Leghorn Chicken is an inconspicuous chicken joint located in Chicago on Western Ave., always buzzing with customers looking to eat fantastic chicken.

If you plan on visiting Leghorn Chicken be prepared to bring some cash, as the store doesn’t accept any type of payment card. They proudly follow the Cash Rules Everything Around Me (C.R.E.A.M.) motto. If you’re strapped for cash, the store does provide an ATM.

The menu at Leghorn Chicken is basic: you have the option of a Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders (they are limited in quantity) and a Chicken Bowl with quinoa, kale, carrots, cucumbers, and bleu cheese.

For the chicken sandwich your options are between a biscuit or bun. The chicken is a thigh or breast prepared in two styles: Nashville Hot and a Pickle Brine. If the latter style sounds unappetizing, rest assured it tastes a lot better than it sounds.

One issue first time customers may experience is the lack of options for food. Those who enjoy fast food restaurants with a varied menu are going to be disappointed in the basic approach of Leghorn Chicken. However, once you have a bite of your chicken sandwich or some chicken tenders, the flavor and freshness makes up for any perceived lack of choice.

The chicken itself is very good. Scratch that, it’s amazing. The breading on the chicken, whether it’s Nashville Hot or Pickle Brine just tastes right. Fried chicken lovers will be in heaven, and even then it isn’t really “fried” chicken. It tastes like a chicken breast should, juicy and flavorful.

The chicken tenders are also very delicious, although the breading comes off easily if you try to dip it in one of the many sauces.

Speaking of sauces, Leghorn has a wide variety of dipping sauces. They have the basics, such as ketchup, honey mustard, and homemade BBQ. In addition, they have more unique options such as Buttermilk Rancho Verde and Spicy Mayo. All of these are available to put on your sandwich, along with sandwich staples like lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and vegetable slaw.

The side dishes are tasty, albeit a little basic. The fries are salty, just like they should be, and are hand-cut every day. Along with the fries, they have a homemade biscuit with a side of bleu cheese caramel butter (again it tastes better than it sounds), hush puppies, coleslaw, potato salad, and a kale salad, all priced reasonably. The biscuit and the fries are probably the best options, but be warned that the biscuit is very big.

If there is anything to truly complain about, it’s the beverage selection. Leghorn doesn’t have any fountain drinks. They offer “Mexican” Coke (made with real sugar), a lemon shake up (lemonade), cream soda, iced tea, and root beer. The drink options aren’t very good (except for the coke that is also overpriced) and they have unusual brand names many of us north siders may not know. You’re better off sticking with the water, unless you’re willing to pay a little more for a coke.

All in all, Leghorn Chicken provides fried chicken enthusiasts with a lot to be happy about. Even people like me who don’t like fried chicken much will find plenty of good things to say about the food and the atmosphere. Taking the 20-30 minute drive to eat at Leghorn Chicken is definitely worth it, even if it means having to listen to DMX and Wu-Tang Clan while eating your meal.

Leghorn Chicken is located at 959 N. Western Ave. in Chicago, IL. It is open Monday-Thursday 11 am to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 am to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 am to 9 p.m.. Again the restaurant only takes cash, but they have an ATM for customers.