Introduction
Charcoal chicken is one of the most popular foods around. The smoky, savory flavor of a perfectly cooked charcoal chicken is hard to beat. With so many joints claiming to have the best charcoal chicken near me, we decided it was time to figure out which one lives up to the hype.
We tasted and rated charcoal chickens from 5 of the most popular local restaurants to determine who really does it best. Read on to find out which of these charcoal chicken places near me earned the top spot!
Our Charcoal Chicken Tasting Methodology
To keep things fair, we came up with a consistent system for judging each charcoal chicken near me. Here are the factors we evaluated:
- Tenderness – The chicken should be moist and fall right off the bone. If it’s dry or tough to chew, points are deducted.
- Smoky Flavor – The charcoal cooking should infuse the meat with a distinctly smoky essence. More smoke = more flavor.
- Skin Crispiness – The skin should have a satisfying crunch when you bite into it. Soft or soggy skin simply won’t do.
- Seasoning – The salt, spices, and other seasonings should perfectly accent the natural flavors of the chicken without overpowering it.
- Value – For the price, how generous is the portion size and completeness of the meal?
We ordered a quarter chicken meal from each restaurant so we could judge based on the same menu item. Each factor was given a rating out of 5 points, for a total possible score of 25.
Now, let’s get to the rankings and see where each popular charcoal chicken place near me landed!
Planks Charcoal Chicken
Right away we could tell Planks was lacking in the flavor department. The skin had zero crunch and the meat was quite dry and stringy. It seemed like it had been sitting under a warmer for a while before getting served to us.
We did appreciate the variety of side options included in the meal, but cheaper prices can’t make up for subpar chicken. With better cooking and seasoning, Planks has the potential to redeem themselves. For now, they land in last place out of the charcoal chicken joints we tried.
City Charcoal Chicken
City Charcoal Chicken was a slight step up from Planks, but still lacked the juicy tenderness a really great charcoal chicken has. The skin had a decent crunch, likely from a final pass under the broiler.
The smoke flavor was present but muted, as if they use a small amount of charcoal compared to wood in their cooking process. The seasoning also tasted unbalanced, slightly too salty without enough herbs and spices to round out the flavors.
A few tweaks to their charcoal chicken recipe and cooking method could make City a real contender. For now, they earn fourth place in our ranking.
Fire Feast Charcoal Chicken
Fire Feast came out strong with an excellent smoky flavor. The charcoal really infuses into the meat, living up to their name. However, the skin lost its crispiness quickly and the breast meat was a little dry.
We’d like to see more attention paid to keeping the just-cooked taste and texture consistent as orders come out to customers. The flavors are nicely balanced though, and for $3 less than the most expensive options it’s a good value.
Chicks Charcoal Chicken
As soon as we bit into the chicken from Chicks, we knew this would be a top contender. Perfectly juicy, the meat was very tender with a subtle smoky flavor. The skin had an excellent crunch and delightful seasoning.
Our only critique is that for $17, we expected to have more sides included instead of just fries. Overall though, in terms of delicious charcoal chicken, Chicks has it down pat. We happily give them second place out of all the charcoal chicken places we tasted.
Flame Cookers Charcoal Chicken – The Clear Winner!
This unassuming spot in a strip mall blew us away with their charcoal chicken. Right away we noticed the intense smoky aroma emanating from the crisp, mahogany skin. As soon as we took a bite, we knew Flame Cookers had claimed the top spot.
The meat was perfectly moist, sliding cleanly off the bone with ease. Each bite fills your mouth with savory juice and pleasant smoke. Even the breast meat stays juicy thanks to their special rotating vertical roasters for even cooking.
With outstanding execution across the board, plus generous portions and sides for only $15, Flame Cookers has earned the title of best charcoal chicken we could find near me! If you’re looking for truly excellent charcoal chicken cooked to perfection, this is the undisputed place to go.
The Clear Winner for Best Charcoal Chicken Near Me
After tasting the most popular joints around, only Flame Cookers satisfied our charcoal chicken cravings from all angles. From juicy tenderness to crispy skin overflowing with smoky flavor, they have perfected the art of charcoal chicken.
For an unbelievable value at just $15 for a quarter chicken charcoal near me with two generous sides and fresh pita bread, we declared Flame Cookers the undisputed champion among charcoal chicken places near me. Their dedication to quality and well-executed cooking process makes all the difference.
The next time that craving for tender, smoky, fragrant charcoal chicken hits, make your way to Flame Cookers. We guarantee you won’t leave disappointed after tasting their incredible chargrilled chicken charcoal near me!
Frequently Asked Questions About Charcoal Chicken Near Me
What makes charcoal chicken taste so good?
Charcoal chicken gets an irresistible smoky flavor and aroma from being cooked slowly over hot charcoal. The charcoal’s heat sears the meat, keeping it incredibly juicy while infusing tons of savory flavor right into every bite.
Which part of a charcoal chicken is the best?
For the most tender and juicy meat, we recommend going for the thighs and legs. These dark meat parts soak up all the chicken’s juices and smoke flavor beautifully. The breast can sometimes get a little dry, but the best charcoal chicken places cook it evenly so it stays moist.
Which restaurants have the best charcoal chicken near me?
Based on our tasting experiment, Flame Cookers clearly came out on top for highest quality charcoal chicken. Their precise cooking method keeps the meat fall-off-the-bone tender with perfect smoky flavor.
Is charcoal chicken healthy?
Charcoal chicken is relatively healthy as far as fried and fast foods go. Charcoal grilling lets the fat drip away rather than soak into the meat as with frying. Go for lean breast meat and remove the skin to maximize nutrition. The vegetables, rice, and fresh pita served alongside also boost the meal’s health factor.
What’s the best way to order charcoal chicken?
We recommend getting a quarter, half, or whole chicken to get an even distribution of white and dark meat. Choose your favorite sides like rice, fries, pita, hummus, and Greek salad to round out the platter. You can also order chicken sandwiches or wraps made with tender charcoal chicken pieces!
