Underrated Eats: Boston Market aka Boston Chicken
The Underrated Eats section we cover off on underappreciated foods and food joints. For those that like their food hot and their takes even hotter!
Boston Market (known as Boston Chicken to the real OG’s) is an American fast casual restaurant chain with 340+ locations in the US.
There is a lot to love about Boston Market, from the delicious chicken (white or dark), the plethora of sides, and the overall speed and affordability. But here are the things that really separate Boston Market from your typical chain:
1) Transparency & Accountability
You see that delicious hot food right in front of you? Unlike other questionable establishments, Boston Market has nothing to hide. You go to a typical fast food chain and some days the fries are overcooked or the chicken nuggets look/taste stale. But how would you know that? Boston Market just whips it out and shows you what they are working with. There is no mystery, the onus is on you to review your options and make an educated decision. You’re just as culpable as they are. Can you imagine if Taco Bell had the audacity to show you what their ground beef (I use the term ‘beef’ loosely) looked like that day? They’d be out of business tomorrow.
2) Scouting & Variability
The portions at Boston Market are always variable. That’s half the fun. You never really know how much of everything they’re going to give you. This is where scouting comes in. They typically have a few people dishing out the food – you gotta line yourself up with the person who is most likely to go in on the chicken and side portions. Each person has a different scouting method, but personally I avoid managers at all costs, you don’t want some bean counter giving you portions. The person with the shirt tucked in and new to the job – hard pass on him or her. The go to is finding the guy that is calling everyone ‘buddy’ or ‘boss/bossman’ (really this works at any establishment). Or someone that just doesn’t give a fuck/is high. Now the next step is crucial… polite banter. Give a warm greeting maybe ask how they’re day is going or talk about your local sports team, dealers choice. Then immediately rattle off your order, no dilly dallying. If you did it right, you’ll see heaps of chicken and extra sides coming your way. Sometimes extra cornbread. You’re welcome in advance.
3) Butter & Gravy
Boston Market has never and will never fuck around with butter and gravy. They throw butter in, on, around, under everything, just the way God intended. I want my corn to be treated like movie popcorn, salted and buttered to the nines. I want my mash potatoes to be drowning in gravy. The best part of Boston Market is you can trick you brain into thinking all of this stuff is healthy too. Chicken and vegetables? Way better than McDonalds right? *Pro tip you can say this about literally anything – ‘should I really finish this whole box of girl scout cookies in one sitting? Well It’s better than eating at McDoanlds.’ Easy decision.
4) Sides
Sides in the name of the game. This is what makes Boston Market, Boston Market. Here is a quick power rankings:
- Mac & Cheese – basically crack, I’d argue the best cheesy Mac & Cheese in the game
- Mashed Potatoes (w/gravy) – I don’t actually like regular mashed potatoes, but the butter and cream added in these bad boys makes them unreal
- Corn – This is the only corn I’ve ever had that has rivaled corn on the cob
- Sweet Potatoes – I’ve never had these but they look great and I’m tempted every time, however, the top 3 on the list are too hard to pass up on
- Cesar Salad – this is a sleeper pick, good quantity and value for those that like Cesar salads
Last is Fresh Steamed Vegetables – as far as I know, they only keep this as an option to identify the psychopaths.
5) Cornbread
Cornbread/Corn Muffins will likely end up as an underrated eats for a future blog. I love me some cornbread. One of the most underrated foods in the game. What really makes Boston Market special is that they give out cornbread automatically with each meal. It’s not treated as a ‘side’ like most places. Cornbread brings the whole meal together and puts a bow on things, plus their cornbread is delicious. They could easily upcharge you for them, but they don’t. You don’t find that kind of customer appreciation any more, it’s special. And it’s a simple and delicious reason why Boston Market is special.
**P.S. For those that don’t like cooking or have a smaller gathering for Thanksgiving, they crush it for pre-made meals on Thanksgiving as well.
