[UK] American style fried chicken rules the roost

2 Likes

I would think it would be reasonably simple for a fish and chip shop to simply add chicken…
Wouldnt it?

As an American, we don’t claim Dave’s Hot Chicken or Wing Stop. Both are nasty, imo.

I avoid CFA because its terminally overcrowded.

My choice is Raisin Canes, although Ive heard some problematic things about their ownership.

Truth be told, when Im put of my usual areas, Ill purposely try to find a Halal fried chicken place. Ive never had a bad or greasy meal!

1 Like

But they only have boneless ā€œchicken fingersā€!

In Cardiff, I saw an absolutely huge Wing Stop on Chippy Lane, dwarfing the traditional chippies. Lots of students were emerging from the Wing Stop carrying large bags of takeaway. Within a stone’s throw of Chippy Lane there is a Popeye’s and a Dave’s Hot Chicken is starting up shop nearby. With crowds of drunken revellers on nights out multiple nights of the week, and fried chicken being ideal ā€˜drunk food’, you can see why these places do so well. Instant, greasy, crispy gratification!

1 Like

I usually only eat lunch while working.. so the mess factor becomes relevant. I guess bone-in or boneless really isn’t something I pay much attention to. (But sauced tenders sold as boneless wings are a travesty)

I like the flavor, theyre rarely greasy, and i can eat them in the car if I need to.

1 Like

I think ā€œmarketingā€ is the issue here. As mentioned in the article, the fried chicken appeal is to a younger demographics. Premises design, and advertising, will often be based on KFC. ā€œAlaska Fried Chickenā€, anyone?

Whereas traditional fish & chips shops tend to be more, erm, traditional. I’m not sure the two genres would easily mix. But, hey, I’m not a fast food guru.

The craze for fried chicken has been around for years before this BBC article. Chicken shops are ubiquitous in urban areas. In London, it wasn’t uncommon to see schoolchildren carrying boxes of ā€œTennessee/Ken’s/American/insert-name-that-is-anything-but-Kentucky Fried Chickenā€ around lunchtime or after school. In fact, it was a known health hazard for kids (I was training in paediatrics in those days and clinics were an epidemic of constipation. ā€œOf course my child eats vegetables, he has chips for tea every day.ā€). Traditional fish and chips has been on the decline for some time now - it’s just not very affordable for young people compared to the shit chicken these places churn out. And not very trendy at the moment.

2 Likes

Yes, there’s been a significant decline since the Second World War. Part is the greater variety of takeaway options - when I was a teenager in the 1960s, fish & chips were pretty much the only takeaway option. And, as you say, part is increased costs particularly in the cost of cod/haddock. Back in the day, the village had two chippies. The one that only served fish & chips. And the other, which also offered sausages and, later, curry sauce.

1 Like

Pies?

Are you implying that kebab has been demoted from this coveted role?

1 Like

And there’s this phenomenon.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyQ-DUV6lZgoL8wiPusYiUg

Not at the one that only did fish & chips. That was where I got my f & c, so not sure about everything the other stocked. Except I do remember a very gristly Hollands steak pudding - put me off them for years.