Best Frickin Chicken Coming to Fayetteville

Clayton Scott and his fiancé, Jeanette Beltram, are partnering to open a new food truck just off College Avenue in Fayetteville.

Best Frickin Chicken in Town is scheduled to open the first weekend in April, Scott said, at 3160 N. Market Ave., near the Shave the Planet stand. It is the couple’s first venture into the food world, but their pluck is evident with the distinctive name.

“It’s the best frickin’ chicken, you better believe it,” said the charismatic Scott. “We’re going to stand by it. We wanted [a name] that was a little college-edgy.”

Scott, Fayetteville’s former poet laureate, teaches performing arts and creative writing to students statewide. For his work, he received the 2012 Arkansas Governor’s Award for Arts in Education.

Beltram is an educator for the Springdale School District. Together, they hope their side venture will carve out a distinct niche in the local food market.

“I sound like other chicken businesses when I talk about our secret spices and all that,” Scott said. “But, we truly have experimented with the breading for about two years. It’ll be pleasing to the Southern palate.”

Beltram added, “It’s got a little bit of heat.”

Scott estimated it’s taken a $25,000 investment of his own savings to make the idea a reality.

Side items will include fries, tater tots, corn on the cob and pinto beans. Cheese and chili will be offered as potato toppings.

Chicken orders will be served with a waffle, and the truck’s signature dessert item will be fried Snickers.

The business will operate from a self-contained 8-by-24-foot Interstate trailer. Scott said his lease with the property owner, Ben Israel, begins April 1.

Business hours will be 5:30-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. When the trailer closes, Scott will operate a mobile cart on Dickson Street from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Scott said his chicken vendor is Van Buren-based Tankersley Food Service.