​I visited the Townhouse pub in Ely to try their new Cluckin’ Crispy Chicken menu.

Ely doesn’t have a dedicated fried chicken joint, so it is a welcome addition to the city’s ever-growing food scene.

​I always forget how much I love the Townhouse every time I visit. It has a great vibe, with not only a friendly staff team but also a lovely crowd. People were chatty, making conversation, and genuinely having a laugh.

The man behind Cluckin’ Crispy Chicken is Steve Shipp, the man behind other projects I have reviewed in the past, such as Stacked & Loaded and Inferno BBQ. I was looking forward to seeing what has changed since his last venture and what other exciting things he has up his sleeve.

Click here to explore the menu

Mexican Grilled Chicken Burger

I started with a recommendation from Steve and decided to try his Mexican Grilled Chicken Burger. It’s made with fajita-seasoned chicken breast and topped with peppers, onions, sriracha, and a “dirty sauce.” It sounded delicious, so I trusted his expert option, so I  gave it a go.

The burger arrived quickly and looked great. The seeded bun held up well against the generous helping of dirty sauce, only giving way right at the end. The crispy fried chicken inside was a decent size with a slight crunch – I think it would please most people, except the most dedicated fried chicken connoisseurs.

Southern Loaded Fries

My wife is a huge fan of loaded fries and often wants them delivered to our home. Sadly, we have never found any in the area that have quite managed to hit the mark, so I was excited to pick an option from their loaded fries menu to see if it could pass the test.

Steve recommended the Southern Loaded Fries, made from crispy fries and fried chicken covered in a gravy sauce.

The portion was large with a generous amount of fries and fried chicken loaded into the box. Initially, I thought the gravy portion was quite stingy but as I ate through the fries I realised that a lot of it had pooled at the bottom. This is likely due to the very wide box used. Speaking with Steve, he says that he is looking to do a taller and thinner box so more of the gravy soaks into the chips as it is poured over. I think this will make a big difference.

The gravy itself was mild and of a medium thickness, making it a nice balance that is accessible to everyone. The gravy did cause the fried chicken to lose a bit of its crispness, but the flavour combination worked well. At £6.50.

I thought it was an excellent price and a substantial meal for what you get but I couldn’t help but feel like it was missing an x-factor. Perhaps a spicy cheese, heavier spices or bacon bits?

Cluckin’ good chicken in a great pub!

More food options are always a plus for Ely’s already diverse food scene, especially when they offer such great value. Steve uses his experience and skills to deliver an original and well-executed menu with some intriguing options. While this might not be the place for a high-end fried chicken connoisseur, it is a solid choice for most people looking for a trashy meal on a Friday or Saturday night. I highly recommend dining in at the Townhouse pub to really soak up the warm and friendly atmosphere that brings it all together.

Thanks for reading!