I don’t know if this is the case everywhere, but when you order a chicken breast at a few different chicken restaurants here in Montreal, you get quite a few side dishes with it - fries* and* a bun *and *coleslaw. (Well, and the sauce, but I imagine that’d come with the chicken anyway.) I usually ask them not to give me the coleslaw, but I still do get the fries and the bun, and the entire quantity of the food is nearly always too much for me to eat.
(I do enjoy the side dishes as well as the chicken, but like I said, it ends up being too much for me.)
I’m wondering - is chicken served with this many side dishes everywhere? And what is the reason for serving with so many side dishes anyway?
That’s pretty normal for around here, too. 2-3 pices of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy or some other starch like fries or rice, a roll and a cold salad side. It is a lot of food, but not unexpected. I live in the US Midwest.
I’m guessing because they are relatively inexpensive, and make it look like you are getting a lot of food for your loonies (because, of course you are). Plus, it’ll help fill up the occasional odd teen-age boy who eats there.
It seems to me that fried chicken, in its North American incarnation, owes its roots to soul food and from there to the food that was cooked by slaves on the plantation back in the day - and much like peasant foods all around the world, it revolves around taking the bits of meat you can get your hands on and stretching it out with starch and vegetables.
I’m not sure you really get that much more food - it’s just all presented in one course. Compare to a steak dinner, which you usually get bread when you sit down, followed by a salad, and only then do you get the steak with a side or two.
Cole slaw goes really well w/ fried chicken because its acidity really helps cut down on the greasy chicken in between bites. It’s a nice palate cleanser to keep from getting overwhelmed by all the oily goodness.
It’s actually kind of standard for anyplace that’s not McDonalds/Burger King/ Wendy’s. *Pollos ala brasa *- at least two sides, often three or four. Chicken Delight/Galore/Pudgies type places - you can get just a bucket of chicken, but the “family meals” come with two sides. Applebees/Red Lobster type places- two sides.At at least some Nathan’s/Roy Rogers/Arthur Treachers you can get just a hot dog/hamburger etc, but the combo platter/dinners are served with cole slaw and fries. Boston Market- individual meals come with two sides, family meals have three or more.
That’s the only thing I don’t like about Popeyes- only 1 side. Another small side is an extra couple bucks. I like the potatoes and the Cajun rice. Everything about KFC is inferior, but that 2nd side (coleslaw for me) can push me over to their side.
As far as OP, most restaurant meals seem to do 2 sides with an entree, but some places (like Cracker Barrel) even do 3. That’s not a “chicken” specific thing, though.
Another thing, is the distinction between a meal and a"platter," and this can apply to all sorts of foods, but common with chicken, fish, chicken fingers, fried shrimp meals/platters/baskets. Sometimes a meal has 1 side, and a platter has 2 sides. Or more specifically, the meal has fries while the platter/basket has fries and coleslaw, typically.
Diners and home-style restaurants used to serve a “meat & 3.” Some kind of bread—cornbread, biscuit or roll, and two vegetables. A to-go box makes for a good lunch the next day.
