Fried Chicken Any One?

Fried Chicken for Lunch

So every time I visit the gRind restaurant in Cherry Creek North I always notice their sign claiming to have Award Winning Fried Chicken. But the other items on the menu sound so unique and tempting I always decide to get something different other than the fried chicken.

Really a Fried Chicken Snob?

I am kind of a fried chicken snob which is weird as I was born and raised in New York. The closest my mom came to making fried chicken for us was when she reversed engineered a sesame chicken dish from a local Chinese restaurant. Hers of course was amazing and was even better than the restaurant’s version. But it wasn’t that crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside down-home fried chicken that I now so much enjoy.

For my birthday one year, Jodie’s mom Charlotte made me fried chicken per my request. It was pretty darn good and started me on a quest to find the best.

Blog Photo Outing

After spending the morning getting our haircuts and then doing photo shoots for the blog and Instagram, my wife and I decided to have lunch at gRind Kitchen and watering hole. Their website tagline is “Eclectic Southern Fare with a twist.” And that’s exactly what they offer.

Eclectic Southern Fare with a Twist

We’ve tried the buttermilk dill fried pickles, a typical Southern treat. Along with the crispy Brussels sprouts which are made with a fish sauce vinaigrette. And the roasted cauliflower is roasted in brown butter and Parmesan cheese. Wow! Not your typical down-home cooking. But truly a mouth-watering sensation that is so satisfying.

Today, Jodie decided on the butternut squash soup. And I’m so glad she did. This dish was a unique, rich creamy decadent soup. It was topped with toasted seeds and cinnamon for a finishing touch. I have to say that after two or three spoon fulls, the richness and sweetness almost became overwhelming. But in a good way.

As we most always do, Jodie and I ate half and brought the other half home. And this soup as a leftover was over the top amazing. Even at home the continued richness and deliciousness was more than satisfying.

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Fried Chicken Anyone?

This time I had a different attitude. Because I love fried chicken, I made up my mind that at this visit I had to experience their award-winning item. I just had to order something with fried chicken. So I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with honey mustard and pickles.
I had to substitute the slaw which is included in the sandwich. Not because I don’t like slaw but because I can’t eat slaw. Long story for another time. But don’t feel too sorry for me because I brilliantly substituted it with bacon. Oh my!

Yes indeed, this fried chicken is award-winning! The flavor is addicting. I ask what the spices were but they said they would have to kill me if they gave them to me. LOL

The outside was the perfect crispness. Not too oily but not too dry either.

Then what I have been waiting for. I take a bite into the sandwich and get the crunch of the outside crust. My taste buds then experience a perfectly cooked chicken. The meat was so moist, not oily. And the flavor was so explosive. Again wow! The chicken is perfect. Not undercooked or overcooked as I have experienced with other fired chicken establishments. Or overly spiced.

Let’s not forget the fries. gRind has perfected the combination that I really enjoy. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with flavors that will not quite. The spice blends and balance this place accomplishes even just on an order fries is well, bursting with flavor.

A word of caution. Finish the fries at the restaurant as they lose some of the amazing crispiness when trying to reheat them as leftovers. That’s what I tell Jodie anyway. 🙂

Grits Anyone?

With all this food excitement I almost forgot to mention the side of cheese grits. Let’s just say there were no cheese grits leftovers. They were so creamy smooth and so cheesy yummy.

Aviano Coffee

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We ended our outing by going to one of my favorite coffee shops called Aviano Coffee. A very cool place with rich, smooth, strong coffee. I’m really enjoying this retirement thing. LOL.

Thank you for stopping by and until next time!

Ciao! And buon appetito.

If you want to see my Pizza Dream Job post-adventure click here