Midtown Lunch

I enjoy chicken, but I really love fried chicken.  When the quick stop fried chicken spot opened last fall in University City, I had every intention of scooting over there. I took me a little while, but I finally got there. Fried chicken, served as boneless white or dark meat or as wings is ready under a heat lamp for $8.95 a pound. Chicken sandwiches, sides, desserts, and  funky sodas make up the rest of the menu.

The bi-level space has seating upstairs. The farm house style interior is rather adorable, with wooden details,  a burlap window treatment, various chicken figurines, and plants everywhere.

One pound of chicken gets you about 6 pieces, I got 2 of each type.

I didn’t taste a huge difference between the white and dark meat. Both were pretty moist and with a crispy, but not crackle-when-you-bite-in-to it, pretzel crust that was impressively grease-less, though not intensely flavored. The same crust is found on the wings; the extra fat on them made them my favorite preparation.

For 50 cents, you can grab a homemade dipping sauce, which helps pep up the lack of flavor. Both the chipotle mayo and the parmesan pesto were excellent and thick.

Mac and cheese is also available by the pound at the same price as the chicken. Wishbone has a pretty stellar take on mac and cheese, using plenty of seasoning along with marscapone and tomatoes to keep it bright.

For dessert, hand pies are made fresh daily ($4). I had the chocolate peanut butter. With it flaky crust and ample, rich chocolate filling, I was pleasantly surprised. From the way the pies were sitting out on the counter, I had assumed mine would be dried out.

For a quick and easy lunch in West Philly, Wishbone has your sweet and savory covered.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Eat as much or as little as you want

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Chicken needs the sauce to add flavor