Maybe it’s the fried chicken or perhaps it’s the whimsical
cartoons adorning the wall, but Cluck Clucks makes me happy. Located at the
base of a building, the restaurant’s located on the intersecting small street
(not directly on the Esplanade); the surrounding environment rather tranquil as
you don’t get the rush of street traffic going by. I can finally relax for a
second, while I tuck into the chicken.
The playful theme continues on their menu. Sure, you can
call something a fried chicken sandwich, but where’s the fun in that? Instead,
at the restaurant, it’s referred to as the Cluck Yeah! ($12.79 for the sandwich
or $14.99 for a combo). Comprised of a juicy marinated chicken breast that’s
lightly battered and fried, the crispy exterior is loaded with chipotle aioli,
dill mayo and creamy coleslaw - there’s no shortage of sauce (I used my fair
share of napkins). Yet, what makes it so good is the jalapeno and cheddar
infused waffle that replaces a bun – it’s slightly sweet and when you get a
bite with jalapeno everything just seems right in the world.
If you’re feeling particularly hungry, the Mother Clucker
($12.79 for the meal or $14.99 for a combo) will satisfy. Arriving with three
pieces of deep fried bone-in chicken (two drumsticks and a thigh), it also sat
on a jalapeno and cheddar waffle. In this dish, the chicken is king. Every
piece oozed moisture encapsulated within a crispy coating. The batter itself
was kept neutral; so, if you find fried chicken too salty, Cluck Clucks would
be good for you.
For those who want to enhance the flavours, Cluck Clucks
offers five house-made sauces for you to dip into. Their signature ‘Cluck’
sauce fools the eyes as it looks creamy but after tasting you’d swear it’s a
sweet and sour glaze with a light hit of spice. For something a little
stronger, the chipotle aioli has that nice spicy kick that goes especially
great with the fries, but I found a tad strong for dunking a drumstick into.
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the dill mayo, much mellower compared to the
other sauces, and had a refreshing quality against the hot chicken.
Patience is key: Cluck Cluck’s chicken so good because
everything is fresh and made-to-order – they’re not pre-cooking the chicken and
then finishing it off with a quick fry after you order. Consequently, I had to
wait 15 minutes sitting in a room filled with heavenly fried aromas … but it
was worth it. While scouring the surroundings I realize they offer Ritual; next
time I’ll just place my order at the office using the app before heading over.
After all, don’t we all just need some time to relax and get greasy?
Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary. Rest assured, as noted in my mission statement, I will always provide an honest opinion.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 222 The Esplanade
Address: 222 The Esplanade
Website: https://www.cluckclucks.ca/
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
