Good chicken parmesan (takeout)

[Biggd]

Almost every restaurant serves chicken parm. What makes it different from place to place is the sauce. or as Italians call it, "the gravy". If you like the restaurants sauce you will probably like their chicken parm. I'm a regular at Lago's and love their sauce but I won't order their chicken parm because it's on the bone. I just don't like dealing with the bone, my pet peve. By the way, their meatballs are to die for!

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[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Almost every restaurant serves chicken parm. What makes it different from place to place is the sauce. or as Italians call it, "the gravy". If you like the restaurants sauce you will probably like their chicken parm. I'm a regular at Lago's and love their sauce but I won't order their chicken parm because it's on the bone. I just don't like dealing with the bone, my pet peve. By the way, their meatballs are to die for!

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Hold up—their chicken parm is on the bone? Tell me more! In all our years, we've never eaten at Lago, but now I'm intrigued...

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[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Hold up—their chicken parm is on the bone? Tell me more! In all our years, we've never eaten at Lago, but now I'm intrigued...

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I've only eaten at Lago once--it's kind of far from us, and I'd have to put on a nice shirt (haha). But I was stunned at how good it was and at the creative preparation of classic dishes. I had a salad and steak. Maybe the best place on the lake for a special date

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I've only eaten at Lago once--it's kind of far from us, and I'd have to put on a nice shirt (haha). But I was stunned at how good it was and at the creative preparation of classic dishes. I had a salad and steak. Maybe the best place on the lake for a special date

This is my concern—it appears too...fancy...for us. My kids are perfectly behaved at restaurants, so we can take them anywhere, but we're just not into that environment/culture/whatever.

I am surprised to hear about Canoe (above), though. We'd swapped to the Bob House a few years ago after Canoe updated their menu (and the prices to go along with it), but now I'm intrigued.

Honestly, outside of a few nights here or there, we've mostly stuck to grabbing gas station pizza and chicken at Greene's on our way to camp Friday nights. Once we're at camp, we pretty much stay at camp.

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[Biggd]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

This is my concern—it appears too...fancy...for us. My kids are perfectly behaved at restaurants, so we can take them anywhere, but we're just not into that environment/culture/whatever.

I am surprised to hear about Canoe (above), though. We'd swapped to the Bob House a few years ago after Canoe updated their menu (and the prices to go along with it), but now I'm intrigued.

Honestly, outside of a few nights here or there, we've mostly stuck to grabbing gas station pizza and chicken at Greene's on our way to camp Friday nights. Once we're at camp, we pretty much stay at camp.

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It's not that fancy. I don't dress up to go there, usually in jeans and T shirt or sweat shirt.
The bartenders and servers have been there a long time and are very "get to know you" people. The food is always exceptional!
It's our "go to" place as it's only a mile from my house and we usually sit at the bar.
I will say that people complain about the reservation times. They are always busy and usually save table for guests that are staying at the inn. That frustrates people when the see empty table that are reserved.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It's not that fancy. I don't dress up to go there, usually in jeans and T shirt or sweat shirt.
The bartenders and servers have been there a long time and are very "get to know you" people. The food is always exceptional!
It's our "go to" place as it's only a mile from my house and we usually sit at the bar.
I will say that people complain about the reservation times. They are always busy and usually save table for guests that are staying at the inn. That frustrates people when the see empty table that are reserved.

Thanks for that—if it fits into our plan, we'll give it a go!

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[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It's not that fancy. I don't dress up to go there, usually in jeans and T shirt or sweat shirt.
The bartenders and servers have been there a long time and are very "get to know you" people. The food is always exceptional!
It's our "go to" place as it's only a mile from my house and we usually sit at the bar.
I will say that people complain about the reservation times. They are always busy and usually save table for guests that are staying at the inn. That frustrates people when the see empty table that are reserved.

You gotta call me when you're going and we'll meet you guys there

The Breeze

[jbolty]

This thread insipred me make this, but I use pork tenderloin. Cut 1/2 thick, pound out flat, pan fry, cheese, sauce, bake, enjoy.

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by jbolty

This thread insipred me make this, but I use pork tenderloin. Cut 1/2 thick, pound out flat, pan fry, cheese, sauce, bake, enjoy.

Great idea. I'm totally stealing that one. Pork tenderloin maybe the most underrated cut of protein out there.

[hd333]

Originally Posted by jbolty

This thread insipred me make this, but I use pork tenderloin. Cut 1/2 thick, pound out flat, pan fry, cheese, sauce, bake, enjoy.

I hear that quite a few places substitute pork for veal in veal parm.


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[joey2665]

Originally Posted by hd333

I hear that quite a few places substitute pork for veal in veal parm.


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My mother always made all 3. Chicken Veal and Pork all delicious

[MotorHead]

Originally Posted by hd333

I hear that quite a few places substitute pork for veal in veal parm.
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I hope they do not sell it as veal parm?

[hd333]

Originally Posted by MotorHead

I hope they do not sell it as veal parm?

Yes sold as veal parm. At least that is what I have been told from a restaurant owner.


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[MotorHead]

I would highly doubt that Fratellos, Italian Farmhouse, Lagos etc etc. would do that.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by hd333

Yes sold as veal parm. At least that is what I have been told from a restaurant owner.


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If you cannot taste the difference between veal and pork you taste buds are deficient.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by joey2665

If you cannot taste the difference between veal and pork you taste buds are deficient.

Personally not a fan of veal because to me it tastes like nothing.

This has been going on for years with mislabeling fish

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/e...abeled-illegal

[Biggd]

I like veal if it's sliced thin
I remember getting a veal parm sub in East Boston many years ago and it was absolutely the best veal I ever had. I can't remember the restaurant but any veal that I've had since hasn't lived up to that sandwich.

Originally Posted by jbolty

Personally not a fan of veal because to me it tastes like nothing.

This has been going on for years with mislabeling fish

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/e...abeled-illegal

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[Bigstan]

You all forgot about Lyons Den ? How is that possible ?

Best on this side of the lake for sure. Bet they'd make it with veal if you asked, but the chicken is awesome so why would you ?

[marinewife]

I had a nice chicken parm over spaghetti tonight at the Village Kitchen, and while called the small portion for $6.50, it was quite large, I couldn't even finish it!

[loonguy]

Originally Posted by marinewife

I had a nice chicken parm over spaghetti tonight at the Village Kitchen, and while called the small portion for $6.50, it was quite large, I couldn't even finish it!

I prefer the large portion for a few dollars more, which provides enough leftovers for a meal the next day.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by loonguy

I prefer the large portion for a few dollars more, which provides enough leftovers for a meal the next day.

Now y'all got me thinking either a. I need to give the VK another look or b. What I define as "small" or "large" is significantly different...

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[Biggd]

Originally Posted by marinewife

I had a nice chicken parm over spaghetti tonight at the Village Kitchen, and while called the small portion for $6.50, it was quite large, I couldn't even finish it!

I was going to the Bob House tuesday, didn't realize it was closed, turned around and went to the Mug. I should have kept going to VK!
Although the burger at the mug was awesome.
Went to the Bob House on Wednesday and got the chicken parm. It was huge and I hadn't eaten all day so there were no left overs.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

You gotta call me when you're going and we'll meet you guys there

The Breeze

PM me your cell number. I'll shoot you a text next time we are going.

[boat_guy64]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Almost every restaurant serves chicken parm. What makes it different from place to place is the sauce. or as Italians call it, "the gravy". If you like the restaurants sauce you will probably like their chicken parm. I'm a regular at Lago's and love their sauce but I won't order their chicken parm because it's on the bone. I just don't like dealing with the bone, my pet peve. By the way, their meatballs are to die for!

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It used to be a Statler chicken breast with a bone. Last time I was there, they had made the change to a boneless breast. It may be worth checking again as it has been a few months since I was last at Lago.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by boat_guy64

It used to be a Statler chicken breast with a bone. Last time I was there, they had made the change to a boneless breast. It may be worth checking again as it has been a few months since I was last at Lago.

I love chicken parm but I would never order it there because it was on the bone. I will have to ask next time I'm there.

[boat_guy64]

Okay, I love chicken Parm. My wife knows that I'll eat chicken parm most nights when we go out. I've been known to do it two nights in a row. That said, I haven't had a bad chicken parm in the lakes region. I have my favorite high end chicken parm and my favorite run of the mill chicken parm. It depends where I'm at.

Here are my favorites. I like all of them but they do have tiers. I have had all of these dining in and take out.

Tier 1. (My favorites)

1. Fratellos
2. Canoe (Never had it prior to Covid.....Now, I've had it maybe 5 times)
3. Lago
4. Giuseppe

Tier 2 (Simpler, yet tasty)
1. T-bones
2. 104 Diner

A whole other category....Subs.
1. Sub Crazy has a killer chicken parm sub and is my favorite


These are my personal favorites and may or may not match some of your favorites. I have not had a chicken parm in the lakes region that I would not eat again.

One other thing.....Since covid, we've done a lot of takeout. More than we've ever done prior. Our bill is about 1/2 when we eat in. (No drinks and rarely a takeout dessert). We do a lot of two-fers on the weekends. (Picking up Friday and Saturday night dinners in the same trip) I've found that chicken parm holds up really well for day 2.

[mswlogo]

It’s a little out of the specified target area but worth it.

If you want great parm (veal or chicken)

You have to try Rossi’s it’s near Rt 93 exit 23 Rt 104.

Oh and Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth has the best tiramisu.
They have good parm too but not as good as Rossi’s (they have the best sauce).
Great atmosphere and bread at Italian Farmhouse too.
Atmosphere is nothing much at Rossi’s, but the sauce is the best any where.
Rossi’s tiramisu is good but nothing like Italian Farmhouse. I’m often torn between the two

BTW Fratello’s and Italian Farmhouse are owned by common man.
So I’m sure Fratello’s is great too. Been meaning to get there.

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by mswlogo

BTW Fratello’s and Italian Farmhouse are owned by common man.
So I’m sure Fratello’s is great too. Been meaning to get there.

I believe Fratello’s is affiliated with the Homestead chain, not Common Man.

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[mswlogo]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

I believe Fratello’s is affiliated with the Homestead chain, not Common Man.

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Good catch.

Anything affiliated with Homestead is great too.
I had googled it to check but the reference I found was wrong.

But just checking again I didn’t realize Lago was part of Common Man.

Any restaurant affiliated with either “chain” is worth checking out.

[Taz]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

I believe Fratello’s is affiliated with the Homestead chain, not Common Man.

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Fratello's was affiliated with Homestead. I think the owners are/were brothers but I think I recall the affiliation split. Technically may not be affiliated any more. Can't say for sure but that is what I recall.

[Taz]

Have had several great meals at Myna's Italian Restaurant across from the Margate although I have not had Chicken Parmagiana there.

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by Taz

Fratello's was affiliated with Homestead. I think the owners are/were brothers but I think I recall the affiliation split. Technically may not be affiliated any more. Can't say for sure but that is what I recall.

They still show up together on the website.

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[rick35]

We've done curbside at the Homestead (Merrimack) and Fratellos (Manchester) several times and we like their food very much. They do a nice job packaging the food to go. And their mud pie is a wonderful treat with the pie in one container and the fudge topping in another ready for some time in the microwave to heat it up before drizzling it over the ice cream. Oh yeah we like Fratellos chicken parm too.

[Taz]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

They still show up together on the website.

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Yup, you're right. Got that wrong. Owned by McDonough brothers/family. Got that part right.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

I believe Fratello’s is affiliated with the Homestead chain, not Common Man.

Right-My loyalty card is for Fratello's and Hoimestead. Fratello's website says both are proudly owned and operated by the McDonough Family. But I like Alex Ray's places too.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by boat_guy64

Okay, I love chicken Parm. My wife knows that I'll eat chicken parm most nights when we go out. I've been known to do it two nights in a row. That said, I haven't had a bad chicken parm in the lakes region. I have my favorite high end chicken parm and my favorite run of the mill chicken parm. It depends where I'm at.

Here are my favorites. I like all of them but they do have tiers. I have had all of these dining in and take out.

Tier 1. (My favorites)

1. Fratellos
2. Canoe (Never had it prior to Covid.....Now, I've had it maybe 5 times)
3. Lago
4. Giuseppe

Tier 2 (Simpler, yet tasty)
1. T-bones
2. 104 Diner

A whole other category....Subs.
1. Sub Crazy has a killer chicken parm sub and is my favorite


These are my personal favorites and may or may not match some of your favorites. I have not had a chicken parm in the lakes region that I would not eat again.

One other thing.....Since covid, we've done a lot of takeout. More than we've ever done prior. Our bill is about 1/2 when we eat in. (No drinks and rarely a takeout dessert). We do a lot of two-fers on the weekends. (Picking up Friday and Saturday night dinners in the same trip) I've found that chicken parm holds up really well for day 2.

I find that I gravitate to places that make their gravy as close to what I grew up eating. Different areas of Italy made gravy differently. My mother was from an area near Rome so her gravy was always thick and never varied from batch to batch so when I find a place that makes gravy with the same texture and taste it hits the sweet spot.
I'm not a big fan of marinara sauce on chicken parm so if it's made with a light sauce it's not to my liking.
Lago's gravy is pretty close to what I grew up eating!