Cluck n’ Cleaver
Two Piece Fried Chicken
Rotisserie Chicken Poutine
Buttermilk Biscuit
Chocolate Chip Cookie and Skor Cookie
Following an American trend of fried Chicken as far as the eye can see, journey(wo)man Chef Nicole Gomes bringing her regionally-famous Bird to a brick and mortar home after years of wowing fans at local food events, Cluck n’ Cleaver on 14 Street SW proved a fortuitous midday find during my first day in Calgary, an off-hour visit featuring no wait and a menu full of tempting choices that outperform the chains by miles without too great a price-hike.
Touting environmentalist beliefs and a focus on sustainability, the Chickens all Organic and never frozen while packaging is either recyclable or compost-ready, it was from a somewhat sleepy clerk that greetings were offered on arrival, the menu a well-culled affair of fried versus rotisserie, though both can readily be sampled for just $9.75CAD by way of a Golden two-piece combo with a side of roasted Chicken Poutine.
Waiting perhaps ten minutes for fresh-fried Potatoes, a few more patrons entering the standing room only space or taking orders to-go, it was with two clamshells plus two bags in hand that items were unpacked on the wood counter, first bites of the fries and gravy succeeding where so many others fail by way of squeaky Curds from Quebec alongside juicy cubes of dark Meat, the Biscuit unfortunately not as impressive despite good Butter content since it ate more like a Muffin than something layered and flaky.
Moving onward to the fried Bird, a Wing and Thigh each piping hot and crisp without a hint of grease, Gomes’ success appears to be derived largely by a rich spice profile awash in Pepper, Sage and something faintly sweet with a crunchiness that almost seems double-battered, the Poultry itself also well-brined and the sort of thing that would go great with a housemade Shake or locally crafted Soda before finishing up with a fresh-baked cookie…or two…on this day featuring Dark Chocolate Chip or one based on Skor Candy Bars with rich Toffee.
www.cluckncleaver.com/
