March 30, 2023 - Gus's Fried Chicken - Mesa, Arizona

 

I visited with friends Cindi, Peggy and Bobbie.  We sat outside on the patio…finally some nice weather.  Peggy, Cindi and I ordered the special…two chicken breasts…cole slaw…baked beans…and of course that slice of white bread.  $10..and Bobbie ordered off the menu…the 2 pieces of dark meat also with the cole slaw and beans…and of course the slice of white bread.

 It was delicious.  The batter was not too thick…and it had a kick to it.  The cole slaw was to die for…so creamy….the baked beans were nothing fancy but they tasted just fine.  I was happy with my meal.

Gus’s Fried Chicken
212 W. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 590-0404
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

History:

Why White Bread?

 Back in 1953, Napoleon and Maggie Bonner ran a little tavern in Mason, Tennessee.  Their tavern sold sandwiches by day and operated as a juke joint by night.  Napoleon was experimenting with fried chicken in his sandwich shop.  Once he found what he believed to be “the “ recipe, he stared selling a “fried chicken sandwich.”  His version of the fried chicken sandwich was bone-in fried chicken housed between 2 pieces of white sandwich bread inside a paper bag.

While we could certainly add some biscuits or jalapeno cornbread to our menu, we believe we are best preserving our roots by serving this same fried chicken Napoleon created, atop a slice of white bread.  If you just can’t handle not having biscuits with your fried chicken, we promise to not be upset if you bring your own.