Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Chicken & Waffles – Deep Fried Waffles, Chicken Breasts, Jalapeno Honey Butter, Bacon Marmalade, Coffee Syrup
Corn Bread Muffins with Tequila Butter
Mexican Coke Sweet Potatoes
Mason Jar Banana Pudding – Custard, Vanilla Salt, Nilla Wafers, Bananas
Temporarily tied to ATX as freezing rain fell it was in College Avenue staple Lucy’s Fried Chicken that I searched for more sustenance before braving the road to Dallas during a (very) temporary break in the storm; a plate of reference-standard fried chicken over golden waffles plus equally impressive sides and dessert perhaps the best “silver lining” one could have asked for under the circumstances. Unmistakably “Austin Weird” with neon lights, funky tunes, and kitsch to spare yet at the same time laced with smiling service and plenty of Southern charm it was to a packed house that I arrived at Lucy’s and lucky to land the last open seat as brunch was about to end my order was placed quickly with subtly spiced cornbread delivered minutes later and the rest soon to follow. Having already mentioned the chicken, juicy and well seasoned beneath greaseless breading equally well spiced it was to some surprise that I found the deep fried waffles to be equally light and crisp as smoky syrup pooling as opposed of soaking in – a sweet/savory balance made all the more decadent with a touch of spreadable bacon marmalade, a topping equally well suited for the cornbread – especially when enjoyed in alternating bites with the lightly sweetened potato puree. Unable to resist desert but unable to settle on one of a half dozen pies it was to my waiter that I turned and with a quick “skip the pie, get the pudding” I knew my choice was in good hands, the eggy banana custard arriving moments later topped with house whipped cream and just a touch of crunchy finishing salt that made the whole jar pop, a simple addition to great ingredients bringing new light to a classic.
