Day: February 28, 2016

Theo tin rnrnPhiladelphia Eateries Turn Out Both Creative &Traditional Takes On The Fast-Food Staplern

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rnScratch BiscuitsrnHistorically, Philadelphia has been associated with long roll lunches—cheesesteaks and hoagies and roast pork—but these days, there’s another sandwich crowing for attention: fried chicken. And Philly-area kitchens are turning out this sandwich in all forms: with hot sauce and blue cheese, melted cheese and aioli, slaw and pickles and loads of other variations. Here are a few of the zestiest versions currently ruling the roost:rnrnChicken City In Philly:rnrnSome of the most creative sandwiches around emerge from the strip-mall eatery The Blue Duck in Northeast Philadelphia. The delectable fried chicken includes ranch red cabbage slaw, spicy pickles and a soft brioche bun. 2859 Holme Avenue, (267) 686-4687, blueduckphilly.comrnThe Nashville hot buns at Midtown Village’s retro Bud & Marilyn’s might easily be called fried chicken sliders. Ranch dressing, slaw and pickles balance out the hot sauce buzz for an addictively flavorful first course. 1234 Locust Street, (215) 546-2220, budandmarilyns.comrnN’awlins-leaning Catahoula Bar & Restaurant actually goes north for chicken sandwich inspiration. The Kickin’ Buffalo Chicken features blue cheese, house buffalo sauce and basil buttermilk dressing. 775 S. Front Street, (215) 271-9300, catahoulaphilly.comrnLeave it to Mt. Airy to create the area’s first fried chicken sandwich with kale. Served at Cresheim Valley Grain Exchange, it is balanced out by a potato bun, honey and Tabasco mayo. 7152 Germantown Avenue, (267) 766-2502, grainexchangephilly.comrnThe winning formula at Northern Liberties’ El Camino Real starts with a Martin’s seeded bun. Layers of Bibb lettuce, pickles, mayo and tender buttermilk-fried chicken combine for an end result of delicious. 1040 N. 2nd Street, (215) 925-1110, elcaminophilly.comrnWhen he opened The Fat Ham in University City a few years back, celeb Chef Kevin Sbraga brought Philly its first taste of Nashville-style hot chicken. Those stingingly delicious sliders, topped with dill, pickles and ranch sauce, remain among the most popular items on the menu. 3131 Walnut Street, (215) 735-1914, sbragadining.com/fathamrnDevised for Spruce Street Harbor Park’s summer season, Federal Donuts’ signature sandwich with buttermilk ranch-spiced chicken, American cheese, dill pickles and spicy Rooster sauce on a Martin’s potato roll ignited a full-blown craze. Now, the shop’s outposts around the city can’t seem to make enough to sate demand. 1632 Sansom Street, (215) 665-1101; 1219 S. 2nd Street, (267) 687-8258, 701 N. 7th Street, (267) 928-3893; 3428 Sansom Street, (267) 275-8489, federaldonuts.comrnSome chicken sandwich cravers want to hold the chicken, and for them, HipCityVeg provides the perfect solution. The Crispy HipCity Ranch swaps in a battered meatless substitute, along with peppercorn ranch dressing and even an option to make the whole shebang Buffalo-style. 127 S. 18th Street, (215) 278-7605; 214 S. 40th Street, (267) 244-4342, hipcityveg.comrnThe Hillbilly Philly chicken sandwich at Pennsport bar The Industry invites patrons to embrace their inner bumpkin. The cheddar biscuits, hot sauce and sausage gravy on top make it one of the most tempting dishes coming out of the kitchen. 1401 E. Moyamensing Avenue, (215) 271-9500, theindustrybar.comrnKhyber Pass Pub does its po’boy two ways: The fried chicken comes in both vegan and carnivorous incarnations. Either way, it’s dressed with creole mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a New Orleans-born Leidenheimer roll. 56 S. 2nd Street, (215) 238-5888, khyberpasspub.comrnA Southern influence comes to bear on Little Lion’s ode to the chick-wich. Pimento cheese, buttermilk ranch and heirloom tomato drape the country-fried breast, and everything is nestled in a baguette. 243 Chestnut Street, (267) 273-0688, thelittlelionphilly.comrnCrispy chicken, bacon, tomato and guacamole come together harmoniously at North 3rd. The Northern Liberties gastropub serves its memorable concoction with expertly made fries. rn801 N. 3rd Street, (215) 413-3666, norththird.comrnAlthough its beef and pork items draw more attention, Paesano’s makes a mean chicken sandwich. Spicy tenders are loaded with salami, roasted tomato, broccoli rabe, herbed cheddar spread and sharp provolone cheese. 152 W. Girard Avenue, (267) 886-9556; 1017 S. 9th Street, (215) 440-0371, paesanosphillystyle.comrnAdding its own spin to the genre, South Philly bruncherie Porto turns out Yo Cuz—chicken between two cheddar waffles. Also tucked inside: bacon, iceberg lettuce, tomato and an intriguing jalapeño maple yogurt butter glaze. 1301 S. 11th Street, (267) 928-3956rnThe Fried Chicken Picnic Biscuit at Scratch Biscuits practically demands a checkered tablecloth in its honor. Cabbage slaw, cayenne ranch dressing, corn relish and a buttery biscuit turn this chicken into a holiday all its own. 1306 Chestnut Street, (267) 930-3727, eatscratchbiscuits.comrnWhen Shake Shack veers away from its burger and dog formula, it’s for good reason. The Chick’n Shack combines a crispy chicken breast with lettuce, pickles and buttermilk herb mayo on a soft potato bun. 2000 Sansom Street, (215) 809-1742; 3200 Chestnut Street, (267) 338-3464; 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia, (267) 428-7560, shakeshack.comrnFried chicken comes in many forms at The Twisted Tail, including the sandwich crowning the lunch menu. Toasted ciabatta sets the stage for buttermilk-soaked chicken topped with melted Cabot cheddar. 509 S. 2nd Street, (215) 558-2471, thetwistedtail.comrnMust-Taste Sandwiches In The Region:rnrnEvery gastropub needs a reputable sandwich, and Brick & Brew Pub in Havertown, Delaware County goes the extra mile. A buttermilk fried chicken sandwich gets gussied up with vinegar slaw and garlic-chili aioli. 2138 Darby Road, Havertown, (484) 455-7250, bricknbrewpub.comrnAt fancy farm-to-table spot Mainland Inn in Harleysville, Montgomery County, north meets south for its lunchtime sandwich. A fluffy biscuit cradles fried chicken, hot sauce and bleu cheese. 17 Mainland Road, Harleysville, (484) 704-2600, mainlandinn.comrnThe reverent Southern Cross Kitchen chicken sandwich sticks to the simplicity of the classic. Of course, buttermilk-fried chicken breast, pickles and mayo hardly need adornment. 8 E. 1st Avenue, Conshohocken, (484) 344-5668, southerncrosskitchen.comrnWhen an eatery specializes in fried chicken, as West Philly’s Wishbone does, the possibilities for sandwich combos are limitless. They range from The Southern (coleslaw, pickles and tomato marmalade) to The Cordon Bleu (chorizo, Swiss cheese and honey mustard) to The Dirty Bird (chili, barbecue sauce, pickled jalapeño and provolone). 4034 Walnut Street, (215) 921-3204, wishbonephilly.comrn rnVISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, make up the most-visited website network out of the 10 biggest U.S. cities. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.