Avondale's Honey Butter Fried Chicken serves up tangy twist on grits

Chicago has seen a recent surge of grits being served at restaurants citywide.

• The versatile cornmeal porridge has stepped out of its breakfast mold and is popping onto high-end menus at spots like Virtue in Hyde Park.

The intrigue: Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Avondale has married two flavorful but usually unpaired treats: grits and Buffalo chicken.

Details: The tangy, hot Buffalo sauce, the fried chicken, the garlic-roasted grits … it's like all of my favorite food groups in one bite.

• The dish ($12.95) is topped with fried crunchies and a farm-fresh egg.

The bottom line: The hearty portion is a great dish to enjoy on the restaurant's backdoor summer patio.