Find fried chicken heaven at Juicy Lucy
Move over American-style burgers, Sydney has a new battle waging on the foodie front. Is 2016 the year of cooked chicken? Thirsty Bird and Butter have both staked their claim, and in the coming months we’ll also see The Chicken Shop ruffling feathers. But in this title for top bird, newcomer Juicy Lucy is going to be one tough hen to beat.
The second venue from the team behind Thai restaurant Sugarcane, Juicy Lucy is the classic Aussie chicken shop but with a south-east Asian twist. Walking into this simple and fun, retro style eatery, the down-right, mouth-watering smell immediately hits. Owners Milan Strbac and Griff Pamment grew up in the cultural melting pot of Sydney’s western suburbs. And having traveled extensively around Asia and worked, respectively, in the kitchens Longrain and Bills, the pair were keen to continue their love affair with rich, delicious flavours and spices.
This is hearty, messy, get-right-in-there sort of tucker. Diners have the option to dine-in on wooden benches and stools or grab and go their whole ($18), half ($10), or quarter ($6.50) servings. Make sure to try the Aunt Lucy’s seasoned chicken with garlic rice stuffing. Sydney would be hard pressed to find a juicier, more succulent chook. Slow-roasted overnight in a brine of Sichuan pepper, cloves, cassia bark and coriander seeds, and then stuffed with garlic rice, it is all kinds of tender.
The Thai Gai Yang is butterflied chicken prepped with garlic, coriander, white pepper and fresh turmeric before going into the rotisserie. And while it is wonderfully flavourful and perfectly complimented by a side of hot, crispy chips and fiery chilli sauce, it is a little overdone and on the dry side.
Also on the menu are burgers and wraps ($12). The superstar of the latter is the Big Bang. Positively packed with fried chicken, rice, slaw and Sriracha, it is a generous offering. The heat of the hot sauce wonderfully balances the crunchy cabbage and Spanish onions. Suffice to say, it didn’t last long.
Salads change daily, and as this young bird feathers her nest, more tasty treats are going to be added to the menu. It’s sure to make you chicken lovers as happy as a rooster in a hen house.
Juicy Lucy
232A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Monday to Saturday: 11am til late
For further information, visit facebook.com/juicylucychicken