I'm with you on the mess. Even with a splatter screen, it can be messy. Apparently, many southerners would disagree about the deep fryer. As I understand it from friends, the traditional way to make it is in a cast iron pan - a shallow fry. An old roommate (20+ years ago) made it once and I wish I would have sat in the kitchen and watched him do it.

But of course, the cast iron is even messier because of the short sides.

Also, have you tried Clucker's Charcoal Chicken? There's one in Highwood, I thought you might know about it. It gets great reviews for what seems to be fast food style roasted chicken (not fried). I've brought it up a couple times, but my wife just laughs. I think that means we're not eating there.