The Best Dressed Chicken Di Favourite Chicken Spot Nominees
Chicken rules the Jamaican menu, and these restaurants have a lot to crow about as nominees for the Best Dressed Chicken Favourite Chicken Spot award. Vote online at facebook.com/bestdressedchicken
Lorna’s Catering — Mountain View Avenue
Fried Chicken
Business execs, construction workers and teachers queue up outside Lorna’s Catering, a breakfast and lunch spot, for their daily fix of home-style Jamaican food. After just four years, Lorna’s fried chicken has earned top place on the menu. Chef and proprietor Lorna O’Neill has the perfect balance of a chicken that’s crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. She says, “The chicken tastes good because of all the love I put into it and my choice of seasoning.”
Cuddyz Ultimate Sports Bar — New Kingston
Grid Iron Chicken
Cuddyz Ultimate Sports Bar’s Grid Iron Chicken, a hearty serving of two deboned chicken breasts smothered in garlic or barbecue sauce, served with sautéed vegetables, is a hit with customers. Manager Chrissy-Lee Walsh says that the Grid Iron Chicken is a perfect option for the more health-conscious diner that does not hold back on taste or portions.
Pushpa’s — Liguanea
Chicken Tikka Masala
Pushpa’s Favourite Chicken Spot nomination comes as no surprise to restaurateur Pushpa Latha Sriranaya, whose Chicken Tikka Masala has Jamaican flair. Sriranaya says, “The sauce is a blend of curry spice, jerk seasoning and yogurt, which is added to baked chicken and served with white rice or naan.” She also explains, “We use the Best Dressed Chicken because it’s clean and tender.” Sriranaya adds that Pushpa’s has a loyal following which she attributes to the authenticity of the meals prepared.
Star Grill — Mandeville
BBQ Chicken
The Vern Yip-designed Star Grill Restaurant has ignited the culinary landscape of Mandeville, serving up Jamaican and gourmet delights. Their Barbecued Chicken is a standout on the menu and co-owner Andrea Patmore points out, “It is very tasty, soft and tender and people enjoy it a lot.”
Cosmo’s — Negril
Jerked Chicken
Thirty-eight years in Jamaica’s food service industry is no mean feat and Cosmo’s in Negril has stood the test of time. The Jamaican beachside bistro offers luscious jerked chicken and other dishes in a comfortable setting. Owner Cosmo Brown notes, “We spend a lot of time cooking the chicken, which is jerked to juicy perfection and served mild, with some sauce on the side.” Lots of celebrities have indulged in the offerings at Cosmo’s, including Johnnie Cochran, Lionel Ritchie and every Jamaican prime minister.
Mongoose — Ocho Rios
Fried Chicken
With its odd name, the year-old Mongoose Restaurant is focused on one thing, unrivalled food matched by flawless service. Proprietor Lesber Thomas says, “I wanted something Jamaicans could identify with easily and Mongoose was the perfect fit.” To his credit, his Fried Chicken is just as distinct as the restaurant’s name. Thomas explains, “The chicken is coated with a special mixture of herbs, then pan fried, which gives it a crispy texture but leaves it juicy.” Thomas continues, “The Best Dressed Chicken is the only thing we use here; it is moist and tender and we use it in our salads, pastas, and basically, every chicken dish.”
T’Sang’s Chinese — Burlington Avenue
Chicken Steak
For a fast, wholesome lunch on a shoestring budget, T’Sang’s Chinese is the place to go. With no frills and no gimmicks, the restaurant gives patrons what they want, and a big favourite at the Burlington Avenue eatery is the Chicken Steak. Veteran restaurateur Linchan T’Sang notes, “The chicken is simply coated in breadcrumbs and other secret spices then fried and served with a little curry or sweet and sour sauce along with fried rice.”
Kenny’s Italian Café — Negril
Chicken Alfredo
Kenny’s Italian Café has evolved into a thriving Italian bistro with a distinctive Chicken Alfredo. Owner Kenny Johnson says the authenticity of his sauce separates his Chicken Alfredo from others. “We make our sauce from scratch and we use heavy cream unlike other people who just use milk and parmesan.”
Scotchies — New Kingston
Jerked Chicken
Scotchies distinguishes itself with its consistency of flavours and moderate pricing. The New Kingston branch, which opened in 2010, uses sweetwood to grill their chicken, which gives it a succulent texture. They also add a special sauce concocted by proprietor Tony Rerrie. Manager Pauline Whyte says, “The Best Dressed Chicken is the perfect size for grilling and it is ideal for our menu.”
Hunger Buster — Montego Bay
Curried Chicken
A name like Hunger Buster is a good way to summon all food fans for an inexpensive Jamaican lunch. Restaurateur Peter Duhaney says, “We needed a name with mass appeal, one which would grab attention and show what we are about, which is to satisfy the customers’ hunger.” Duhaney puts his own spin on Curried Chicken using authentic Jamaican curry and natural seasonings. The result: a crowd pleaser.