At the foot of Kennesaw Mountain on Old 41 Highway, about half a mile from the Kennesaw Mountain Visitor Center, is a restaurant that really knows itself. Basecamp, with its rib-sticking food and mountain-climbing theme, is the perfect spot for breakfast before a hike, or a revitalizing smoothie after one. But it's not just a convenient resource for hikers — dishes like the Nashville Chicken Skillet make Basecamp a worthy destination in its own right.
The chicken skillet resides on the breakfast side of the menu, but the only thing breakfasty about it is the fact that it’s served with toast. A miniature cast-iron skillet is filled with mac and cheese, then topped with a large piece of boneless fried chicken and doused in hot sauce.
Though the Nashville hot chicken trend appears to have waned a bit in 2019, it’s hard to find fault with the fried chicken plus hot sauce recipe. Basecamp does a good job with it — spicy, but not inedible. There’s plenty of flavor, and your mouth won’t feel scorched afterward. The best thing about the chicken is that it’s perfectly cooked — crunchy outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
If the heat does get to you, the creamy shells and cheese provide relief. Extra cheese is broiled on top, and underneath is an excellent version of everyone’s favorite pasta dish, with luscious Mornay sauce, providing a nice counterpoint to the vinegary thrum of the hot sauce. Pickled okra and toast round out the dish, but you’d have to be very hungry to finish them after downing the skillet’s contents.
It’s refreshing to go to a restaurant that has such a clear sense of place and purpose. Judging by the Saturday morning crowds at Basecamp, it certainly appeals to lots of people. One thing’s for sure: Whether you plan to hike or not, you’ll have plenty of energy after eating a skilletful of Nashville-style hot chicken and deeply satisfying mac and cheese.
Basecamp. 1718 Old 41 Highway NW, Marietta. 678-355-0385, basecampatkennesaw.com.
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