Crown Fried Chicken

Notable for being halal, your one-​stop for a variety of fast foods served up at the counter. The fried chicken is above average for the KFC-​ish style, and they have small plates with excellent kebabs and subcontintental-​levantine style home food (gyros, for example, in your choice of three meats). Excellent rice accompaniment (nice hints of coriander and cardamom) with a mediocre salad (icebergy but with gyro-​style cucumber dressing) for less than $ 10. They also have standard-​issue fast food — cheesteaks, burgers, fries, mozzalrella sticks, and the like — so it’s a decent go-​to place for a group that wants different things, particularly if some in the party want a house specialty but others (read: kids) aren’t that adventuresome. Food gets four stars for the middle-​eastern-​near east cheap eats, three and a half for the fried chicken, and three for the typical fryer stuff. Very very few vegetables, but we do note the fake-​KFC cole slaw and mashed potatoes that go with the fried chicken were significantly above average. A few downmarks for serving us bottled water (and charging) when we asked for tap water. Fountain drinks and some Snapple-​level bottled drinks available. They have an oddly eclectic dessert menu, btw: sweet potato pie and tres leches cakes, among the options, in to-​go-​style portions.
Normally I’d plunk this up to four stars based on variety and local karma, but the place has been kind of filthy on both occasions we’ve been there — dirty floors, unwashed windows, and a stained drop ceiling. (The Crown was built in a former KFC that was abandoned for years, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear the drop ceiling hadn’t been replaced). Also, almost no seating: one four-​person booth, and two of those fixed tables with swivel chairs that could be made to accommodate four people each. And, pretty much no parking — just a couple of parallel spots on the side of the lot. Take out (or the drive through) is probably the best option here.
It’s still a warm three stars and if you want a tasty kebab on the fly, your go-​to on this part of State Street. And if you need halal options, it has a long menu.

Great food. Delicious chicken platter. Burger is also ok. Nice staff. Quick service. This is one of my favorite places so far. No other ethnic place serves such good rice and chicken platter for less than $ 10.