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Q: Who Has the Best Chicken Salad?

The Main Line’s hospitality ambassador dishes out local favorites.

Tina M. from King of Prussia writes: Where can I find really good chicken salad? My husband is crazy for it, but he complains that the local deli isn’t up to his high standard.

Hi Tina,

Lots of creamy, crunchy options abound—and this comes from someone who, like your hubby, is an addict. Being located in KOP, you’re not too far from Foresta’s Meat Market in Phoenixville (1098 W. Bridge St., 610-935-1777, forestasmarket.com). It’s a notable standout.

However, my quest for “the ultimate chicken salad” always has me ending up along Route 30—what I call the “Chicken Salad Highway”—at the following places:

The Silverspoon
Eagle Village Shops, Wayne; (610) 688-7646, silverspoonwayne.com
Offered at lunchtime, the Silverspoon serves its version studded with biting slivers of red onion. The salad has a macerated consistency and a silky sweet finish, pairing perfectly with the fresh-baked multigrain sandwich bread.

Whole Foods
Various locations, wholefoodsmarket.com
Supermarket chicken salad tends to be institutional at best. Not so at Whole Foods, where jumbo chunks of white meat, lots of mayo, a dab of honey and a splash of lemon juice all work harmoniously to create a dreamy mix. For the cholesterol minded, try the healthy sundried-tomato vegan variety.

Elegance Café
Paoli Shopping Center, 82 E. Lancaster Ave., Paoli; (610) 640-0404, elegancecafe.com
There are many tempting chicken-y choices at this small storefront eatery, including artichoke, curry, Waldorf and tarragon (my favorite)—all scratch-made with fresh breast meat. Each one’s a construct of poultry perfection. Possibly the best in the suburbs …

Dixie Picnic

Lincoln Court Shopping Center, 215 Lancaster Ave., Frazer; (484) 320-8024, dixiepicnic.com
Chef/owner Tracey Deschaine uses white and dark meat, plus a savory blend of pecans and grapes in her Southern-style recipe. It’s pure, simple goodness between seven-grain bread—chicken salad like your Great Aunt Myrtle used to make.

Hospitably Yours,
Ken Alan

Share your favorite chicken salad locale by commenting below.
 

Main Line Today Restaurant Week runs October 13-26!