I make it a point of trying every restaurant in the neighbourhood because the more that open in Leslieville, the better! However, I was terribly disappointed with Paulette's. The place looks great and if you go by the look you'll be expecting a unique experience of what feels like an old-time southern chicken shack. Sadly the food does not in any way live up to the appearance.
The chicken was nearly tasteless with a batter that seemed like 99% cornstarch and oil. No seasoning, no salt, no flavour at all. The batter was so hard and sharp it cut the sides of my mouth. The chicken meat itself was nothing spectacular either. To top it off, it's all pre-cooked and was almost cold when served. The sides were equally terrible. The coleslaw was mushy and bland. It reminded me of wet cardboard. The cornbread was also tasteless. Finally, the donuts were okay, but fell apart when held and the idea of a Mojito donut appealed but the flavours certainly didn't work in real life.
For $25/person takeout I think this is a huge waste of money. One block up there is an exceptional pulled pork and coleslaw lunch at Leslieville pumps for $12 and numerous other better value places within a block the other way. If you want the best fried chicken head west to the Ace on Roncesvalles. The food is so bad at Paulette's I hope nobody else gets suckered in by the look of the place.