Let us be honest. The chicken is the star. When you visit Brown Chicken, the Chicken Pieces, Wings, Chicken & Jumbo Tenders, Sandwich, Bowls, and Express Catering are what bring you through the door. But a great meal is not just about the main attraction. The sides matter. They complement, contrast, and complete the experience. A dry coleslaw can ruin a perfect wing. A watery potato salad can overshadow a juicy tender. Brown Chicken understands this. Since 1949, when John and Belva Brown opened their first trailer at 80th and Harlem in Bridgeview, they have paid attention to every detail. That includes the sides. After extensive testing, here is my definitive ranking of every side from the best fried chicken in Chicago.
The Contenders
Before we dive into the rankings, let us list the sides available at Brown Chicken. Most locations offer coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, biscuit or breadstick options, and sometimes baked beans or macaroni and cheese depending on the location. Each side has been tested multiple times, with and without chicken, to determine its true quality.
7. French Fries
Let me start with the bottom of the list. The french fries at Brown Chicken are not bad. They are crispy, salty, and satisfying. But they are also standard. There is nothing unique about them that you cannot get at any other fast food restaurant. The cottonseed oil gives them a slightly cleaner flavor than fries cooked in soybean oil, but the difference is subtle. If you love fries, order them. You will not be disappointed. But if you want something special, look elsewhere on the menu.
6. Corn
The corn at Brown Chicken is simple. It is sweet, buttery, and warm. It does not pretend to be anything fancy. The corn works best as a side for the Bowls, where it gets mixed into mashed potatoes and gravy. On its own, it is fine. Not exciting. Not disappointing. Just fine. It ranks at number six because it is reliable but never the star of the meal.
5. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Here is where things get interesting. The mashed potatoes are smooth and buttery. The gravy is savory with a hint of chicken flavor. Together, they are comforting and satisfying. The reason they are not higher on the list is that they are best when combined with other items. On their own, they lack texture. But pour them over a Bowl or use them as a dip for your Chicken & Jumbo Tenders, and they shine. Order them. Just do not expect them to change your life without help.
4. Biscuits
The biscuits at Brown Chicken are underrated. They are buttery, soft, and slightly sweet. The outside has a light golden color. The inside is fluffy and steamy. A biscuit with a piece of Chicken Pieces or a smear of gravy is a beautiful thing. The biscuits come with most Party Packs, so you will likely try them even if you do not order them separately. They rank at number four because they are excellent but not as versatile as the top three.
3. Coleslaw
Now we are in the top tier. The coleslaw at Brown Chicken is creamy, tangy, and crunchy. The cabbage is shredded finely enough to be easy to eat but coarsely enough to retain texture. The dressing is not too heavy. It does not drown the vegetables. The acidity of the coleslaw cuts through the richness of the fried chicken perfectly. After a few Zinger wings, a bite of coleslaw resets your palate and prepares you for more. This is what a great side should do. Coleslaw takes the bronze medal.
2. Potato Salad
The potato salad at Brown Chicken is exceptional. The potatoes are cooked perfectly. Not too firm. Not too musky. The dressing is creamy with a hint of mustard and relish. There is a slight tanginess that complements the chicken without competing with it. The potato salad is cool, which provides a nice temperature contrast to the hot, crispy chicken. It is also substantial enough to be a light meal on its own if you are not that hungry. Potato salad earns the silver medal. It is that good.
1. The Legendary Mushrooms
You knew this was coming. The mushrooms at Brown Chicken are legendary for a reason. The company itself says, "We would never mess with the mushrooms either." These are whole mushrooms, dipped in a batter similar to the buttermilk chicken batter, then fried in cottonseed oil until golden brown. The exterior is shatteringly crisp. The interior is juicy and earthy. The mushrooms are vegetarian, but meat-eaters love them. They are available as a side or as part of the Specialties menu. They pair perfectly with Wings, Tenders, and even the Sandwich. If you visit Brown Chicken and do not order the mushrooms, you are making a mistake. They are the undisputed champion of Brown Chicken sides.
How to Build the Perfect Side Combo
Now that you know the rankings, here is how to build the perfect side combination for your meal.
For a chicken-heavy meal (Wings + Tenders): Order coleslaw and potato salad. The cool, creamy sides balance the hot, crispy chicken.
For a bowl meal: Order mashed potatoes with gravy and corn. These are already in the bowl, but extra gravy never hurts.
For a sandwich meal: Order mushrooms and fries. The sandwich is the main event. The mushrooms are a special treat. The fries are familiar and comforting.
For a catering event: Order a mix of coleslaw, potato salad, mushrooms, and biscuits. These sides travel well and please a crowd.
The Cleanliness Factor for Sides
Here is something you might not have considered. Some sides are messier than others. The coleslaw and potato salad require a fork. The fries and mushrooms can be eaten with your hands. If you are eating before a professional car detailing appointment, you might want to choose hand-friendly sides like mushrooms and fries. The cottonseed oil crust on the mushrooms leaves minimal grease on your fingers.
For mobile car detailing professionals who eat inside their work vehicles, the biscuits and mushrooms are the safest choices. No fork required. No sticky fingers. Just clean, satisfying sides that do not create a mess.
Sides in Express Catering
When you order Express Catering for a group, the sides are just as important as the chicken. The Express Party Pack includes two family sides. Choose coleslaw and potato salad for a classic combination. The Chicken Party Pack also includes two sides. For a crowd, go with mushrooms and coleslaw. The mushrooms will impress guests who have never tried them. The coleslaw will please traditionalists.
Conclusion
The chicken at Brown Chicken is legendary. The Chicken Pieces, Wings, Chicken & Jumbo Tenders, Sandwich, Bowls, and Express Catering are why this restaurant has survived for 74 years. But the sides deserve their own appreciation. From the humble french fries to the legendary mushrooms, each side plays a role in completing the meal. The coleslaw and potato salad are top-tier. The mushrooms are unmatched. That is why, from the original Bridgeview trailer to over 21 stores today, this remains the best fried chicken in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best side at Brown Chicken?
A: The legendary mushrooms are widely considered the best side. They are battered, fried in cottonseed oil, and have a shatteringly crisp exterior with a juicy interior.
Q: Are the sides vegetarian?
A: Most sides are vegetarian. The coleslaw, potato salad, fries, corn, biscuits, and mushrooms contain no meat. The mashed potatoes with gravy contain chicken-based gravy.
Q: Which sides are easiest to eat without utensils?
A: The mushrooms, fries, and biscuits can be eaten with your hands. This makes them ideal for mobile car detailing professionals eating inside their vehicles.
Q: Can I order sides as part of Express Catering?
A: Yes. The Express Party Pack includes two family sides. The Chicken Party Pack also includes two sides. You can choose from coleslaw, potato salad, fries, and other options.
Q: What side pairs best with the Zinger wings?
A: Coleslaw pairs best. The cool, creamy, tangy coleslaw cuts through the heat of the Zinger wings and resets your palate.
Q: Are the mushrooms available at all Brown Chicken locations?
A: Yes. The mushrooms are a signature item and are available at all over 21 locations across the Chicagoland market.
Q: Can I eat sides before a professional car detailing appointment?
A: Yes. The mushrooms and fries leave minimal grease on fingers. Avoid the mashed potatoes with gravy if you do not want to risk drips in your car.
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