During the pandemic, I’m sure, like me, you have all been eating more takeaways then we would have usually done, due to our beloved restaurants being closed and constraints stopping us from cooking every night.

Whilst we have all definitely missed our favorite restaurants in which to eat, it has also been a voyage of discovery as far as take-away and delivery food is concerned. I have definitely come across some that I would rather forget, but also a few that I’m glad that I discovered.

So when I was asked to checkout Deens Fried Chicken who’s website proudly states that they have the best burger in Manchester as voted for by TripAdvisor, I just had to go and check for myself.

I think its fair to say that I’ve definitely had a few burgers in my time and a fair few during lockdown from various establishments in Manchester, with the famed Mana Burger being one of them, its an almighty claim to be the best.

With a menu featuring various burgers, wings, friend chicken and platters, I set out to find out if this is one of those brilliant finds that I had been missing out on previously.

The restaurant has a small number of chairs and tables for dining in, however with the current restrictions spaces are limited and the of majority people that are entering during my visit are for takeaways to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes.

Sat on my table I start to nibble away at some of their offerings. First I try out a rice platter with peri peri chicken. A generous portion of chicken that is succulent and juicy, it has a good char and a generous coating of Peri Peri sauce which gives a tingle to the tastebuds. This is served on a healthy helping of seasoned rice and a small mixed salad along with a pot of homemade chilli sauce (if required).

At £6.30 this is a decent complete meal, which I would definitely order as a takeaway or delivery in the future.

Next up I give the Chicken Wings a go, these come as two options, either Spicy Wings or BBQ Wings.

Served as a meal with chips and a drink for £4.40, the Spicy Wings have a crisp golden coating, that is not overly greasy as can sometimes be the case and gives a good contrast to the soft and still juicy chicken meat inside.

The BBQ wings, look just as they should – sticky and messy. I’m surprised to find however, that the wings are the same as the spicy wings, but with the bbq sauce added. Personally I think these would have been better had they been uncoated as the sauce just makes the previously crispy and delicious coating a bit soggy. So not my favorite, but these are the first thing I’ve not been very impressed with.

Finally I try one of their burgers to see if they really are as good as their TripAdvisor award states. The Manhattan Burger is a good hearty chicken burger with an amazing sized chicken breast fillet in a season coating and served in a bun with lettuce, cheese, hash brown and mayo.

Like everything else I try, it is cooked well and nothing is dry. I’m not quite sure it competes against a mana burger. But at £4.69 including chips and a drink, its fantastic value for money and in my opinion is better than another, very famous fried chicken establishments burger.

Having tried just a few of the offerings at Deens Fried Chicken, I can see why a witnessed lots of regulars coming in to collect food.

The Chicken is bought in fresh not frozen and I think its shows in its quality.

The burger I tried was definitely one that I would order again, but for me the outstanding winner is the Rice Platter with Peri Peri Chicken which if served on a plate in a restaurant would command at least twice the price it costs here.

I’m glad to report that Deens Fried Chicken is definitely not one of those places I avoid at all costs and with it being only a 15 mins drive my doorstep, its somewhere I will be re-visiting again in the future.

You can find Deens Fried Chicken at 29 Ayres Road, Manchester, or check out their website here.

Disclaimer – I was invited to dine at Deens as a guest and the food served was complimentary, however the review and opinions are the honest and impartial thoughts of Manchester Food Tourist