Da Mud Duck Cafe

The breakfasts are well done and the service is cheerful for a take-​out. I can recommend the salmon croquettes. I look forward to going back.

Even though I’ve opted for fare that’s better for personal health and for the environment for more than 17 years — my husband and I enjoy meatless weekdays, not just meatless Mondays — I still splurge every so often on fried chicken, my favorite «tastes great but not great for you» dish that I’ve ordered for many meals, at many places, for more than four decades. (My favorite dinner at Bob’s Big Boy when I was a kiddo? The Pappy Parker Fried Chicken dinner, of course!)
Enter Da Mud Duck. I visited this spot a few years ago for an event, and had — rather, enjoyed a fabulous meal — of THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Yes, folks, you’ve read that right. (Don’t bother with Roscoe’s tiny, soggy, underseasoned and shockingly overpriced bird; I can’t remember how often my husband and I shelled out more than $ 40 for meals there that left us totally underwhelmed and hungry within four hours later.)
Yes, folks, this chicken features seasoning that’s extraordinarily flavorful; the garlic salt, celery salt, paprika and pepper come together in this gorgeous harmony. Add the fact that the coating/​breading is delicate and crispy … well, I’m honestly craving this for my next meal.
Don’t dress up in a major way when you pay DMD a visit; it’s extremely casual. And be prepared for warm, appreciative service from the small staff here.
DMD’s immediate neighborhood has had its moments, to be sure, but if you can handle that, you’re in for a treat with genuinely inspired fried chicken. (Now if the «chicken chef» here could prepare his or her amazing bird in a food-​truck venue and drive it so northern Orange County, my dining life would be 150% perfect.)