Crazy Chicken

It's one thing to go in a restaurant, order whatever, make your observations, take a few photos, and write your review a while after; it's a whole other thing to know a restaurant before it came to be and know that the owners' eyes are hard on you, eagerly waiting for a hopefully biased article because you're relatives. Well...I shall deny that this one is a one-sided review because I shall, kindly, also include the other side of the spectrum.

Unlike my other articles, I actually know what this restaurant is all about and how it came to be...I was even involved with the look of the place. Yep, the looney chicken logo was designed by moi, as well as most of the food shots you'll see for the ads and stuff. This was one of the bigger "free"lance projects I did...well, I got my pay in kind. Still, despite the emphasis on free, I enjoy doing such projects and if this thing gets big I shall be proud of it. My brother is also the one responsible for the look of the interior.

We were doing a photoshoot, that's why the tables look messy.

The idea of Crazy Chicken came about due to the lack of existing buffalo wings place here in the metro. So the concept happened before Bon Chon arrived to our shores and made the spicy wings a local staple. A relative of mine, together with her husband, travelled all over USA trying out the different wings being offered, from San Francisco, to Chicago, to Los Angeles, and New York. And as foodies should notice, it's those people who've tasted the actual authentic thing who wind up with a proper-tasting recipe. As my cousin is a foodtech and food taster for the likes of Pizza Hut, KFC, and other big food industry names, she knew extaclty what to whip up for her menu the moment they returned to the country. It was a long process of trial-and-error to the point where her kids grew wings, but the reward was a really good buffalo wings and burger place.

Meaty Red Spaghetti

Insanity Burger (Php 195.00)

Funky Burger (Php 125.00)

Korean Soy Garlic Chicken

The addicting Jalapeno Sticks (Php 59.00)

Potato Wedge (Php 49.00)

An open-faced Overload Burger (Php 155.00)

Shoe-string Burger (Php 140.00)

The Nachos are good for sharing (Php 70.00)

If there are such things as hole-in-the-wall places, this is one of them; but it's more of an out-of-the-way restaurant because getting there is not easy, and finding the place will take you through sub-streets down smaller roads in far away Marikina until--lo and behold--you see the awesome logo of Crazy Chicken! Good for those living in Marikina, bad for everyone else...but if you have a car, give it a whirl though because it's worth the effort for chicken lovers. The idea of the interior (because I know firsthand) came about from retro American diners with the striped wall on one side, and a bright fiery red on the other. The cushioned seats and the stainless tables are illuminated by the warm industrial lamps at night. The canvas hanging on the wall are streets in New York and it feels right to look at them as you dig your teeth down those spicy chicken meat. But--and I know--elements are still missing on the red side of the wall because I'm still in the process of doing the artwork to be hanged...so I didn't take a photo of it. 

Personally, I'm a sucker for spicy food. I remember trying Buffalo's Wings N' Things's nuclear wings despite the warning that it's only "for those who dare"...I was disappointed as it tasted more buttery than spicy. That said, I tried Crazy Chicken's level-2 spicy wings and it caused me to wallop the table as I grasped for air. It was hot like peeking your face down in hell, but it was also bursting with flavor down to the bone that it made the experience more delightful than painful. The lemon pepper was also a nice combination of this citrusy-zingy bite then kicks you with a slight spicy aftertaste. The garlic parmesan was crispy and reeked of the beautiful pungent taste you get from two strong flavors. The Korean soy garlic had a nice Asian flare as the sauce is thick and gooey that sticks perfectly well on the chicken. Like most chicken joints, they double-fry the wings for a crispier experience before smothering it with the desired sauce. The chicken parts served are also big despite the cheaper price, so this makes it affordable.

Another notable food item on their menu are their ginormous burgers. They use Australian beef angus which is a plus, and they don't put much extenders which is a plus-plus; and they serve it on a chopping board which adds another plus to their plus-size burgers. They're not kidding when they say that they use 1/3 pound beef patty because as you see in the picture, it is as big as the bun itself. Now, imagine ingredient topping off another ingredient after the other; it's basically a meal that will stuff your stomach full. Sharing it is completely understandable.

I'm not a big fan of the Filipino-style spaghetti, but it you like it sweet and saucy, the one served here might hit the right spot because I describe the taste as nostalgic, the kind you'd eat in children's parties back in the 1990s. Now, if you have cold beer at home, try the jalapeno sticks or eat it as a snack. As the fried chili wrapped in lumpia wrapper and stuffed with cheese is gaining its fair share of fans, you shouldn't let the opportunity of a possible addiction go. It's crispy and oozing with cheese but the bang is not as tear-jerking as you may think because it perfectly gains your favor. The nachos is also something that I will mention because they make darn good salsa made out of fresh onions, tomatoes, and cilantro; and if you can imagine those with the ground beef and cheddar sauce topping the crispy tortilla, then you'll know what I mean. Special mention on the thick-cut potato wedges and the iced tea that reminds me of Tokyo Tokyo's red iced tea.

Here's a copy of their latest menu.

Also Like their Facebook page on: www.facebook.com/crazychickenlove

*Crazy Chicken has been rebranded under a new management as Chicken Studio.