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Question: Where did the idea for Fricken Chicken come from?

Answer: Afghanistan.

That’s right. The concept behind that lovingly named fast food restaurant on Burbank Drive near Gardere Lane came all the way from Afghanistan, in a moment of “desperation.”

After being stationed overseas for more than two years, Fricken Chicken owner Joe Fairchild (pictured) felt the itch for a return to civilian life. “My buddy asked me what I thought I was going to do when I got out. I said, ‘I don’t know. I’m gonna sell fricken chicken or something,’ ” he says.

As a self-proclaimed man of his word, that’s what Fairchild has done, having opened Fricken Chicken on July 19. The restaurant sells bone-in fried chicken, fries, biscuits, onion rings and more. Chicken fingers are a recent addition to the line-up, after steady customer requests. “You asked for it. We’re giving you the fricken finger.”

Smart-alecky playfulness has built a reputation for Fricken Chicken as much as its product. Fairchild estimates the word “fricken” is heard there upwards of 400 times a day. Customers are quick to play along, offering up gems like “Yeah, you can take my fricken order,” “Is this all my fricken food,” and even “Is this fricken kosher?”

Fairchild prides on quality and customer service. “The funny thing is, there are so many places where you’d like to say ‘fricken this’ and ‘fricken that,’ but we have such great customer service you won’t want to say it to our folks,” he says.

Ahh, but you will, even if you’re just ordering a fricken big Pepsi (that’s 44 fricken ounces worth, or 550 calories). Even Fairchild’s mother, who initially wouldn’t say the word above a whisper, has gotten into the act. And the f-bomb? There haven’t been any yet. “I haven’t used the f-word in so long because I use fricken all day, every day,” says Fairchild. “It actually discourages cursing.”

There you fricken have it. One last fricken thing: fricken has appeared in this article 18 times. Thanks to Joe Fairchild for taking the fricken time to talk shop. Oops. We’re up to 19 now.