After the success of their
downtown location, Hot Star Large Fried Chicken has opened a North York outpost
so patrons in North Toronto can also enjoy their larger-than-life chicken.
Lucky for me, during their August soft launch period, the store was relatively
quiet for weekday lunch – finally, I could try the item people wait painfully
in line for.
Some describe the large chicken
cutlet as Taiwanese schnitzel, but it’s an inaccurate description. Firstly, Hot
Star’s is much thicker - about half an inch wide while traditional schnitzel
should be as thin as cardboard. Moreover, the breast bone remains connected at
the bottom of the piece (hard to decipher at first since it is battered), while
schnitzel is boneless.
However, true to other
descriptions, it is as large as your face and does arrive piping hot as they’re
made-to-order…taking about seven minutes for me.
For my first taste, I tried the
original large fried chicken with extra spicy seasoning ($9.99). In reality,
the flavouring is just chili powder sprinkled on top and even with the extra
spicy it’s a manageable amount of heat that slowly builds with subsequent
bites. Aside from having it plain, customers can also flavour it with salt and
pepper, seaweed, plum or curry. For an extra 50 cents, there’s a wet version
drizzled with barbeque sauce - a good option for those who like katsu.
It’s really large: enough to
share (just be careful splitting it in half given the bottom portion does have
the aforementioned bone) or saved for another meal (mine re-heated nicely in
the toaster oven becoming crispier and less oily). Despite the size, I had to
try the fried king oyster mushrooms ($4.99), which were delicious - just try
resist biting into them as soon as they arrive. They’re really hot
and after patiently waiting several minutes for them to cool, you can pop the
entire nugget into your mouth, so a flood of crunch and sweetness is released
in all its glory.
Normally,
a fried chicken and drink combo is an additional $3.50. During August
25-27, 2017, the North York location is giving customers who purchase a
large chicken cutlet, a blue curacao or green apple yoghurt drink for
free. Head over soon before the lines start forming… once someone sees you
holding the massive chicken slice, they’ll want one too.
Disclaimer: The large fried chicken was complimentary. Rest assured, as noted in my mission statement, I will always provide an honest opinion.
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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