RSS FeedWho Are You Calling Chicken?
We owe this post to PQDad whose wife (PQMom?) told Mrs Columbo about this a few months ago. That’s right, months… we’ve been holding out on you. That’s because there was a split in the Columbo household about the quality, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. After learning a few months ago that Central (1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, corner of 11th & Penn) was now offering buckets of fried chicken and mashed potatoes to go we had to give it a try. Even if the surrounding community was glad to see it go, this blog has mentioned the pain we felt when Popeyes left. The lack of good fried chicken has been sorely missed, and attempts to find a replacement have ended with disappointment.
And this is the split in the Columbo household. Central has sold fried chicken for a long time as a dinner plate, maybe since they’ve been open, and we’ve never been a huge fan. Mrs Columbo, on the other hand, loves their fried chicken. So when we found out they sold buckets of the stuff we gave it a go for Mrs Columbo’s sake. The bucket is advertised as a “lunch to-go” special where you can order ahead for pickup. Thirty dollars gets you the six piece bucket of chicken (3 breast & 3 thighs), 6 chicken nuggets, dijon-majo for dipping, and a side of mashed potatoes.
First impressions were good: The plain white bucket is sturdy and fun, the chicken is hot & crispy, the nuggets are cute, you’re given a substantial amount of dipping sauce, and the potatoes… well if you’ve never had their mashed potatoes you are in for a treat (and if you have had them you know they can substitute for dessert).
Those were the first impressions, but the critic in us had a few other thoughts upon closer inspection: The chicken breast, while moist and tasty, is boneless. Outside of a chicken sandwich, who wants fried chicken that isn’t on the bone? [Mrs Columbo, as it turns out, which means probably a lot of other people too]. The dijon-mayo is way too heavy on the mayo, we’d have preferred something tangier like mustard. They don’t allow you to call ahead for the bucket in the evenings, you must order in person; that seems strange but it does give us a chance to down a few Bluesser’s and chat with our favorite bartender Nikki while we wait.
So what’s our final verdict? The bucket of chicken from Central doesn’t call our names the way Popeyes chicken always did, but it’s impossible to give it a thumbs down. When you want a bucket of chicken (even a $30 bucket) you want a bucket of chicken, and now we have that option just a few blocks away. It’s hot, crisp, and comes with the best mashed potatoes around. And really, what’s better than a picnic the next day with cold fried chicken and a bottle of vinho verde?
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Comments
I ordered a 2 piece bucket for lunch and I swear I got 4. I didn’t realize this till I finished the nuggets and by that time I was nearly full.
I took the rest home and my husband and I shared it for dinner, cold. I liked it better cold. He liked that I had brought him chicken breast on the night he was supposed to cook. Double score.
Aside from the price tag, a bucket of boneless fried chicken and nuggets reminds me more of Sysco than Michel Richard. Who the hell wants a bucket of boneless chicken? Is this Central or Ruby Tuesdays?
To be fair to Central, the thighs are on the bone. Only the breast (well and the nuggets) are boneless.
Central also does wine tastings of two wines on some Wednesday nights. they put it in their Twitter feed on the nights it happens.
I think it is a great addition. The chicken is not normal fried chicken. It is extraordarily moist and crispy, owing to a homemade chicken-based mayonnaise that is between the meat and the crust. If you look at it like a fast food replacement, you won’t be happy. But, I look at it more as a delivery option replacement, and the price is good for that. I have twice recently bought a bucket of chicken, invited a friend, and fed my friend, my husband, my child and I chicken, mashed potatoes, and a quick salad that I whipped up on our building’s roof without bothering to cook. Stressfree, easy casual dinner party. With tip, our large bucket was a bit over $40, about the same as the delivery we otherwise would have had in that situation and much less than the full meal with drinks we would have had out if we were sick of our limited decent delivery options.
Forget overpriced Chicken; Real NY Corn beef sandwiches! Today is the launch of 6th & Rye!
11:30 to 1:30
Be there at least by 1:00 PM they are going to sell out.
And, Seasonal Grilled Veggie Wraps to
Sixth & I • 600 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 • 202.408.3100
Twitter @sixthandrye
http://www.sixthandi.org/AboutUs.aspx?_url=SixthandRyefoodtruck.htm
Signature Smoked Corned Beef Sandwich
Cured and Smoked Beef Brisket on Rye with Original House Hot Mustard
$9
Israeli Couscous Salad
$4
Seasonal Grilled Veggie Wrap
with Arugula and Mache Greens, Hummus, and Balsamic Basil Dressing
$7
Sixth & Rye Slaw
Red and White Cabbage, Celery Root and Carrots with Vinegar-Based Dressing
$3
** Kosher Meal Deal on Wheels **
Signature Sandwich or Veggie Wrap
Slaw, Chips, or Pickle
Soda or Water
$12 meat / $10 veggie
Fresh-Cut Chips
Yukon Gold Potatoes with Kosher Salt Spice Blend Deep-Fried in Peanut Oil
$2
Kosher Dill Pickle
$1
BAKERY DRINKS
Classic Black & White Cookie
$2
Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry, Cel-Ray, Cream Soda
$2
Braided Shabbat Challah
$5 Bottled Water
$2
Fresh-Squeezed Seltzer Lemonade
$3
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You should take Mrs.Columbo to the Argonaut on H street NE on a Monday evening, to check out their very crunchy tasty chicken.