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Saskatoon’s Hybrid Hangout:

Saskatoon’s Hybrid Hangout: The Coffee Shop That Does Fried Chicken – Hits & Misses In a city where cafes typically stick to avocado toast and oat milk lattes, The Cozy Nook Café breaks the mold by offering an unexpected specialty – Korean-style fried chicken alongside its artisanal espresso drinks. After being tipped off by fellow foodies about their "life-changing" fried chicken, I ventured in for a full meal assessment. While the experience had some surprising letdowns, there’s enough potential here to warrant a second visit – especially for their much-hyped brunch. Here’s the detailed breakdown. First Impressions: Café by Day, Comfort Food Spot by Night The space straddles two identities with mixed success: Ambiance & Layout: • Daytime Vibe: Light-filled with reclaimed wood tables and hanging ferns (perfect for remote work) • Evening Shift: Dim lighting and switched-over menu boards at 4pm • Odd Hybrid: Barista station shares space with fryer exhaust (occasional coffee-beans-meets-grease aroma) Service Style: • Counter Order: Separate stations for drinks and hot food (slightly confusing) • Pacing Issues: Chicken took 22 minutes despite sparse crowd • Bright Spot: Staff happily substituted sides upon request Pro Tip: The window nook seats (#3 and #5) have outlets and the least fryer noise. The Food: High Hopes, Uneven Execution 1. Sweet Soy Garlic Fried Chicken ($16.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The dish that sparked this visit delivered mixed results: Texture Analysis: • Crust: Perfectly crispy with audible shatter (likely double-fried) • Meat: Underseasoned interior (needed brine or marinade) • Sauce: Sticky-sweet glaze overpowered subtle garlic Oil Quality Check: • Fry Temp: Correct 350°F (no greasy mouthfeel) • Reuse Frequency: Detectable older oil notes in aftertaste Comparison: Falls short of Dak & Bop (Regina’s gold standard) but beats typical pub wings. 2. Curry Rice Bowl ($14.75) ⭐️ A disappointing misfire: • Beef Issues: • Cut: Mystery stew chunks (not advertised ribeye) • Cook: Overdone and stringy • Curry Flaws: • Roux-based (not from scratch) • Missing depth from apples or honey Salvage Attempt: Adding their house gochujang sauce helped marginally. 3. Pumpkin Soup ($6.50) ⭐️⭐️½ A seasonal oddity: • Texture: Silky smooth (proper purée) • Flavor Clash: • Expected: Savory kabocha squash • Got: Thanksgiving pie spices (cinnamon/nutmeg) • Missing Element: No cream swirl or pepitas Cultural Context: Korean cafes typically use kabocha (less sweet than Western pumpkin). 4. "World’s Oiliest Fries" ($5.50) ⭐️½ Not hyperbole – these were: • Absorption Test: Left 1 tbsp oil on napkin after 3 fries • Possible Causes: • Undercooked first fry (moisture trapped) • Low-quality potatoes (high starch) • Saving Grace: Garlic aioli dip was stellar The Brunch Promise: Why I’ll Return Despite the fried food letdowns, the brunch menu shows potential: Upcoming Targets: • Kimchi Benedict ($15): House-fermented kimchi hollandaise • Bulgogi Omelet ($17): With Saskatchewan grass-fed beef • Savoury Pancakes ($13): Scallion and seafood version Value Proposition: Most mains include: • Bottomless coffee (locally roasted) • Side salad with yuzu dressing • Breakfast potatoes (hopefully less oily) The Verdict: Café First, Chicken Spot Second Rating Breakdown (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Fried Chicken 6.5 Technique over flavor Café Standards 8 Excellent espresso program Value 7 Brunch deals save it Ambiance 8.5 Cozy hybrid works Who Should Visit: • Remote workers needing hearty lunch options • Brunch adventurers tired of standard fare • Those craving non-pub fried chicken in casual setting Who Might Skip: • Fried food purists (inconsistent execution) • Curry enthusiasts (better options elsewhere) Pro Tips If You Go: 1. Sauce Strategy: Request sauces on the side 2. Timing: Visit weekdays 10am-2pm for freshest oil 3. Damage Control: Blot fries with napkins preemptively 📍 Location: 525 20th St W (near Midtown) ⏰ Hours: 8am-8pm (brunch until 3pm) 📱 Order Hack: Call ahead for chicken to-go (saves wait time) SaskatoonEats #CafeFood #KoreanFriedChicken #BrunchSpot

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Pierre Martin
Pierre Martin
5 months ago
Pierre Martin
Pierre Martin
5 months ago
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Saskatoon’s Hybrid Hangout:

Saskatoon’s Hybrid Hangout: The Coffee Shop That Does Fried Chicken – Hits & Misses In a city where cafes typically stick to avocado toast and oat milk lattes, The Cozy Nook Café breaks the mold by offering an unexpected specialty – Korean-style fried chicken alongside its artisanal espresso drinks. After being tipped off by fellow foodies about their "life-changing" fried chicken, I ventured in for a full meal assessment. While the experience had some surprising letdowns, there’s enough potential here to warrant a second visit – especially for their much-hyped brunch. Here’s the detailed breakdown. First Impressions: Café by Day, Comfort Food Spot by Night The space straddles two identities with mixed success: Ambiance & Layout: • Daytime Vibe: Light-filled with reclaimed wood tables and hanging ferns (perfect for remote work) • Evening Shift: Dim lighting and switched-over menu boards at 4pm • Odd Hybrid: Barista station shares space with fryer exhaust (occasional coffee-beans-meets-grease aroma) Service Style: • Counter Order: Separate stations for drinks and hot food (slightly confusing) • Pacing Issues: Chicken took 22 minutes despite sparse crowd • Bright Spot: Staff happily substituted sides upon request Pro Tip: The window nook seats (#3 and #5) have outlets and the least fryer noise. The Food: High Hopes, Uneven Execution 1. Sweet Soy Garlic Fried Chicken ($16.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The dish that sparked this visit delivered mixed results: Texture Analysis: • Crust: Perfectly crispy with audible shatter (likely double-fried) • Meat: Underseasoned interior (needed brine or marinade) • Sauce: Sticky-sweet glaze overpowered subtle garlic Oil Quality Check: • Fry Temp: Correct 350°F (no greasy mouthfeel) • Reuse Frequency: Detectable older oil notes in aftertaste Comparison: Falls short of Dak & Bop (Regina’s gold standard) but beats typical pub wings. 2. Curry Rice Bowl ($14.75) ⭐️ A disappointing misfire: • Beef Issues: • Cut: Mystery stew chunks (not advertised ribeye) • Cook: Overdone and stringy • Curry Flaws: • Roux-based (not from scratch) • Missing depth from apples or honey Salvage Attempt: Adding their house gochujang sauce helped marginally. 3. Pumpkin Soup ($6.50) ⭐️⭐️½ A seasonal oddity: • Texture: Silky smooth (proper purée) • Flavor Clash: • Expected: Savory kabocha squash • Got: Thanksgiving pie spices (cinnamon/nutmeg) • Missing Element: No cream swirl or pepitas Cultural Context: Korean cafes typically use kabocha (less sweet than Western pumpkin). 4. "World’s Oiliest Fries" ($5.50) ⭐️½ Not hyperbole – these were: • Absorption Test: Left 1 tbsp oil on napkin after 3 fries • Possible Causes: • Undercooked first fry (moisture trapped) • Low-quality potatoes (high starch) • Saving Grace: Garlic aioli dip was stellar The Brunch Promise: Why I’ll Return Despite the fried food letdowns, the brunch menu shows potential: Upcoming Targets: • Kimchi Benedict ($15): House-fermented kimchi hollandaise • Bulgogi Omelet ($17): With Saskatchewan grass-fed beef • Savoury Pancakes ($13): Scallion and seafood version Value Proposition: Most mains include: • Bottomless coffee (locally roasted) • Side salad with yuzu dressing • Breakfast potatoes (hopefully less oily) The Verdict: Café First, Chicken Spot Second Rating Breakdown (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Fried Chicken 6.5 Technique over flavor Café Standards 8 Excellent espresso program Value 7 Brunch deals save it Ambiance 8.5 Cozy hybrid works Who Should Visit: • Remote workers needing hearty lunch options • Brunch adventurers tired of standard fare • Those craving non-pub fried chicken in casual setting Who Might Skip: • Fried food purists (inconsistent execution) • Curry enthusiasts (better options elsewhere) Pro Tips If You Go: 1. Sauce Strategy: Request sauces on the side 2. Timing: Visit weekdays 10am-2pm for freshest oil 3. Damage Control: Blot fries with napkins preemptively 📍 Location: 525 20th St W (near Midtown) ⏰ Hours: 8am-8pm (brunch until 3pm) 📱 Order Hack: Call ahead for chicken to-go (saves wait time) SaskatoonEats #CafeFood #KoreanFriedChicken #BrunchSpot

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