Restaurant Review: Foolish Chicken

May 21, 2010 by Nelly

Yesterday, Dee and I were driving back from work along Wellington and discussing dinner. I remembered a few recommendations I’ve seen on Twitter about a new place on Holland Ave. called the Foolish Chicken. As I was a few blocks away, I proposed we have some take-out for dinner and turn right on Holland to check out this new place. Dee – a formidable carnivore – promptly agreed and we found ourselves outside a small and quirky establishment marked by a large blue sign with a foolish looking chicken.

We walked inside and noticed that at 5:15 p.m. or so, the place was half-packed. Not a bad thing considering the traffic outside and the fact that it was a Tuesday. We walked up to the cash and met Rick, in charge of the establishment and asked for a take-out menu.

We picked our separate orders to go, with me getting the “TFC Club” (pictured left) and Dee requesting the “Dr. Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwich” (below). In the 10-12 minutes it took for our orders to get boxed up and ready to go, we had ample chance to study the place and observe the patrons.

For a small establishment, it’s well laid out. It allows for social interaction by having large-group tables readily available, and an upstairs dedicated to larger groups and pre-booked meet-ups. The decor was cozy, with chickens painted on several surfaces and figurines scattered across the bar. Dee – an occasional bartender – noted that the bar is well stocked with quality items, and we both enjoyed the smell of the outgoing dishes from the kitchen to the patrons. Between different chicken dishes, ribs, salads and specialty sandwiches, the seemingly small menu offers a large variety of dishes at a very reasonable price.

But all that was visual temptation. We waited until we got home before we got to sample our sandwiches and actually pass a meaningful verdict on the food itself.

Here it is: ridiculously delicious!

The fries they serve are actual old-school fries, made from real potatoes and fried in fresh oil. There is no lingering scent of re-fried or burnt oil, and the potatoes themselves melt in your mouth. That was such a delightful treat, after months and months of sampling sub-par fries, we finally found a place that does potatoes a great service by preserving the taste and texture.We were sold right then and there.

But when we started noshing on our sandwiches, and sharing bites of each order with each other, we noticed the great combination of spices and sauce used. They gave the chicken the necessary flavour to set it aside from any other “chicken-place”, and at the same time did not overdo any of the ingredients to a point where it overwhelms your taste buds. The Dr.Pepper marinade on Dee’s sandwich was a new and unusual taste, a welcome change to our chicken-bored palettes.

So the food was fantastic, the restaurant itself was cozy and unpretentious (especially if you consider some of the other dining places in the area), and the staff was genuinely funny and friendly. I imagine you’d have to be a nifty character to name your restaurant “Foolish Chicken”, but Rick himself kept Dee and I entertained behind the bar while we waited for our orders. His sense of humour and “joie de vivre” made the small establishment extra special. He added his charm and personality to our experience, and now the food itself and the relaxed atmosphere rank very high on our places to frequent and dine in.

My recommendation to you: stop by the Foolish Chicken and sample some of their fantastic dishes. Even if you’re on a healthy food regimen, you’ll notice the lightness of the food and great taste that doesn’t resort to excessive frying or over-spicing.

And if you’re lucky, you may have a chance to meet Rick and enjoy his cheerful personality as much as we did.

Final verdict: Foolish Chicken is a great little spot in Ottawa that should be experienced by all. Head on over to 79 Holland Avenue and get your wise self a piece of a foolish chicken.

For more information, menus and hours of service, please visit their website.