I tried a new fried chicken shop in a seaside town that everyone's talking about and was left gobsmacked

Food at The Bone Cartel in Porthcawl
-Credit: (Image: Christopher Evans)


Forget fish and chips or a roast dinner, it seems that fried chicken is becoming the top choice when it comes to our eating habits. In a recent poll, one in five Brits said they tuck into Southern fried chicken every week and one in 10 every month.

One in seven said it would be first choice for a Valentine’s Day treat, one in 10 would consider it for their wedding or funeral, and one in five chose fried chicken as their hypothetical ‘death row meal’, according to the survey by American food chain Slim Chickens.

So little wonder there's been massive hype about The Bone Cartel opening in Porthcawl, with its name on everyone's lips. After starting life as a street food vendor, the owners have opened their new shop just off the seaside town's high street and a short stroll from the beach.

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And after one customer to the new premises posted a TikTok video declaring it 'the best fried chicken in Wales' it seems the shop already has a reputation to live up to.

Now I wouldn't necessarily call myself a fried chicken fan - and the bland-looking meals at the fast food chains never appeals - but after the video showing some of the incredible combinations on offer here had me drooling, we decided to pay a visit early on a Saturday evening.

It seems that other people also had the same idea as when we arrived at around 5.30pm, the queues were already forming - and one of the members of staff told us it was all thanks to that TikTok video that had been posted just days earlier.

From the outside, the shop is unassuming enough and peering through the large glass windows you will spot an open kitchen and just three tables to seat 16 people, where it's a case of first-come, first-served as you can't book. You can also get takeaways.

Food at The Bone Cartel in Porthcawl
The Bone Cartel's new shop in Porthcawl

As far as the food is concerned you have a choice of seven main dishes that you can either have served with wings or chicken strips and each is priced at £10. There are also fries for £3.50 (a pimped up version is £5.50) and sides include cheese sticks and deep fried corn ribs, both £8. There's also a selection of fizzy soft drinks.

Our party of three - two adults and a 13-year-old - chose the Korean chicken strips, Bancog Caramel chicken strips and Mexican Buffalo wings along with a side of fries. We had to wait in a queue for about 15 minutes before our order was taken and then another 20 minutes before the food arrived at our table (we were lucky enough to grab some empty seats in the corner). In the meantime I chatted to one happy customer who told me the Korean chicken would be "well worth the wait".

The Korean One at The Bone Cartel in Porthcawl features chicken strips with a rich and spicy topping
A selection of dishes at the new Porthcawl foodie destination

How right he was. All of the dishes arrived at once and, served in brown cartons, the fried chicken topped in glistening sauces and fresh herbs looked sensational - far from the boring beige food that fried chicken essentially is.

Yes the Korean chicken was an absolute winner. Dripping in a rich and sticky sauce with a delicious kick, the dish was topped with mayo, pickled chillies, toasted sesame seeds and spring onions which all added to the incredible flavour.

Bangcoq Caramel at The Bone Cartel in Porthcawl features chicken strips covered in a sweet and spicy Thai inspired glaze
The Korean One features chicken strips with a rich and spicy topping

The Bangcog Caramel chicken was like a glorious satay dish with a gooey Thai glaze, Penang mayo, spring onion and crushed coconut. I loved the fact that a generous helping of crushed peanuts had been scattered adding a lovely crunch and the lime gave it a real zing.

The sauce topping the Mexican dish featured a blend of Mexican chillies, garlic, chipotle ranch dressing and a touch of lime and it really transported you to the region but while it was tasty enough, it failed to live up to the other choices. The fries were beautifully salted with skins on and were perfect for mopping up the leftover dressings.

But what about the main star of the show - the chicken? We're not really a fan of wings as we feel the bones just get in the way, but these pieces had more than enough meat on them. In the other dishes, the portions of chicken strips were generous, the meat was tender and juicy and the batter was non-greasy and perfectly crisp.

Overall, this is another welcome foodie addition to Porthcawl. Quick, simple and delicious food for all the family that's great value for money. I left gobsmacked by the fact that fried chicken can be elevated in so many brillant ways. We'll definitely be back...

The Bone Cartel is at 4, Gwendoline Court, Lias Rd, Porthcawl CF36 3AH. Call 07412 914665