There's a kind reverence that falls upon the room when you start talking about Gus's. Everything quiets down, and you have the feeling that other people are leaning in, secretly trying to hear what you have to say about this Memphis tradition. When the stillness is broken, it's because everyone is pulling on their jacket, piling into their vehicles and heading out to the nearest location.
But, wait, there's always a wait to be seated at Gus's. In our case, the hostess/cashier advised us to have a drink at the The Gray Canary situated in the Old Dominick Distillery across the street, and come back in 45 minutes.
Was the wait worth it? Well, if you like your chicken moist, the batter light and crispy, and the mouth-feel a little spicy, all presented with a bit of an attitude from the waiter, well, Gus's is just your place. And, if you want your chicken never frozen, but rather natural, hormone-free and fried in peanut oil, well, again, Gus's is just your place. It's not quiet, it's not trendy, it's not fancy or pretentious - it's simply Gus's.
The down-home chicken and sides (and who could pass up their mac and cheese, baked beans and cole slaw) grace the serving dish along with a slice of white bread which is a tribute to Na and Maggie Vanderbilt who started plating their chicken over 60 years ago in Mason, TN along Route 70.
I must have this recipe, I resolved, as I wiped away the last of the crumbs from my fingers. Yet, after scrounging the Internet for far too long, I've come up empty-handed for a coating that satisfactorily duplicates the Gus's experience. The recipe is simply more than the buttermilk, flour and/or corn starch, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper that recipe developers are fond of combining.
Wait, I think I know the secret. It's the wait. The anticipation. The sheer joy of finally being seated in a cramped little cafe, elbow to elbow with fellow Gus's fried chicken aficionados... that's the secret ingredient!
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
310 S Front
Memphis, TN 38103
901.527.4877