Adam Fleischman’s Chocolate Fried Chicken

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
ChocoChicken’s chocolate fried chicken and duckfat fries. // Twitter/KristieHang
Looking for a new way to eat all-American food on Independence Day? Try any of Adam Fleischman’s restaurants.
Who is he, you ask? Why, the founder of the famous Umami Burger, of course!
In 2009, Umami Burger was a single burger joint on La Brea Avenue, in Los Angeles. Since then, the chain has exploded to more than 20 locations in New York, Florida and California. After his first year in business, he had four restaurants that garnered him about 1 million dollars a month.
When Umami Burger opened in New York City, the line curved around the block.
Known for its gourmet burgers like the Truffle Burger, with house-made truffle cheese and glaze, the Hatch Burger, with four types of green chilies and house cheese, and the Umami Burger, with Parmesan crisp, shiitake mushrooms and house ketchup, Umami Burger has revolutionized burgers. “When I created the Umami burger, I wanted a forward-looking burger,” Fleischman said in an interview. “I wanted a burger that was global and that had all sorts of modern influences.”
If you’re looking for something new and exciting in the LA area to celebrate the 4th of July, look no further than Fleischman’s newest restaurant, ChocoChicken.
The name says it all: the signature fried chicken is prepared with chocolate, to give it a unique flavor. Try the boneless thighs or bone-in breasts made from organic, free range Jidori chicken.
“In 70 years, nobody has complete reinvented fried chicken,” Fleischman explained to Fast Company. “SO we said, ‘Hey, why don’t we take fried chicken and turn it on its ear?’”
In addition to the chocolate fried chicken, CocoChicken offers duck fat fries, bacon biscuits, and peppadew peppers stuffed with sausage.
Looking for a kosher treat from Adam Fleischman? Remember his name when Passover rolls around. This past holiday, Fleischman,who also holds stake in L.A. Creamery, debuted a Chocolate Matzoh Ice Cream. “Generally the first and second nights and the last night are big dinners,” Fleischman said.“Last year the company rolled out Passover themed ice cream that sold out within days of hitting markets.”
The mouthwatering flavor is made from Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream and contains bits of handmade chocolate dipped matzoh that’s worth wandering through the desert for.
Check out Umami Burger at <www.umami.com> or ChocoChicken at <www.chocochicken.com>
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