Chow “Fried and Gone to Heaven”
posted by May 20 at 13:20 PM
onThat subject line is the work of former Stranger music editor/new Seattle Times music columnist Jonathan Zwickel, who created it for a Slog post announcing his transcendent first encounter with Ezell’s Famous Chicken, the Central District legend that’s inspired hordes of worshippers and one weird Slog post that last week grew into an all-encompassing fight about everything.
Which brings me to the latest addition to the Ezell’s dossier—a tender memory sent in by the one and only Kathleen Wilson:
I’m a little late with my Ezell’s two-cents, but what they hey: While walking to Ezell’s one afternoon, bullets whizzed by as I was narrowly missed by a drive-by shooting. After being detained by police for a statement, I still ordered a one-piece breast snack-pack to go. Just sayin’. Chicken is THAT good.
Which reminds me of one of my favorite Last Days Hot Tips of all time:
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2007 For decades, humanity has marveled at the power of Ezell’s, the Seattle fried-chickenry whose goods are so good that vegetarians curse their fates and Oprah has ‘em FedExed directly to her mouth. Today brings not only the most extravagant Ezell’s-related Hot Tip we’ve ever received, but also the most charming Metro-based Hot Tip in history. “I was in line at Ezell’s on 23rd early this afternoon,” reports Hot Tipper Jake. “Suddenly, a Metro bus pulls up in front of the store and the female driver runs in and yells, ‘Give me four drumsticks quick!’ Then she says, ‘No! Make it five!’ Of course, everyone in line is looking at her, so she hollers, ‘What? I’ve got five minutes!’ She gets her drumsticks and runs back to her waiting bus, which I now see is carrying a dozen or so passengers.” Thanks to Jake for noticing and sharing, and props to the Metro driver for her inspirational time management.
Dear Ezell’s: Feel free to use either Ezell’s: I’d Dodge a Bullet for a Bite! or Ezell’s: Bus-Fleeingly Delicious as your next ad slogan. You’re welcome.
Comments
yea im sure they just love reminding people that their in a bad part of the 'hood.
Thank God. I thought after reading such a long post that it was going to end with Ezell's having a malignant brain tumor. (If you've watching MSNBC all day like me you'd understand.)
I would go there but they are fearing some make believe guy in the sky: they ought to worry about the gun shots outside their front door instead.
I think we should use this as an opportunity to endlessly debate the merits of small business vs. big, soulless business.
There were protesters in front of KFC on the hill Sunday and to spite them I went in and bought some chicken from them, walked outside and ate it in front of them saying how damn good it was.
What were they protesting about? Are they against greasy tasty goodness?
I think they were protesting KFC's discontinuation of their Famous Bowls. People love food that looks like it's already been eaten.
Ezell's stopped being good the day they stopped using trans fats.
At first I felt this was a terrible day indeed. But later that day I realized I was finally free to move out of my crappy duplex with the psychotic downstairs neighbors.
So I guess the whole thing is a wash.
Meat : Murder or Tasty?
Discuss.
Laterite,
Tasty, tasty murder.
MURDER....
I once went to Ezell's and they had closed off the building becuase of a medical emergency...there was an ambulance and I could see someone inside the store, lying on a stretcher. It looked pretty serious, like someone was horribly injured. All i could do was circle my car around the block repeatedly and mutter to myself, "so when are they going to reopen so i can get some chicken???"
@9 We are NOT having that discussion again.
Is that a plastic bag the box of chicken is in?
Do any Ezell's employees own SUVs?
It IS a platic bag!!!!!
Time to protest Ezell's right now!!! Where is Erica???
I suppose I'm hysterical if I ask if there is a connection between tolerating chicken torture and drive-by shootings.
"I'd take a bullet for a pullet"
@17 Yes, it does sound hysterical, in the funny way too.
@17, In high school we had these chicks that we were studying imprinting in biology class. I fed mine fried chicken to see if she would eat it and you know what? SHE ATE IT!!!!!
@20,
I bet if you fed fried human to humans, and didn't tell them what it was, they'd eat it too.
Which reminds me, today is my birthday and, to celebrate, you should go to Ezell's and eat the hell out of some of Seattle's best cluck.
Although, Mark Mitchell will still tell you the most kickin' chicken in town is at that little mini mart next to Redwood.
Mr Schmader's comment wins. I laughed hard enough that I choked on the chicken I was eating...
And I've always wondered who came up with that name? How can a new product be "Famous"? Maybe they forgot the "IN" in front of the "Famous".....
@21, sure, most rational people would eat fried mystery meat, no questions asked.
This post reminds me of similar experiences I have when I visit Ezell's Lynnwood location. It's like Baghdad up there.
Seattle likes crispy fried chicken and soggy French fries? I just don't get it, I just don't get it...
I finally tried the Pike Street Fish Fry -- slightly drunk --- now why did it take so long for someone to come up with this great idea... a fish'n'chips joint on PIKE STREET?
Can we give them the Genius Award?
For the most part, the differences in Fried Chicken comes down to the spices used. Ezell's, which I admit not having been to since they shut down the U-District stand, as I remember, some of the best fried chicken I had eaten, but I preferred the fried chicken from the City Market on Capitol Hill.
Happy birthday, Kerri!
Wouldn't it be sad if the internet was about to crash and this pointless post was the last thing ever uploaded?
@26 You sir, are a madman.
Unbearable Bobness, indeed.
Discussing delicious chicken is always worthwhile.
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