The Cajun Foodie

I overheard a conversation the other day about McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’ in New Orleans…the couple was raving about it, and my ears really perked up when I heard them say that “they give you a lot of chicken for $5.”

I stopped in my tracks and headed over to the North Broad St. fried chicken establishment.

When I arrived at McHardy’s, I was surprised to see that he place was packed with people who had the same idea as me, only it looked like they all knew exactly what they were getting into.

Once I made my way inside, I was again surprised at the size (or lack thereof) of the place.  No tables are inside the restaurant. It’s takeout ONLY.  I knew that the drive home was going to be a very long one, with the  smell of fried chicken sitting on the passenger seat next to me.

McHardy’s menu consists of fried chicken, fried catfish and a few fixins’ (sides) – peppers, rolls, fries, and drummettes. The prices at McHardy’s are cheap to say the least.  I ordered the five-piece which included 2 legs and one each of thigh, breast, and wing.  Five pieces of fried chicken for $3.89 is a deal anywhere.  The wait for my order  seemed so long but was actually only five minutes, then the torture of having to drive home with a box of hot fried chicken began.

At first glance, I could tell that McHardy’s  fried chicken was definitely well-seasoned.  The skin was golden and appeared very crunchy.  Also, the chicken did not look greasy at all.  As a matter of fact, after the grueling drive home, the chicken didn’t become all soggy like most fried foods tend to do

Once the skin was removed, I could now see the chicken.  This chicken was very plump and juicy like no other chicken I had eaten before.  The flavor of the chicken was amazing. It was a level of taste and tenderness that would seem to only be achieved by letting the chicken pieces soak in a brine. I don’t know if McHardy’s actually does this with their chicken, but I do know that whatever it is that they do, it WORKS.  This chicken has it all…..crunchy skin, moist and flavorful chicken and not at all greasy as a lot of fried chicken can be.  “Wow” was the first word that came to me after eating this fried piece of goodness.

I have eaten at many fried chicken establishments in the city of New Orleans, and after enjoying what McHardy’s had to offer, I say that they can give anyone a run for their chicken.  What more can you ask for…..finger-licking good fried chicken at a price that surely fits in anyone’s budget even in a “recession.”  Good food is one thing.  Good food at a great price makes it all the better.

Next time your stomach is craving fried chicken (as mine does very often) go give McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’ a try.  I promise that you won’t be disappointed.