At midnight few places were still open to serve dinner. Walking around the hotel on the night we arrived we spotted a busy street with one shop loaded with youngsters. Madfry Chicken seems to be renowned around here.
It's not a serious restaurant, not a dinner, not a fast food place. It's a special place where the average age is around 25. Tonight was fun.
A beautifully designed place made of a concrete floor and walls covered with different materials and colors. A bit industrial, metal and greenery, a place filled with wooden tables. The design does not reflect the fried food they serve, instead it makes me feel like you're having a salad on a terrace.
Next to the door is a wall. A big sink but instead of water they use beer. Draft beer is served openly from the wall. On the other side two posters explain the Mad Chicken legacy. No need to have waiters around, you can call them from the table button. I understood later that the call button is found at many restaurants and paying the check on your way out is a national tradition.
The menu is all about chicken. Original fried chicken, tender drumsticks, wings, original crispy baked chicken, original roast chicken and snacks.
We ordered one fried and one baked chicken which was a spicy dish and served as an introduction to spicy Korean food. Max, their local beer, is good! Light and fruity it's a beer everyone would enjoy due to its lack of bitterness. With that we had some crunchy chip rings and pickled white radish.
Two plates of chicken, two huge plates of chicken, good for a family. One baked and one fried ready to be devoured with the utensils it came with. The baked ones are tender and covered with a sweet sauce and sesame. A mountain of them, probably 15 or 20 pieces. Juicy on the inside they are easily separated from the bone. The fried ones are smaller and served in a metallic pan, a crispy envelope and a tender heart. At first I thought they weren't spicy until the heat started tickling my tongue and lips. A pinch of spiciness that's enjoyable - not that kind of commercial Kentucky spiciness.
I wished I hadn't seen the messy kitchen.
Fried chicken seems to be a specialty around town. Good food, not too healthy but who cares, for a gathering between friends. The vibes are magical.