By Elizabeth Hey

Fabulous fried chicken has endeared BK’s Place to many a diner seeking comfort food. Word of mouth and Facebook have garnered a following of locals and those traveling in Missouri. On a recent trip to Hannibal, we made a beeline to BK’s for take out.

Our cooked-to-order meal was well worth the 15-minute wait. That’s because owner Kathy Troy knows fried chicken. She managed the KFC in Monroe City for 12 years before it closed permanently in 2008. Missing the restaurant business, Kathy took up the baton in 2013 and started her own place featuring what she knew best—fried chicken. She leased a modest building near Highway 36 and began to work her magic.

Understandably, Kathy won’t divulge her two secret weapons: the breading and the type of oil she uses for frying. Customers can choose from two different breading recipes. The original has a slight kick, while the new breading leaves out the pepper.

“I’ve tried to make my mom’s recipe at home, and it doesn’t taste anything like what we make at the restaurant,” says Kathy’s oldest daughter, Lori, who helps with the business. “Mom says the oil and breading give it that crispy coating while keeping the chicken moist.”

BK’s sells about 700 pieces of chicken each week during spring and summer when lake traffic is heavy. Generously-sized fried tenders and grilled strips are available, too. The chicken strip salad comes with fried or grilled chicken. The small but varied menu also includes hamburgers, a fried or grilled chicken ranch wrap and a tasty taco salad.

The bestselling potato bowl starts with mashed potatoes and corn topped by a diced fried chicken strip. Diners choose either brown or white gravy; shredded cheddar cheese finishes the dish. It’s a meal for two, but no one ever wants to share. Sides are given their own special twist: mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, coleslaw and green beans.

“My reward is making people happy with the food and service our customers receive,” says Lori. “Just yesterday, I waited on people from Champaign, Illinois, who called us a hidden gem on their Facebook post. I was thrilled that they left satisfied.”

BK’s is open seven days a week, but it’s best to check the evening hours during the winter, especially on Sunday.