I love me some Popeyes’ Chicken,” writes the ever-lucid Wise Diva, Patty Cunningham.Venerated advice columnist and fried-chicken enthusiast, the Wise Diva does the reading public a favor this week, whisking us away to the “Palace of Poultry,” Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, located at 3461 Cleveland Ave. East Side, West Side, regardless – you’d do well to put your backside in front of a steaming pile of this magnificent food.
In a world of KFC and Cluck-U, Popeyes Chicken is a bird of a different feather. Just thinking back on the mouth-watering spices, crunchy skin and juicy meat makes me want to drive back again. Let the world know that for dessert, while co-masticator Kate and I sampled Popeyes’ pies, the Wise Diva was lured back again by the siren’s song of fried chicken – eating her fourth and final piece of the evening. It’s that good.
Kate offered up an explanation for the Diva’s addiction, “The chicken is crispy, tender and minimally greasy.” Looking back on the meal, in all honesty reader, it’s the best chicken I’ve ever had. I’m simply glad to have been so privileged as to be a part of it.
The biscuits were a letdown. I like my biscuits a little fluffy and these were simply so small that the majority of the biscuit consisted of the salty, crunchy crust. It’s just disconcerting to find one’s biscuits so closely resembling one’s state government: Crusty and unyielding, if amazingly cheap.
For dessert you are offered a variety of Edward’s Pies, each served by the slice in individual cardboard containers – packaging commensurate to the class displayed throughout the rest of the chain. Diners, rest easy in the knowledge that – like Skoal, conservative politics and liberal marriage laws – Edward’s Pies are allegedly, “a Southern tradition.” Just look at the box.
The pecan pie had a smooth texture and a great taste. Personally, I’m not a big fan of pecans, but I was surprised to find the pie possessed all the fine qualities it could hope to command at $1.09 apiece.
Kate found her lemon meringue didn’t quite match the kind they serve back home. Still, she admits that all in all, it was a pleasant experience.
According to at least one Diva account, the collard greens “were singing.” She continued saying, “I know they were Glory Greens. That company’s greens are always spiced just right. Too bad there was no vinegar to add to them bad boys.”
Like the Barenaked Ladies, the songs my green beans were singing sounded tired, unoriginal and lame. The beans were really soggy – precariously close to slipping into a liquid state given the slightest prodding.
The mashed potatoes were whipped soft, topped with spicy brown gravy. Potatus mashed is a fine speciman – and a worthy companion to the fantabulous fried fowl.
There was no smoking and plenty of seating in the dining area. The restaurant was handicap-accessible. Service was a bit slower than other fast-food restaurants, and refills set you back a whole quarter. Stop by the company’s Web site, www.popeyes.com, and print out the coupon before you drop in. A free medium drink with the purchase of a three-piece dinner is nothing to scoff at.
The Wise Diva noted that the black community, with regards to Popeyes Chicken, disregarded social class. She writes, “It doesn’t matter. At Popeyes you’ll find black folk from all walks of life with anything from BMWs to a Delta 88, 1978 Oldsmobile (with good rims) parked outside. Popeyes Chicken transcends the class dynamic.”
In conclusion, if you’re into chicken in “the Northing Tradition,” that is you enjoy eating them, then roll those tires to your nearest Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.
(i)The Masticator is a senior in Information Systems. He thankfully notes that the food critiquing industry has been relatively unscathed by the Sept. 11 attacks and that his patriotic duty of eating campus food and dispensing platitudes can continue unabated. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].(/i)
