Joshua Weissman's Fried Chicken Restaurant — Review by ThatDudeCanCook
Austin, United States — Fried Chicken
Joshua Weissman's new fried chicken restaurant in Austin delivers excellent sides with top-tier fries and crispy nuggets paired with quality sauces. However, the signature dipped chicken sandwich fell short due to delivery time causing loss of crunch, oversized chicken thigh, over-brining, and thin pickles that disappeared into the sandwich.
What was great: Fries were top tier, nuggets were light and crispy with juicy inside, honey mustard and ranch sauces were outstanding, yam yam sauce complemented the chicken well
What could improve: Dipped chicken sandwich lost its crunch during delivery, chicken thigh was not pounded out and felt like one giant chunk of meat, chicken was overbrined and snappy, pickles were too thin and got lost in the sandwich, Ben & Lin sauce was not well-received
The Dishes
The reviewer started with the foundational items and was thoroughly impressed. The fries were described as absolutely top tier, hitting that perfect balance of texture and flavor. The nuggets were equally impressive, featuring a light and crispy exterior with juicy, flavorful meat inside. The restaurant offered four sauce options for dipping: Ben & Lin sauce, honey mustard, ranch, and yam yam sauce, which is specifically designed for their fried chicken sandwich. The honey mustard and ranch sauces were outstanding and elevated the experience, while the yam yam sauce, though slightly sweet, worked well with the chicken as intended. The Ben & Lin sauce, however, did not resonate with the reviewer.
The main event was the dipped chicken sandwich, which unfortunately faced several challenges. By the time it arrived after approximately 20 minutes of travel, the sandwich had virtually lost all of its crispness. The chicken thigh used was not pounded out beforehand, resulting in one giant hunk of meat that dominated the sandwich. The chicken also tasted overbrined and snappy, affecting the overall texture and flavor profile. Additionally, the pickles were sliced too thin and essentially disappeared into the sandwich rather than providing distinct flavor and texture contrast.
The Experience
The reviewer's interaction with the restaurant focused primarily on the food quality itself. The 20-minute delivery time for the dipped chicken sandwich proved problematic, as it was sufficient for the exterior to lose its crucial crunch factor, which is essential for a fried chicken sandwich experience.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the review.
Notable Moments
The fries were absolutely top tier, as well as the nuggets. Nice and light and crispy, juicy on the inside, and flavor was on point.
While this dipped chicken sandwich took about 20 minutes to travel to me, it had virtually lost all of its crunch.
The Verdict
While Joshua Weissman's new fried chicken restaurant shows promise with exceptional sides and well-crafted sauces, the signature dipped chicken sandwich needs refinement. The chicken preparation and pickling techniques require attention, and delivery logistics should be optimized to preserve the crispness that makes fried chicken sandwiches appealing. The restaurant is best for those seeking quality fries and nuggets with excellent sauce options, but potential customers should manage expectations regarding the main sandwich offering.