Borderstan welcomes new contributor Aparna Krishnamoorthy. Email her at aparna[AT]borderstan.com

I dropped into Chix, a somewhat tucked away spot (located on 11th Street NW just north of U Street), on a rainy afternoon, and was pleasantly surprised by all of the healthy options offered. The restaurant storefront is in the basement of the building and has a small kitchen in the back. The menu, written on a blackboard, featured three different types of chicken, a few sides, vegetables and chicken wraps options.

Chix is at 2019 11th Street NW between U and V Streets NW. (Aparna Krishnamoorphy)

To order is simple – choose the type of chicken you want, then your sides and a sauce. The Colombian chicken (marinated in “Colombian coffee and coconut milk”) immediately caught my attention. So I ordered the quarter chicken special, with sweet potatoes and a salad for my sides. (Un)fortunately they were out of the noodles and cheese!

The chicken was moist and had a subtle, but distinct, flavor of the coffee. The curry mustard sauce was creamy and delicious, although I didn’t really need it for such a flavorful piece of chicken. The avocado dressing that came on the salad was good, too, especially coming from someone who does not care for avocados. (Yes, I just said that.)

But the roasted sweet potatoes were the best thing on the plate; well seasoned and cooked to the perfect balance of crispness on the outside and softness on the inside. I would go back to Chix even just for these.

A small dining room is located on the second floor and patio seating is also available, making this a perfect spot for a breezy evening of al fresco dining.

Chix uses organic and hormone free products and also provides environmentally friendly packaging and utensils.

For all of $8, I had a delicious meal without feeling stuffed and greasy. Chix is a solid option for carry-out, delivery (yes, they deliver!) or to stop by for a quick bite to eat.

Chix

• Where Am I Going: 2019 11th Street NW (between U & V Streets)
• When Am I Going: Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 10 pm; Saturday noon to 10 pm; and Sunday noon to 9 pm.
• Paycheck Pain: Quarter chicken and 2 sides come to about $8, with lunch specials starting at $6.50 and dinner specials at $6.99.
• Say What?: Seating is fairly limited, with room for about 25 people in the space (inside and patio).
• What You’ll Be Eating: Chicken. There are also some vegetarian options.

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