Thanks to
a tip posted in the Openings & Closing thread, I visited Crazy Bird for lunch yesterday. Located in the former Treat Yourself BBQ space, Larry Tucker, of NN Smokehouse fame, has opened up a fried chicken emporium.
Crazy BirdIt was good to see Larry. I was invited behind the bulletproof glass to check out the new operation. Although the menu is primarily chicken focused, all of the sides are house-made in small batches.
Cornbread MuffinsGreens with Smoked TurkeySweet PotatoesThe chicken itself was pretty good. It's brined overnight and breaded to order in a very lightly seasoned dredge. Fresh from the fryer, it was hot and crispy, and even after a drive back to the north side, it still retained a nice crunch. Pieces tended to the small side, but so are the prices (only $7.99 for a 1/2 chicken with two sides).
Crazy Bird Two Piece DarkSide of Greens with a Few Sweet Potatoes Thrown InLarry's wife, Ruby, works in the shop as well. She makes some excellent desserts (I was gifted a piece of her excellent Caramel Pound Cake) as well as fresh brewed sweet tea.
Ruby Serving Sweet TeaMy next visit will definitely be on a weekend. It seems that Larry inherited a small aquarium smoker when he took over the space.
Aquarium SmokerHe's been smoking rib tips and jerk chicken on the weekend. I need to check that out. After all, BBQ is what first brought Larry to our attention.
Oh, and one more thing, as I was looking through the menu once I got home, I noticed that they serve "Crazy Bird Crazy Good Fries" which are listed as "Fries topped with gravy, cheese & Duck bacon (yup duck!)". How I ever missed that when I was ordering, I'll never know. Duck bacon topped fries? Count me in.
Crazy Bird
1138 S. California
Chicago, IL 60613
773-801-0451
Steve Z.
“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
― Ludwig van Beethoven