It's been a while since I've been to a restaurant and felt the need to post about it immediately...or as immediately as I can with my packed schedule. When H.C. told me he was going to be in Chicago for a few days and we should get together, the first place that came to mind was Parson's Chicken & Fish. After all, it was our first visit to Longman & Eagle last year that solidified my love for Chicago as a major dining destination. I knew a restaurant by the same owners had to be just as good. Boy, was I right.
Located just a hop away from Longman & Eagle in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Parson's is destined to become a rival for best patio this summer. As of a few days ago, they still aren't serving food outside, but bar service is alive and well. Pull up a seat, play some ping pong and indulge in a Negroni slushy (or two, $8 each). These slushies are perfect on a hot and humid day. Equally enjoyable is the Red Hook ($8) which is Parson's take on a Manhattan, or if you're feeling especially bold, a shot of Malort.
You better enjoy communal sitting when you visit Parson's because that is all they offer. Inside, are small booths so you get up close and personal with strangers. Hopefully you are seated next to people who are pleasant which was not the case with our first dining companions, but the second group ended up being much more calm. However we were attracted to the menu which distracted from the brashness of our neighbors. We started with a little light fish action in the form of Hirame ($10) which is marinated in ginger and mint and served with an avocado lime emulsion and radishes. The taste of the fish gets a little lost in the marinade, but I appreciated the bright and fresh flavors especially knowing what was in store for us with the rest of the dishes we chose.
Two pieces of fried chicken ($6) are one of the best investments you can ever make. The chicken is juicy and the flavor goes all the way through from the breading to the bone. Whatever formula they use on the (delicious) fried chicken from the chicken and waffles at L&E has gained major flavor points. It's the kind of chicken you want to keep eating when you get down to the bone.
Equally as flavorful is the beer battered fish. Three pieces ($8) are great to split between two people. Just try not to hog all of the tartar sauce.
The clam roll ($10) was a little less successful in my opinion. Red onions and pickled peppers perk up the fried clams, but the cornmeal breading could have been better seasoned.
H.C. insisted that as an alternative to all of the fried foods, we have the restaurant's grilled chicken ($6 for 2 pieces) as well. I was a little doubtful until the citrus and habenero marinated bird came to the table. This is basically the best grilled chicken you will ever have where once again the flavor goes all the way to the bone.
Stuffed as I was, we had to get dessert. Initially, I thought the last thing I would want after a fried dinner, was a fried dessert, but of course Parson's gets it right with their ridiculous funnel cake ($6). The funnel cake is served on top of a browned butter pastry cream and topped with a balsamic caramel and peppercorn brittle. The tartness of the caramel and spiciness of the brittle balance the crispy and sweet dough and sweet cream.
The best thing about Parson's is that even though you indulge in what is essentially a fried dinner, you don't leave feeling overly full and gluttonous. They have perfected whatever it is that makes fried food taste light and delicious and with excellent, exceptional service and a fun atmosphere it is easy to see why there are already lines of people crowding their doors every day.
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-3333
Website
