Five Irresistible Fried Chicken Happenings Here and There

(Gerry Furth-Sides) You would think that fried chicken was just invented the way is has become a “culinary darling, ” but who cares as long as it lasts.  So it had to happen and New Orleans happily has done it first, a National Fried Chicken Festival (FCF) presented by Raising Cane’s that attracted a record crowd to Woldenberg Riverfront Park over a recent fall weekend.  The third-annual free festival featured 35 chefs and restaurants from across the U.S. plus live entertainment, including  free “chicken focused” activations such as the Raising Cane’s ‘Cane’s Square’, Kids’ Coop.   FCF hosted the Raising Cane’s Chicken Finger Eating Contest, the Best Fried Chicken and Best Use of Fried Chicken in a Dish contests. oveted Best Fried Chicken Contest.

Herbert “Herb” J. Hudson, founder of Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles, the Los Angeles-based soul food restaurant chain, was honored as 2018 Culinary Icon Award winner for the National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s.

Now that your mouth is watering for fried chicken, currently so popular its as though it was just invented,  here in LA,  we judge the Fried Game Hen at Preux & Proper to be the best, (along with our own).  As we wrote, “this Fried Whole Game Hen will make you forget about fried chicken forever.”  The secret is the crunch of crushed pecans and the honeycomb on top.  Add it to the buttermilk biscuits with serrano jelly taste for pure decadence.  //localfoodeater.com/must-try-preux-proper-dtla-chef-sammy-monsour-cures-my-heart/

South City Fried Chicken, DTLA, 724 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90014,  213-278-0008.  Hours: 12-9 daily.

Our newest find is Chef Katsuji Tanabe’s  Ponzu Fried chicken at the NIXON CHOPS & WHISKEY in Whittier.  From the LAND section of the menu:  Ponzu Fried Chicken with Serranos, Habaneros, Lime and Cucumber hide under a mass of dill and mint.  Again the pop of fermented veggies in the container alongside it transform the tastes and texture.

Located in the Uptown Whittier Restaurant District
13033 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA. 90601, Phone:   562-698-3355

Karayama, famous for its specially prepared kara-age Japanese-style fried chicken opened its first location US location in Little Tokyo in DTLA.   The signature fried chicken “the kara-age of Legend” is known all over Japan.  The served in a fast casual dining experience.   The restaurant’s proprietary technique starts with Karayama kitchen’s signature marinade, using a low-temperature fermentation to impart a unique umami flavor profile. An extremely fine, proprietary potato starch first coats the chicken, which then rests for 4-6 hours before frying to make it tender, juicy, and crispy.

Karayama is located in Little Tokyo in DTLA. For details, please see: (//localfoodeater.com/karayamas-japanese-style-fried-chicken-in-dtla/)

The crispness of the unique golden crust that sets Southern regional American Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken’s apart comes from owner Vincent Williams secret batter plus peanut oil and a classic technique involving heavy-gauge stainless-steel drums to produces intense.  Its heat fries the birds seal in natural juices with a dry crunch. Scratch-made country classics such as buttermilk biscuits and hand-shucked corn on the cob  are available, along with complimentary signature tiny tubs of warm honey and hot sauce.  The crunch is still there after three years but the prices are up and the portions down.  Still the friendly, friendly staff and the large open patio out front that is perfect for people-watching draws crowds.  There are also regular group-on coupons to help the pocket book.