Go Go Bird - Culver City

It's not often you see the chef slinging his own food after receiving critical acclaim, but at Citizens Public Market, chances are, you'll get your chicken handed to you by Brandon Kida himself.  

I don't know the man, but I feel like we're on a first-name-basis after biting into some wings. The meat is chicken that tastes the way chicken should taste when quality takes priority. The breading is spectacular, an even, ultra-crispy coat with real zing and a warm burn that lingers long and slow. I think the chili oil that holds the warmth and galvanizes the flavor of a signature spice mix so unique, I swear it's a piece of Brandon's soul. We've all had hot chicken, but this one has a balance of spicy, sweetness, and tang that's unlike any other. Try it with all the sauces, too. Every single one is a standout. 

If you can't take the heat, don't get out of the kitchen, just get the Cheddar Biscuits too. Fluffy, flaky squares with a hundred overlapping layers are drizzled with condensed milk and dusted with miso powder, a combination of sweet, salty, savory, and the slightest bit of sour that creates an entire experience. 

I have had so much fried chicken from so many places that I didn't think I could be surprised anymore. But gogo to Go Go Bird and you just might feel like you're seeing it for the first time.

Starbird - Marina Del Rey

Cute little wings, sweet sandwiches, juicy meats, fresh and fried. Everything clicks at this fast-casual chicken counter with its clean aesthetic and cheery character. 

The Starbird 2.0 is SoCal in a sandwich, a noisily crispy cutlet covered in fresh slaw and a green glob of guac. A brioche-y bun is shiny and sweet, toasted inside to give firmness to the fluff. 

For best results, pair with Truffle Fries. 

I love a good wing, and they make those here. Garlic Parmesan is really good, plenty of punch between the pungence and the parm. 

Nashville Hot isn't hot, but the paste is a good one, with just enough pepper and paprika to add flavor with minimal heat. Any dipping sauce will do, just pick what you prefer. 

The food was good but my experience was literal sh*t. Because a bit of bird poop dropped directly on my head as I dined on their patio despite not seeing a single bird in sight. FFS this has happened at least 4-5 times in my life and I'm starting to think I may be the unluckiest person in the world or that I've somehow offended all of bird-kind. But still, I'd eat at Starbird again...because their napkins work well for wiping bird poop. In all seriousness, though, (and all sh*t jokes aside), this Cali chicken chain does serve some pretty good sh*t.

Holdaak Fried Chicken - Gardena

Holy Holdaak, this chicken is crispy!

The Holdaak Original Sandwich with daikon slaw is pretty great, and I'm pretty sure every variation of the same double-bread, double-fry is delicious. They have afternoon BOGO deals so you don't have to stop at a single sandwich. Even after a Doordash ride, you can feel the crunch all the way through your brain. 

Elote Corn Slaw is a fun little side, but no need, the stuff on the sandwich is good. 

All that crispy chicken, promo for a BOGO, but I'm still feeling the Philly Cheesesteak. Gooey goodness, melty cheese coalesced among the juicy chips of chopped steak, best with an order of those extra-EXTRA crispy super-seasoned Shake Fries. 

All the chicken is crispy, and even the fries are fabulous. And I NEVER comment on the fries. Casual, affordable, definitely worth a bite. 

Birdies - Los Angeles

Seizing a rare opportunity, I get to grab Birdies for lunch. 

The Birdies Original is just a fantastic sandwich. A fried slab of chicken breast is juicy and tender despite the thickness, topped with melted cheddar, pickles, and slaw. 

The original sandwich is strong, but the Nashville Hot Chicken is where it's at. Same glorious fry, and the medium hot has a satisfying spice-paste that burns but doesn't scorch. Same toppings, just a messy, sloppy, chef's kiss.

I got greedy and went for their biggest specialty donuts. Strawberry Shortcake is full of berries and cream, and the donut itself is just a fantastic-tasting fluff. Banana Cream Pie tastes just as pretty; instant love. 

They also gave me a free sample donut so I got to try sugar and icing with a hint of Pistachio while I waited for my food to cook. 

Coffee, donuts, chicken. Say no more, I'm there. And I'll be back too - that hot chicken is kicker, and those donuts are delectable. 

Pinky's Hotbox UPDATE - Torrance

Despite the South Bay's diversity, Nashville hot chicken has been hard to have. Pinky's has no parallel in Torrance/Lomita, and they carry their cuisine quite well. 

Their superbowl special Chick-arron is a stroke of genius. Chicken skin, flash-fried to dissolve on contact, dipped in vinegar-water for a sharp sour that's set to satisfy. 

I get my usual Tenders, mild if I'm playing it safe, medium if I wanna sweat. I do wish there was a heat level more in the middle for the slightly-more-than-mildly adventurous. 

OG Sando is still a sweet sandwich. They make a good fry, and their comeback sauce adds a creamy kick. Bonus points for the buttery brioche bun. 

And I am always a huge fan of their seasoned Fries. 

It's been a few years, and I think Pinky's has found their footing. Quality is consistent, but I detect a little more confidence and swagger as they slowly expand their menu, especially in terms of sandos. I love that they're offering a bit more now, and I'm excited to try new things. 

Tenkatori Karaage - Gardena

I've been eyeing their breaded bird for years, and I'm finally getting to try it. 

Was so excited for the Sunagimo (fried gizzards). Love the gizzard, can never get the gizzard because literally no one makes the gizzard. These are pretty meh, a bit disappointing. The batter is spotty and soggy with grease, and the texture is tender enough but also on the chewy side.  

I regret skipping the regular karaage for the Sweet & Spicy. The sauce is super meh - there's so much soy sauce that it masks any pleasant flavors. 

Tebanaka is a 20-piece box of flats. I prefer the flats for nibbling, but some of these are tiny. The Curry is a dry rub, and I like the spice, but there's just so much dumped on that it sometimes makes you sputter. 

 

Original is best, a little sweet with a whole lot of crunch. 

Is it even worth it if it isn't Vons? In this case, no. I liked Tenkatori, but I expected better than good, *shrug*, at a price point like theirs. 

Vons Chicken - Torrance

I've eaten Vons Chicken weekly since the moment I inhaled my first Honey Butter wing. 

Their chicken is so crunchy it echoes in your brain, and a sprinkling of honey-butter-crack-dust really lights up the crust. 

There's Yang-Nyum if you're looking to spice things up. These have a sticky glaze that gives a little kick and are best in boneless form if you want to keep your fingers clean. 

Keep it really clean with the Original, a lovely soy garlic glaze. Just enjoy the crunch with minimal adornment and really revel in those flavors. 

Sugar, sugar, sugar. Sweet n' sour, sweet n' salty, sweet n' spicy, but sweet prevails. Not your place if you like your chicken savory, but I'm just wild about their wings. 

bb.q chicken - Lomita

Wings n' things, come for the wings. 

Gangnum Style is the coolest-sounding, and the black pepper sauce has some swag. 

Galbi is sweet and saucy, Spicy Galbi is smoky and sweet.

Soy Garlic is simple, but don't count this one out. There's a stiff whiff of garlic, and the sauce is balanced well. 

The BB Wings look benign, but they do have a serious kick. They don't quite equal the Wings of Fire, but all the spice here is easily tolerable, even for the weak. 

What you get won't look like the pictures on their website, but the taste is far more appealing. All their sauces tend to be sweet, but don't worry, the savory is hardly missed. Forget you, Colonel Sanders, this should be the only kind of KFC!

Kokio Chicken - Harbor City

Beer and wings, wings and beer. Is there anything better? 

A: Korean wings and beer. Korean wings and beer are so much better. Kokio offers a Half n’ Half for variety, and the sweet n’ sticky Honey Bee Wings are a must. Garlic Wings are good as well, a little sticky, a little garlicky, a little smooth and just a little creamy. 

Waffle Fries are a fun side, though not necessary with all the chicken. Plus your comped container of lightly pickled daikon is more refreshing anyway. 

I’m sorry to say that take-out doesn’t travel well from Harbor City to Torrance, but I can tell that Kokio has potential. The wing sauces are good, and the quality of the chicken is decent, but dine-in or to-go at a shorter distance would be preferable. I’ll definitely sample some more after this lockdown is all done, though still wouldn’t stop me from ordering next time I’m wanting wings. 

Pinky's Hot Box - Torrance

Hi Pinky's, welcome to Torrance! 

The OG Sando really hits the spot when I'm looking for something quick and hot. The fry is good, the mild is plenty hot because I'm weak, and the burn is balanced by the comeback sauce and slaw. I'll always ask about the chef's special - someone got it last time, and it was fantastic. 

I'll go for the Tenders when I'm not feeling the bread. Same stuff, filling portion, and all the sides are strong. I love the seasoning on the fries, and the mac n' cheese is alright. 

Fried chicken hits the spot, and it comes out fast. Say what you will about Howlin' Ray's and their 2-hour line, but I'm just happy to have a fast and tasty lunch place to add to my working weekends!

Yardbird UPDATE - Las Vegas, NV

The most dreaded meal in Las Vegas is brunch. Whether you're nursing a hangover or acclimating to your first day, it's a battle between the drunks and the need-to-get-drunks, and it's so not fun without a reservation.

What I love about Yardbird is that they easily accommodate us all. It's a longer wait for a table, but the bar is where it's at. Service is good, the people are great, and they have the best food for drinking and all its consequences.

I am just getting started, and the Watermelon Sling is my warm-up. Whiskey in the morning is eye-opening, booze-spiked sweet watermelon juice with a lemon slice that makes it pop. Aperol adds some orange, and orange you glad for that sprig rosemary to spice it up?

The sweet tooth wins, and the Maple-Glazed Bacon Doughnuts are a dinner and a dessert. They're fried so fluffy, and the maple is so rich. Sugar goes good with a bacon savor, and the caramel dip is divine.

You don't leave Yardhouse without Lewellyn's Fine Fried Chicken. Get it with any sides you want, but you need that 1/2 bird, and they're so accommodating they let us get just the bottom half...the better half.

The Southern Slaw breaks up the fat and the deep-fried, not that you really want to. I like it a lot more this time around. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty darn happy with the crispy chicken skin on top as well.

That Chili Watermelon sure is something. Sugar-water fruit with a spicy closing; I love that sharper finish. 

I've only been twice, but Yardbird Vegas is starting to feel like home. I'm comfortable here, whether it's at a table or the bar, and the comfort food puts me in a better place. I never thought I could endorse all-natural 27-hour brined chicken without an eyeroll, but it really does taste that much better. The quality makes a difference, and their prices are fair for the extra effort. I don't know what got into me, but on Yardbird, I really am pretty hooked.