It's kind of like a speak-easy, for fried chicken sandwiches. You have to know about it to go there, but all the foodies know about Queen Mother's in Arlington.
Tucked inside Cafe by La Cocina on Columbia Pike in South Arlington (918 S. Lincoln Street Suite 2), Queen Mother's is getting a lot of attention for its fried chicken sandwiches, including most recently, being added to the Washington Post's list of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the DC area.
So what makes these sandwiches so special? Food critics will tell you that Chef Rock Harper is making "brined chicken breast sandwiches cooked in duck fat and canola oil." Regular folks will tell you that every bite of this chicken sandwich is perfectly crispy, seasoned and juicy.
See for yourself. Allow me to introduce you to the Southside Club.
It's an 8 ounce brined chicken breast (cooked in duck fat and canola). Nodine's applewood smoked bacon, pimento cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Served on a butter-toasted brioche bun. You can practically taste the crispy skin just looking at the picture. The bacon is basically a meal unto itself-you could take it home and eat it for dinner. Ask me how I know.
If you like a sweet and savory combination, the Virginia Honey Butter is for you.
This one is a local favorite. It is brushed with a honey butter and finished with just a touch of Italian sea salt. And of course, served on a butter-toasted brioche bun. It's unforgettable - even though it is enormous, you just keep eating more and more of it in order to let that satisfying sweet-salty combo hit your tastebuds again and again.
Don't forget the seasoned waffle fries! They are cooked to perfection. (See the full menu and the Valentine's Day menu here).
The secret behind all of this crispy/crunchy/salty/sweet goodness is Chef Rock Harper, who is actually quite the celebrity. He is best known for winning season three of the TV show Hell's Kitchen, hosted by the infamous chef Gordon Ramsey. One of the shows most beloved winners, he has made several re-appearances and garnered his own fan base.
In an era when taking shortcuts and making profits is king, Harper is a craftsman who takes the time to ensure that his product is at the top of its game. The skill and attention he puts into the humble chicken sandwich comes across in every bite of sandwich, sauce, seasoning, and side.
Where does this passion come from? As he told food blogger Feed the Malik in August of 2020, Queen Mother's is his tribute to his mother, grandmother, "and to all of the women who have informed and built our culture." Chef Harper has put in the time, money, and effort to elevate the chicken sandwich into something delightfully extra. He has created a sandwich - and a business - to reclaim and celebrate a food that has historically been used time and again to degrade and stereotype Black people.
Is that a lot to think about when ordering a chicken sandwich?
Absolutely.
But this is what Queen Mother's can teach us about Black history: In this great melting pot that is the United States, every culture should get to celebrate the foods their mothers and grandmothers made, without being afraid of mockery or hurtful perceptions. Feel good putting your dollars and your tastebuds behind this message.
What you need to know:
Getting there: Queen Mother's is located inside Cafe by La Cocina on Columbia Pike in South Arlington (918 S. Lincoln Street Suite 2). Even though the address is on S. Lincoln, the entrance is on Columbia Pike. As a reference point, the building is next to the Wendy's. Street parking is available.
Ordering: https://rocksolidfood.com/queenmothersdc/
Hours:
Tuesday through Thursday, 11am -3pm,
Friday and Saturday,11am-3pm and 5-8pm (YAY dinner!)
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