Slim Chickens opens in Phenix City. Our review and secret tip for newest fans
The sun hid behind gray blankets of clouds. It too must have known it was a Monday — a feeling I can empathize with when it comes to getting out of bed at the beginning of the work week.
However, this Monday got better because it was the grand opening for Slim Chickens in Phenix City.
People waited in the pouring rain and ran from their cars to the restaurant’s front door. Is it worth taking a second shower for? Most definitely.
I frequented both Slim Chickens locations in Tuscaloosa. when I was in undergrad and grad school at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide). So, I felt the nostalgia of my college days when I stepped up to the register to order the 5 & 5 meal (five chicken tenders and five wings with fries, toast and a drink).
The chicken tenders are light and crispy and seasoned so well, you almost don’t need a dipping sauce. As you tear apart the tender, the moisture of the meat almost drips off of the chicken.
The garlic Parmesan wings feature real Parmesan cheese and a nice garlic flavor that can help you repel any vampires you run into (not including your ex) — a good choice for tailgates during college football season.
The fries pass my “good-fry test” of being crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. They also are seasoned just enough to where you can eat them without dipping them in anything, but they’re not too salty, so you don’t have to take a sip of your drink every 30 seconds.
The toast has a nice crunch as you bite into it with a buttery and slightly garlic flavor. However, I can’t forget about one of my favorite things about Slim Chickens: the dipping sauces.
Slim Chickens has 14 sauces to choose from, including honey mustard, Slim sauce, garlic Parmesan, mango habanero, Korean BBQ and sweet red chili.
I usually go with the cayenne ranch and the Buffalo sauce. My secret concoction is taking the cayenne ranch and mixing it with the Buffalo to create a spicy, creamy and earthy sauce to dip my fries and tenders.
I ordered the Chocolate Brownie Pudding Jar Dessert as a little sweet treat. The dessert comes in a Slim Chickens branded mason jar. The jar is stuffed with a chocolate brownie, Heath bar, chocolate pudding and whipped cream.
The next best part other than the amazing flavor of the dessert: You get to take the jar home with you. I definitely will enjoy using it.
Oh, and I tried the lemonade for the first time and have to give it two thumbs up. It was just the right amount of tart without the sweetness being overbearing.