Newcastle finally gets some dribble-worthy fried chicken.
FED’s Fried Chicken (87-88 Grainger Market, NE1 5QQ) is the feathered offshoot from one of my favourite burgers in Newcastle, Meat:Stack. You know the guys. Don’t you? One of the best in the biz.
You might have even seen the tenders on the menu there. Tried them? They’re legit. The fried chicken trend that swept/still sweeps the UK is a decade old, but never really made it to Newcastle. Until now.
So to tackle the obvious elephant: ‘is FEDs the best fried chicken in Newcastle?’
Yes it is.
FEDs does the important part of nailing the core product. It sounds simple, but if you’re gonna be a fried chicken gaff, the one thing you need to do is to do good fried chicken. The kind with those craggy edges, the sign of a proper dredging and frying. That gives way to juicy, soft chicken that makes you remember that chicken can be a tasty meat. Not that dry, sad and overcooked breast you had at Frankie & Benny’s recently. Juice that squirts at you. It’s salty, and makes you want more. And more. And more.
The menu basically has pieces, tenders, and burgers. No messing. No wings either, which I know some people are mad for. But the straight up chicken pieces is where your attention should lie. They tick the boxes.
Similarly, tenders are great hunking chicken nuggets of your dreams. Expect a wait when ordering, and that is a good sign. I bet half of Newcastle’s past experience with fried chicken has been an uber-disappointing flirtation with KFC. Fried chicken may still hold the crown as the filthiest of fast food items, so it has to be worth it. But from recent experience, you try a KFC, and… really, is that it?
FEDs has yet to disappoint.
I’ve had afternoons written off because it’s such a vast feed, but never felt too bad about it afterwards. Yes, I do enjoy my lifetime membership to the Beige Bait Brigade.
Feds Feeder, £12.
That said, burgers are fun. I will always support the addition of hash browns in any burger. For £7, you’ll leave satisfied. My colleague said ‘that’s the best thing I’ve put in my mouth for ages’. But whether it’s your first or your fiftieth outing with FEDs, you’ll come back for the chicken pieces.
They dared open during the depths of lockdown, but thankfully FEDs is live and kicking in its Grainger Market home. The market is blistering hot at the minute, really becoming the street food incubator of the city. Which I wholeheartedly support.
Sauces hit hard too. Salty ‘wish I had this for my Sunday Lunch’ gravy. Nashville hot is fiery and sour. It stains your face if you’re eating your chicken properly. The white BBQ is sweet and invites you to keep dipping. Keep slathering up bits of batter and beans and chips with your fingers.
Slaw has herbs and little shards of broccoli and isn’t an afterthought. You want to eat it, if only to feel like you’re getting some greenery alongside a decidedly un-vegan, un-fitfood meal. Fries are reliable, if not as spectacular as sister restaurant Meat:Stack.
Much like they did with Meat:Stack, FEDs does one thing and does it very well.
If you’ve been hankering after some legit fried chicken in Newcastle for far too long now, now you’ve got your wish. I’m not quite sure what FEDs stands for, but perhaps it is ‘Fucking Excellent Dinners’.
Contact: fedsfriedchicken.com
Food hygiene rating: 5/5
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