Single serving: fried chicken sandwich at Proposition Chicken

Single serving: fried chicken sandwich at Proposition Chicken

By some weird subconscious quirk of foodie fate, I seem to have partaken in a number of fried chicken sandwiches recently. Like burgers, they seem to be ubiquitous on menus around this town from both casual to high end. Interesting when you consider it really is an invention of convenience and use of leftovers. Kind of like no food left behind as it were. And much like the burger, what you get can be of varying degrees of tastiness. (Side note: That Chick-Fil-A place can say they invented it all they like, and I'll give them credit for being the first fast food spot to offer it as a sandwich, but really, it has been around long before them.)

I have reviewed my share of fried chicken sandwiches over the years too as I am always drawn to most anything which is battered, deep fried and slapped on a buttered bun with mayonnaise-y cole slaw. It's Southern thing. No really, it is. Fried things between two slices of white bread is so white trashy South, I'm proud to claim it. After having a few of them I thought I would trot out some single serving posts on the ones I have had recently, though none were from "high end" spots since I've been on a relatively quicks eats as of late. You know, having a job and all--finally! 

My first stop is a place I went to years ago and kind absolutely hated called Proposition Chicken. Usually I'm not one to give a place a second chance, particularly when it was just all around so bad as it was last time. But somehow the place has managed to garner a niche and following at it's tiny spot in an obscure place on Market and Valencia St. As un-enamored as I was the first time, when I saw their name show up on one of those food delivery places I thought, well, it is different and maybe I should see if they have improved any in the last five(!!) years. I actually ordered several things from them for me and the SO to sample, but since I had the fried chicken sandwich idea in my head I will concentrate on that and cover the rest of it later. Speaking of which, here it is:

fried chicken sandwich and chips $10.75

fried chicken sandwich and chips $10.75

Fried chicken in a sub roll with mayo, spicy cole slaw and a side of their house made sage potato chips. With tax it comes to about $12 and while I rage about $10 sandwiches in this town, this did come with a side of sorts and the sandwich wasn't just some small thing on two slices of bread or burger bun, thus, they get a pass. 

As for the chicken, I do marvel how the pictures on their website show a type of crumbly crust on their chicken but when you get it, it is more like a solid crust you might see on a piece of fried fish like this. It looks more like it is not dipped at all but just fried up in its natural chicken skin. They say it isn't, but it is hard to tell. Not sure why the disconnect, but it was the same the first time I went there. While I can't say I am overwhelmed by their fried chicken, I will say, you get enough pieces or reasonably crispy white meat on this sandwich to have some in each bite which is nice.  

I was also a little surprised there was mayo and a mayo cole slaw, but the chicken, like before, was a bit on the dry side and having all the mayo actually kind of helps make it taste better, if that is possible. The spice in the cole slaw isn't all that spicy, more like notes of black pepper and jalapeno, but it was enough to add in some flavor as you really are not going to get any from whatever "coating" is on the chicken.

The bun was pleasantly toasted, though not buttered, which I will continue to say is a shame for any sandwich like this. A little spread of it can help more than people realize. The potato chips were also crunchy and the sage was a tasty touch of difference. Considering we got our entire order through a delivery service, everything did come still warm and crispy.  

In essence, the sandwich as is wasn't bad. I know that is kind of like saying "I didn't hate it," but in this case it works. By itself I was not too impressed with the pieces of chicken inside, but combine them with all the slaw and mayo on a toasted bun and it kind of worked out pretty well. Even the price point is fine since you get a sub like sandwich and a decent side of potato chips included. While I can't say this is something I would go in search of, if I was in the hood and craving fried things, it could definitely fit the bill enough you wouldn't hear me complain. At least not too much, out loud, in a blog post....again. 

Single serving: fried chicken sandwich RT Rotisserie

Single serving: fried chicken sandwich RT Rotisserie

Take an apple hand pie break with some food news

Take an apple hand pie break with some food news