Finger Lickin’ Delicious Pies-n-Thighs Arrives In Lower East Side

Chicken Box from Pies-n-Thighs

It wasn't that long ago, actually–call it the late aughts–when any nightlife to be found around the Allen-Canal-Division Street triangle was mostly about rats running willy-nilly between garbage piles. And that Ling Kee Beef Jerky place, too. That was sometimes open late (and, by the way, is really good, if you like chewing on various meat squares).  Today, though, it's like a mini restaurant row around here, beautiful-hipster edition. There's the shambling, stoner-ish Forgetmenot, with solid nachos, pasta, and grilled salad. There's Dimes, which serves excellent California skinny-people food (pick hits: the Buratta, the Harissa Salmon, the Nicoise). There's the smoking-hot–spicy-wise and two-hour-table-waits-wise–Mission Chinese. And now, joining in on the scene is the spanking new outpost of Williamsburg's much-loved fried chicken joint, Pies-n-Thighs. 

The Lower East Side welcomes Pies-n-Thighs

Finger Lickin' Food At Pies-n-Thighs

I ate dinner at the Canal Street Pies-n-Thighs twice during its opening week, and the basic review is this: Do you like the Brooklyn Pies-n-Thighs? Then you'll like the Manhattan Pies-n-Thighs. I do (in fact, it's one of my all-time favorite spots), and I did. And if you've never been and enjoy fried chicken, I'm not sure what you're waiting for, because these fine young women–Erika Williams, Sarah Sanneh, and Carolyn Bane–have put a ton of energy and love into making you not only some of the best bird in town, but also first-rate sides and excellent baked goods.  

Chicken and biscuit from Pies-n-Thighs

Chicken Fried In The Lower East Side

The new Lower East Side Pies-n-Thighs is smaller than the rambling Williamsburg restaurant–the front room is all counter space and two-seater booths, but it's comfortable, and there are some larger tables in the back dining room. The menu, too, is slightly abbreviated, though all of the most important items are here; mainly the Fried Chicken Box entree, which doesn't come in a box but DOES feature three perfectly-seasoned, crunchy-juicy pieces of chicken (pour on the vinegary hot sauce at your table!), a wonderfully dense biscuit (pour on the honey at your table!), and your choice of side. Another Pies-n-Thighs go-to of mine is the Chicken Biscuit, a breaded-and-fried cutlet sandwich doused in hot sauce, slathered in honey butter.  

Collard Green Salad at Pies-n-Thighs

Splendid Sides at Pies-n-Thighs

You can't really go wrong with the sides, but I usually rotate from among the mac and cheese, the greens, the burnt-end baked beans, and the spicy black-eyes peas. Two specials are also well worth an order: the bright and ribbony Collard Green Salad, tossed with avocado, pickled onions, and–winning secret ingredient alert!–coconut flakes; and the warming and satisfying Chicken Dumpling Soup, filled with noodles and lively little chicken meatballs, which they call dumplings for some reason. Whatever, it's delicious.         

Soup from Pies-n-Thighs

Sweet Treats to Comlplete Your Meal

Leave room for dessert though, because everything's great here. I almost always get the Bourbon Pecan Pie, with a hunk of melting dark chocolate hidden between the filling and the crust, but the Banana Cream Pie is also heavenly. The Pies-n-Thighs team is equally adept at doughnuts, and the Manhattan location features a new iteration, the heavily-glazed Sourdough which you should definitely eat, and soon. Note: the doughnuts were all sold out by the time I got there for my second dinner, so a daytime trip seems to be order.

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Menu and More Information on Pies-n-Thighs on the Lower East Side

The Lower East Side Pies-n-Thighs is located on Canal Street between Ludlow and Orchard, and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. For more information and the Pies-n-Thighs menu, see here.        

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Pies-n-Thighs on Urbanspoon

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