Fried chicken without sides is like peanut butter without jelly, Peter without Paul and Mary.
At each of the six finalists, we ordered a number of sides to see what paired best with the fried chicken. These are our favorites:
– Creamy coleslaw at White Fence Farm. Our top side dish of the day. Fresh, crisp, light on the mayo, with a refreshing vinegary bite. $1.25 (small), $2.25 (pint).
– Mashed potatoes and gravy at White Fence Farm. The mashed potatoes are par for the course, but it’s the golden chicken gravy that makes this a winner. $1.25 (small), $2.25 (pint).
– Fried okra at Evanston Chicken Shack. Perfect for the okra eater who doesn’t like okra. Bite-size pieces in cocoons of fried batter. $1.70.
– Corn fritters at Brown’s Chicken. Ask for them with confectioner’s sugar on top. These golf-ball-size nuggets taste like mini-doughnuts, studded with kernels of corn and fried brown and crunchy. $1.49 (individual), $3.49 (large).
– Hush puppies at Harold’s Chicken Shack. A classic recipe. Not too sweet, not too savory, just cornmeal fried to a gosh darn crisp. $1.99.
– Campero beans at Pollo Campero. Unlike the molasses-heavy baked beans at other places, these firm pinto beans and tomatoes are stewed with bacon and onions, making this version full, smoky and hearty. $1.09 (single portion), $2.99 (family portion).
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