Fab Review: The Budlong

Sometimes all you have is a craving for fried chicken – and not just that fast food fried chicken that you might guiltily get once in a while, but some good fried chicken. The Budlong, which recently opened in Lincoln Park, right off the Armitage stop, might just be that place to sate this craving. Though you can grab some of this delicious Nashville hot chicken in The Loop at the Revival Food Hall, this dedicated brick and mortar brings an elevated yet homey feel to the food.

{Ambiance}
The space is intimate, yet open with high ceilings and hanging lights. There’s seating for a good number of people with a few booths against one wall, high tables on the other side, and pristine white picnic tables in the middle… giving the restaurant a relaxed feel, as if you were eating at your neighbor’s backyard BBQ gathering.

The windows near the ceiling are stained glass and in the shape of the windows you find in a church, perhaps emphasizing the neighborhood feel. This might be a place you stop with friends and family after a gathering.

The counter up front is where you place your order with the simple menu on the wall – you can get a hot chicken plate, a chicken sandwich, and chicken tenders. Or, if you’re trying to be healthy (honestly, you probably shouldn’t be in this restaurant then)… a salad. You can choose the level of spice and whether you want dark or white meat for the hot chicken plate. Different than the Revival Food Hall, the Lincoln Park location also offers some classic sides and two dessert options if you’re looking to temper off the spiciness.

After you order at the counter, you’ll be given a number and can sit anywhere to wait for the made-to-order chicken to come out.

{Food}
Hot Chicken Plate
The star of the show; I opted to get the 1/4 white, hot. Each Hot Chicken plate comes with a nice thick slice of Texas toast at the bottom and 2-3 sweet pickles on top on a nice china plate (different from Revival which gives it to you in a Styrofoam takeaway box).

Though it did take a while for my food to come out, the wait was worth it. The crust was perfectly crunchy and flaky – yet the meat itself was tender and juicy – just like how good fried chicken should be.

I didn’t find the heat level that hot (though I have a love of spicy food), the spices were intense and flavorful, which balanced perfectly with the blander Texas toast and sweet pickles. The pickles honestly might have been my favorite part of the plate; I could buy a whole jar of them and eat them in one sitting.

The 1/4 chicken plates are filling enough for one person, making the $10 meal on the worthwhile side.

FAB TIP: They also deliver using Caviar – not sure how fresh the fried chicken will be as it reaches your door but if you’re unwilling to leave the warmth of your apartment, it might be a good option.

Chicken Sandwich
It’s a beautiful sandwich to look at – with the beautiful brioche bun and colorful slaw, yet I found it slightly underwhelming as I bit into it. I found the bread-to-meat ratio a little high, finding myself chewing on mostly carbs rather than the juicy chicken. However, similar to the hot chicken plate, the crust was perfectly done, having that perfect crunch and the pickles in the sandwich again, balanced off the spiciness.

It wasn’t a bad chicken sandwich to say the least, but the plate to me was better if you can deal with eating around the bones.

Biscuit
Don’t order the Biscuit if you don’t want to take away at least a year of your life. This was probably the best biscuit I have ever had. It was everything you would imagine the perfect biscuit to taste like – slightly flaky as you first bite into it, but then completely soft and butter-like as you reached the middle of it. It also wasn’t too dense and heavy. Did I mention they also put melted butter with herbs on top of the biscuit? As if I didn’t need anymore butter in me…

Banana Cream Pie
The Banana Cream Pie was a nice sweet order to finish off the meal – but what I liked about it most was that it wasn’t too sweet. As a girl with not a huge sweet tooth, I tend to get overwhelmed with desserts with exorbitant amounts of sugar or frosting. The banana cream pie was simple, with the banana flavor shining through. The crust was also well done with the nice crunch to balance out the smooth texture of the creamy filling.

FAB TIP: They’re planning on starting brunch once they get settled into the new place and will be offering, what else, but fried chicken and waffles.

{Experience}
Overall, I enjoyed Budlong and would put it down as a place to return. The fried chicken was everything I am looking for when craving some unhealthiness for my body. The location is convenient (especially on these upcoming cold winter days), the ambiance is homey and unpretentious, serving for a nice, casual lunch or dinner with friends. The food is affordable and simple – there’s nothing fancy about it and perhaps that’s what keeps it good.

{Location}
The Budlong
Lincoln Park || 1008 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 270-9005
The Loop || 125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 270-9005

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)

{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}

Live fully, eat fully,
Irene

Note: These items were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.