Bobwhite Counter

If you walked into Bobwhite Counter on Avenue C, and for some reason could only see their prices, you might convince yourself that you were at a Popeyes or a KFC. The fact that you can get two pieces and a biscuit here for under $8 is reason enough to stop by. But you should also know that Bobwhite’s fried chicken is some of the best in the city. It’s simple, it’s salty, and the thighs are sopping with chicken juice.

Bobwhite is an ultimate East Village back-up plan of a restaurant. Sure, the big menu board and ordering kiosk feel a bit drag-and-drop (and they do have a few more locations in NYC and New Jersey). But all of the food—from the tenders to their stellar chicken caesar wrap—feels distinctly made by hand. Keep this place in your back pocket for a bar-hopping pit stop, or a full meal of two tenders, a thigh/drum combo with a biscuit, a chocolate chip cookie, and an Arnold Palmer, all for under $20.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Bobwhite Counter

Fried Chicken

You can really taste the pickle brine in this fried chicken. The meat is perfectly seasoned and juicy, and the skin is crunchy, yet tender and not too thick. It’s simple fried chicken, executed really well, and the price makes it taste even better.

Chicken Caesar Wrap

If you live anywhere near Bobwhite, you likely know just how good their chicken caesar wrap is for lunch. With crunchy tenders, ice cold lettuce, a savory and salty caesar dressing, it’s perfect.

photo credit: Will Hartman

Biscuit

Most meals at Bobwhite come with a biscuit. You might want to get one extra. These aren’t the gigantic crumbly-yet-moist numbers you might get from a bakery, but rather the silver dollar-sized biscuits more common at fast food spots. Use two to make a tenders sandwich, slathered in Bobwhite sauce (basically thousand island).

photo credit: Bobwhite Counter

Mac and Cheese

If you’re only going to get one side at Bobwhite (besides a biscuit), make it the mac and cheese. It’s made with squiggly cavatappi noodles, and you can actually taste the dairy.