Fried Chicken Fest

Let's go! Tag your favourite restaurant to join us for Fried Chicken Fest, January 17-27, 2024 🎉🎉

The votes are in!
・・・

Congratulations to the winner of Fried Chicken Fest 2023 as voted by dedicated eaters, foodies, and enthusiasts! Their entry What The Cluck was a hefty fan favourite combining fried chicken, mac n cheese in a sushi roll dream. This dish was blowing up social media all week and was big enough that you might have needed a friend (or two) to finish it.

🥈 In second place this year is newcomer with their Honey In Heat prized chicken sandwich. This one was juicy and the flavours hit all the right spots for fried chicken fest lovers.

🥉And finally, .mb finished in third place with their imaginative pairing of churros (!!) and fried chicken that satisfied diners with a smooth finish of heat. And honourable mention goes to Capital Grill for their entry Dill I Make You Honey, Baby. Honey dill + chicken. OBVS

Thank you to all our participating restaurants for another fantastic year and to all the fried chicken lovers who make this homegrown food festival a fantastic way to get around to new spots as well as gathering in favourite spots. Thank you to all the restaurant staff who worked during FCF and pumped up this event to their tables and callers. 

We'll see you next year and as always we encourage foodies and fans of the local restaurant scene to support their favourite restaurants whenever possible. 

CHECK THE NEXT POST FOR JUDGES' CHOICES

See you next year! 🥳🤩💜

From the esteemed Judges' Corner... Congratulations goes to the Merchant Kitchen — the first place Judge's Choice for Fried Chicken Fest 2023. Selected by our panel: Chefs Allan Pineda, Steven Strecker, Dustin Peltier (Loaf & Honey), Austin Granados (cakeology), and foodie Amanda Pineda along with Ray & Marike from Now 94.3! FM.

"These judges gave their all to this monumental task of judging almost 50 entries. In the end, it was delightful to see Merchant Kitchen at the top. Everyone who loves fried chicken won this week," said Fried Chicken Fest co-founder Chef Allan Pineda. "Each entry was unique in its own way and that the participating chefs were looking to wow guests this year."

The judges second and third place picks go to 🥈 and 🥉 respectively.

Thank you so much, Winnipeg! See you next year 🏆🤩🥳

Kyu Bochi

Everything in life is butter with spice
Presented by Chef Phi Vo

Spaghettini tossed in a creamy garlic herb curry, and the star of the dish… battered fried chicken coated in a spicy Thai butter.

Meal Set Bistro

WHAT THE CLUCK?!
Presented by Chef Ken Nguyen

**2021 WINNER OF FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

Double fried chicken thigh bites hand tossed in our spicy Korean house blend. Topped with mac & cheese, red cabbage, jalapeño queso, crème fraîche, finished with furikake seasoning and scallions. All on a panko breaded, deep fried sushi roll.

This will have you saying.. Meal Set Bistro…….. WHAT. THE. CLUCK!!!

1928 Eatery & Pub

Royal Fried Chicken and Waffles
Presented by Triet Nguyen

Hand-tossed, double-fried chicken for the ultimate crunch. Served on Belgian waffles with a smooth Crown Royal apple buttercream and jalapenos. Get ready to awaken your taste buds!

Yard Burger

The Fried Belgian Sandwich
Presented by Chef Steve Toews

A crispy Belgian waffle topped with a buttermilk-fried chicken breast, buttermilk dressing, 314 sauce, maple creme fraiche, pickled onions, and chives.

Kyu Grill

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Hero
Presented by Chef Paul Moralina

Sweet & Spicy! Hand-breaded fried chicken, creamy coleslaw, dill pickles, habañero hot honey sauce in a buttery toasted sweet bun.

Shark Club (Cityplace)

Sweet & Spicy Chicken & Waffles
Presented by Chef

Belgian waffle with fried chicken strips tossed in our spicy cherry maple glaze and topped off with banana pepper relish, maple bourbon sauce and green onions.

Buvette in the Village

Eggs Schnitzeldict
Presented by Chef Alex Svenne

**NEW TO FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

Two poached eggs on pan-fried chicken schnitzel, with mushroom gravy, buttery peas and a freshly baked English muffin all smothered in hollandaise sauce.

SMITH @ Inn At The Forks

You’re Killin’ Me, Schmaltz
Presented by Chef Quin Cook

Spicy battered chicken, purple cabbage slaw, garlic dill pickles, candied bacon, hot buttermilk dressing, all on a pretzel bun.

Nicolino’s Cucina Italiano

Introducing the "Tulsa King!"

We start with a 6oz tender chicken breast coated in our light, and crispy house-seasoned breading. We then layer crispy pancetta, brie, pepperoncini, tomato and arugula with a house-made spicy Calabrian honey lime aioli on our homemade bun.

Served with your choice of house-cut fries or tossed salad.

LOCAL Public Eatery

The Classy Clucker
Presented by Chef Adam Dary

You know what’s cool with just a hint of spicy edge to it? Being the best man at a wedding and rocking a Tuxedo T-Shirt. You know what else is cool with just the right amount of spice? The Classy Clucker. Our signature fried chicken, with house-made queso, crisp bacon, pickled jalapenos, and a garlic aioli to cool you down. Put all that together and you have the blue ruffled suit you (or your parents) wore to high-school grad, in sandwich form. Simple, elegant, spicy and oh so cool.

Khao House @ The Goodwill Social Club

The JFC
Presented by Chef Aiden Thanh Tu

Japchae Fried Chicken is a chicken thigh stuffed with sweet potato noodles, shiitake mushrooms, veggies and sesame-soy sauce and served with cucumber salad in a kimchi dressing.

Rudy's Eat & Drink

One Bourbon, One Bawk, One Beer
Presented by Chef Brad Joyce

**NEW TO FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

Bacon and bourbon-marinated chicken thighs, cheddar biscuits, spicy pickles, red-eye gravy, caramelized maple with a sambal drizzle.

The Tallest Poppy

Grumpy Gold Nuggets

Chicken marinated in all kinds of delicious things and then rolled in brioche crumbs to make the perfect little golden nuggets. Grumpy Gold Nuggets are available in packs of 6 or 10 pieces and served with a sweet and a slightly spicy BBQ dipping sauce.

📸

Moxie's Kenaston

Miso Fried Munchies
Presented by Chef Nik Dermek

A Moxie's take on a not once, but twice fried chicken, Japanese style. We've got you covered for a well-balanced combination of juicy tenderness and the ultimate crisp. Our Miso Fried Munchies are first immersed in a savory soy ginger marinade and finished by frying to perfection. With their citrus miso aioli to dip, you'll be missing these munchies when you're done!

Rae's Bistro

This Chick’s The Pom
Presented by Chef Leonard Church

A 15-spice buttermilk marinate coats this chicken breast before deep frying to perfection. With thick-cut maple bacon, aged white cheddar, an old-fashioned onion ring, and a sweet pomegranate jam all on a toasted pretzel bun with arugula, tomato, dill pickle and dark molasses mayo served with their signature crispy skinny fries.

Wienerpeg

Wienerpeg Po’boy
Presented by Chef Quin Ferguson

Buttermilk-fried chicken with Wienerpeg’s secret sauce, shredded lettuce, house-made cool breeze pickles and a sun-dried tomato aioli on a gorgeous bun.

Roo's

Say Pollo to My Little Friend
Presented by Chef Aidan Cole

Batter-fried chicken breast, crispy prosciutto, sun-dried tomato pesto, mayo, pickled red onion, and mixed field greens on a delicious Gunn’s Bakery brioche bun.

CRSPY BNCH

**2022 FRIED CHICKEN FEST WINNER** as voted by fried chicken fest lovers

Island Chick-N
Presented by Chef Jaybee Dizon

We have here a double-dipped & double-fried buttermilk-jerk fried chicken that delivers a crunchy, flavourful crust in every bite!

Stuffed between two powder sugared Beignets from our friends and topped off with creamy coconut coleslaw, jerk aioli sauce, and green onions.

Sea Level 100

Roxanne
Presented by Chef Johnnyfivespicejr

Hong Kong-Style egg waffle topped with a boneless chicken thigh that is fried to a crisp that will satisfy you with that classic crunch.

Prepare to be amazed by the flavour. The chicken is tossed in a bourbon honey mustard sauce and drizzled with haupia coconut syrup and honey sriracha then topped with roasted sesame seeds and green onions. Are you a chicken & waffles person?
She will be loved!

One Great City Brewing Company

Homestyle Fried Chicken Dinner
Presented by Chef Jon Burge

This hearty and flavourful dish features twice-fried chicken, giving it a crispy and crunchy exterior and a juicy and tender interior.⁠

Served alongside a rich and creamy creamed corn, tangy and refreshing pickled cabbage, and finished with a sweet and spicy spiced honey. Served with a fluffy and buttery buttermilk biscuit.⁠

Everything comes together to create a comforting and satisfying meal that is sure to delight the taste buds.

Underdogs

Fleetwood Mac
Presented by Chef Randy Craig

Homemade made to order crispy fried chicken, creamy slaw, bread & butter pickles, UD Buffalo sauce and a big ol’ scoop of our famous Mac N Cheese!!!

James Ave Pumphouse Food & Drink

Blueberry Yumyum!
Presented by Chef Mark Merano

Double stacked hashbrown fried chicken topped with bacon, whipped lemon goat cheese mayo, arugula, and herbed-blueberry compote on a potato bun!

Damecca Lounge

Honey in Heat Burger

Presented by Chef Phil Comia

**NEW TO FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

Juicy house-brined chicken thigh, topped with a sweet and savoury umami honey caramel sauce. Dill and cilantro salsa for a burst of freshness while our house chili oil mayo and pickled jalapenos gives it a spicy kick. All between a soft brioche bun from Gunn's Bakery.

OH! GOOD! PATH!

Fried Chicken Taco Rice
Presented by Chef Uem Chun

**NEW TO FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

Sushi rice topped with our signature Japanese-style Fried Chicken, teriyaki flavored ground beef, shredded mozzarella cheese, tomato, marinated carrot, lemon and lettuce.

Fionn's Grant Park

Spicy, Sticky Guinness-glazed Fried Chicken Sandwich
Presented by Dalton Gillespie

One buttermilk marinated fried chicken thigh tossed in a spicy, sticky Guinness glaze served on a potato bun with caramelized onion aioli, monterey jack cheese, shredded lettuce, a sweet maple bacon jam, pickles, and crispy onions.

Roughage Eatery

Buffalo Chickun Bowl
Presented by Chef Jessie Hodel

The Buffalo Popcorn Chickun Bowl starts with a seasoned and Buffalo spicy *crispy chickun bites, melty pepper cheddar cheeze, corn kernels on a bed of buttery mashed potatoes then it’s finished with gravy. *Your choice of Chickun Seitan or crispy marinated tofu bites (GF). VEGAN 😊

Fionn’s Crossroads

Jameson-glazed bacon and blue cheese fried chicken sandwich

Presented by Jay Kilgour

Two buttermilk-marinated, battered chicken thighs tossed in a tangy Jameson Whisky glaze, with blue cheese crumble, Guinness cheddar sauce, two strips of smoked bacon, topped with crispy onions served on a potato bun.

Capital Grill Broadway

Dill I make you honey, baby?
Presented by Chef Wayne Martin

Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with grandma’s honey-dill sauce, Bothwell old cheddar, bacon, buttermilk slaw, and pickled jalapeños.

The Merchant Kitchen

A Poppin’ Sundae
Presented by Chef Brianna Vince-Clarke

TMK Korean-fried popcorn chicken, arugula, banana peppers, pickled red onion, queso fresco, maple chili sauce, black sesame, and scallion in a waffle cone bowl.

Brazen Hall

Val-Hella
Presented by Chef Tracy Tardiff

A house-made waffle cone baked with shish*to peppers, smoked gouda, Hella Hot, and then we wrap it around our crispy chicken with Wild Turkey cherry bourbon glaze, double bacon mac ‘n cheese, topped with deep fried shish*to peppers and served with our spicy Brazen butter sauce to add as much heat as you dare… 😳🤩

Junction 59

Junctionville Fried Chicken Sandwich
Presented by Chef Peter Haverstock

Crispy hand-battered chicken coated in Nashville cayenne pepper sauce, sliced dill pickles, crispy onions drizzled with ranch on a toasted garlic buttered bun. Served with fries.

Cibo Waterfront

The Mornay Maker
Presented by Chef Sean Smith

Buttermilk fried-chicken with Swiss mornay sauce topped with shaved ham dressed with a garlic dill honey butter and topped with pickled cucumber, dijon, arugula all on a brioche bun.

Moxie's Polo Park

Chicken Little Lime
Presented by Chef Quintin Rogers

A savory yet zesty house-made lime aioli that will excite your taste buds combined with a juicy fried chicken that is double breaded with our signature spices that will make your mouth water with each bite. Topped off with crisp fresh arugula, red onion, and herbed goat cheese. This will leave you wanting more and more each bite.

Fusion Stop

Tropical Chicken and Churros

Presented by Chef Richard Mohammed

**NEW TO FRIED CHICKEN FEST**

The only thing better than fried chicken might be churros. So it’s amazing that these two things have come together at the new Fusion Stop in the legendary St. Boniface Hotel.

A tropical twist on chicken and waffles. Mango habanero buttermilk-fried chicken thigh on a spicy papaya salad sitting on our traditional churro base topped with house-made pickled pineapple and finished off with pineapple cilantro hot honey.

KYU Bistro

Garlic Butter Furikake Fried Chicken
Presenter by Chef Peter Dao

Buttermilk-fried chicken, tossed in garlic butter and house furikake. Served on Japanese fried rice.