19 editor picks across United States.
19 fried chicken restaurants worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
Brad Cecchi's Canon in East Sacramento earned its sixth Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2025, the city's chef-driven small-plates room with seasonal cocktails.
OrderThe fried chicken, smashed cucumbers, seasonal small-plate tasting
TipOpen 7 days a week 17:00-21:00. Book a week ahead for prime Friday and Saturday seats.
Stroud's Oak Ridge Manor is the Kansas City pan-fried chicken anchor, set inside a restored 1840s log-cabin homestead that became the second Stroud's in 1983.
OrderPan-fried chicken with mashed potatoes, pan gravy and the legendary cinnamon rolls.
TipMon to Sat dinner only, Sun lunch. Walk-in or call ahead; the line wraps the porch on Friday nights.
Stroud's Oak Ridge Manor in Kansas City sits inside a restored 1840s log-cabin homestead, the second Stroud's location since 1983; the original 85th.
OrderPan-fried chicken with mashed potatoes, country gravy and the cinnamon rolls.
TipMon to Sat dinner, Sun lunch. The line wraps the porch on Friday nights; call ahead.
Aaron Josinsky and Laura Wade's sister restaurant to Misery Loves Co. opened in August 2022 in the historic Block Building at the top of the Winooski rotary.
OrderThe fried chicken half-bird plus a half-dozen Vermont oysters and a hot-honey biscuit.
TipBar takes walk-ins; book the dining room on Resy. Dinner 16:00-21:00 daily; weekend brunch 10:00-15:00.
Sister room to Misery Loves Co.; opened August 2022 at the top of the Winooski rotary in the historic Block Building. Fried chicken and East Coast oysters.
OrderHalf-bird fried chicken, half-dozen Vermont oysters and a biscuit.
TipBar walk-in; book the dining room on Resy. Dinner only, and the half-bird fried chicken sells through by 21:00 on weekends.
Colby and Megan Garrelts' Rye Plaza on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City refined the Midwestern restaurant template. Fried chicken, biscuits.
TipMegan Garrelts is a multi-year James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef semifinalist for her Rye work. Brunch on weekends; Tock for evening reservations.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs fried chicken and oyster plates from a converted body shop on King Street since 2014. Priced at $$.
OrderThe fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
TipWalk-in counter seating. Lines at lunch are real; weeknight dinner is easier.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs buttermilk-brined fried chicken and char-grilled oysters from a converted body shop on King Street.
OrderThe fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
TipWalk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Bossy Beulah's flagship on Freedom Drive is the Charlotte chicken-sandwich counter that has built four city locations since opening in 2019, with simple.
OrderThe classic Bossy chicken sandwich and a side of fries.
TipThe Freedom Drive flagship is the original. The Ballantyne and Brandywine spinoffs serve the same menu.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Chicago is the Avondale counter from Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp, with the honey-butter biscuit that named the place.
OrderTwo-piece dark plate with the honey butter biscuit and the corn salad.
TipOrder online from your phone before you walk in. The counter line is twice as long as the screen-pickup one most evenings.
Chef Jeff Balfour's Southerleigh brews 15 beers in-house at the Pearl Brewery and pairs them with Texas coastal cooking, a Michelin Bib Gourmand room.
TipSit near the brew tanks and pair the fried chicken with the house pilsner. The Gulf snapper is the seafood pick.
Cincinnati import that nails the Mass Avenue fried-chicken brief. Brined and dredged in-house, served with spoonbread and a half-dozen Southern sides.
OrderHalf a chicken, the spoonbread, the kale salad. Sit at the picnic tables outside in summer.
TipNo reservations. Get on the standby list at 5:30 for a 6:30 weekend table, or go for an early lunch.
The Eagle Mass Ave in Indianapolis fries half-chickens brined in-house and runs Southern sides on Mass Avenue's busiest corner. The line moves fast.
OrderHalf a chicken with spoonbread and the kale salad.
TipNo reservations. Get on the standby list at 5:30 for a 6:30 weekend table.
The Crack Shack in San Diego is Richard Blais and Michael Rosen's Little Italy fried-chicken yard since 2015, attached to Juniper and Ivy. Priced at $$.
OrderThe Firebird spicy chicken sandwich; the schmaltz fries with sherry-vinegar mayo.
TipAll outdoors; bring a sweater for marine-layer mornings. The Coop Deville feeds a table of four.
The Crack Shack at Park MGM in Las Vegas is Richard Blais and Top Chef alums' Strip Jidori chicken shop, a counter-service room for sandwiches.
OrderThe Senor Croque: fried Jidori chicken, bacon, fried egg and miso-maple butter on brioche.
TipBreakfast menu runs 09:00-12:00 with chilaquiles and biscuits; the line is shortest at opening.
Hodak's has won Riverfront Times reader polls for best fried chicken since the 1990s. The family-run Gravois corner room is a no-frills temple to the bird.
OrderThe fried chicken dinner with sides.
TipThe fried chicken is the only thing most regulars order; pair it with the slaw and a cold draft. Expect a wait on Friday nights.
Frenchy's Chicken on Scott Street in Houston is Percy Creuzot's 1969 Third Ward Creole fried chicken counter, two blocks from Texas Southern University.
OrderThree-piece dark meat with dirty rice and red beans. A peach cobbler to close.
TipSunday after church is the line. Weekday lunch is the move. The Scott Street counter is the original; multiple satellites exist.
LuLu's Maryland Style Chicken on Tuckaseegee Road brings Mid-Atlantic fried chicken and crab cakes to a quick-service counter in west Charlotte.
OrderA Maryland-style chicken plate and a side of crab cake.
TipCounter-order and quick takeout. The Tuckaseegee flagship has the longest hours.
City Bird on Vine Street in OTR is Cincinnati's Thunderdome fast-casual chicken flagship, with brined tenders, sandwiches and house hot sauce options.
OrderChicken tenders, Crispy chicken sandwich
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