I have often passed Chicken Cottage on the
As I entered the joint all the workers were behind the scenes in the kitchen, leaving me to survey the interior of this cottage for chickens. The decor was sparse and shabby (but not in a shabby-chic kind of way), with the menu shoddily taped to the counter, and wonky menu screens which are clearly just wall-mounted televisions. That said, it was by no means unclean; just not necessarily welcoming. The look of the place could be summed up by the half-empty Coca-Cola branded fridge containing only Pepsi.
However, I am not a believer in judging a book by its cover, nor chicken by its cottage, so when the friendly (if unenthusiastic) server greeted me I eagerly ordered my spicy chicken wrap with fries and a drink. The food didn't take long and soon I was sat down on the long bar which runs down the left side of the shop. The atmosphere inside was quiet, even a little awkward; I can't help but imagine the shop becomes a lot more lively later in the day.
The fries, which were made fresh, were warm and crispy, if a little bland (some salt, which was provided, soon remedied that). The wrap itself was, while thin, very long and packed to the brim with filling. The chicken was at a great ratio to the vegetables, which seemed very fresh. The spicy sauce was at a good level of heat; it didn't blow me away but it certainly had a kick. The amount of sauce was perfect too; enough to taste, but not so much as to overpower the chicken. The chicken was nice and succulent, and while I expected a poor KFC imitation, the taste of the chicken's breadcrumbs held its own with a distinct, more mild flavour.
The price was very reasonable, at only marginally more than your average meal-deal; it's definitely an upgrade (in taste, if not in healthiness) as a quick lunch on the go. All in all, while Chicken Cottage won't be winning any interior design awards, it provides a well-priced, good-tasting alternative to the other high-street chicken shops.