It was Saturday night when I went onto Google and reserved a table for two at The Eagle. We missed our reservation for 6:30 p.m., though, because I spent over 30 minutes looking for parking. Defeated, I gave up trying to park in the restaurant’s general vicinity and instead parked my car in the lot next to Conestoga Hall, taking a chilly 11 minute walk with my partner to the bar and chicken restaurant.
On foot, we arrived at 7 p.m. to a very busy restaurant, but immediately after we were seated, it seemed that everyone flocked out like birds. We were one of few tables left in the restaurant. Before the host left us, he placed a long slip of blank white paper on the table. I was excited when I saw it because I forgot a notebook.
Before our server came over I took the slip of paper and began writing my order on it, calculating the food’s cost for my budget. That was before I realized that the slip of paper was for our waitress. She took the paper, made fun of me for not using my phone’s calculator, then ripped it in half, leaving me the bigger piece.
In order from best to worst, we ordered the fried chicken BLT for $14, spoonbread for $6, five drumsticks for $12 and the spicy chicken dip for $10.
After taking a bite from the fried chicken BLT, the flavors of the crispy italian bread, bacon, thick tomato slice, avocado relish, subtle jalapeno honey mayo and mixed greens sent me on a journey into the spice-verse. I would go to Dante’s Inferno and back for this sandwich. The chicken was creamy beneath its breading and the vegetable juice of the tomato elevated everything.
This is the best BLT sandwich I have ever tasted in my life.
On the opposite spectrum, I ordered the spicy chicken dip because it is often something that women put into their Tinder profiles, claiming it to be part of their personality. The dip, with the good kind of chips, took me off that cloud ride and down to earth with a burning sensation.
There was no notable flavor from it other than cheese and burning. My partner, who said he didn’t taste the spice at all, said that the flavor wasn’t all that good in the first place. It came with pulled chicken, spicy cheese sauce, smoked gouda and bleu cheese. The small portion, contained by the cast iron skillet it was served in, was not worth $10. It’s better to make this cheaply at home or in your dorm.
Next the spoonbread, or cornbread rather, was also served in a skillet. It had maple butter that looked like melted cinnamon roll frosting.
It was warm, it was sweet, the edges were firm and almost crisp. The center was warm, a little bready, but added a tasty edge to the main dishes served as a side.
As for the drumsticks, they were large and chewy, dredged in a tasty crust. The chicken was so moist, it was like taking a bite into a soft piece of rubber that was seasoned and lightly spiced throughout. For a moment, I thought I was chewing on real eagle meat.
If you decide to take the walk over for a few drinks and delicious chicken, if you love yourself, please order the BLT and leave the white slip of paper on the table alone.
Cassandra rated The Eagle 3.5 Globes out of 5.
