Crispy skin, and what has to be the best seasoned chicken I have so far.
   Other places have done a great job seasoning the flour or cornmeal coating , but at SPTR you can taste seasoning in the meat itself and the flavor in the brine shines through. This also one of the most generous portions I have gotten yet. I am a luck guy I must say. Although I have to narrow down the 5 best in the next week, The competition keeps heating up. I left SPTR with a full stomach after an excellent meal. Since it isn't often I get down to South Philly I will probably take in some culture as well. I hear they are lovely shows at The Dolphin.  

The Skinny Fat Kid

South Philly Tap Room

1509 Mifflin St.
Philadelphia, PA 19145
215-271-7787
http://www.southphiladelphiataproom.com

Meet me at the crossroads.......... (Resurrection Ale House)

 



   I'll be the first to admit this place receives a lot of press. One publication even went as far as to say it is one of the top 10 places for fried chicken in the country. And just as it started to get all this praise the unfortunate happened. I spoke to a few friends who had tried stopping by on multiple occasions to find they were sold out. Sold Out????? On multiple occasions????
   I have never been known as a patient man. I was even considering skipping the place altogether. I had this horrible feeling that after traveling to the other side of the city to enjoy this treat, I would be told there was no chicken to be had. I pictured my head sinking as I walked away red in the face and empty in the stomach. I instead decided to go early after the opened for lunch to ensure the best statistical chance of deep fried nirvana. I must say I am glad I did.
   Resurrection Ale House is a small bar in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry section. I was amazed by the small size of the place, but I think it is the perfect bar. My dining companion often commented on how nice it was to see a place that was manageable instead of another mega restaurant. It is too often nowadays to see everything done in such large scale instead of smaller places where they just "nail it". I did also mention to my friend that if this place were in my neighborhood I would frequent it more often. Although most of the ale house's praise goes to its beer list and fried chicken the other dishes we tried were quite good as well.
   But lets talk chicken. Buttermilk and hot sauce soaked, seasoned with Lawry's and twice fried. The first frying is done to cook it most of the the way. The second perhaps inspired by pomme frites for final crisp. (Don't worry French Fry month is coming.) I cannot speak for the rest of the country, but I can say this is some of the best that I had in Philadelphia. I am happy that I got to try it and would go back for it as well as for the octopus and duck.

The Skinny Fat Kid

Resurrection Ale House
2425 Grays Ferry Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19146-2450
(215) 735-2202
http://www.resurrectionalehouse.com/

Knick game/ big chain/ in all my splendor... NYC Part 2 (Dirty Bird To Go)

   Since I was doing a fried chicken tour of New York I decided to check out a tip from a chef friend. Dirty Bird To Go is a small store front on 14th street in Manhattan. A small chalkboard list a lunch special that they offer which is one of the best deals I have seen. For $8 you get to pieces of fried chicken, a side (I chose Garlic Kale) and a drink. I think the amount of food was more than generous and I would recommend this place to anyone. Great chicken , tasty sides and good cookies too. They use all organic Lancaster birds and they are serious about a commitment to the environment as well. If you are in NYC definitely stop by.

The Skinny Fat Kid

Dirty Bird To Go
204 W. 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
212 620 4836
http://www.dirtybirdtogo.com/

Thinking Inside the Box (The fast food edition)

      Imma Need a Suit....... (Church's)

  Church's Chicken is average. I thought the crust a little heavy. I will say they do get the spicy thing right. I have had a few renditions of spicy fast food fried chicken and Church's was the most consistent.

     Fat By Popular Demand ....(Popeye's)

   This was disappointing. After hearing so much love for Popeye's and listening to The Clipse way to much I was excited. Excitement went out the window when I received my order. I picked up each piece of chicken and the skin pulled away. The resulting box of skinless chicken and my handful of greasy skin was not appealing to say the least. Although my visit to Popeye's in New Orleans beat the culinary mecca that is The Gallery, it still did not save the franchise. If you should ignore the diet advice of Pusha T and Malice however you may find the red beans and rice are a better way to go. 

     My Chain Heavy....(Crown Fried Chicken)

   There are people who will disagree with this assesment. Some even disagree with the idea of me eating fast food fried chicken, but Crown is the best fast food fried chicken. I am sure someone will tell me more about how heavenly "fresh Popeye's" is. Based on my experiences this month, Crown holds the crown.



The Skinny Fat Kid