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But before we do, I would like to wish Brian Wilson (the musician, not the Giant) a very happy 70th birthday, and Errol Flynn (RIP) a peaceful 103rd.
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This site has been somewhat dreary lately, what with all the CTO-bashing and hand-wringing over the declining broadcast quality on The Ticket. So much negativity, it angries up the blood. So let's have a little fun.
We'll start out with some positives about our daytime pals:
When Cane's began opening up stores here, I went a couple of times. Wasn't inspired to return. Then it made the investment in George and Gordon as pitchmen. Whatever you say about The Ticket, the hosts without exception do a great job with their spots. The live spots are a special treat, even when they crater owing to poorly-written copy, technical problem, or just the vicissitudes of live radio. The Corby-Mike spots can be hilarious, as can the Gordon-George improvs. Some local radio/TV guys think doing ads is beneath them, but even Mike throws himself into them with gusto, as indeed they should as that is the station's sole source of revenue. Mike's Herradura ads with Emmitt -- their parts apparently recorded miles and hours apart, like a Tony Bennett "duet" -- should win some kind of award.
I was impressed by George's and Gordon's near-climaxing over the greatness of Cane's and thought -- well, maybe my early visits took place while they were still getting going in DFW, I'll give it another try. (See, the ads worked!) Was out for a long bike ride oon Saturday, and happened by a Cane's around noontime.
Here are the good things about Cane's:
Spotless stores
Friendly staff
Fresh ingredients
Served hot
Here is the bad thing about Cane's:
Utterly flavorless chicken fingers
The marquee dish has nothing to recommend it. It is very lightly coated and breaded, which is not a virtue when the coating/breading fails to convey any kind of a taste sensation. So they're very uncrispy, actually rather limp and even soggy. De gustibus est non disputandum, I know, but speaking only for myself, I want my fingers crispy, covered with yummy ingredients. It's not even salty, it's without any flavor at all. Again, the underlying breast meat is fresh and hot and fine, but that's not why I eat chicken fingers.
How about that sauce? It's just OK, and they don't give you enough of it. Thousand Island without the islands, and with a dash of some kind of pepper or paprika or something, just the very slightest bit tangy. Not bad, but not as notable as it needs to be since it is the only thing that lends the illusion of flavor to the chicken itself.
It is hard for me to believe that George or Gordon rushes out to Cane's when noontime rolls around.
So feel free to weigh in on Cane's if you'd like, but what I really want to know is where you get your favorite fried chicken of any kind. I confess my tastes are rather plebeian:
(1) KFC original; stay away from the medicinal extra crispy; have to put up with appalling KFC service and tendency to get orders wrong and run out of chicken; cole slaw a favorite. Yes, I know the original recipe does not make for a crispy piece and the coating/skin tends to fall off the chicken, but its deliciousness makes up for it.
(2) Popeye's spicy, and don't forget the red beans and rice; however, Popeye's must be eaten fresh after ordering -- it doesn't keep well in the fridge for breakfast the next day. Refrigerated KFC leftovers that are reheated tend to remain pretty tasty.
(3) Golden Chick, a chain apparently concentrated in smaller Texas communities away from the metro, similar to Church's in product configuration, with three Dallas-area locations listed on their website; and they're one of those food vendors that has selected as its symbol a cheerful representation of an individual of the species that they're in the business of slaughtering and offering for people to eat -- so unsound;
(4) Church's, could use more locations in DFW; service also leaves something to be desired.
(5) Babe's, but would prefer to order dark-only instead of their meals and carryout requires that you navigate your way through the restaurant.
It's not Tickety, but I would selfishly like to know where you go for fried chicken. Doesn't have to be fast food. I wish I had some right now.
And, of course, continue to treat Comments as a perpetual open thread on all things Ticketish.
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