Are you feeling clucky?
Birmingham’s Slim Chickens is a classier version of KFC, says SANJEETA BAINS
WITH the exception of Vietnamese restaurant Pho, there wasn’t anywhere in Grand Central’s food court where I’d choose to dine with friends.
But my hopes were high after US fried chicken restaurant chain Slim Chickens opened in the space formally occupied by Ed’s Diner last month. It aims to bring a “full Southern US-style hospitality experience to Birmingham locals”.
The last time I can remember a fried chicken joint opening in the city centre, it’s fair to say Brum foodies, including me, were swooning. I gave John Bright Street gourmet fried chicken restaurant Bonehead a glowing review when it opened last year.
Does Slim Chickens hit the spot in the same way?
Slim Chickens is not a cool independent. It has a typically American fast food style ambience. There are two self ordering kiosks and menus over a main counter.
Next to the bottomless fizzy drinks dispenser there is a ketchup dispenser and chilli sauces. So far so Five Guys.
And the restaurant area has the same big red US-style booths.
The place was very busy when I paid a visit after work on a Sunday evening. I was thrilled to see an empty booth right at the back, a little set aside from the main food area – the perfect spot for a solo diner – to enjoy some quality me time with some (hopefully) quality fried chicken.
There are four menus displayed above the counter. You can choose from tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads and wraps. Each option comes in various sizes and as a meal – with bottomless drink, fries and, rather randomly, a slice of toast called Texan toast.
The sandwich menu is full of burgers. There are six to choose from including Cayenne Ranch Sandwich – fried chicken breast with cayenne ranch sauce, lettuce, pickles, crispy fried onions and cayenne seasoning; and Hot Buffalo Sandwich – fried chicken breast shaken in buffalo sauce, lettuce, pickles, fried onions and blue cheese sauce.
I decided to concentrate on the tenders menu which is what Slim Chickens is famous for. Tenders are strips of white meat attached under the chicken breast – so basically thin strips of chicken breast. At Slim Chickens, they are hand breaded and deep fried. They are available on their own or as meals.
I should have gone with the tenders meal but my server suggested I go for the mix and match meal of tenders and wings.
Similar to Nandos, customers choose what coating they want on their wings. But there are seven choices of flavour coating at Slim Chickens. After hearing all the options I went for the not too spicy honey BBQ.
The ordering assault course at Slim Chickens continued when I was then asked to choose from a ridiculous choice of 13 dipping sauces. My eyes glazed over as she reeled off all the dips – Slim’s Sauce, Cayenne Ranch, House Ranch, Honey Mustard, Blue Cheese Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo, Honey BBQ, Korean BBQ, Spicy BBQ, Inferno, Sriracha Garlic, Mango Habanero...
I opted for Sriracha Garlic and Slim sauce which I mistaken assumed was a low fat dip. Silly me.
My chicken arrived in a basket. It was chicken and chips heaven – chicken tenders, wings, fries and a slice of toast on the side.
The tenders were exactly that – moist with the lovely signature Slim Chickens buttermilk marinade and super crunchy. Best of all they were not at all greasy and cloying. The skin on fries were crunchy – just perfect!
However, I wasn’t so fussed about the wings – they were more wet than sticky and not at all crispy.
But everything was piping hot. Considering how many places can fail on what for me is a basic requirement, I have to give Slim Chickens major points for this.
The Texan toast was a slice of toasted bread with butter and garlic. It seemed an unnecessary carb (and fatty) extra. I was told that Texan toast sides are popular in the southern states of America. And who was I to argue?
The sauces were nice too. You can never go wrong with sriracha and rather than the low fat dressing dip I was expecting, the Slim sauce was actually a less than slimming burger mayo sauce. Oh well, at least I tried to be healthy.
Slim Chickens offers milkshakes in vanilla, chocolate, banana, strawberry and Oreo (£4.95). There is a bottomless drinks selection of the usual brands, including Pepsi, 7UP and Tango.
Blink and you’ll miss it but underneath the counter there is an alcoholic drinks fridge. Beverages include Budweiser, Angry Orchard cider and Brooklyn lager. Wine and prosecco is also available.
This was very friendly and helpful. The server spent a good five minutes going through the menu with me.
Once you’ve ordered, you’re given a table number and a server brings the food over.
I’d forgotten to get cutlery from the dispenser table, but the waitress was happy to bring some to me. I didn’t use them, though. There’s no joy in eating this type of messy food with a knife and fork, especially when it’s in a basket. I could have done with some wet wipes though – the kitchen roll on each table just doesn’t cut it.
I paid £10.45 for a mix and match three and three meal – three tenders and three wings with fried chicken, two dips and bottomless fizzy drinks.
I love Bonehead restaurant but it’s not a place where I could feel I could sit on my own and happily stuff my face.
And the other alternative, KFC, is even less attractive. It’s pretty tragic to see anyone on their own with their head in a bargain bucket.
Praise be, hallelujah for Slim Chickens, a high end KFC that successfully fills this gap for people who don’t need friends to cheer themselves up with some fried chicken.
Best of all my basket felt like a proper bargain.