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When it comes to all American eats, it’s hard to go wrong with the essential fried chicken! Wings, drums, thighs and more, dropped into a deep fryer and brought on a plate, steaming hot is always a special treat in my book. So who else is excited for the new DeeLuxe Chicken out in Durham, raise your hand?! Brought to you by Chef Scott Howell of Nana fame, DeeLuxe Chicken goes for the more informal dining route with a fast-casual, counter set-up, table service. And right out of the chute, DeeLuxe Chicken is doing a lot of things right!
If you’re new to Durham, Broad Street runs parallel to 9th Street and has its own little vibe. Quieter but with still some fun options like Watts Grocery, the Green Room (billiards) and the Palace International. DeeLuxe Chickens sits on the corner in premium spot, showing off a retro 60’s facade in bright red and blue. Nice, covered patio in the front, cool Rooster mural on the side, they’ve done a really great job renovating the space and I barely recognize it from its predecessors (Oval Park Grille). If you’re into casual and colorful, you’ll like DeeLuxe Chicken!
Head on over to the order counter and you’ll find a short menu overhead covering chicken baskets, seafood baskets, burgers, sandwiches, salads and sides. Everything’s a bit cheeky and fun at Deeluxe Chicken, including the classic grill menu. Once you order your food, you’ll be given a number on a stand, grab your drink and find a table! Oh and don’t miss the condiments and sauce station near the entrance. You’ll find a wide assortment of flavors here: honey mustard, spicy green, ranch, chili sauce and more, 12 in total along with bread pickles and lemons. I’m guessing that these sauces are for blinging out your tenders or sandwiches!
While Deeluxe Chicken is great for families with its quick casual setup, it’s also got a nice selection of craft beers, wine and cocktails for the adults. A long bar on the side is probably best suited for single diners and couples. The food at Deeluxe Chicken comes out pretty quickly (thankfully, they’ve got a short menu), usually under 10 minutes in my experience. And their chicken looks really mouth-watering!
Covered in a thick, crunchy and bumpy batter, the chicken at Deeluxe is moist and flavored a bit (paprika?). I’ve done the quarter dark which is a large and plump bird along with some chili-dusted sweet potato fries. Unlike some 1/4 chicken offerings, there’s plenty of food here. A perfectly seared and buttered piece of Texas toast finishes the meal. All of the chicken baskets at Deeluxe chicken come with a side-kick which ranges from fries, potato salad, slaw, mac n cheese, spicy Asian cucumbers or a salad. A nice range of options for your side.
The sandwiches here at Deeluxe Chicken are super substantial! Try the Purist which seems to be a play on the classic Southern chicken sandwich (Chick-fil-a). Loaded with thick and sweet pickles, on a seared bun, it’s a great sammich. Simple and to the point, it hits all the right notes for a satisfying Southern chicken sandwich. And you can now finish up your meal with some soft serve, Deeluxe Chicken offers ice cream cones with a “flavor burst” (chocolate, strawberry, butterscotch) for $1.50
Service at DeeLuxe chicken has been very good during my visits here, a nice touch for the budget price you pay. Overall I think you’ll be happy with a casual meal at Deeluxe Chicken. Inexpensive, tasty and filling, it’s a perfect spot for families and students looking for some quick chicken. While the menu is short, they’re added burgers and more which is plenty to keep most people happy. Paired with the beer, wine and soft-serve means you’ve got a more adult version of a Chick-fil-a which is A-OK to me!
DeeLuxe Chicken
1116 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
919.294.8128