100 Favorite Dishes: The Classic Rooster at Royal Rooster | Westword
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100 Favorite Dishes: The Classic Rooster at Royal Rooster

No. 39: The Classic Rooster at Royal Rooster Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., chef Justin Brunson puts aside his porky paradise at Old Major and gives guests the bird. And, oh, what a tasty bird it is. Breaded and fried Redbird chicken thighs are the star...
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No. 39: The Classic Rooster at Royal Rooster
Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., chef Justin Brunson puts aside his porky paradise at Old Major and gives guests the bird. And, oh, what a tasty bird it is. Breaded and fried Redbird chicken thighs are the star of the limited menu; Brunson uses them to make four scrumptious sandwiches for his weekday concept, Royal Rooster.

The first on the list is the Classic Rooster, a simple setup of housemade dill pickles, mayonnaise, a crisp leaf of lettuce and a perfectly squishy bun that doesn't do much to cover the massive hunk of bird. You won't mind, though, because that bun is really only there to help you handle the buttery, flaky slab of fried meat nestled between the two halves. Other options for this chicken sandwich include the Spicy, with sriracha mayo; the French, with house ham, Swiss and thyme; and the Korean, which comes with kimchi and Kewpie mayonnaise. All come on the same bun, and all feature the same fried chicken.

Brunson started Royal Rooster almost a year ago, and since then he has opened up the entire Old Major space to guests and expanded the menu to include salads, a hamburger, fried pickles and grilled chicken breasts for those who don't want fried thighs. Guests can also pair lunch with one of the whimsical daytime cocktails like the Cluck Yeah, a bourbon, Scotch and ginger drink, or the Royal Rooster Spritz, which has Aperol, Prosecco and orange. So next time you have a hankering for a fried-chicken sandwich for lunch in the middle of the week, head to this LoHi eatery, grab a sunny spot and get ready to indulge in one of the ultimate comfort foods.

Hungry for more? All of the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below.

No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop
No. 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House
No. 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider
No. 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas
No. 96: Housemade Burrata at Viand
No. 95: Schweinshaxe at Rhein Haus
No. 94 Kimchi Jeon at Seoul BBQ
No. 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli
No. 92: The Ocean Salad at Sushi-Rama
No. 91: The Signature Bowl from Churn & Burn
No. 90: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres
No. 89: The Diavola Calzone at Pino's Neighborhood Pizzeria
No. 88: Biscuits and Green Chile at the Noshery
No. 87: Chirashi at Izu Sushi
No. 86: Brisket and Ribs at GQue Championship BBQ
No. 85: The Tornado at the Chowder Room
No. 84: Korean Fried Chicken Wings at Yong Gung
No. 83: A Meatball Hero at Lil' Ricci's New York Pizzeria
No. 82: Shakshuka at Stowaway Coffee + Kitchen
No. 81: Late-Night Ramen at Brazen
No. 80: Potato Tacos at El Tejado
No. 79: Corned Beef Heart at theWay Back
No. 78: The Fried Bologna Sandwich at Snarfburger
No. 77: Sweet Corn Mezzaluna at Bar Dough
No. 76: Duck Confit at Table 6
No. 75: Croque Monsieur at Fire
No. 74: Tahini Cookies at the Preservery
No. 73: The Alferd Packer Salad at MAD Greens
No. 72: The Tuna Poke Bowl at Ohana Island Kitchen
No. 71: Mini Chile Rellenos at La Loma
No. 70: The Combination Banh Mi at Vinh Xuong Bakery
No. 69: The Falafel Waffle at Moxie Eatery
No. 68: Korean Fried Duck Wings at Chow Urban Grill
No. 67:  Spaghetti Alla Carbonara at Spatola
No. 66: The Classic Burger from Skirted Heifer
No. 65: The Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocado at Poppies
No. 64: Super Pass Key Special at Pass Key
No. 63: How the West Was Won at Dozens Restaurant
No. 62: Manzo With Polenta at Spuntino
No. 61: P & S Snack Mix at the Pig & the Sprout
No. 59-60: Sloppers at Gray's Coors Tavern and Diego's
No. 58: Potstickers at Zoe Ma Ma
No. 57: Griddle Cooked Bullfrog at Yum Yum Spice
No. 56: Macaroni and Cheese at Work & Class
No. 55: Lobster, Egg and Caviar Bruschetta at Bar Fausto
No. 54: Orecchiette at Coperta
No. 53: Cheese Steak at Steuben's Food Service
No. 52: PB&B Acai Bowl at ProsperOats
No. 51: Gold Miner's Breakfast at River and Woods
No. 50: Bison Pastrami at To The Wind Bistro
No. 49: Spicy Beef Hot Pot at Bronze Empire
No. 48: Brad's Neo Gyro at Avelina
No. 47: The Egg and Croissant Sandwich at La Fillette Bakery
No. 46: Smoked Brisket Stroganoff Pot Pie From Humble Pie and Kitchen Table
No. 45: Hisbiscus-Flower Tacos at Comal
No. 44: The Juicy Lucy at the Midwestern Saloon
No. 43: Italian combo #2 at Carbone's
No. 42: Huevos Rancheros at Las Potrancas
No. 41: The Roti Taco at Mister Tuna
No. 40: Mile High Nachos at Racines
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