There are tens of thousands of eateries around New York City, and many of them serve some type of chicken dish. Besides maybe turkey, chicken is the popular bird of choice for meat eaters around the world.
It's true. In Manhattan, much of the best chicken is uptown, mainly in Harlem. Stew chicken, jerk chicken, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken.
No nonsense chicken, no "fusion" or gimmick chicken-- just some good-ass chicken.
So, we put together this list of some of our favorite uptown chicken spots because those fancy $50 chicken plates with purple mashed potatoes you get downtown just aren't what we want...or can even afford.
So grab a center breast and let's dig in.*
1. Amy Ruth's (113 West 116th Street - Harlem)
This is one of many "famous Harlem soul food restaurants." Some people think if it's a soul food spot in Harlem, it has to be famous and incredible and that's simply not true.
We've had our fair share of dry, under-seasoned fried chicken, insanely vinegary greens, and blatantly horrible mac and cheese.
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Amy Ruth's is measuring stick for other soul food in the area and beyond. It's so good, it's almost too good to be true. Customers often say something like, "When I'm in LA, it's Roscoe's. When I'm in NYC, it's Amy Ruth's. No questions asked."
Now, that's kind of all you need to know. Amy Ruth's is recognized coast to coast for a damned good reason: because it's damned good.
2. Cuchifritos (168 East 116th Street - Spanish Harlem)
This old school Puerto Rican spot has way more than just chicken, but their take on rotisserie is bangin'.
Lines are usually long, but you can order from the window and kick it on the street while you wait.
The great part about Puerto Rican rotisserie chicken is that the method of cooking lets the protein shine with a little help from ubiquitous adobo criollo. Recipes abound, but the important parts are salt, pepper, garlic, oregano and cumin.
3. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (700 West 125th Street - Harlem)
One of two Dinosaur locations in NYC, this chain popped off up in Syracuse, NY near the end of the 80s.The Dinosaur is famous for (among other things) doing wings better than almost anybody else around. Why?
Well, their line of home made sauces are incredible, but that's only half of it.
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The big difference is that their wings are grilled to perfection, rather than fried. Not only that, they're usually pretty huge for chicken wings. The BBQ chicken is great as well, not to mention the ribs and pulled pork.
It's some biker-blues BBQ that you really can't afford to miss out on. Be sure to get a side of their equally famous mac & cheese, or perhaps their collard greens stewed with turkey necks.
4. Abyssinia (268 West 135th Street - Harlem)
Generally considered to be the best Ethiopian restaurant in NYC. There aren't so many of them, and the competition is fierce when the pond is small.
So it speaks volumes to Abyssinia's legitimacy to rank so highly in the popular consciousness of NYC foodies. This is partially because their menu is tremendous for all types of people.
Lentils weigh in heavily in Ethiopian cuisine, making it more vegan-friendly than many places that also serve awesome chicken. So if you're a omnivore taking out a vegetarian/vegan, neither of you would have to compromise for the other's sake at Abyssinia.
Chicken (also lamb and beef) tibs reign supreme among meat dishes, and that's because they're simple and delicious. 150% worth it to check out this cozy "local-feeling" spot. Do yourself a favor.
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5. Mama's Restaurant (2347 2nd Avenue - East Harlem)
When it comes to Jamaican food, you can't just ask for "the chicken." There are at least a few major types. Mama's chicken is insanely good, all three kinds: stew chicken, curry chicken, and obviously jerk chicken.
One of the best parts about Mama's is the value. It's not too expensive and you get a good-sized portion, though word is you used to get more. Such is life...
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Regardless of "how things used to be," Mama's is still amazing. Besides chicken, their ox tail is also beyond incredible-- arguably the best ox tail in NYC.
6. Sylvia's Restaurant (328 Malcolm X Boulevard - Harlem)
Sylvia's is a Harlem institution serving up traditional soul food.
Collard greens, corn bread, fried catfish, and of course chicken and waffles and way more. Some say Sylvia's has better soul food than many places down South. For the price, they better!
Sporting a "grandma's house" kind of decor and a friendly staff, they've got a good vibe. However, like any famous spot, there are bound to be haters. Fact is, you don't get haters if you're not doing things right.
Plenty of people call it a tourist trap, but let's be real: it's no Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
If you're in Harlem on a Sunday, check out their "Sunday Gospel Brunch;" there aren't too many places in the area that can compare.
7. Streetbird - (2149 Fredrick Douglass Boulevard - Morningside Heights)
streetbirdnyc Happy #HumpDay, #Harlem! We're gettin through by munching on some of these #Streetbird #ChickenandWaffles. 📷 by @carnivorr #BirdIsTheWord
Streetbird is noted Harlem chef Marcus Samuelsson's latest restaurant. You may have seen him during his stints as a judge on The Food Network's Chopped.
It's a new school spot. Their claim to fame is their rotisserie chicken, which is generally pretty good. The theme of the restaurant is decidedly muddled, a mix of high food culture and comfort food.
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Their red velvet waffles & chicken is a curious spin on the classic dish, but we recommend you stick to their rotisserie as their fried chicken isn't the best in the hood.
Check out the jumbo rigatoni mac and cheese for something different that isn't so "creative" that it's stupid.
Check out 5 Spots for the Hottest Hot Wings in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]