Brockton crowns new chicken shop

The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.
www.enterprisenews.com
By Elaine Allegrini and Sky Gidge
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITERS
BROCKTON -- Chicken is not Louma Alexander's favorite food, but the crowning glory at Crown Fried Chicken is an exception.
"The chicken is fattening, but it tastes so good I don't really think about it," said Alexandra, who also likes the rice at Crown, that has attracted a following in the short time since it opened in Brockton.

Jacky Andre, 34, and Kinsta Bouilly, 31, both of Brockton, eat at Crown about five times a week.

"It tastes good and I can afford it," said Bouilly, who also does take-out at the newest chicken house on the block.

Crown arrived in Brockton a year ago at the North Main Street shop and expanded to Campello two months ago.

Owner Jamil "Jay" Rahimi, 31, said customers flock to the shops for the quality of his custom-coated chicken and the value.

A native of Afghanistan, Rahimi said he has moved a lot in his 10 years in United States, living in Rhode Island, Boston and New Jersey before coming to Brockton about a year ago to open more Crown Fried Chicken shops. He had earlier opened one in Boston. He is now eying another location, possibly in Fall River. The shops are individually owned.

Individuality extends to the kitchen where Rahimi said he blends the flavors of his Middle Eastern roots with the Cape Verdean cuisine that is popular in Brockton.

"I keep testing different recipes," he said, tailoring the spices to meet the palates of his clientele.

Customers on the north side of the city prefer a milder blend while those who frequent the Campello shop on the south side enjoy a spicier mix, according to Rhahimi.

The signature fried chicken is the best-selling item on the menu, which includes a variety of chicken offerings, salads and burgers.

"This is typical of fried chicken in the South," said Louma Alexander, 25, of Brockton. She said the chicken has less batter, is fresh and tasty.

Purchased fresh twice a week from New York, the chicken is seasoned and coated in the morning and cooked every half hour, generally ready within five minutes of ordering, Rhamini said.

More than 75 percent of business is take-out.

Lisa Briggs, 47, now calls Brockton home, but she has lived in the heart of fried chicken country — Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

"This is my son's favorite," said Briggs, mother of a 17-year-old. She said the chicken is so good and affordable that she brings it to her parents, also.

Rhamini points to one menu offering — 10 pieces of chicken, fries and soda for $12 — as a local value appealing for folks faced with a sluggish economy and high gas prices.

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