EXPERIENCE
Cox’s Hot Chicken & Sports
Chicken, sports, beer, memories of South Side and more
BY D. TODD APPLEGATE | PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN WATSON
Normally, I try not to set expectations when I
review a restaurant, especially a new one. But with
my latest assignment, Cox’s Hot Chicken & Sports
in New Albany, this mindset was challenged.
First, I knew it would be a struggle to walk into an
establishment that, as of November, occupies the
space that was once home to the iconic South Side
Inn Bar and Restaurant. Second, being a lover of
fried chicken, especially hot chicken and specifically
Nashville hot chicken, with “hot chicken” in Cox’s
name my taste buds had some preconceived and
anticipatory notions as well.
Thus, on a recent Wednesday for lunch, it was
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EXTOL : FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
impossible to enter Cox’s without reminiscing of the
great food and fond memories from the legendary
South Side, a mainstay in the downtown New Albany
dining scene for years. (Most recently this building
housed Big Four Burgers and District 22 Pizzeria.) occupies the back wall of the former dining room.
It felt welcoming and familiar but refurbished with
a new look and exciting vibe.
Interestingly, I found that the general floor plan of
South Side had been maintained as I remembered.
I felt like I had stepped back in time and the large
“South Side Bar and Restaurant” sign in the middle
dining room was a pleasant reminder that Cox’s
appreciated the history also. For those of us that
exited with tray in hand to the right from the South
Side cafeteria line, a full-service sports bar now I love fried chicken, always have, and am
constantly searching for good fried chicken.
Fortunately or unfortunately, fried chicken prepared
in a cast iron skillet, the ideal method, in my
opinion, tends to be the barometer by which all
chicken is measured.
Pleasantly appeased of my first concern and
nostalgia aside, it was time to focus on the chicken.
But chicken has evolved over the years, and
there are now many varieties to choose from and