74 days*. That’s how long it has been since the Stay-at-Home order was issued. Yes, friends, I am one of the counters, one of the people who knows precisely how many days of insanity I am living through. However, I’m more familiar with count downs. Days until Christmas. Days until the last day of school. Days until my birthday. Counting up is not quite as fun.
*A lot of people in NJ are using the day schools were closed down to start their count. Mine starts with the day the Stay-at-Home was issued: March 21st.
With each added day to this unknown future, we all change a bit. Around here, we have lightened our original ‘no take out’ viewpoint. Like most non quarantined weeks, the weekend is the time when the draw towards food not prepared at home hits. Unlike before the rona where we might have had anywhere from some to all weekend meals out, we are now using more scrutiny in selecting a place to order from and only doing so once or twice in a weekend.
I probably need to explain something about me to make any of that make sense.
I don’t like leftovers. But in addition to not liking leftovers, I’m an ‘eat it while it’s hot’ kinda girl. Which means most take-out we have been doing is within a 10-minute driving distance from our house* or bakeries**.
*There aren’t that many good ones.
**There are many and I am spoiled that the ones I love have continued to remain open.
Recently, we decided we needed fried chicken and in looking up our favorite fried chicken spot in Asbury Park, learned that they closed pre-COVID. Already willing to drive the hour to Asbury Park with the intention of eating in the car, we decided to give Federal Donuts a try.
I know. You’re thinking, Didn’t you say fried chicken?
We had Federal Donuts exactly three years ago when we stayed in Philly for our 10-year wedding anniversary. The day of our anniversary was also the day of Jon’s Special Olympics Summer Games so we decided to grab a quick breakfast of donuts before heading to TCNJ for the event.
We ordered half a dozen donuts and some coffees and that was when we put together that this place really wasn’t just about donuts*. But when Lance inquired about the chicken, we were told that yes, indeed, they had fried chicken, but they didn’t start making it that early.
*Until then, we both thought we heard there was fried chicken involved, but acted the way newbies act to ordering their first puppuccino.
Upon this quarantined desperation for fried chicken, we decided to return, ordering a half dozen of fancy donuts, two fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and 5 fried wings which came with a honey dipped donut.
Being that this time, we were there for the chicken, we barely thought about the half dozen fancy donuts as we bit into our fried chicken sandwiches.
Now, I love my Chick-fil-a, but these sandwiches were something, dare I say, which rivaled the only fast food place I don’t hate myself after visiting. The crunch of the twice fried chicken breast made angels sing. Or at least, they did so in my mind. The American cheese which topped the chicken was a surprisingly perfect addition. But my favorite part was the buttermilk ranch seasoning sprinkled all over the chicken; it gave it a lovely tang.
When we switched to the wings*, which were still piping hot even after the time it took us to consume our sandwiches, that was when we remembered the honey dipped donut. As we crunched on our chicken wings lost in the beauty of their breading, we split the donut, assuming since it came with the wings it was meant to be eaten alongside.
*Wings not pictured due to high demand and desire to eat immediately upon opening their box.
This donut was divine. A ring of flavor built into it from the honey, it was warm and sweet with a soft crumb to it despite having the look of a donut on the drier side.
Our rainy dining table
As we finished our chicken, we placed a new order for a half dozen of their ‘hot’ donuts: cinnamon brown sugar, cookies and cream, strawberry lavender; refusing to leave without trying them, allowing ourselves only a quarter of each flavor* to confirm our suspicion that we needed to have them.
*While leaving our fancy half dozen completely intact for later.
I have nothing but praise for Federal Donuts. Not only was the fried chicken made with a special zing and a unique flair of creativity, but the donuts were hands down among the best, their quality lasting for a full 48 hours after we brought them home.
Federal Donuts, Philadelphia
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