CHICKEN SALAD CHICK // FRESH SOUTHERN DELICIOUS

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK // FRESH SOUTHERN DELICIOUS

There are a variety of things that come to mind when one thinks of Southern food staples. For any basic Southern get together whether it’s a picnic or baby shower, there is one thing that comes to mind: chicken salad. Enter Chicken Salad Chick, a restaurant paradise boasting over fifteen different chicken salad varieties. The restaurant’s roots first started in Auburn and now has ten locations across the state.
Founder Stacy Brown has always been on a personal quest to find the perfect chicken salad. In her attempts, the Chicken Salad Chick was born. Tuscaloosa first came familiar with the Chick in the initial Essex Square location in Northport in October 2013 followed by the Midtown Village location in February 2014.
As a self-proclaimed chicken salad snob, I decided to dine at the Midtown location for girls’ lunch. Looking over the menu I was excited to see the variety of combinations to choose from. Did I want a sandwich? Did I want a scoop of chicken salad with soup? How about a delicious side of broccoli salad or a Southern classic of grape salad? My mind and my appetite were overwhelmed but I finally decided on a “Gourmet Chick” combination of a chicken salad sandwich, fresh fruit cup, loaded potato soup, pickle spear, and cookie. The next difficult decision focused on the chicken salad itself. The Fancy Nancy had the classic combination of apples, pecans, and seedless grapes, while the Kickin’ Kay Lynne was calling my name with a combination of buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and jalapenos. In the end I strayed to the safe side and chose the classic Fancy Nancy on croissant.
As I waited on my food, I noticed the variety of folks around. Mothers with daughters, businessmen, and college women flooded the establishment. Laughter from surrounding tables seemed to make the already relaxed atmosphere even more cheerful. My food was quickly brought to me, and the efficiency confirmed that this is a perfect lunch location. Glancing over my fruit cup, I was happy to see the mix of strawberries and grapes that flooded my plate. The portions sizes were generous, just like any Southern household you’d visit for a special occasion.
Overall, I believe that Chicken Salad Chick will remain a staple in Tuscaloosa and Northport. Even catering to non-chicken salad lovers with a menu of turkey, ham, roast beef, and pimiento cheese selections, this restaurant has it all. The in-house selections expand to a variety of sizes in grab and go containers making your next tailgate a breeze. I can’t wait to hit up the Chick again for lunch….and dinner!
Chicken Salad Chick is located in both Midtown Village and Essex Square Market Place in Northport. The restaurant opens at 10:00 a.m. daily in both locations. Tweet us @ThePlanetWeekly and let us know where you are eating!

Sheena Gregg, MS, RDN,LD is a registered dietitian nutritionist and local “Filipino foodie.” Follow her on Twitter @AFilipinoFoodie