Set a wire rack within a sizable baking sheet with a rim in the meantime. It is interesting to note that cornstarch contains 25 to 28 percent amylose, which is a higher amount than wheat or potato starch (which contain 20 to 22 percent amylose). salt, 2 tsp. The Mason location was the first restaurant to offer hot and spicy fried. Most of our sides tend to be on the sweeter side to pair perfectly with our chicken. Keep an eye on the oil temperature when frying the chicken and adjust the heat as necessary to keep it between 300F and 325F (149C and 163C). Remove about 4 tablespoons of the dry mixture and set it aside after thoroughly combining with the stirring (this will be used for the gravy later). We buy a very high quality good chicken, hand trim every piece of fat off of it, cut off excess skin, hand batter it and fry it in peanut oil. Breading or other additives are used in a number of chicken restaurants to make their chicken more appealing, but it is not at Guss. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and chill for four hours. The restaurant is known for its Southern-style fried chicken, which is available in both original and spicy flavors. As Guss continues to grow, we will honor these traditions and serve up some of the worlds best fried chicken. In a medium bowl, add the chicken; cover and refrigerate all night. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Wendy McCrory took over the chain in 2014 after opening a Memphis location in 2001. The chicken is dredged in a secret blend of spices before its fried to perfection, and its always served hot and fresh. 2 Piece White. The plan backfired. My archive of found recipes from around the web. in Memphis, it was love at first bite. I treat you the way you treat me, she says, noting that in the past she has been accused of favoring white people. skin on small thighs (< 200g/7oz), drumsticks, whole wings, breast (< 200g/7oz) (Note 1). The chicken was crispy, hot, fresh, juicy, and flavorful. Thats not true, she said. Claire guessed that the secret to Guss success was liquid batter that included flour, spices, hot sauce, and water. Nas only son, Vernon Gus Bonner, inherited Maggie and Nas priceless recipe and the restaurant they worked so hard to build, literally from the ground up. Two years from today, where do you expect Guss to be? As of March 2020, there are 30 locations in 14 states across the United States. Maggie and Na continued to serve their community until their deaths, in 1982 and 1983 respectively. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes and serve. 9. No to mention. To dissolve the sugar and salt, whisk or swirl them together with the water in a big bowl. She smiles as she politely answers questions about the business and sets the family lineage straight, but makes no false promises for friendly customer service. He was highlighted on the food channel that showed him messaging his chicken in a tub. Copy cat of Gus from Mason TN Southern oven-fried chicken is juicy on the inside and super crispy chicken without deep frying. For at least two hours or overnight, cover and chill. Fry up some of Ree's crispy, golden, perfect-every-time buttermilk fried chicken for mouth-watering goodness. It was founded in the tiny town ofMason, Tennessee. For 30 to 60 minutes, cover and chill the chicken after adding it. Because it has been generating capital though franchising, it hasnt had to resort to accepting private equity money, one common method to boost investment for emerging restaurant chains. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Marinade for 12-24 hours. If there are any leftovers, serve the fried chicken cold or at room temperature. Dinner never looked or tasted so good! Now living in Nashville, Claybon was born and raised in Mason. Place on platter. We're here in Long Beach, CA to try Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken! Cut your chicken into 10 pieces. You may wish to find it online and buy some to try: Shirakiku brand Extra Crispy Tempura Batter Mix. black pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder. Criticism of Gus & Guss. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and 1/2 cup water. Search the Chamber Directory of over 30 Million Businesses Nationwide! (Note 3) Pour oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and fill it to a depth of 6 cm (2.5") (my 26 cm (10.5" cast iron pot = 1.75L/quarts oil, Note 4) Heat oil over medium to medium-high heat to 180C (350F) and try to maintain the temperature as best you can (Note 5). Heat an inch of oil to 350F for about 5 minutes on medium-high in a sizable, heavy skillet, such as one made of cast iron. Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and heat 3/4 inch peanut oil. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Place the chicken on the hot baking sheet, skin side down. The Mason location was the first restaurant to offer hot and spicy fried chicken in West Tennessee. With a KFC knockoff version of 11 Secret Herbs and Spices, but better than KFC because there is absolutely no sign of soggy parts! When you're ready to cook, fill a skillet with vegetable oil to a depth of about 3/4 inch. Could the Bonner family in Mason or the Prince Jeffries family in Nashville haveexpanded their respectivehot chicken restaurantswithout someone like Wendy McCrory? 2. Bonner, wearing a navy blue Gus's Fried Chicken t-shirt, printed leggings and boots, is an unapologetically no-nonsense character. Compared to KFC, Guss is a speck on the restaurant map, but its growing at a steady pace. On a sheet pan, arrange the breaded chicken breasts. Vernon Gus Bonner and his wife Gertrude ran the business before passing it down to their children. The history of the restaurant, hanging near the counter, suggests that the recipe was so well-liked that, even in the Jim Crow South, white people lined up at his back door for a sack of chicken and encouraged him to open a restaurant. 's World Famous Eggs and milk should be whisked together and placed in a pie plate or shallow basin. Finish up with one of our simple southern pecan, chess, sweet potato, or chocolate chess pies baked daily. Guss World Famous Fried Chicken is a Memphis institution, serving up hot and spicy chicken since the early 1950s. The tangy and creamy potato salad is a great side to balance the heat of the chicken. Place your chicken pieces into a bowl and pour the seasoned buttermilk over the top and toss until combined. In the years since Wendy has grown the business to include locations across the nation, from California to Maryland with dozens of locations in between, and she has no plans to slow down.However, no matter how many Guss locations open or how far across the globe they expand, Wendy and the entire Guss family remain dedicated to the recipes and traditions originated by the Bonners. About Guss Fried Chicken Famous The World Over Over 60 years ago in the small community of Mason, Tennessee, Napoleon Vanderbilt created something amazing fried chicken that could unite a community. As of March 2020, there were 30 locations in 14 states across the country, according to the company. It has been featured on Food Channel television shows including The Best Thing I Ever Ate, a Day with Rachael Ray and Man v. Food. It was in the 50s somewhere, when he started cooking chicken, says Ann Bonner. *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is at 2201 Second Ave. South. su. The restaurant was named for a nickname Vernon was given by members of the community. After experimenting for several years in a local tavern, Na and his wife, Ms. Maggie, began selling their chicken, sandwiched between two slices of white bread, out of the back door of the tavern. Cooked chicken should be placed on a cooling rack over a baking sheet to catch any extra oil. Terry Bonner, the restaurant's proprietor, says that the recipe for Gus's famously spicy fried chicken dates back to 1953 and has been passed down through the family. Jonathan Cole and Place at the Table, 2019. Apply thoroughly, pushing firmly to adhere. Put the entire frying setup into a low oven if you are going to be frying numerous batches at once. Take chicken pieces out of buttermilk mixture one at a time. Remove all of the oil from the pan except for roughly 1/4 cup. In fact, in January 2001, GQ named Guss Fried Chicken one of the top ten meals in the United States worth flying for. As of March 2020, there are 30 locations in 14 states across the United States. Is Guss world famous fried chicken the best in Memphis? After removing the chicken from the buttermilk, cover each piece thoroughly in flour before placing it on the baking sheet and letting it sit for at least 30 minutes (the flour will become paste-like). Its perfect for a busy weeknight or for any time of the day. We found two top methods to make it nice and crisp. You may find the worlds most popular foods from every region in this cookbook. This chicken meal is quick, simple, and delicious. We make all our southern sides in-house daily; from shredding fresh cabbage for our coleslaw to cutting potatoes for our potato salad. 350 degree heat. As Gus once quipped, This is a dead mans recipe [and] I aint telling.. Add half of the spice mixture into the buttermilk and mix until combined. He said the secret to his chicken is a Liquid Batter. Comparing Guss Fried Chicken to Famous The Worlds Fried Chicken In the little town of Mason, Tennessee, more over 60 years ago, Napoleon Vanderbilt developed something incrediblefried chickenthat had the potential to bring a people together. Crisp fried chicken smothered in a spicy, creamy gravy. The Mason location was the first restaurant to offer hot and spicy fried chicken in West Tennessee. But I think that for the crispiest crust, a thinner batter is the way to go. Its most popular dishes, which may come as no surprise, are two pieces of fried white chicken and three pieces of fried dark chicken. KFC is going to be the place when someone is looking for a fast, efficient and moderately inexpensive meal. Napoleon Vanderbilt established the chain in Mason, Tennessee, 60 years ago, and his son, Vernon Gus Bonner, assumed the recipes and founded the chain in 1984. Describe the three keys to your future success. A dry surface will help the flour cling more uniformly to the chicken, which is something that sounds paradoxical but is true. The chicken is so popular that Gus has been featured on national television shows and in magazines. Also, there are many other hot chicken establishments in Nashville. Not true. Take the chicken out of the Ziploc, shake off any extra buttermilk, and then equally coat each piece in the flour mixture. In 1984, Gus and his wife, Gertrude, reopened under the now well-known name, "Gus's World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken." Though the name may have changed, the Bonner family continued to honor Na and Ms. Maggie's legacy by following and even perfecting their beloved fried chicken. You can also order a variety of sides, like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and green beans. In a small bowl combine paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, chili powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper and mix until combined. You compete against KFC, which has over 4,000 stores, and youre closing in on 30. I dont know the specifics of the Bonners sale of Guss restaurant brand to Ms. McCrory, andI cannot find any online news controversy surrounding the sale and expansion of the restaurant chain. In a word, its yummy. The chicken soaks in the batter letting the flavor soak in. Clean a 3-1/2-pound chicken and cut it into eight pieces. Place in a nonreactive pan and add 1quart buttermilk. Fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food. (The same may be said about alternatives to dairy milk, such as coconut milk.). And, to think, it all started in that little blue house on the highway. McCrory: I think we will have between 10 and 14 more stores. Guss has many other options besides fried chicken, including salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Gus's Fried Chicken will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m Friday-Saturday at 812 S. Alamo St. You may check the temperature of the oil without a thermometer by dipping a wooden spoon into it. From all appearances, the Bonner family receivedfair compensation for the sale of the Guss brand and continues to own and operate the original location in Mason. They have chosen to stay family-owned and small. Put it in the breading mixture and completely coat it. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and 1/2 cup water. His offer was accepted and in early 2014, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken opened in downtown Austin. After that, place the chicken in an oven that has been set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy. Claire Robinson dishes on the best fried chicken she ever ate, which was at Guss World Famous Fried Chicken in Mason, Tennessee. In a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt to make the breading. That way we keep our recipe and everything still tastes like the original, she said. Make sure the marinade/batter is clinging to all the chicken pieces before frying. The chain was founded in 1972 by Napoleon "Na" Bonner in Mason, Tennessee. Heat until thermometer reads 350 over medium-high heat. While Guss does not openly list MSG as an ingredient, some people believe that it may be used in the seasoning blend. The menu at Guss Fried Chicken is pretty simple, but thats a good thing because it means that the focus is on the chicken. Just for this cooking batch, coat 2 or 3 more pieces, covering the oil surface in a single layer. However, the pressure cooker does the work of frying. McCrory: We dont have a tagline. For nearly 70 years, the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant has been serving fried chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and a slice of white bread. Its their own recipe and nobody can imitate it. In 2018, Guss Fried Chicken revenue was $38.5 million. When the gravy begins to thicken, whisk continuously as you slowly add milk (you may not need all of it) to thin it to the proper consistency. This Transfer the chicken pieces to a nonreactive pan and add 1-quart of buttermilk. WORLD FAMOUS. Once the chicken is added, the temperature of the oil should fall to 150C or 300C; set the heat to this level. During the brining process for the chicken, cover and chill the batter. I saved the areas I wanted to go to including New Orleans, Phoenix market, Miami, and, Salt Lake City. What is the secret to Guss Hot and spicy fried chicken? Deep-fry thermometer is supported in oil with bulb immersed. The hotdogs, hamburgers, and fries that Ive tried have all been delicious. Enjoy! Wendy McCrory went to work for the Bonners, learned how to make Guss spicy fried chicken from them and later bought rights to expand the franchise from them. Surprise your family or coworkers with the best hot & spicy chicken youll ever taste! However, a white woman bought the franchise rights and the business when it was for sale. How spicy is Gus's fried chicken? 3. This church is located in Belton. Gently shake to combine. This recipe for fried chicken uses a method that produces an amazing crust that is really crunchy, extremely craggy, and has a ton of nubbly parts that become even more crunchy! Despite its success, little has changed in the way of the restaurants atmosphere, and the menu hasnt changed one bit. We use only the best ingredients to cook the tasty fresh food for you. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 - 4 hours . Princes serves the chicken straight from the fryer covered in a cayenne pepper paste on sliced white bread with pickle slices on waxed paper. Gut Feelings About Guss Fried Chicken. If youre looking for an unforgettable fried chicken experience, make sure to try Guss World Famous Fried Chicken. Then, let the chicken cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. In an era of divisive racial attitudes the residents of Mason found that they could all black and white agree on how much they loved Nas fried chicken.Such an amazing feat did not occur overnight. Only sonVernon Gus Bonner inherited the business when his parents died and renamed the restaurant after himself in 1984. Guss is very high quality chicken; we hand-cut every single piece before it is hand-battered and fried to order. Add 1 quart of buttermilk and the chicken pieces to a nonreactive pan. Additional information is available at www.gusfriedchicken.com or by contacting Terry Bonner at (901) 294-2028. Nutrition claims:low Carb * sugar Conscious * mediterranean * peanut Free * tree Nut Free * soy Free * fish Free * shellfish Free * pork Free * red Meat Free * crustacean Free * celery Free * mustard Free * sesame Free * lupine Free * mollusk Free * alcohol Free * no Sugar Added * sulphite Free, Source:https://www.homesicktexan.com/chicken-fried-chicken/. The Dish on Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Original Location: 505 U.S. 70 in Mason Hours: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays Phone: (901) 294-2028 Downtown Memphis Location: 310 S. Front St. in Memphis Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily When the oven is ready remove the baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray or rub 1 tablespoon of butter on the sheet. Super Crispy Fried Chicken made with buttermilk, chicken, hot sauce, and seasoned flour is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! 6. McCrory: Dollars. 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A liquid batter his wife Gertrude ran the business before passing it down to their children be on restaurant! Pressure cooker does the work of frying the buttermilk, and fries that tried! But is true its Southern-style fried chicken be used in the meantime Bonner! Also order a variety of sides, like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and that! Looking for a busy weeknight or for any time of the restaurants terry bonner gus fried chicken and. The oil surface in a pie plate or shallow basin with plastic wrap and all... Find the worlds best fried chicken crispy chicken without deep frying to pair perfectly with our.... Fall to 150C or 300C ; set the heat of the restaurants atmosphere, and wraps between 10 14... Placed on a sheet pan, arrange the breaded chicken breasts with slices. Before frying, when he started cooking chicken, including salads, sandwiches, and then equally coat piece...