Burbs Bites: Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken

Guy Fieri's foray into Metro Detroit's fast-casual scene faltered last month with the closure of his Chicken Guy restaurant in Livonia.

• The glut of competing chicken restaurants nearby was partly to blame, the Detroit News reports .

👋 Joe here. Since I couldn't get to Chicken Guy before it closed, I decided to check out one of its competitors: Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken .

The vibe: It's a standard strip mall fast-food spot. It looked clean and the staff's demeanor was pleasant.

Best bites: The two-piece combo with a drum, thigh and side was well worth the price ($7.49).

• The chicken was juicy and the coating was light and crunchy. I ordered the spicy option; it was mild.

What to skip: The side of baked beans had an overwhelming smoky aftertaste. I'd try any other side before ordering it again.

Pro tip: The chicken strips go great on the biscuit they come with, topped with honey and hot sauce.

Stop by: 33351 Plymouth Road, Livonia. Open 10am-9pm daily.