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Fried Chicken Showdown: The Crispy Coop and Meshikou Chikin
Fried chicken is at it again. Everywhere you look, a new restaurant concept dedicated to the bird is opening in Columbus. Here are two to check out.
The Crispy Coop had a generous head start on the current fried chicken boom. Its origins start at The Buena Vista Café in Warren, Ohio. There, the 65-year-old restaurant serves something iconic in Northeast Ohio: Uncle Nick’s Greek Fried Chicken. A fan of its chicken while growing up near Youngstown, Drew Cleary brought an Uncle Nick’s franchise down to Columbus more than five years ago, opening up a no-frills spot in Grandview.
Hot Chicken Takeover
This relatively new entry into the Columbus dining scene began its life as a pop-up in 2014, and is quickly becoming the standard-bearer for Nashville-style hot chicken in central Ohio (although a “cold” option is available for those who prefer their fried chicken with less of a kick). The chain has four Columbus area locations, and a restaurant in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake. Menu items range from $8 to $10, although you can buy a whole chicken for $27.
The Eagle Food and Beer Hall
The Short North Location of this Midwestern chain lets customers enjoy a crispy, fried meal along with a craft beer and the occasional live band. The Eagle also offers a whole chicken for $19 or a half chicken for $11. A sandwich menu offers handheld dining options ranging from $7 to $12. Sitting in the heart of the city’s most popular nightlife district, The Eagle is the ideal place to enjoy a nice dinner before hitting the bars with your friends.
Meshikou offers a great takeout two-fer in side-by-side joints columbusalive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from columbusalive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.