Tumble 22 Hot Chicken

 I love fried chicken. For most of my life, my favorite fried chicken has been KFC. I have had Popeye's, Golden Chicks, Churches, Hoovers, Lucy's, Lee's... and many others. KFC had been the standard by which I measured them. The savory flavor or Original Recipe had beat out every other offering I tried.

 Until Tumble 22. I had no idea that fried chicken could be so good. People from out of town who have said to me "how good could a fried chicken place be?" have become Tumble 22 converts, telling people they HAVE to visit when they come to Austin.

 Seriously, it is that good.

 The Burnet Road location has indoor and outdoor seating. It has a country diner vibe; small tables for two, booths, cocktail tables, and picnic tables outside. A full bar has a couple of televisions for sports enthusiasts, and they offer a series of signature cocktails that are well worth trying. The bottom line, though, is that Tumble 22 is about the chicken.

 All the offerings, from pieces to tenders or even "oysters" (the fatty bit between the leg and the thigh, FANTASTIC if you like dark meat), are served at your choice of heat-level, from wimpy (no spices, level 1) to "Cluckin' Hot" (level 5). I am a "Mo' Hot" (level 3) person; sweet and spicy enough to burn a little.

 I have yet to try anything beyond Mo' Hot. Rumor has it there is an off-menu 6th degree of heat.

 My go-to is either the 1/4 Dark (leg and thigh) or the Chicken Oysters. The chicken is crisp, hot, and savory. A variety of sides are offered (two come with the meal). The fries are fairly standard. The beans pair well with the chicken, very flavorful. The macaroni-and-cheese is good, but even better when chicken is added (at the heat level of your choice) from their Happy Hour menu.

 Chicken tenders and oysters come with a selection of dipping sauces. The tenders are made from huge pieces of breast meat, prepared and seasoned-to-order. The boneless options are the tenders (white meat) and oysters (dark meat). The favored sauce is the sweet chili-lime, adding another source of sweet and heat to each bite.

 Don't forget to order one of their signature pies. Lemon Meringue is my current favorite.

 The staff is always great; attentive and friendly even when they are very busy. They are often very busy, especially during lunch and dinner. The best time to go is at 3pm, right at the beginning of Happy Hour, Monday through Friday. Traffic in the shop is much lighter. Otherwise, be prepared for a 20 minute wait or longer. I would not recommend Tumble 22 as a stop for a lunch break if you only have a limited window to dine. Make time to sit down and enjoy the experience.

http://tumble22.com/

7211 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX 78757
Phn 512 520 1998