This is another recommendation from Excellent Cook Nancy. She knows everything. Amazing. Chicken Scratch is kin to the restaurant Smoke (click here to read the blog about Smoke). They have the same daddy – Tim Byers. 
This restaurant gives new meaning to the terms reuse, recycle, reduce. As we drove into the parking lot, I thought maybe we were going into chicken coops. Almost everything at Chicken Scratch is created by using recycled objects.
The humongous yard’s gardens are filled with cactus and rosemary.
This is designed to be a kid friendly environment – a place for children to run and play while parents enjoy visiting with friends. Those shipping containers on the left provide a boundary for the children. In the first container are some tables and chairs. The large plastic water storage containers on the roof are lit at night. (This reminds me of something I might see in Austin, but it fits in well in Oak Cliff.)
Other shipping containers were filled with bad furniture from local thrift stores. There is nothing to hurt here.
Be still my heart. Can you believe this? The entire stage is made from shipping pallets. They promise it is not going to fall down. On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music.
Before we even entered the restaurant the smell of fried chicken brought back wonderful memories of long ago. Let it be known. The menu is rather limited. Fried chicken (dressed 8 different ways) or rotisserie chicken. You have your choice of a few sides. I read that the French fries are good. Perhaps I will try them next time.
The pecan wood rotisserie chicken was seriously good. It was tender and juicy with just enough flavoring covering the meat. The house made pickles are a little spicy but good. See the mac n’ cheese. It had hominy in it and was fantastic. I liked it. I loved it.
Ever-Lovin’ had the Foundry Chicken Biscuit Sandwich. They call these knife and fork sandwiches. On a buttermilk biscuit there was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cheese. The fried chicken was moist, tender, and delicious. I loved the vinegary cold slaw. Delicious.
The ads proclaim Chicken Scratch offers “unique dining from scratch.” “Chicken made from scratch for the whole family,” and “slow fast food.” It is the truth.
Within the walls of these metal sheds, delicious food is made and served. It is interesting that such high quality food is served in such a casual place. That is Chicken Scratch’s charm. In the evenings, there is a bar next door called The Foundry. I think I read that it opens at 4 p.m. for happy hour.
In my book, Chicken Scratch is high recommended. It has a fun atmosphere and fantastic food.
Blessings to you and yours,
Chicken Scratch is located at 2303 Pittman Street, Dallas (Oak Cliff), Texas 75208. It is not far from the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. A lot of men were dining at Chicken Scratch. Some wore suits and ties, while others were wearing jeans or shorts, or others firemen’s uniforms – always a good sign.