Chick It Out " Khao Man Gai" — Restaurant in New York

There aren’t many places to get Thai style Hainanese chicken in Astoria so it’s nice to see this type of restaurant open on 35th Street and Broadway. The restaurant is small with about 4 or 5 tables. I love the aesthetics inside with the exposed brick wall and the hand painted mural; very cute. The menu is small with only 6 chicken dishes to choose from. In fact, there are more beverage options that food.

After chatting a bit with the staff, I went with their recommendation and got “The Combo” Khao Man Gai 2 Way. You get to choose two kinds of chicken from poached, fried, or roasted. I ended getting “The Original” Khao Man Gai (slow poached chicken) and “The Roasted” (marinated chicken thighs).

Both the poached and the roasted chicken were tender and delicious. The chicken was both lean and fatty, as in the meat was juicy but without the fatty pieces. I was given three types of dipping sauce: a chili tamarind and garlic ginger soybean and ginger scallion sauce. With Hainanese chicken, I think that the sauce makes the dish, and the ones here really highlighted the chicken well. The chili tamarind wasn’t spicy at first, but it does have a slight kick after a while. The accompanying ginger rice tasted very lightly of ginger and was garnished with sliced cucumbers. They serve the meal with a light daikon soup and salad. Overall, the dish is a nice healthy option and a change of pace for the usual fried chicken dish.

Also, they offer one dessert, Mango Sticky Rice, which is not listed on the menu. When I asked about this, I was told it’s because it’s a seasonal dish and they will not be offering this year-round. Next time I’m here, I’ll have to remember...

I now have forever, unforgettable, delicious memories from Chick it Out! Upon arrival the hospitality is impeccable. Even though there was a little bit of a language barrier, the staff member explained everything so perfectly & even gave me recommendations! I opted for a Lychee Iced Thai Tea which was medicinal & healing in flavor, not what I expected but I appreciated it for the culture but that DANG Soda was amazing, literally! Sweet, Cold & Quenching! I got the Chick it Out Dumplings which were stuffed & brimming. The sauce for the dumplings was SOO Good I had to drench each dumpling I devoured in it. I got the Combo Khao Man Gai which was incredible! The sauces really make the dish. That Ginger-Soy Sauce was drinkably good! A little texture to it an it absorbed into that poach chicken with ease! Sweet Chili is a given that it’ll be good as it hugged the fried chicken cutlet upon delivery to your mouth as it exploded with flavor! Closing off with dessert we got the WARM Coconut Pudding & it was small, petite & full of comforting flavor. Oily, slightly sweeten & naturally coconut-y. The food is served in a paper plate so easy cleanup, dessert in cute little dishes in plastic containers to go & complimentary daikon soup & salad. I truly enjoyed the tangy & sour-y taste in my dish & overload of onions in the special Khao Man Gai with spicy chili lime sauce! Definitely a hole a wall worth...

So I 'Chicked it out'. Honest opinion. Not impressed. Passed by this place many times and finally decided to give it a try. Was craving a chicken dinner. Went in around 830pm, they close at 930pm. Did not think that would be an issue. I ordered the fried chicken cutlet over rice it looked good from another reviewers post. After ordering the lady in the kitchen said something in another language to the lady taking our order. Then we hear from the lady taking our ordee that it will be about 15 / 20 minutes as if they are bothered by that order. I see they sre actively cleaning the kitchen. There was a guy scrubbing pots. I was so hungry I went with the non fried chicken instead. What could go wrong, and I felt like it was the healthier option anyway. Took the food to go. Verdict. It tasted bland. Not flavorful at all. I had to force myself to eat it. Didn't taste anything like I would have expected. I didnt enjoy it. For 32 bucks, not worth it. I also ordered a thai mango ice tea for 4 dollars. The cup was full of ice... very little tea. Seriously, check the picture i attached. I didnt feel welcomed, they rushed us out. They are supposed to close at 930. If they dont want customers at 830, then they should say they close at 830pm. I hate that. Wasted my money. I do not recommend ever! Doesnt taste like thai food,...