Chicken coup

Despite appearances to the contrary, giant chickens are not invading Lansing.  

The massive rotating hen atop a free-standing restaurantmarquee at the corner of Cedar Street and Oakland Avenue is not a signof the poultry apocalypse. Rather, it heralds a new venue for broastedchicken in a big way.

Augie’s Broasted Chicken opened Aug. 18,and owner Anne Ganakas, who operated the Arby’s fast food franchiseformerly housed where Augie’s now sits, says the patentedpressure-cooked broasted style results in a juicer bird that isn’t asoily as traditional fried chicken.

It is truly hard to tell the difference between broastedand fried chicken. Just like fried chicken, broasting results in acrispy batter and steaming hot meat.

Ganakas, who named the new restaurant after MichiganState University sports radio broadcaster and relative Gus Ganakas,says her new venture is dedicated to affordable homemade food.  

Instead of relying solely on the broasted concept, assome restaurants that buy into the trademark do, Ganakas has builtAugie’s with a focus on its own brand, beginning with the giant chickenmarquee out front and continuing through T-shirts and custom-madeposters inside. You’ll also notice the lighting over tables is unique:It’s styled after chicken coop lights.

A chicken dinner #1 ($5.49) comes with a leg and thigh, two sides and a house baked roll.  The batter Augie’s uses is homemade, lightly seasoned and results in a flaky crust.

The baked beans have a gentle tang, swimming in a saucethat’s perfect for dipping the flour-dusted roll, and the mashedpotatoes are covered with a buttery gravy.

Family meals range from eight pieces to 24 pieces with large sides and rolls.  Sandwiches,wraps and salads offer lighter fare. Chicken tenders, chicken wraps,chicken noodle soup, wings, fried chicken sandwiches — Augie’s is notthe place to go if you want beef. 

A shrimp basket will save those who eschew poultry, and asalad is sans chicken as well, but outside of the desserts and sides,it’s all chicken, all the time at Augie’s.

Swagath Indian Cuisine

Trowbridge Road is a little bit tastier these days.  

Swagath Indian Cuisine opened last month in a location directly behind the new Woody’s Oasis restaurant.  Thename might ring a bell — for 10 years, Swagath Foods, next door to thenew restaurant, has been providing area cooks with an array ofingredients destined for Indian-inspired meals.

Now you can have your curry served hot without the fuss.

Owner Sid Reddy says the Hyderbadi chicken dum biriyani($11.95) is perhaps the most popular dish at Swagath. A traditionalsouth Indian meal consisting of chicken, basmati rice and a bevy ofspices is served with a side of raita. Tender, on-the-bone meatcombines with a tasty curry sauce on a bed of basmati. The raita, arefreshing, yogurt-based sauce with slivers of fresh vegetables andseasonings, can be mixed in to temper the heat of the curry. 

Other south Indian specialties include snacks such as vada ($3.95) and idli ($3.95). 

An extensive menu includes appetizers, vegetarian andnon-vegetarian entrées, tandoori dishes, seafood, breads, desserts andmore. A daily buffet offers numerous selections every day until 3 p.m.for those who have difficulty making decisions.

Reddy says an adjacent 80-person banquet room will be opening soon for parties and events.  

Trowbridge Pizza and Pasta

If Indian isn’t your thing, try a pizza pie nearby. Inthe former Woody’s Oasis location in the Trowbridge Plaza you’ll findTrowbridge Pizza and Pasta.

The owners of Woody’s, a longtime East Lansingdestination for Mediterranean fare, opened a Sicilian-inspired eaterylate last month. (Woody’s fans will be pleased that those green andcream checkerboard tables have been put back to use in East Lansing’snewest eatery.)

Daily specialty pizzas like the chicken kabob ($14.50large) should set Trowbridge Pizza and Pasta apart. Other unique pizzasinclude the chicken shawarma, the double spicy pepperoni and the kaftawith sliced ground beef, green peppers and onions. 

Specialty pastas are dished up daily, too.  Bakedrigatoni or penne have found their way to the specialty board recently,while spaghetti ($5.49 large) and lasagna ($7.49 meat or veggie) arealways available. 

Salads and breads (garlic and cheese) round out the menu along with blueberry, peach, apple and cherry dessert pizzas.

Augie’s Broasted Chicken 

500 E. Oakland Ave., Lansing  11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday. 

(517) 487-5154  augieschicken.com

TO, WiFi, OM, $$

Swagath Indian Cuisine

 1060 Trowbridge Road Suite 3,

East Lansing

11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed Monday.  (517) 336-0700.  swagathfoods.com.  TO, WiFi, OM, $$$

Trowbridge Pizza and Pasta

970 Trowbridge Road, East Lansing

 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.  (517) 203-5140.

TO, P, WiFi, $$