vs.

A North vs. South battle of fried chickens: Dinah’s (since 1963) from the North and Honey’s Kettle from the South. Dinah’s, manned by Hispanic workers, Honey’s by Compton locals.

Both has a small-ish dining room but Honey’s got bullet proof glass. Winner: Honey’s.

Honey’s, representing the South, has crust that is thicker and crunchier, as if made from say.. perhaps.. a corn starch wet batter. Dinah’s skin, representing the North, has a plainer version of dusted flour(?). Think the difference between KFC’s original recipe vs. extra crispy, except Honey’s extra crunchy skin doesn’t destroy the roof of your mouth, which is probably a bonus whether you’re eating in or munching away as you take in some PartyPoker (http://www.partypoker.com/) without worrying whether or not you’ll lose the power of speech after you’re done chowing down. Winner: Honey’s. Winner: Honey’s.

Taste: Dinah’s skin+crust has more spices than Honey’s for sure. But as far as chicken flesh itself, it’s a close DRAW. Of course this is only based on comparisons of dark meet. White meat is for… not me.

Texture/Juices/Temperature/Misc. Nota bene: both orders were sold as take-but, but were eaten at the restaurant/vicinitiesoutside bench. I am NOT taking fried chicken on a 45 min jaunt like this fella . Dinah’s a bit juicier, Honey’s pieces are hotter. Neither are Jidori/Vikon birds, OBVIOUSLY, but neither were tough old hens. But both orders apparently came from under the heat lamp as they were filled within 5 minutes of ordering. DRAW

Pix of Dinah’s, Glendale, CA:

Greasiness: by far, Honey’s greasier. An LAist article reveal that Dinah’s, at least in Glendale, uses a pressurized deep fryer, basically a generic Broadster’s fryer. pressurized deep fryer also explains Dinah’s juicier chicken. Dinah’s FTW

Condiments: You get real honey with Honey’s. You get ketchup with Dinah’s. Sweet sliced pickles are available at Honey’s in Compton for $.25. Winner by yards: Honey’s

Environs: Honey’s is in Compton. Dinah’s in Glendale. uhhh.. do i have to explain myself here? Honey’s all the effin way, even if Dinah’s has lil chicken statuettes for decorations.

Pricing: Thighs are $1.39 at Honey’s, each piece of dark meet is $1.80 @ Dinah’s. Clear winnnnnaaar: Honey’s. Blogger’s note: Dinah’s kitchen erred to my favor that day and gave me 3 pieces even tho I only ordered 2, hence making the cost of chicken $1.20/piece

Pix of Honey’s Kettle, Compton, CA.

Browse Timeline

• « Mozzarella Monday @ JAR, kicking ass since ’04.
• » DineLA round 1: Tiara Cafe, DTLA.