Dollar Chicken: "The Standard"

Photo: Jason Cartwright @ flickr

As the function of this blog is primarily a rubric for the various chicken burger options in the greater Brixton area, it's only appropriate to begin our ambitious efforts by tackling head on the legend that is "Dollar Chicken and Ribs".

The meal: Two white buns. Microwaved for 10 seconds inside the box. A fine layer of mayonnaise is added (the application procedure is key, as débutantes will inevitably attempt to apply this past the central sweet spot and onto the edges. NB! As any expert sandwhicher knows, this will end in disaster for you hands). A single slice of lettuce. Chips are salted and mayonnaise is added upon request (I always get it on the side to keep the chips crispy. No one likes a soggy white fry). Finally, the chicken. Lightly battered and fried. Slow cooked could be applied to this item, as it most likely has been under a heat lamp for close to 8 hours by the time you order. With a knack for detail (exactly one napkin, and some sort of mini wood fork for the fries, and the box placed perfectly in the take away bag so that the handles don't flip it when you're walking), Dollar Chicken delivers every time.

Aesthetics: A single table with two mismatched chairs keeps this place cosy and perfect for a date for two. The color pallet is a mix of hospital white walls with clashing, ultra bright, hand made signs offering other specials (I have never had anything else there, nor have I witnessed anyone eat anything besides the chicken burger, so these signs are clearly just for decoration). Indian music is generally loud enough in the open back kitchen that you and your significant other can enjoy the best of bollywood at the table.

Price: 2.50. And that's the problem. This is the price for the burger and chips. However, grabbing a coke will cost you an extra 50p. Given that local competitors throw this in at 2.50, it seems that the DC is riding on reputation alone, and may have to drop its prices to keep pulling the numbers.

Location: 238 Coldharbour Lane, sw9 - 8SD. Dangerously close to my apartment. Also close to Super Save, so fuck buying the coke at DC. Even though it will cost you the same, it will send a strong message to the chicken burger establishment.

Final Remarks: I'm going to have to give this a 7/10. I'm hoping this won't stir up too much controversy but my logic is as follows: Dollar Chicken provides the "dining out" experience we wish we could have every day, but could not possibly afford. The atmosphere, the music, the romance. Dollar Chicken has it all...but the Coke. And it's consistent. Almost too consistent, like they've lost their passion. Where is the flare? Where is that certain je ne sais quoi that keeps you coming back for more? DC is good at what they do, and many in the industry owe a great deal to the ground breaking work laid out by the old guard, but is this enough to persuade the demanding tastes of Brixton?