Spinoff Thread: NOLA Essential Fried Chicken

Popeye's

Whenever I'm in NOLA, I usually eat at Coops at least once to grab some fried chicken. It's always really damn good.

If you're on my end, my favorite is at the Jubilee is Schriever. There's a Birdie's Fried Chicken in it. Popeye's is always hit or miss, Churches sucks giant arse, Grady V's is supposed to be money but it's only available on Thursdays, Chester's is so overrated it's laughable...idk man. I still like Danny's in MC too.

But I want to go to NOLA and try one of the joints listed. Just don't know which one. Going on looks alone, my pick would be #5...Dooky Chase.

quote:

---

Popeye's

---

Grand Caillou Location, Houma

Ahhh....whew....scared me for a minute.


#freedembaws

Can only comment on the spots I've been to (and within reasonable recency)...

Coops - a former favorite, now very hit or miss. Jeff's bar used to be one of the great low key spots to score some really good food but as it has grown in popularity it also became very uneven. The chances of getting some underdone bird and half-heated over jambalaya have become pretty high. Very disappointing because when things are on point the chicken comes out crisp, well seasoned and juicy. If you go and see a line stretching out the door don't even bother.

Both Dooky Chase and Lil Dizzy's are both much better when you are not picking it off the steam table. Still good but if you really want to understand why these are worthwhile it pays to wait for a made to order plate.

Willie Mae's. I find Willie Mays to be underseasoned for my personal taste. Good crust, moist bird - just wish there was more seasoning in the meat. That said I would gladly go just to have a plate of their butter beans. BTW - the new(ish) location uptown is just as good and rarely as crowded.

Emeril's. I actively dislike this version - but then again I'm not a particular fan of truffle oil.

Hardy's/McKenzies - slight edge to McKenzies most days. Popeyes beats either one.

Popeyes. It's good. Arguably holds up better than than any of the others discussed to eat hours later.

High Hat. I'd much rather eat their catfish.

Original Fiorella's (Gentilly). Until they sold the Decatur St Fiorella's in the late 90's this was my favorite bird - if you can rely upon a taste memory from nearly 20 years ago. May just be nostalgia. Have to head over and check out what they are doing up in Gentilly these days. Just make sure you are not confusing this with the Decatur St Fiorella's, which is a sad imitation of it's former self.

Not mentioned but some good wing specialists...Manchu, Wing Snack, and Chicken & Watermelon.

Ha. Yea that is correct. Sorry about the confusion.

Gotta look up this joint

quote:

---

Fiorella's. Haven't had this in quite a while, can't justifiably comment. Just make sure you are not confusing this with the Decatur St Fiorella's, which is a sad imitation of it's former self.

---

Where's the Fiorella's you're talking about?

I had McHardy's for the first time the other day and really enjoyed it.

Apologies for the awkward phrasing. The list references the fairly recent opening of Original Fiorella's in Gentilly by people that first made the Fiorella's on Decatur St in the French Quarter a destination for great fried chicken. They sold the business in the late 90's and the restaurant was never the same. I last popped in about a year ago and wished I hadn't.

For what a taste memory from 18 years ago is worth - this was among my favorite versions of fried chicken.

Need to get myself over to the new place to check things out - just don't want anyone to confuse the Fiorella's on Decatur St with the original owners new endeavor.