Jando S.
Yelp
At this point in my life, I'm convinced that everyone would do better with a little KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) in their life. In the case for people who live in Jackson Heights or nearby Woodside, it would be UFC, one of the more longest standing, dedicated KFC establishments in Queens.
Since the place is split into two levels, a ground floor that is visible to most and a basement level that functions as a bar. The ground floor is bright, hip, and inviting. There is adequate seating for all groups despite feeling relatively small. The basement level feels even smaller, however, it's far more intimate and has a cool, hidden vibe that seems rare in the borough.
Their version of KFC is pretty good. UFC prides itself on selling organic and "humane" chickens, which is not something every KFC spot can boast about. Of their flavors (plain, bbq mustard, sweet & spicy, soy garlic, hot), I enjoy soy garlic and bbq mustard the most. There is a certain crispiness that I really enjoy with every crunchy bite, especially with the drumsticks. I haven't gone full rager with the half or whole chicken route yet, but I certainly intend to one day.
On the boneless front, I could do any / all of their flavors. When I'm feeling splurgy and a little crazy, I like to order the smoked bbq ranch, buffalo, garlic parmesan, and just mix them up. It's a fun thing to do, especially when it's game day on the weekend.
Outside of chicken frying, they've dived into a myriad of other foods. For lunch they have a number of Korean classics, such as japchae, bulgolgi, etc. They also have a number of sandwiches and burgers to offer (my favorite being their uber hearty "mega burger") and a number of random finger foods like Korean empanadas, nachos, and even poutine.
Another thing worth noting is that the bottom floor serves a number of craft beer. In fact, they already have quite a few choices on draft but they offer an awesome variety for beer enthusiasts. Order a plate of wings, grab a pint of something wonderful, and enjoy the evening. Genius.
If there was any major downside, it is *kinda* pricey for Queens. I still standby my 5 star rating, because the food is tasty, the atmosphere is cool, and they do offer a different take on things that very few other establishments have accomplished. If alternative interpretations were on the table, I'd say the U in UFC might just stand for "unique."