Christ on a Bike Hot Chicken at Joe’s Southern Kitchen

Whether it’s a craving for pressure-fried finger-lickin’ chicken, or beef short rib “worthy of your Louisiana Momma”, Londoners now need look no further than the bustling Covent Garden for a taste of the delicious Deep South. Set in a former warehouse, Joe’s Southern Kitchen & Bar bases itself around Southern hospitality: classic cocktails, American soundtracks and – thanks to Christ on a Bike Hot Chicken, courtesy of The Rib Man – one hell of a lot of spicy chicken.

The restaurant itself is spread across two floors with a basement bar affectionately known as “Cocktail Baby”, serving a wide range of wines, spirits, American and international beers, and great tasting classic cocktails with a Southern twist. A glowing Coca Cola sign emblazons the wall and Elvis’ Hound Dog echos around the dimly lit seating area – it’s a welcoming atmosphere, and it’s the Deep South all over.

For starters, we tucked into Watermelon and peppered goats cheese salad with mint and pumpkin seeds – a light and refreshing option in preparation for our main. Though a seemingly unusual combination, the cheese and watermelon complemented each other well and made for a pleasant dish at £5.95. Our main dish, Joe’s Southern Fried Chicken (£12.75) had been marinated in buttermilk for 24 hours, then fried in a pressure fryer for a healthier, cripsy skin. Presented as four pieces of chicken in a small frying pan, the main wasn’t visually impressive and wouldn’t have looked out of place in a KFC bargain bucket. The taste however was delicious – the crispy skin tantalised our taste buds with hot spice, and the meat was mostly juicy and tender – and there was a lot of it! Our main meal came with a generous helping of chicken salted fries, which were a little too salty for our taste, but still a welcomed part and parcel of the US comfort food.

The Clockwork Orange cocktail was the perfect refreshment to wash down the hot ‘n’ spicy (and salty) chicken and fries. A delicious, citrusy blend of Stoli Orange Vodka, lime juice, blood orange syrup and orange marmalade – it’s well worth £7.50.

Overall, Joe’s Southern Kitchen is a fantastic and welcoming restaurant either for dining or indulging in cocktails. Pop in for their Blue Plate Special deal (Monday to Friday, 12-4pm), which includes the chicken meal with fries, BBQ pulled pork beans and a choice of lager, house wine or homemade lemongrass lemonade all for only £10.

★★★★★

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Gemma Whitfield
Photos: Tontep Utthayanin

To book a table at Joe’s Southern Kitchen & Bar 34 King Street London WC2E 8JD, call 020 7240 4008 or enquire here.