Korean fried chicken giant bb.q opens in Montgomery
A new concept for a Southern staple has opened in Montgomery.
bb.q chicken, which specializes in Korean fried chicken, has opened in a standalone restaurant at Stratford Square Shopping Center in the 1900 block of the Eastern Boulevard. And it may not be what you first think.
First, the name, pronounced bee-bee-que, stands for Best of the Best Quality Chicken. If you thought the abbreviation stands for barbecue, well, that’s understandable.
The Korean version of fried chicken uses a lower temperature in preparation leading the lighter, crispier and more tender chicken than traditional fried chicken, the company’s website touts. The chicken can be served with the option of several spicey, sweet or garlic-based sauces. There are chicken pieces; breasts, thighs etc., tenders and wings to choose from.
The menu rounds out with sides ranging from fries, onion rings, fried dumplings, coleslaw and steamed rice.
The Montgomery restaurant has been open about a month.
“This place will do very well,” reviewer TN Dougherty wrote on Google. “The food was great, the service was great, the place looks great. Large selection of sauce options. Food comes out hot, fresh, and crunchy. Well worth the wait! Can't wait to come back to try more menu options.”
bb.q chicken has seen huge growth in the American market since the first location opened in 2007. There are now more than 160 restaurants in the country. The parent company Genesis BBQ is headquartered in South Korea and is one of that nation's largest food service companies.
Earl Martin, manager of Stratford Square, worked several months to land the location.
“They are growing like crazy, so they must be doing something right,” he said. “I think they will do very well here.”
The menu offers “something different,” said Montgomery resident Kate Dennis, who recently joined friends for lunch.
“I have to admit, some of the sauces were a little too spicey for me,” she said. “I’m still trying to learn about Korean food, since we have such a large Korean community here. It’s been fun learning.”
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Korean fried chicken giant bb.q opens in Montgomery
