I tried Flamin’ Good Chicken and Pickle and Spice. Here’s what I thought
Photo by Fernanda Solorza.
A month has passed since the start of the school year. The excitement of the first-years has worn down a little, and by now, most students have found the best way to get to their classrooms, decided what their favourite class is, and found their go-to food outlet. Most of us have fallen into a routine, making it a great time to try new things. So, when two new food outlets — Flamin’ Good Chicken and Pickle and Spice — arrived in Mystic Market, I jumped at the chance to test them out.
The two new outlets are located in the deepest corner of the market, which means you’ll probably be surrounded by a crowd when you attempt to purchase food from either establishment. I decided to try them during lunchtime (around 1 p.m.). The place was crowded, it was hard to walk around, and it was over-stimulating. If that is inconvenient for you, I suggest avoiding the market from Monday to Thursday at lunchtime, when Mystic Market is at its busiest.
Flamin’ Good Chicken is a fried chicken outlet that serves three main dishes: the hot chicken sandwich, chicken strips, and a mini chicken wrap. But don’t worry if you can’t eat chicken — the food outlet also offers plant-based alternatives as well as gluten-free buns. The price range for the mains is about $10 without taxes (except for the mini chicken wrap, which costs $5).
There are also two sides available: waffle fries ($4) or pickle slaw ($3), as well as multiple add-ons such as chipotle dip ($2) or a fountain drink ($2.29). I ordered the crispy chicken strips and a side of waffle fries to go, bringing my total to $15.15. I waited in line for about five minutes to order and about two to receive my food. The service was great, fast, and cordial. The cashier was attentive and so were the chefs.
The chicken was good — crispy on the outside, well-cooked, and not dry on the inside. The honey mustard dip was more honey-based than mustard-y, which made it a bit too sweet. The waffle fries were my favourite as they were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and spiced with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. If you are looking for fried food, this is the place for you.
Pickle and Spice is an Indian restaurant. Having lived with an Indian family for over a year, I had high expectations. They offer a variety of different Indian dishes as mains and two combos. Combo one will get you a main, a side of fried vegetables, and basmati rice for $12. I ordered combo two, which has two mains, a side of vegetables, and rice for $15. For my main dishes, I chose the classic Indian staples: butter chicken and paneer tikka. My total after taxes and the to-go box was $16.25.
There was no line for Pickle and Spice which made the process significantly faster, and the staff were also friendly and cordial. After about two minutes, I was ready to get a fork and enjoy my food. The fried vegetables I got were cauliflower, red and yellow peppers, and one small piece of carrot. The main spice was turmeric, and the vegetables were soft, but they needed more salt.
The butter chicken was not spicy. The main flavor was acidic, rather than the rich flavor I expected in curry. It also wasn’t that buttery, but the chicken itself was cooked flawlessly, and every bite had a good texture. The paneer tikka exceeded my expectations. I especially enjoyed the chutney, a traditional Indian sauce made with cilantro, lime or lemons, chili, and spices. It was fantastic, rich, and spicy. All the different flavors came through. I wanted to keep eating and eating.
Pickle and Spice is a great food outlet if you are looking for vegetarian alternatives or a more balanced meal. Although it’s pricier, the nutritional value you get from any of the meals from this food outlet is far better than most food outlets in Mystic Market.
