We haven't thus far indulged at many of the chicken speakeasies that have been popping up around London over the past 12 months, so it was about time. What's more, as many will know, Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger are essentially next door and owned by the same people (Soho House). Being in Kentish Town, we were resolved to try both, though interestingly, according to UrbanSpoon, Dirty Burger has twice as many blog posts as Chicken Shop so in the trend wars, burgers it seems remain supreme.
Like Dirty Burger, Chicken Shop focuses on a single main course option, but against the rough and ready, round the back and in the shed burger joint, Chicken Shop is a large, comfortable and family friendly. You can choose a seat at one of the tables or at the large front table that puts you in spitting distance of the grill (that's the distance at which the grill can spit fat at you). Of course, as can be seen in the first picture below, this is also where the action is.
We really liked Chicken Shed as much as anything for the vibe and the people; sitting at the counter, it was like being part of the family and all the staff seemed invested. Even though the seasoning rub is top secret, they share: it involves paprika oregano, salt, 24 hours and a few others things that you can find out for yourself. The skin of the chicken is especially lovely and as opposed to too many chickens served elsewhere, with every bite of white meat you find yourself chasing down some chicken skin to add to the fork also. The chicken had dried out a little inside and that was a real shame because otherwise, we'd have something here that was close to perfect, but them if you're a one protein wonder, it needs to be.
There are sauces available, hot or smoky, while you also get a half lemon garnish; ketchup and the like is also available. The crinkle cut chips, the same as those at Dirty Burger, are excellent. This seems like a great place just to hang out however and if I had to choose between Hix's super slick Tramshed or here, Chicken Shop would definitely be my choice (and portion sizes are much better here also). For chicken and chips though, I'm not sure I would make too significant a journey, but if I lived close, or happened to be close by, I would definitely be stopping here for a fix. Should you plan to do so however, you will need to be a little organised since Monday to Friday, it doesn't start serving till 5pm, on weekends however, doors open at midday.
Like Dirty Burger, Chicken Shop focuses on a single main course option, but against the rough and ready, round the back and in the shed burger joint, Chicken Shop is a large, comfortable and family friendly. You can choose a seat at one of the tables or at the large front table that puts you in spitting distance of the grill (that's the distance at which the grill can spit fat at you). Of course, as can be seen in the first picture below, this is also where the action is.
We really liked Chicken Shed as much as anything for the vibe and the people; sitting at the counter, it was like being part of the family and all the staff seemed invested. Even though the seasoning rub is top secret, they share: it involves paprika oregano, salt, 24 hours and a few others things that you can find out for yourself. The skin of the chicken is especially lovely and as opposed to too many chickens served elsewhere, with every bite of white meat you find yourself chasing down some chicken skin to add to the fork also. The chicken had dried out a little inside and that was a real shame because otherwise, we'd have something here that was close to perfect, but them if you're a one protein wonder, it needs to be.
There are sauces available, hot or smoky, while you also get a half lemon garnish; ketchup and the like is also available. The crinkle cut chips, the same as those at Dirty Burger, are excellent. This seems like a great place just to hang out however and if I had to choose between Hix's super slick Tramshed or here, Chicken Shop would definitely be my choice (and portion sizes are much better here also). For chicken and chips though, I'm not sure I would make too significant a journey, but if I lived close, or happened to be close by, I would definitely be stopping here for a fix. Should you plan to do so however, you will need to be a little organised since Monday to Friday, it doesn't start serving till 5pm, on weekends however, doors open at midday.