Written and Photographed by Diana Oberoi
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken Review
It was an overcast and dreary Monday afternoon and I was in desperate need of serious caffeine after an early meeting. My temples started aching as I realized I had two choices, either settle for subpar break room coffee or venture out into the drizzly abyss. I took the latter. Luckily, Washington, D.C. has no shortage of coffee shops, the scent of roasted beans wafts over almost every block.
I was almost at my blissful destination when a mouthwatering aroma made me stop in my tracks. It was a magical blend of sweet icing glaze and fried chicken. My stomach began grumbling in protest as I thought you don’t need chicken or doughnuts for lunch! My willpower crumbled like the perfect coating on the fried chicken sandwich that I now insatiably craved.
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken has that kind of power, the fragrance pulls you by the nose into their quaint little shop. The menu isn’t extensive, but every item that I have ever tried is executed to perfection. This is why I knew exactly what I must have as I pulled open the restaurant doors and happily waited in line. The old bay friend chicken sandwich. This may not sound exciting but it is when you realize the old bay, is what makes the doughnuts savory enough to be the “bun” element of the sandwich.
I anxiously awaited my deliousness to be prepared with the additional local Gordy’s pickles on top. When my order is called I practically skip to the counter with glee. After grabbing the obligatory four napkins I realize it’s no longer drizzling! It must be a sign that I should enjoy my tasty spoils outside while it was still hot and delicious, so I settled into one of the two dry patio chairs, and dug in!
The chicken breast is cooked to perfection and the juices run down my wrists with each crispy bite. The flavors play a symphony on my tongue as the sriracha mayo is both luscious and satisfyingly spicy. I can’t get enough of the crunchy pickles! They are perfectly briny with just a kiss of dill. They tend to outshine the lettuce and tomato, but let’s be real, that’s not a bad thing. The Old Bay Chicken Sandwich is available Monday through Friday whereas the buttermilk fried chicken, honey butter fried chicken breakfast sandwich, and rotating flavors of wings are available every day.
Then there are the Doughnuts, the pillowy soft morsels that aren’t your plane Jane glazed. The mainstay flavors are vanilla bean glazed, maple bacon with crumbled bacon garnish, PB&J and my personal favorite crème brulee. The monthly rotating flavors are as whimsical as they are delicious and currently include nutella, hibiscus lemon, salted caramel with crushed peanut garnish and birthday cake.
The two owners and local Washingtonians Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern are planning to open another Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken in Northern Virginian later this year. This new brick and mortar will churn out the same menu and expand upon the already existing D.C. location and mobile food truck.
The flagship D.C. location of Astro Chicken and Doughnuts has only been open for three years, yet has an established cult following. The lines during lunchtime (when the sun is shining) often stretch out the door. The fried chicken is worth the wait and the doughnuts are magical any moment of the day.