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Crunchy Center

Fried chicken tenders

Tender strips of chicken, breaded and fried until golden. They come over a bed of mac and cheese or with fries, and they are always served hot.

Fried chicken tenders, Crunchy Center

The dish

About our Fried chicken tenders

These chicken tenders are what you want when you need something straightforward and satisfying. They are tender strips of chicken, breaded and fried until the outside is a deep golden brown and the inside stays juicy. A guest asking for them wants a meal that hits every time, no surprises, just good food served hot.

We start with strips of chicken, coat them in our seasoned breading, then lower them into hot oil. They fry until the breading turns that deep golden color and the chicken cooks through. We pull them out, let them drain, and plate them right away. They go over a bed of mac and cheese or alongside a portion of fries.

What sets these apart is how the breading holds up. Some guests ask for them extra crispy, which means a slightly longer fry. Others want them on the lighter side. The size of the order shifts how long things take and what it costs, a bigger group order means more strips in the fryer, which changes the timing.

When you come in, you order at the counter. Let us know if you want the tenders over mac and cheese or with fries. Busy times, like around lunch or dinner, mean the kitchen is moving fast, but the tenders come out fresh. For takeaway, we pack them so the breading stays crisp. Bigger orders for a group are no problem; just let us know ahead.

Crisp that lasts

The breading on these tenders holds its crunch even after a ride home. That makes them a reliable choice for takeaway.

Mac and cheese bed

Putting the tenders over mac and cheese is a move regulars swear by. The creamy base balances the crunch.

Fried chicken tenders, Crunchy Center

How it works

How we make our fried chicken tenders

01

Coat the strips

We take each strip of chicken and coat it evenly in our seasoned breading. Every piece gets a full, even layer before it hits the oil.

02

Fry until golden

The breaded strips go into hot oil. We let them fry until the outside is a deep golden brown and the chicken inside is cooked through.

03

Drain and rest

Once they come out of the oil, we let the tenders drain briefly. This keeps the breading crisp and the meat from getting greasy.

04

Plate and serve

We plate the tenders hot, either over a bowl of mac and cheese or with a side of fries. They go out to you right away.

The difference

Why Crunchy Center for fried chicken tenders

Stays crispy

The breading on these tenders holds its crunch from the fryer to your plate. Even if you take them to go, that golden texture stays intact.

Pairs with mac

Serving the tenders over creamy mac and cheese is a combination that regulars come back for. The two textures work together without one overwhelming the other.

Hot and fresh

Every order comes out of the kitchen hot. The kitchen sends them out as soon as they are ready, so you get that just-fried crunch every time.

Questions

Fried chicken tenders questions

What should I try first if I have never had these tenders?

Go with the tenders over mac and cheese. It is the way most regulars order them. The creamy mac underneath balances the crunch of the chicken, and it makes a full meal in one bowl.

Can I call in my order ahead of time?

Yes, you can call us with your order. We will have it ready when you arrive. Just let us know if you want the tenders with mac and cheese or fries, and how many strips you need.

How does takeaway work for this dish?

We pack the tenders to go in containers that let the breading breathe, so the crunch holds. If you are getting mac and cheese on the side, we keep it separate so nothing gets soggy.

Can I order a bigger portion for a group?

Absolutely. Just tell us how many people you are feeding when you order. A larger batch takes a little longer in the kitchen, but we will have it all hot and ready for you.

When does it get busy here?

Lunch and dinner hours are the busiest. If you come in around those times, expect a short wait while the kitchen works through orders. The tenders still come out fresh.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, the tenders are a popular choice for kids. They are simple, not too spicy, and easy to eat. You can get them with fries or mac and cheese, whichever the little one prefers.

More from the menu

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Fruit smoothies that customers call the best they have ever had. They are made to order and the staff is happy to help you find one that works with dietary needs.

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Find us in Austin, TX. Come by and see us.

Where we are

2512 Rio Grande St
Austin, TX 78705

Hours

Monday-Wednesday6:00 PM - 2:00 AMThursday6:00 PM - 3:00 AMFriday-Saturday6:00 PM - 4:00 AMSunday6:00 PM - 2:00 AM
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Crunchy Center

Late night fried chicken and smoothies in Austin

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  • 2512 Rio Grande St
    Austin, TX 78705
  • Open 7 days

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