Big Dot Chicken @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

I can never resist the lure of fried chicken hence when news of this month-old stall at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre reach my ears, I knew I had to head down for a look.

Jointly set up by three entrepreneur friends, Big Dot Chicken is a social enterprise aimed at helping the unemployed by offering them jobs and providing on-the-job training to equip them with the necessary skills required to run their own stall one day. They do not need any F&B background nor even have to pay any franchising fees.

Impressed by the noble cause behind its inception, I support this business wholeheartedly. If this business module works, it can indeed help someone in need to make a living.

When I arrive fifteen minutes before the official opening hour at 11am, the stall has already opened for the day. An elderly uncle was seated at the table in front of the stall, enjoying his fried chicken.

The menu here is simple. 

They serve fried chicken in three different combos:

The chicken parts are available ala carte too. A chicken thigh is priced at $2.50, chicken drumstick at $2 and a chicken wing at $1.50.

Apart from fried chicken, the stall also serve heart-shaped waffles for $1 and wafer ice cream for $1.50.

I decided upon the Combo C however, I was told to help myself to the pre-fried chickens in the food warmer. I collected a disposable box by the side and using the tongs provided, picked my chicken parts. I handed the box to the lady in the stall and she filled it with fries.

The fried chicken are available in two flavors: original and spicy. I do not know if it is a marketing gimmick but it is hard not to correlate the chicken here to the finger-lickin' good place.

I think that is a bold and risky move to put themselves on par with the giant. To be fair, they did not say that. I did. 

I picked the original for both my chicken thigh and chicken drumstick. Although my chicken parts were from the food warmer, they are still hot to the touch.

With just a thin layer of batter, the skin is crisp but not to the point of crunchy. I wonder during the marinating process, were the chicken parts thoroughly massaged as some areas taste saltier than the rest? Also, the marinade did not penetrate to the thicker part so the inside is still a little bland.

As for the fries, it come lightly salted the way I like it. They were thicker than the usual shoestring fries so it is a little puffy on the inside.

Actually, I am a little curious as to why they wanted to serve pre-fried chicken instead of cooking upon order? 

Saving time and manpower crunch is one thing but I believe most people would baulk at the idea of having fried chicken that has been "left out in the cold" (even if they are stored in the food warmer)?

At least you have the option to choose the largest piece of chicken available!

Well, since they have just started out, I do not want to be too critical but there is definitely room for improvement. 

Do give them some time to gather feedback and improve on areas that needed attention.

I wish them success so they could outreach to those who can benefit from their program.

Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

#02-223

Singapore 050335

Mon - Fri: 11am till sold out

Closed: Sat/Sun

Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XjtRYeJsW3BuZwXq9