Sherman's Food Adventures: Prime Time Chicken

Prime Time Chicken

Ah yes, Prime Time Chicken. I've been meaning to take a bite into your juicy flesh for a long, long time... Ever since I spotted you on the corner of Cordova and Carrall, I heard your calling. Yes, you didn't look all that appealing from the outside and neither did the area nor the clientele. However, something intrigued me. Something kept pulling me in your direction. Alas, it was never meant to be. I used to live nearby in Yaletown and even then, I couldn't bring myself to pay you a visit. All these years I have yearned. Now that I've moved far away, you have now relocated to the corner of Main and Hastings. I drive by you often and I look... I look; but do not stop. Finally, the day has come...

Okay, no, I'm not participating in any illegal activities or transactions. Heck, my name is Sherman, not John. What I'm talking about is the infamous dive where the fried chicken is cheap and the definition of dive doesn't even do it justice. I found myself in Chinatown and walking past Prime Time Chicken. Formerly Golden Horse, gone are the displays of BBQ pork buns and egg tarts. Replaced by warming trays full of chicken and Chinese food at rock-bottom prices, it serves an eclectic mix of customers. For me, I focused on the chicken and didn't pay attention to the Chinese food. The 4-piece with fries, gravy and coleslaw for $6.50 seemed like a very good deal. I went for that with 2 pieces of fried chicken and 2 pieces of BBQ chicken. Somehow, I was shortchanged the coleslaw. No matter, it didn't look all that appealing anyways.

Honestly, the fried chicken was pretty average at best. The drumstick wasn't bad, it was moist with a crunchy exterior reminiscent of Church's. However, the thigh was completely overcooked and really chewy. So chewy, I couldn't eat some parts. I found the BBQ chicken to be much better. Both pieces were tender and moist. The BBQ sauce tasted like Kraft or some variant. Not really all that important considering the price. I didn't mind the fresh cut fries. They were starchy and slightly crisp. A bit on the overcooked side of the ledger. As for the gravy, it was forgettable. No real flavour, it was just brown. Nothing too amazing here; but for the price, it does the job.

The Good:
- Cheap
- Edible
- If you like dives...

The Bad:
- Pretty average all around
- With a big pile of everything sitting there, the food gets a bit stale
- If you hate dives...

Prime Time Chicken and Chinese Food on Urbanspoon

5 comments:

KimHo said...

If you like dives...

Me, what??? :)

Worst case scenario, Kent's Kitchen is nearby!

Buddha Girl said...

Oh my...Kent's Kitchen...only thing I could remember from my visit was the sight of bones all over the floor...LOL!

Sherman Chan said...

Haha, Kim, I just had Kent's like 3 times in the last month!

BG, Kent's is minimalistic for sure. But somehow the prices keep me going back, despite the so-so food.

LotusRapper said...

"Haha, Kim, I just had Kent's like 3 times in the last month!

BG, Kent's is minimalistic for sure. But somehow the prices keep me going back, despite the so-so food."

Haha, I found myself at Kent's two weekends ago after shopping at T&T. Ya the prices are tempting. This time I had the garlic honey ribs (quite good !) with the vermicelli/egg shreds/napa cabbage to offset the meaty guilt, all piled on plain ol' rice. Mmmmm. Wash it all down with their dirty dish water, er I mean, clear soup, LOL.

PS: not to get preachy here, but if any if you are able to/or inclined, next time on your way out of Kent's buy a 2-dish+rice combo to go, and give it to the first homeless/disadvantaged person you see in the 'hood. They really appreciate a free hot meal without having to endure the long lines at shelters.

Sherman Chan said...

LR, go right ahead. We're regularly at Harbour Light and the food bank. We are indeed more fortunate than so many others...

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