the amish market in hunt valley and friendly farms in upperco. both have wonderful old school fried chicken.

I'm still riding the Perchi's in Glen Burnie wave. Fantastic Peruvian chicken.

The few times I let myself indulge in fried chicken, I buy two pieces with Western Fries at Park's Fried Chicken in Lexington Market. You get two meals for about $3. What's not to like?

For restaurant dining, any chicken dish at Orchard Market & Cafe is wonderful!

I see from the posted pic that you have already found the best chicken place in town.

Isn't it "Cinco de Mayo"?

Unless you were thinking "Sisqo de Mayo"

Thong, th-thong, thong, thong...

Red with embarrassment but have to admit it - KFC - original recipe is THE fried chicken for me!

Chicken Rico? Are/were they the place in Highlandtown that was closed down?

Aarrggh. Tell us more. EL

As a kid, I loved the fried chicken at English's down the ocean.

I'm also partial to the chicken at Parks. Bullocks up in Carroll County also makes pretty good fried chicken as well.

My mom also makes great fried chicken, but she's been slacking off for years. I may have to bring this up to her the next time I see her, which would be mother's day.

I'm not sure if it's Chicken Rico or Pollo Rico that I go to in Highlandtown

(I know it by sight, it is on the left side of Eastern Ave. heading out of town, just a few blocks past that supermarket on the right side and a few blocks before the overhead railroad bridge, pretty close to where Stabiles used to be)

whichever it is, one of them is definitely still there. The chicken is really really good and cheap, and they are very friendly, and they have interesting sodas. But the plantains I had last time were really dry.

Not sure it's a chicken "dish," but the chicken salad sandwich at the Courthouse East canteen is one of the very best in charm city - fresh, peppery, and the same sweet ladies have been making it since long before I was a law clerk there in 1999. It may be perhaps the only reason why you ever feel lucky to get jury duty.

Chicken Rico? Closed? Gods forbid! I ate there Sunday evening.

LJ, that is Chicken Rico, which I always want to call Pollo Rico, myself.

There is a new Peruvian chicken place across from Santoni's on Lombard, but I haven't been over there yet. The neighbourhood is...scenic. If you go, don't leave anything in your car. Or take the 23 or the 40.

The stuffed chicken at Ruths Chris. YUM! Cheesy goodness.

Chicken Rico is definitely still open.

Riconcito Puerano also does a tasty, if somewhat different than CR's version.

Chuckie's Fried Chicken in Hollins Market is the best chicken box in town, IMO. Way better than Parks, which is good but not great.

Does anyplace do pan-fried chicken?

The other peruvian rotisserie chicken carryout which is located in Reisterstown, Que Rico, is fabulous. They also provide the green sauce and the mayonnaise based sauce which I mix together. And on Mondays', an entire chicken (of substantial size) is only $2 more than a 1/2 chicken.

This is an interesting list I found on the website of the San Francisco Chronicle, detailing the top 10 restaurants in the USA by retail sales: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/category?blogid=26&cat=773.

Wouldn't it be interesting to know the top 10 Baltimore-area restaurants by sales?

Piano Rob -- here's the list referenced in the article, which lists the top 100 independent (non-chain) restaurants by 2007 gross sales. The only Maryland restaurant on the list, AFAICS, is Phillips Harborplace at #48 (down from #11 in 2001, apparently due to the explosion of Las Vegas restaurants). I believe that Phillips has long been the top grossing local restaurant, and may have even ranked as high as #3 nationwide some years back, behind Tavern on the Green (NYC) and the Hilltop Steak House (outside Boston). Hilltop seems to have disappeared from the 2007 list, although it's still in business (they now have two other locations, so maybe that makes them a "chain"). Tavern on the Green was #2 last year.

Interesting that Phillips is not considered a chain. Don't they still have a location (or two) in Ocean City?

Susan BK-
I passed by Que Rico a few days ago and wondered if it was any good. I'll have to try it. Do you have any recommendations on what to order?

The Hilltop...back in the mid-80's I had a horrible meal there, with even worse service. Probably because I was early 20's and probably ill-dressed.

Silly of them. I was a very good tipper then, too.

There is a Peruvian chicken place on Broadway, heading away from Fells Point, just before you reach Arcos. Has anyone tried that one?

Phillips - GACK. Too bad tourists don't read restaurant reviews before they follow the crowds to Phillips.

In response to Christine the Lioness as to what to order at Que Rico, stick to the peruvian rotisserie chicken. The sides are just OK. Its good with sweet potatoes and veggie of choice.I haven't had the chicken from Chicken Rico on Eastern Avenue, but I hear their sides are better.