Fried Chicken Like You've Never Had Before!  

Where does one get fantastic fried chicken in Morris County? This reporter set out to find some answers. I visited three establishments and concluded quite happily that one does not have to be in the south to enjoy this American classic! 

Papa Al’s Chicken and Waffles, Rockaway: The highlight of this outing was definitely the waffle. The waffle had a delicious sweet, crispy glaze that was totally unexpected, and it was topped with a butter-pat-sized pool of melted butter, yielding a terrific salty - sweet combination. But, what about the chicken? It was very good. The coating was a thin, flour-focused affair, no batter. The meat was moist and tasty, but what lingers on the palette from this experience was the yummy waffle. 286 Route 46, Rockaway, NJ 07866 (201)-574-0599

John’s Fried Chicken, Dover: The chicken is coated in a dark brown fried batter that yields a satisfying crunch with each bite. The seasoning is perfectly savory with just enough salt to accent the flavors while not overpowering. The meat is moist, flavorful, and addictive. You will definitely find yourself overeating with this chicken because it's just that good! 121 East Blackwell Street, Dover, NJ 07501 (973) 620-9516  

 Sazón Latino, Boonton: This place is a favorite haunt of mine, but since my usual order is pulled pork, I entered with a neutral and unbiased mind. In fact, John’s Fried Chicken had set the bar pretty high. The plain truth about Sazon’s fried chicken is that it is fantastic. The chicken is batter-dipped and fried to super crisp perfection; you can snap off and enjoy crumbs of batter alone. The meat is tender and falls generously off the bone. The seasoning is tasty but quite understated, so that the chicken flavor comes through as the featured note. I recommend this fried chicken as highly as I do John’s. 209 Main St, Boonton, NJ 07005 (973) 794-4121

So grab a picnic basket, pick up some local chicken, and enjoy an outdoor meal on one of these beautiful Autumn days before they vanish!