Six New Fried Chicken Options to Find Around Denver

Fried chicken connoisseurs have six new battered and crisped birds to put on their radars. Some spots have recently opened, while others are set to debut in the coming months. One will require a day trip.

• At the back of the new American Bonded bar in RiNo, J Street Kitchen is plating a three-day brined and fried bird that’s sprinkled in both dehydrated onion and malt vinegar powders so the flavor starts well before the crunch, according to chef and owner Jason Bray. His chicken is served with hot sauce, a malted yeast waffle, and brown butter syrup. The restaurant stays open late for bar diners.
• The name Lou’s Hot and Naked might deter some diners, but its fried chicken will be a welcome sight for fans of Frank Bonanno’s soon-to-open Milk Market at the Dairy Block. The hot chicken here will resurface from Bonanno’s Lou’s Food Bar, which closed on 38th Avenue last January. It’s a Nashville-style preparation, dipped in sriracha buttermilk then a ghost pepper and habanero sauce.
• Inside another recently opened food hall, Zeppelin Station, street food stall Injoi serves Korean fried chicken. It comes in wings, thighs, and tenders, plain or with a dry rub created by chef Bill Espiricueta. For the full experience, hungry diners can order the $14 rocket man sandwich, which takes two glazed tenders between brioche buns, and tops them with slaw and pickled cucumbers. The sandwich comes only in hot or extra hot versions.

Josie Sexton/Eater

Where to Find Denver’s Finest Fried Chicken [EDEN]

• Fried chicken of the future makes its third Denver debut sometime next month with the opening of Birdcall at 1535 East Evans Avenue near the University of Denver. The fast-casual chain owned by Park Burger debuted its first robotic restaurant in Five Points last summer. Next it opened an outpost in Whole Foods, and this latest location will offer the brand’s first drive-thru. The automated food company sells six fried chicken sandwiches and provides touch-screens for ordering.
• A Northern Colorado chef just debuted his Backyard Bird food truck in anticipation of a brick-and-mortar restaurant launching next year. Matt Smith opened Fort Collins’ Locality restaurant and runs the kitchen at Loveland’s Door 222. His new truck serves creative takes on fried chicken sandwiches, including one with ginger pineapple jam and salted maple pecan and almond butter. The dirty bird features caramelized onions and American cheese. There’s also an old-fashioned Nashville hot option.
• And a hot chicken food truck is coming to Denver next month, by the owners of Au Feu smoked meats (recently opened in Zeppelin Station). In addition to his barbecue business, Jared Leonard will operate his Chicago-based Budlong Hot Chicken from a roaming Denver food truck. Its signature sandwich is piled with coleslaw, pickles, and a version of Thousand Island dressing, served on a brioche bun. The chicken can come heat-free, extra-hot, or somewhere in between.
• Look Inside American Bonded, the New Classic Cocktail Bar [EDEN]
• These Are the 16 Stalls Coming in May to Frank Bonanno’s Milk Market [EDEN]
• Accomplished Northern Colorado chef launches fried chicken food truck [COLORADOAN]
• The Budlong Hot Chicken and BBQ Supply Co. Set for May Launch [WESTWORD]