Fried chicken of various persuasions have exploded across the city! Juicy Lucy though, is a throwback to the BBQ chicken that many of us grew up with in the 80s. Their point of differentiation is Asian inspired flavours in their marinades and sauces.
Juicy Lucy is a welcome addition to Central Station end of Surry Hills. While you will get some ultra cheap eats in the area, there’s a chasm of quality affordable food. Chequered floors, neon lights, are all hallmarks of your local charcoal chicken shop in the ‘burbs’ circa 1987. Seating is at a premium, with enough space for about a dozen people. Turnover is pretty quick though, as is the takeaway traffic. A word of warning, come in cashed up as it’s a cash only operation.
Chicken tenders satisfy my cravings for a little bit of fried goodness before the grilled chook. Served in a cardboard box, they are crunchy, crispy and a little spicy. It’s a little sinful, but purely delightful. I polished off 5 almost unconsciously!
People who know me will know when I walk into a cafe or restaurant and there’s a Thai offering, my eyes are like magnets to steel and there’s an almost automatic reflex to order that item. It’s no different at Juicy Lucy, as I blurt out Gai Yang upon reaching the counter. Gai Yang is perfectly butterflied chicken grilled after being marinated with coriander root, garlic, and I am sure few other herbs and spices. The skin is sticky and slightly crispy, and is full of flavour. I splash the chicken with JL’s chilli sauce. The sauce does its job as it adds a fiery kick, scorching my tongue, but I love it. The chicken is perfectly tender with flavours of the marinade penetrating the flesh. My chicken combo comes with a side of salad. It’s a Thai styled som tam. It has the familar flavours with slightly sour green papaya, sweet tomatoes and a dressing with hints of lime, and heat of the chillis. The zesty salad makes for a perfect partner to the chicken.
Juicy Lucy is your suburban chicken shop with a little bit of spunk right in the middle of the city. We only sampled the grilled chicken, but with some seriously good looking burgers and wraps, there’s no excuse for not making a second or third visit.
Chris Waghorn says
I tried Juicy Lucy on the weekend and was really impressed by their take on fried chicken. I really enjoyed the Asian spices on the chicken, it was so tasty.
Sacha says
Good to see the good see fried chicken being re-imagined with Asian flavours.