After reading Jonathan Gold’s LA Weekly review about Dino’s in LA awhile back, the chicken mentioned in the article piqued my interest. When I heard that Dino’s was opening a second restaurant in Azusa, which is practically around the corner from me, I booked on over the first chance I got to see what this chicken was really all about.

When I walked into the place that first time, which formerly was Ted’s Gourmet Fast Food, the chicken wasn’t even on the menu yet. I had to ask the counter person specifically about how I could order Dino’s chicken and of course, she helped me out. For my order, I got the half chicken which came with french fries, tortillas and coleslaw. I opted for a to go order.

When my order was done, I walked out, got into my car and sped home. What I found interesting was that even though the chicken was in a closed container inside a plastic bag, there were these pleasing, albeit faint, smells emanating from inside the bag that were tantalizing my nose. Something so mouth-watering that I stepped on the gas even harder.

Once I got home, I plunked my bag on my kitchen counter, opened it up, opened up the container and wow, I was assailed with these strong, pungent smells that made me dizzy with anticipation. Than I looked down at the chicken and gloried in its flesh and skin reddened by the chili and spices used to marinate it in.

The french fries, also red-orange, and drenched with the sauce and juices from the chicken also commanded attention. When you look at the chicken close-up, you can see how the spices and pieces of red chili adhered to the meat. Now this was serious stuff.

For a minute, I just stood there and stared, taking in the whole sensory experience of the sight and smell before me. Soon, hunger called and I picked up a piece of chicken and took a bite. One bite was an explosion of flavor of pepper, lemon, chili and a host of other spices. It was amazing. I didn’t feel the heat right away but after taking a few more bites, I could feel a litte bit of fire at the back of my throat and it was a fire I welcomed and enjoyed. Eating the french fries, soaked in the fiery sauce, also added a little more fuel to this fire.

This truly was the most amazing chicken dish I ever had. I have no clue what kind of marinade was used, but the various layers and melding of flavors really made this chicken sing. Eating Dino’s chicken is akin to a mariachi band for me. Both are colorful. Both are “loud.” While one can be loud in regards to the music, the other is loud in regards to flavor. With one note or with one bite, both can get immediate attention.

Having this chicken so close to home is one of the best discoveries I made last year and thank goodness, it’s practically a hop, skip and jump away.

My family is so happy that Dinos Chicken (as we call it) has a new and closer location. We were driving to LA everytime one of us craved their wonderful Chicken (which is quite often)! This is a great family owned and friendly eatery, there is nothing like It anywhere.

Abby took me here one glorious day which I will now call the chicken day. Wait, will people confuse this with “chicken day” the restaurant in La Crescenta and Koreatown? Okay.. maybe i’ll call it the day my eyes were opened to delicious sour chicken and soggy fries.

What? It doesn’t sound appetizing? Friends, if you are a fan of salt and vinegar chips, or all things juicy and delicious, you will try the 1/2 chicken at Dino’s with fries. the juice from the vinegary chicken drips down on to the fries and you are eating something that is very reminiscent to a bolivian dish called pique a lot macho, a beef and fries concoction that I thought could never be rivaled until Dino’s.

Yes, I am saying this place is better than something from my heritage, that I grew up with, that I have come to know. And, it’s okay because Dino’s is Greek or something and it’s a totally different dish.