Bakesale Betty's

Today is Beau's birthday! Happy Birthday Beau!!!

So as a tribute to Beau, I thought I would write about one of those once in a lifetime, little hole in the wall sandwich shops- Bakesale Betty's.

Bakesale Betty's... what can I even say except "yummy!" Beau brought me to this tiny shop one day in the beginning of our whirlwind romance, and I have only been back once since. Not because it isn't fantastic, but because a trip to Bakesale Betty's is quite an affair! The tiny shop has no sign outside, it is strictly popular by word of mouth. When the shop is closed you would walk by and think it was an abandoned building. There are windows covered in graffiti looking, very hard to read menus; if you can even call them menus. It is just written out "Fried Chicken Sandwich" in sloppy Sharpie, and "Strawberry Shortcake". And they is basically the whole menu! The first time I went there I couldn't read the writing on the "menus" and went into a panic when I was shoved inside the doors and realized there is no actual menu on the inside. Only a lot of chaotic workers yelling and throwing together food and customers yelling out their orders. Luckily Beau took charge and ordered for us or I would have froze and surely been trampled by the long line behind me. It is all very "underground".

The shop is open for only a short time during the day and gets the busiest at lunch time. Now, I already told you there is no sign to let you know where it is, so instead look for the ironing boards that are being used at tables and the line that literally snakes its way down the block, at least 4 or 5 shops' length. Jump in the back of the line and you will be led there eventually! If you are one of those people who hates waiting in lines, don't worry you can people watch which is always fun on Telegraph and at intervals the Bakesale Betty's people will come out with cookie samples. If you think you will wait until the line dies down and just come back later, think again. Bakesale Betty's will run out of food quickly and then they just shut down! So suck it up, don't whine and jump in line.

When you start to get closer to the shop with the graffitied pieces of paper taped to the windows, you are almost there. Don't be nervous, they can smell fear. Don't even bother reading the menu, the only thing you need to know is "fried chicken sandwich". And if you have a bit of a sweet tooth or it is strawberry season, the strawberry shortcake is quite a treat! The shortcake portion is more of a scone than a cake, so be prepared for that. Once inside, after all the waiting and daydreaming and anticipating, you may feel a little let down when the transaction is so fast. You yell out what you want, they grab your money and you are handed a bag with your prize and told to shove off. It is a little anticlimactic, I must admit. But now you get to eat! And by now you are starving so this is a very good thing. I highly suggest eating at the ironing boards because it is absolutely hilarious to sit next to all of the people waiting in line while they are drooling over your food. Plus, how often do you eat at an ironing board?

When you open the paper to reveal the treat you have now worked so hard for, again do not be let down by the simplicity and anticlimactic nature of the sandwich. There will be two things on it: fried chicken and cole slaw. The best damn fried chicken and coleslaw you have ever had! The slaw is filled with jalapenos and a very vinegary sauce that compliments the chicken so well you will be eating this sandwich with a big goofy smile on your face. Sometimes simple is much much better and in this case, this simple sandwich is worth the long wait. I am still working on a recipe that comes close to the slaw that is on that sandwich, and once that happens I imagine Beau and I will be eating a lot of these at home. But in the meantime we have Bakesale Betty's!

If ever you are visiting the Bay Area I suggest you make a stop here, but if you live here, forget you know about it. We don't want the line getting any bigger than it has to.

...

A not Bakesale Betty's, but still pretty tasty, fried chicken sandwich

for the slaw:
shredded cabbage
thinly sliced red onion
sliced and seeded jalapenos
chopped cilantro (a lot!)
olive oil
vinegar
a little lemon juice
a little honey
salt

toss all of the dry ingredients together. In a bowl whisk together the wet ingredients until emulsified. Pour over the slaw. It should taste pretty strong of vinegar, but it is all according to your taste of course.

For the chicken:
chicken breasts, pounded flat-ish
flour
eggs, beaten
buttermilk
fresh or dried herbs of your choice
salt and pepper

toss herbs in the flour and set aside. dredge the chicken in buttermilk, then the flour, then egg and flour again. in a pan with heated oil, fry your chicken! it will cook faster if it is thinner. Don't overcook it, you don't want it to be too dry. Serve on a roll with slaw on top!