Leghorn Chicken Sandwich

My new favorite chicken sandwich

Lord there have been a number of new chicken shacks in Chicago recently. From Parson’s to Pecking Order to Honey Butter Fried Chicken, you’d think our love of fried bird would have been sated by now. But the folks behind Old Town Social and Nellcôte just opened Leghorn about a week ago, and I do declare, I say, I do declare, they make one fine fried specimen that’s something you should eat.

Choices are simple: Nashville hot or pickle-brined (get the latter; the former isn’t anywhere near Prince’s Hot Chicken, you’ll need extra hot sauce); then breast or thigh (an obvious one here, go with the thigh, although the breast isn’t nearly as dried out as you’d think); then you choose to have it on either a homemade biscuit or a homemade bun. I opted for the latter, and was glad I did. This brined thigh, with just a few thin pickle discs was pitch-perfect. Exactly the crunch I wanted, and not too thick, as Honey Butter’s tends to lean. The meat benefitted from the brine, and retained its juicy succulence. I was only going to eat half, but what the hell, I polished it off.

I liked the idea of the biscuit, but in reality, they didn’t quite do the job of holding the chicken in place.  This sandwich turned into a mess of alternating chicken bites (very good) with torn pieces of biscuit (Bang Bang and Analogue have nothing to worry about).

I’m going back again soon to get the hand-cut fries dusted with nori and the potato salad, and if you get there early enough, do order the chicken tenders – dipped into the excellent honey-mustard or spicy mayo, they’re a childhood snack with an all-natural, sustainable bent to them, and they’re delicious.