Today we were at Chicken World, the Surrey location of this Indian fried chicken chain. Admittedly not the cleanest or most comfortable setting: a little dingy and a lot greasy, but it served well as the neighbouhood’s fried food hot spot.
We would order a few of the menu items that peaked our interest, in order to get a good gauge of their chain. However it took one hour to come to our table and by then we were ready to go. Before that the server asked us if we wanted our chicken half cooked, thinking it would come out quick Iet that way. We were confused by the offer and didn’t think to ask why then. The last thing we needed was the offer of potential food poisoning.
Be warned: take this review with a grain of salt, as majority was tasted as leftovers.
We ordered the Family bucket, a set meal that included large fries and large salad. The salad was a creamy macaroni salad with more liquid cream than firm noodles. Although they did their job as a palate cleanser and something fresh-like to take in, in between all the fried items.
The set comes with regular fries, but we got them with the masala option, which is a dusting of spice to season and not flavour. These were thicker cut fries that are potatoey at the centre, under a crispy crust. They were nice to munch on and did well after a reheat in the air fryer.
The fried chicken is their centre piece. Dark meat dredged in an extra crispy coating of batter. Good as is, better after a dip in their beefy gravy.
The gravy wasn’t remarkable, almost neutral, making it a solid side to help highlight the chicken with. It also served well as a moisturing dip, adding just enough textural contrast with its drip.
I was intrigued by the Maula Jatt Burger. A three fried chicken patty burger that I was glad I ate at home. This was a messy one. After the first bite it started to fall apart in my hands. The type of burger you can’t put down for fear you might not be able to pick it back up after. In the comfort of my own home I found the peace to coat bites in gravy, dip it into ketchup, and add more mayo to the bun for some longevity of interest.
The wings were disappointed and nothing like what was pictured on the wall, in advertisement. You have your choice or grilled or fried, dry or wet. These were scrawny, overcooked and tough wing, with the after thought of a coating in your chosen sauce.
The Peri rice platter was flame grilled boneless chicken, rice, and raw lettuce and onion. Not the most enticing and the colours were dull in comparison to everything else. The chicken had a faint char, accompanying firm rice. Whereas I wanted a punchier flavour profile from anything listed as “peri peri”.
The food was good, but this is not a spot I want to sit and linger at, or would drive out of my way to visit.
Chicken World Surrey
12842 96 Ave, Surrey, BC V3V 6A8
(604) 588-0221
chickenworldcanada.com
