Midtown Lunch

When I was a wee Lunch’er, my go-to order when eating out was chicken fingers accompanied by some sort of potato product. I would not say I was an aficionado, but did definitely favor the higher meat to breading ration than you find at somewhere like McDonald’s.

It occurred to me the other day that I had yet to check out the version at Dirty Bird To Go on Chambers St. (btw. W. Broadway & Greenwich). When I went on opening day, the fingers weren’t ready yet so I instead tried the delicious bone-in fried chicken. I had high hopes for these organic, fancy pant chicken fingers and they did not disappoint.

The prices at first seem a bit high, at three chicken fingers for $5 or $8 with one side. I got the combo option with smashed potatoes with gravy, keeping with my tradition of having potatoes with my fingers.

These chicken fingers are gigantic! Each piece was basically the side of a small chicken breast with a thin coating of breading. It was more original recipe than extra crispy – if you’re familiar with Kentucky Fried Chicken lingo – and supplemented by the barbeque sauce I got alongside. You can also get honey mustard which is also great.

The smashed potatoes are of the skin on, chunky variety, with a light application of gravy on the top. I would suggest stirring them up to better distribute the gravy, otherwise you won’t get any with the bottom layer of potatoes.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to return to Dirty Bird, but if you love fried chicken fingers, these are a step above the fast food versions.

Dirty Bird To Go, 155 Chambers St. (btw. W. Broadway & Greenwich St.), (212) 964-3284