Highly Recommended is a weekly spotlight on some of food writer Keith Pandolfi’s favorite finds as he eats his way across Greater Cincinnati. Come back every Tuesday for more, and dig into his recent food writing at Cincinnati.com.
DAYTON, Ky. – Stepping into Galactic Fried Chicken on a cold winter‘s night feels like finding yourself at a good roadside diner after a long drive. It’s comfy in here with its wooden booths, pressed-tin ceilings and retro decor. Star Wars and Star Trek memorabilia is everywhere, though it doesn’t overshadow the old-school vibe of what was previously a neighborhood chili parlor.
This is not a diner, of course, but a chicken joint. And I think Galactic’s fried chicken should be included in the pantheon of local greats alongside Ron’s Roost, The Hitching Post, The Greyhound Tavern and The Eagle. Here it’s breaded in rice flour, which doesn’t absorb as much grease as all-purpose flour does. The texture is light and crunchy. And, if you’re concerned about such matters, all of Galactic’s chicken (as well as its veggie fried jackfruit) is gluten free.
The Galactic fried chicken sandwich with fries and coleslaw.
Their crinkle-cut fries are something, too. Our readers voted them the third best fries in Greater Cincinnati. Ask for a bottle of MadHouse malt vinegar to go along with them. You won’t be sorry.
At a time when it feels like food costs are sky high, there’s something reassuring about the 10-buck fried chicken sandwich at Galactic. Two grilled slices of Texas toast sandwich two plump, juicy chicken tenders topped with mayo and pickles, making for a meal in itself (slaw, additional pickles and an addictive chipotle honey mustard sauce come on the side). Add to that some of those award-winning fries and you might even have some leftovers to take home.
624 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Kentucky, 859-287-7049, galacticfriedchicken.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Galactic Fried Chicken is one of the greatest local chicken shacks