Cluck-U: Not Bad, Even Before Last Call

One of my earliest memories of came late in my high school career, when I took the restaurant's "9-1-1 Challenge" at their .

I will save you the details. Needless to say, the strain I put on my body was hardly worth having my photo taken for their "Wall of Flame."

But, it is worth noting the general clientele that "Cluck University" serves: those foolish enough to sign a waiver to eat six chicken wings that will make your stomach hate you. Started in 1985 at Rutgers University, Cluck-U has extended its brand to a number of locations in New Jersey and Maryland, with a few elsewhere. It tends to, not surprisingly, cater to a college crowd.

While there are no institutions of higher learning in Morristown, there are several nearby, as well as a number of bars, which is how many have become familiar with this fast food joint's "Wingers," "Cluckwiches" and "Clucker Spuds." The latter are especially good at soaking up the booze.

This week, however, I decided to have lunch at Cluck-U, sober as a judge. Would my meal be as enjoyable in the bright light of noontime as it is in the darkness of 2 a.m.?

It seemed to be a popular place for people of many stripes when I went in. There were teenagers (hey, why aren't you in school?), businessmen, families and construction workers tucking into sandwiches, wings and more.

I went to the counter and ordered a five-piece "Breast Bites" meal, consisting of five medium-sized pieces of white-meat chicken, a side (I ordered a side salad. Hey, you have to try and be good somewhere) and a soda, for $7.49.

Unlike after-hours, my meal seemed to be ready a lot quicker at lunchtime. On the side, I asked for honey mustard and "Traditional Death," hot sauce about two-steps removed from "9-1-1;" hot, but not so much that all you taste is burning and regret.

My side-salad was surprisingly better than an afterthought. At a place like this, you would expect to just have some lettuce and tomato thrown in a bowl and away we go. Who orders salads at Cluck-U anyway? Salad Works is in no danger of losing customers to Cluck-U, but I didn't feel like the extra 67 cents it cost to ask for it was in vain.

The "Breast Bites" were tasty, about the level of quality of something you may get at Friendly's or Applebee's. The chicken was tender, the breading hot and crunchy without being too greasy. This isn't fine dining, but for about $8, it's a decent deal.

I wouldn't consider going to Cluck-U all the time (). But, for a semi-quick, satisfying lunch, or a post-saloon snack, you could do worse. But, just take it from someone who knows: skip the gimmicky "9-1-1 Challenge." It's not worth it.