Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken takes casual fare up a notch

Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, near the dining arroyo of Downtown Summerlin, is a concept that was founded in 1992 by chefs/owners Bruce and Eric Bromberg. Their vision was using a space that's casual while offering recipes that kick things up a notch, banking on their recipe for crispy-on-the-outside juicy chicken, enhanced by a proprietary spice blend and complemented by flavored honeys in Wildflower, Wasabi and Chipotle.

The 85-seat eatery with a corner spot at 1770 Festival Plaza Drive, Suite 200, is defined by large windows for people-watching, painted concrete floors and white seats and benches for an industrial edge. The menu is on a board above the counter — order there, and you'll receive a beeper to alert you when your food is ready.

At Blue Ribbon, you can buy your chicken by the piece or in a combo. Combos are served with cole slaw and toothpick-thin french fries. The three-piece wing combo starts at just under $8. There's also the two-piece tender, five-piece wing supreme, the Royal Wing with seven wings, and the Tailgator, 12 wings, six chicken tenders and two thighs.

Side choices include collards and smoked bacon, mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw or spicy slaw, Adobo corn with chipotle butter and queso fresco, and pickled cucumbers.

The eight sandwich selections run about $8 each and include the Blue Ribbon with special sauce, the Rancher with bacon and creamy ranch dressing, and the Cheesy Supreme with a choice of two cheeses and special sauce. The Pit has aged cheddar, smoked bacon and barbecue sauce.

Have a hankering for something spicy? The Firebird has pickled peppers and a spicy chipotle mayonnaise. The Blue Bird has bleu cheese, red onion and smoked bacon. The Natural is a grilled chicken breast with special sauce. Kerry's Classic includes caramelized pineapple and special sauce.

Kids can order the Kid-O Combo, which comes with one chicken tender, french fries, cucumber sticks and ranch dressing.

Blue Ribbon is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit blueribbonfriedchicken.com or call 702-329-9300.

— To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.