37 Edge Street, Manchester
The Yard & Coop is ‘the
home of buttermilk fried chicken’ in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. One of the
nation’s most popular guilty foods, a well-known red fast food joint is often
considered to be the king of the golden-brown battered crispy chicken. Well,
once you’ve visited the Yard & Coop you’ll be ready to pass on the crown,
for this is undoubtedly the best chicken in town.
Billed as ‘proper good time
food’, fried chicken forms the basis of the entire menu, be it on a burger, a
kebab, an open sandwich or just on its own with a tasty sauce. The unique decor
is barnyard-chic, with wooden tables and benches, orange plastic chairs and
wooden tee-pees adorned with fairy lights designed to look like hen houses.
It’s quirky, fun, very casual and it works.
The menu doesn’t take itself
too seriously either. It’s loaded with poultry puns, advertising meals such as
‘the dirty bird’ and ‘the massive cock’, alongside ‘amaizeballs’ and ‘dirty
greens’. Whilst their sense of humour suits the relaxed and friendly vibe of
the interior, the food is in a different league.
There are several different
ways you could approach the menu. Their signature dish is the bog standard,
basic chicken and chips. You can build up your own plate: pick your chicken cut
from breast, thigh or drumsticks (or halloumi for a veggie alternative), choose
a sauce to go with it and pimp your fries. If you fancy something a little more
exciting, there’s the ‘large plates’, and if nibbling is more your thing,
there’s an array of side dishes.
I had the C-A-B (Chicken,
Avocado, Bacon): buttermilk fried chicken breast on an open sandwich with
smashed avocado, maple-cured bacon and siracha mayo, pea shoots and cherry
tomatoes. There were two huge pieces of deliciously succulent and juicy
buttermilk fried chicken. I’m never one to choose ‘chicken in a basket’ or
‘chicken pieces’ from a menu, as dry pieces of meat just don’t appeal to me,
but The Yard & Coop offers a masterclass in perfect fried chicken. The skin
was crispy and very well seasoned, but the meat inside was tender and fell apart
when you cut into it. Coupled with oh-so-trendy smashed avocado and maple
bacon, it was tasty and satisfying. The siracha mayo added a touch of spice
which isn’t always ideal for a delicate tongue such as mine, but it wasn’t
overpowering and only added flavour. With portion sizes on the decline across
the country, it makes a change to be served a hearty plate of food which leaves
you completely full and satisfied. Well worth the £12, plus an extra £1.50 for upgrading
to sweet potato fries.
 |
| C-A-B |
Whilst my friend opted for the
Yard and Coop’s signature, the standard chicken and chips, we also ordered a
side of deep fried stuffing balls. These were no Aunt Bessie-style stuffing
balls. They were three times the size, containing sage and onion, chestnut and
sausage meat. They were rich and creamy, doused in juicy gravy, not in the
slightest bit dry.
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| Deep Fried Stuffing Balls |
They’re not exactly big on
desserts – a couple of regularly-changing specials is as far as it goes. As
were we full up after our main courses, we decided to take a stroll and had
coffee and cake later in the day instead.
The Yard and Coop is all-round
inclusive, with a kids menu offering a main course and a dessert for just £5
and a 10% discount for students. There’s also a selection of £5 lunchtime
specials which change along with the monthly specials, and a vast drinks menu
which includes a fine selection of cocktails, gins, soft drinks and milkshakes.
They even offer you a free
Uber ride home. See the website for details.
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