Fried Chicken a Daily Treat at JCT Kitchen & Bar

What’s in a name? When it comes to Ford Fry, the chef at JCT Kitchen and Bar, I guess it’s fitting that his signature dish is fried chicken. Fried chicken seems to be quite the Atlanta culinary rage these days. At the top of the list is the Tuesday night special at Watershed, which has gotten Scott Peacock national acclaim. The fried bird at JCT is getting very complementary comparisons to the Decatur hotspot. But unlike Watershed, it’s a menu staple every night, without the fear of running out by 7pm.

JCT Kitchen is located in the Westside Urban Market on Howell Mill Rd. (in the same complex as Bacchanalia and Taqueria del Sol). The décor is very bright and open with a French country motif, which fits in well with the classic Southern fare that adorns the menu. There is even a small patio for outdoor dining.

We started off with the White Bean Bruschetta, which is more like a hummus spread. The spread is seasoned with olive oil and garlic and is most yummy. Of course, I had to order the fried chicken for my entrée. And I gotta say, this fried chicken is a far cry from the bucket of the Colonel’s Extra Crispy that I remember as a kid. The meat was tender, juicy (not greasy), and the breading had a decent spice to it. Served with a side of mac and cheese and green beans, this is a great fix your comfort-food jones.

Lady Steakhead did not order as well as I did (after reading my posts for the past 2 years, you’ll notice this is a common theme). Her Shellfish Pan Stew, a bouillabaisse with shrimp, clams, mussels and sausage, was good, but not entirely memorable. And it was the one dish on the menu that didn’t seem to fit the rest of the country-style offerings. She regretted not going with the shrimp and grits instead. The dessert menu looked very enticing, including a fried apple pie (Ford Fry living up to his name again), but Baby Steakhead was beginning to make it clear that she wanted to head home, so we had to skip it.

Overall, I would definitely recommend JCT Kitchen and Bar. It’s a fun, casual environment, and not in the least bit pretentious. The prices for most entrees were in the mid to upper teens, so it’s priced in the right range for a neighborhood spot (although my glass of wine cost almost as much as my main course). And if you are in the mood for fried chicken, there is a bird waiting for you six days of the week (closed Sundays).

Steakhead Recommends: Yes
Price: $$-$$$