Sad new from Lunch’er Alvin yesterday: “Piece of Chicken doors closed and kitchen gutted.” Even though Piece of Chicken was slightly out of bounds (and there are plenty of other fried chicken options around 8th Ave.), we always loved its pricing model and considered it an honorary Midtown Lunch. We have no clue what happened, but it will be missed.

To be completely honest though, I had ulterior motives.  Chocolate corn bread muffins sounded pretty good, but what I really wanted to try was the fried chicken and waffle and fried chicken livers, two items on the Piece of Chicken menu which always seemed to be sold out every single time I stopped by for like two weeks straight last year.  Well, it’s been awhile- but I returned to Piece of Chicken a few days ago, and both items were available.

Before I moved to NYC, I spent a few years in L.A. and quickly discovered the joys of putting a piece of fried chicken on top of a waffle (at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles of course.)  I know there are some who “don’t understand” the concept… but truthfully, I “don’t understand” people who “don’t understand” why fried chicken on a waffle is amazing.  (You may say the secret ingredient is the syrup.)  I’ve been to Amy Ruth’s up in Harlem, and for awhile the now closed Ressie May’s Soul to Go served up fried chicken and waffles in Midtown (R.I.P.)  But now, our only option for Midtown Lunch’ing is Piece of Chicken.

I was actually really surprised at how big a waffle you get for $3.  It’s really thin, and not crunchy at all (which I kind of liked.)  Not sure if it’s because it got steamed in the container, but I only walked a few blocks before sitting down to eat it- something that is unavoidable, because Piece of Chicken is take out only.  You get your choice of chicken (I chose thigh), and it may not be much to look at- but damn was that piece of chicken good.  It was so good, I’m curious if they’ve changed their recipe.  The seasoning was stand out good, and I don’t remember thinking that the first time I visited.  Of course, tearing a piece off, wrapping it in waffle and dunking it in syrup took the whole thing to another level.  (Yes, they do provide syrup… and little packets of hot sauce.)  So good… I could eat this for breakfast or lunch every singe day.  And for $3, it really can’t be beat.

Rounding out my lunch, I finally got to try the fried chicken livers- which are now $1.50 (up from $1.)  In fact they raised the prices of a few things (a breast is now $2 instead of $1, and 2 wings are $1.50 instead of $1), but considering how much liver you get, it’s still a bargain. Fried to a crisp, the chicken livers from Piece of Chicken are funnnnnky (and I mean that in that best way possible.)  This ain’t no foie gras or some “gateway liver” pate. These are chunks of chicken liver, deep fried, and served in a stryrofoam container in all their plain glory.  Plain, they were just ok, and a tad bit soggy- either from not being freshly fried or the 3 minute walk in the styrofoam container.

Of course once they were soaked in hot sauce, none of that mattered.  (And I will admit to dunking a few of them in syrup… also recommended.)  If you love liver, you’ll probably be into this.  But if you are even on the fence regarding the joys of offal, I’d stay away.  In other words, if I had to take Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods to eat one thing in Midtown- this might be the dish.

All in all it was a pretty awesome lunch- aided by the fact that I was totally full for just $4.50.  And even with all the great fried chicken options in Midtown West, it was well worth traveling that extra avenue out of bounds. Oh, and as for the chocolate corn bread muffins?  They made those “by accident”, so it was just a one time thing.  Kyle, consider yourself lucky if you got to try them… because I don’t think they’re coming back.

Piece of Chicken, 362 W. 45th St. (just East of 9th Ave.), 212-582-5973

I have never met a piece of fried chicken I didn’t like. Sure, there have been some transcendent fried chicken moments. My first visit to Roscoe’s Fried Chicken and Waffles in L.A. comes to mind (although you may say the waffle had a little something to do with that.) And of course there was Dunbar’s in New Orleans, which is still the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten. Hopefully the rumors of its return are not exaggerated. But I don’t mind slumming it either, and it doesn’t take much to please me. Hot Oil + Chicken (+ Salt & Pepper) = Good.

There is some damn good fried chicken in Midtown. I’ve mentioned Cafe Cello as one of my favorites (on 46th btw. 5+6th) and even KFC has gotten the obligatory mention on the site. But if you want to be at ground zero for NYC fried chicken there is only one place to go. Eighth Avenue. The stretch of that road between the Mid 30’s and Mid 40’s is jammed packed with fried chicken goodness. Here is your guide to navigating the corridor. (A Fried-Chicken-Palooza if you will)

Chicken House

Nickname: El Sucio
Location: 36th btw. 7+8th
Price: 2pcs w/ french fries, $2.50; 2pcs w/ french fries, rice & beans, $4.50
I like a good adventure, and while NYC Fried Chicken is mildly scary this little fried foods diner is a real horrorshow (in the best possible way.) It may even be the cheapest fried chicken in all of New York City. The big downside: they don’t season their chicken at all- but it’s nothing a little hot sauce can’t fix right quick. Read more about Chicken House here.

Church’s

Nickname: The Newbie
Location: 8th Ave. btw. 44+45th
Price: $6.49 for 2pcs, biscuit, side dish & drink
Ok, so maybe it’s not new to some of you- but Church’s is new to the Midtown Lunch landscape. This small branch opened in a strange food court on 8th Ave. a few months ago, and while I don’t think it’s quite good enough to unseat the King (aka Popeye’s) it is a suitable alternative for those who don’t want to walk the extra 5 blocks south. The thing that will set them apart from the competition: a honey glaze on their biscuits, and fried okra as a side dish. Nice.

Golden Krust

Nickname: Homestylie
Location: 8th Ave. btw. 38+39th
Price: $6.99 for 2pcs, rice, beans, and plantains
Golden Krust, the Caribbean chain, is not exactly known for their fried chicken- but if you happen to order it you might be delightfully surprised. Nicely seasoned, and served with rice and peas and plantains, it’s the one place where you feel like you’re getting some good homemade fried chicken. Because as much as I love Popeye’s and the rest of the chains, it’s tough shaking the feeling that you’re eating some kind of processed food that comes out tasting the same every time.

NYC Fried Chicken

Nickname: The Bastard Son
Location: 8th Ave. & 39th Street
Price: $4.25 for 2pcs, mashed potatoes and a roll
It’s hard to beat the price at this Midtown eyesore that has been serving fried chicken on the same corner for god knows how long. Most common response expected at the mention of NYC Fried Chicken: “I’ve always wondered about that place!” Skip the terrible rolls, and the strange looking mashed potatoes and gravy… you’re not there for side dishes. You could only be there for one reason… price, price, and price. Well that, or if somebody dares you. The fried chicken is fine, and it’s fun for the adventure factor, but with other better options so close (i.e. Popeye’s) I wouldn’t bother more than once.

Piece of Chicken

Nickname: The Real Deal (will also answer to “Variety Central”)
Location: 45th btw. 8+9th
Price: $1 for each piece of chicken, $1-3 for side dishes
What Popeye’s and Church’s try to replicate all over the country, Piece of Chicken actually is. Out of the ashes of Jezebel, an upscale soul food joint, this little window hit the scene, serving up fried chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas, cornbread, and more. And it’s modeled after the McDonald’s $1 menu. What more could you want? Read more about Piece of Chicken here.

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits

Nickname: The King
Location: 40th btw. 7+8th
Price: $5.99 for 2pcs, biscuit & one side dish
I’m sorry, but Popeye’s still reigns supreme in my book. They just know how to make damn good fried chicken. They offer spicy or mild, but who would order the mild? Their biscuits are amazing (you may say the secret ingredient is a shitload of butter), and their red beans and rice will remind you why people who live in Louisiana still eat at (and love) Popeye’s. Read more about Popeye’s here.

It’s a great time to be a fried chicken lover in Midtown… I only wish Ressie Mae’s Soul to Go had lived to see the day.

View Larger Map

The guys who run the Biriyani/Chapati Roll cart on 46th & 6th have filled out the necessary paperwork for their second cart, and should be up and running the first or second week of July. The new cart (which is ready to go) will park at their current spot, and they will send this cart over to either Park Ave. & 46th or down to 43rd & 6th. They’re in the process of “negotiating” with the other vendors in the area now…

Macaron the awesome French bakery/sandwich/salad place on 36th btw. B’way+7th in the Garment District has new salads. Not exactly sure which salads are new, and which ones aren’t- but I’m sure if you are into that stuff, you won’t mind heading over there and seeing it for yourself. I was more interested in the Doughnut Plant doughnuts they are now serving… doughnut, macaron. Marcaron, donut. I’ll take both please.

The closed, but soon to re-open Indian buffet, and piece of chicken after the jump…

West Tandoori Club, an Indian buffet on 37th St. btw. 7+8th closed down recently to do a complete renovation. I think they were the only under $10 all-you-can-eat Indian buffet left within the Midtown Lunch boundaries, but we’ll see if the buffet stays at that price when they re-open. The kitchen is still open for takeout or delivery (212-560-9414), but the actual restaurant won’t be open until at least next week. I’ll keep you up to date…

The just outside Midtown Lunch boundaries, Piece of Chicken (aka the only place to serve fried chicken and waffles in Midtown) on 45th btw. 8+9th has expanded their mostly $1 and $2 menu. They now carry daily specials which include smothered pork chops and ham hocks, plus new menu items like smothered chicken, and chicken in honey sauce.

If you have any bits and/or pieces of news to report, please email them to zach@midtownlunch.com

Normally they give away free topping coupons the day after Hideki Matsui hits a homerun, but why should we be punished because it is the Yankees’ offseason?  Problem solved.  Today is free topping coupon day at Go Go Curry on 38th St. btw. 7+8th. 

The new House of Pita on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th finally replaced the Mandler’s Sausage sign.  They smartly decided to keep the H.O.P. name, and only add the “Chicken Bar” part to the sign underneath.  I guess they “discovered” that Chicken Bar already exists.

Kashmir Express, the Indian take out place on 8th Ave. btw. 38+39th, has converted to a by the pound buffet.  Looked pretty good, although having to pay for my lunch by the amount it weighs is always a scary proposition.  The $4.99 price tag is not bad, but Indian food can get heavy!  And it forces you to break the #1 rule of eating at buffets by the pound… go easy on the rice and bread.

A shot of the buffet, plus Piece of Chicken’s shocking new menu changes, after the jump…

The New Inside of Kashmir Express

Not into the by the lb. buffets?  There is always the $9.95 Kashmir all you can eat buffet, in the proper restaurant next door (down the stairs).

Saw this sad sign hanging in “Out of Bounds”, Midtown Lunch favorite “Piece of Chicken” on 45th btw. 8+9th. 

“Due to the price increase of milk, eggs, cheese and butter, we have to raise the price of Macaroni & Cheese to $3.00.  Sorry.” 

Sorry indeed.  The chicken and waffles is now $3 as well (although that seems a little more worth it.  I mean you’re getting a piece of fried chicken AND a waffle.  Is there anything better?)  They make up for it a little by adding a whole bunch of new $2 options, including Bread Pudding, Spicy Jezebel Herbed Tea (from the original restaurant whose kitchen they now occupy), honey chicken, smothered chicken and Jamaican jerk chicken.  And of course each piece of fried chicken is still a buck.  They also have an entrance now, so you don’t have to wait in line in the freezing cold for your food to be put together.

Got any bits and pieces of your own?  Email them to zach@midtownlunch.com

Piece of Chicken is that place, and their sandwich board doesn’t lie.  As unbelievable as it seems to passersby, they do in fact serve fried chicken for $1 a piece, and side dishes for $1-2.  Add to that rib tips, fried fish, corn bread and soup, sold out of the back window of a kitchen that once belonged to upscale Caribbean restaurant Jezebel (with nothing costing over $2), and you’ve got a winner.

The menu, piece of chicken porn and a +/- after the jump…

I’ll take variety over quality any day of the week, and Piece of Chicken is all about variety.  The price structure is possibly the greatest of all time, allowing you to choose four or five different things, and having it only cost $5-7 for your whole lunch.  With so much to choose from, and so many possible combinations for your money- it helps to do a little planning, so here’s the menu in advance:

Piece of Fried Chicken – $1
Piece of Fried Whiting – $2
Piece of Fried Catfish – $2
Crispy Chicken Livers – $1
BBQ Chicken Wings – $1
BBQ Salmon – $5 (the only thing over $2)
Chicken Soup – $1
Fish Soup – $1
BBQ Rib Bit – $1

Okra – $2
Mac & Cheese – $2
Collard Greens – $1
Blackeyed Peas – $1
Potato Salad – $1
Home Fries – $1
String Beans – $1
White Rice – $1
Corn Muffins – 2 for $1

Of course, no bit of planning is perfect, as oftentimes they will be out of things, causing you to have to scramble at the last minute.  Ordering is easily the hardest part of Piece of Chicken,  leaving a lot of room for second guessing, even after you’ve made your decision.  The first time I stopped, here’s what I ended up with:

Clockwise from upper left:  Piece of Whiting, Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese, BBQ Rib Bit, Piece of Chicken.  Total Cost: $7

I didn’t realize you could choose what kind of chicken you ordered, so I ended up with the breast, which not surprisingly, for $1 is actually a half a breast.  Everything was really good (but not great), although it’s hard to complain for $7.

The second time I went, I adjusted my strategy a little:

Clockwise from upper left:  BBQ Wings (there’s actually two in there), Mac & Cheese (to see if it was the same as the first time), Corn Muffins, Fried Chicken Thigh.

Plus a side order of Okra:

Total Cost: $6.  This time I asked specifically for the thigh, which they gladly gave me.  I also asked for the wings (2 for $1) thinking I would get fried chicken wings, but apparently they only do BBQ wings, which I’m pretty sure have the same sauce as the rib bits.

All in all everything was once again really good, especially when you consider the price.  And that’s pretty much it.  Nothing about Piece of Chicken necessarily stands out as outstanding, except for Piece of Chicken itself.  Their service has flaws, sometimes they charge you the wrong amount, oftentimes they will run out of things (I have never been able to get the fried chicken livers), and the freshness of the food is always hit or miss.

But in the end, who cares!?!  Everything costs $1 (or $2), which means you can get 17 different things for the price of a sandwich at Cafe Metro (slight exaggeration, I’m not so good at math).  And it’s served out of the window of a real restaurant kitchen.  A great find for those of us looking for variety, and willing to walk the extra few blocks.  I know some of you have already discovered this place on your own, and everybody has their favorite choices.   Mine would have to be-  2 Thighs, 1 Rib Bit, Okra, Collards & Corn Muffins for $7.  Feel free to post your perfect Piece of Chicken combo as a comment below…

The + (What someone who likes this place will say)

• Is there anything better than fried chicken, $1 per piece?
• Wait, there is something better.  $1 fried chicken, with $1 collard greens and $1 corn muffins.
• I love soul food, and have been looking for a place ever since Ressie May’s closed

THE – (What someone who doesn’t like this place will say)

• The service sucks sometimes.  They try to write your order down, but sometimes end up screwing it up.  (Make sure to check your container before leaving).
• The quality and freshness of the food is hit or miss
• There is better fried chicken in Midtown (even though it doesn’t cost $1 a piece)
• The Mac & Cheese is a casserole more than a creamy, goeey mac & cheese.  And you should get more for your $2.  (Possibly the most complained about Piece of Chicken dish)

Piece of Chicken, 362 W. 45th St. (just East of 9th Ave.), 212-582-5973