Wade Boggs Fried Chicken

I want to share with you one of my favorite recipes of all-time. This one was bestowed upon me by my good friend Wade Boggs. Wade played for the Red Sox from ’82 to ’92, and during that time we shared a very special bond. Wade, as it’s commonly known, had a special pre-game meal, or ritual, that I was lucky enough to share with him on a number of occasions. Wade’s ritual was eating a plate of fried chicken before every game. Silly as it sounds, it actually worked. Wade would finish his 18-year career with a robust .328 lifetime average, thanks in part to his hearty pre-game plate of chicken.

Fried chicken, or pollo frito as the Mexicans call it, is an American classic and Wade’s recipe, as he shared with me, is as good as any I’ve ever had. A delicious, juicy piece of chicken surrounded by a crispy fried exterior-- there ain’t nothing better. I’m getting hungry just writing about it. So, let’s get started:

Alright, first, leave Fenway Park through the players’ entrance and head East on Lansdowne Street. Take your first right, onto Ipswitch Street which will turn into Van Ness Street. Stay on that until you see Kilmarnock Street, then take a right on that. Next, you’ll want to take a left at Brookline Avenue, which you should stay on for almost a mile until you hit Francis Street. Take a left there and travel for a few furlongs until you hit the big intersection with the Stop and Shop and the 7/11. That’s Huntington Avenue. Cross the street and take a right. Kwiki Pizza will be right there (Note: if you run into Dara’s Wine and Liquor, you’ve gone too far). Don’t let the name fool you, walk up to the counter and order 5 pieces of fried chicken from the man with the unibrow. This is an important step because if you accidentally order the pizza then the recipe won’t come out right and will surely taste awful. Before the transaction is over, make sure to ask for “lots of hot sauce.” This is also an important step, it’s also the final step. Now you can sit down and enjoy your crispy and delicious all-American treat!

Note: the whole recipe should take about 20 minutes by foot and about 5 minutes by car.