Planet Melmac Chick ‘N Chips

Was going around the Kampong Glam neighbourhood and found out about the new Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips that had recently opened their doors along Arab Street. Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips can be found along the same stretch of shophouses where one can also find other notable dining establishments such as Restaurant Aisyah, an outlet of Woolly’s Bagels and Overrun — just to name a few. Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips should be an establishment that is fairly easy to notice if around the immediate surroundings — the shophouse is painted in a shade of red; the logo of the brand can also be found hanging on the facade of the shophouse. Internally, the shop has been decked in a manner to replicate the looks of an American-style fast food diner; there is a mix of red and yellow that provides a visual contrast, though the way that the interior is being decked is still more of a functional look than that for form. The dining hall of the establishment also comes with a rather low seating capacity; just two dining tables than seats two (2) pax each, and a high table that seats up to three (3) pax. The menu at Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips is split into sections such as Chick ‘n Meals, Chicken Finger Combos and Chicken Tender Cuts; they also do offer a Melmac Basket, Party Fingers and a line-up of sides as well. Beverages served up at Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips comprised of canned beverages.

Skimming through the menu, we opted for the Super Java Rice considering how this does seem like an item that featured quite a number of Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips offerings that allows a single diner to try out in one seating — this is described on the menu to come with rice, toast, fried chicken cut-ups with sauce / gravy. Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips does offer three different types of sauces which includes the Milky Way Garlic, Planet Melmac Sauce and the Cheesy Cosmos apart from the sole Gravy that it carries on the menu — we were told that the default sauce to be served with the Super Java Rice was the Milky Way Garlic though we went with the Planet Melmac Sauce instead since it bore the namesake of the establishment. The fried chicken also does come with Original and Spicy variants — we went with the latter. Going straight for the fried chicken cut-ups, we did find that the fried chicken was decently executed — tender and juicy within, while the batter sticks close to the chicken flesh; the golden-brown fried batter being sufficiently light and crisp whilst the Planet Melmac Sauce drenched over the top of the fried chicken was somewhat similar to a ranch sauce that carried a tang and a creaminess along with it. Opting for the Spicy variant of the fried chicken, it does seem that this sees the sprinkling of spicy powder over the Planet Melmac Sauce that gives it a mildly spicy kick. The rice beneath comes in a yellow hue; this was decently executed with a slight garlicky note — similar to the rice that other fried chicken specialty stalls such as TenderFresh / TenderBest serves up, though the garlicky notes are far more mild in the version of the rice served up at Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips. The toast does come with a slight crisp on the surface — coming slightly garlicky, while the bread itself comes fluffy, moist and light; also does work well as a vehicle for the sauces as well. Do note the wax paper that comes a little too thin to hold up the moisture and grease of the dish — breaks easily when one scrapes on it with the fork and spoon, though the folks behind the establishment has acknowledged the issue and will look into the issue.

Despite looking much like an international brand, it does seem like Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips is a very ambitious attempt on an American-style fast food diner specialising in fast food-style fried chicken. Behind the branding and the well-designed marketing collaterals that adorn the shop is actually a new brand that is created in the Singapore F&B scene, though it does seem that these folks do know of the direction and focus that they are going for here based on how the entire establishment is being set-up. Service is pretty prompt and sincere; the enthusiasm behind their recent opening and trying to make their presence in the Singapore F&B scene can be felt, with the owners trying to strike up small talk with its patrons to find out about the market here and also to gather feedback on their offerings. Marketing efforts and the entire set-up of the establishment aside, Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips’ prices of its various dishes on the menu does make it feel slightly less competitive as compared to that of other fast food establishments serving up fried chicken as its focus around the island — the lowest priced item being served ala-carte would be the Solo Orbit Meal that is priced at $10.50 featuring one-piece chicken with fires or rice with sauce of gravy, while the priciest ala-carte dish on the menu would be the Super Java Rice at $17.50; the major difference at Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips’ would be how the food here is prepared on-site which somewhat guarantees freshness for its patrons. The operating environment of the F&B scene in Singapore is brutal these days, and we do hope that Planet Melmac Chicks ‘n Chips’ does have a place for survival given the work they have done for the brand thus far.