Where Can I Get Good Fried Chicken Near Me? A Guide to Finding the Best Fried Chicken Restaurants in Your Area

Fried chicken is an iconic comfort food loved by people across the country. The crunchy juicy chicken covered in a seasoned breading is hard to resist. When you get a craving for this southern classic, you want to know where to find the best fried chicken restaurants near you.

I’ve researched and compiled this guide to help you locate the top spots for fried chicken in your neighborhood. Whether you prefer traditional Southern-style fried chicken, Nashville hot chicken, Korean-style fried chicken, or tenders and sandwiches, this guide will point you to the nearest places cooking up the good stuff.

How to Find Good Fried Chicken Near Me

With so many restaurants to choose from how do you identify which ones serve up quality fried chicken? Here are some tips for tracking down the best versions of this tasty dish in your area

Check Online Review Sites

Sites like Yelp Google Reviews and Facebook are great resources to get a feel for people’s experiences at local restaurants. Look for places with high ratings and positive reviews mentioning moist, juicy chicken with a perfectly crispy coating. This helps narrow down spots cooking up the best fried chicken in your zone.

For example, searching “best fried chicken Los Angeles” on Yelp brings up top-rated spots like Howlin’ Ray’s, known for its Nashville hot chicken, and Monorom Cambodian Restaurant, praised for its flavorful, crispy fried chicken.

Check Local Food Blog & Media Lists

Major metropolitan areas often have local food blogs and news outlets that compile lists of the best fried chicken in the city. These lists can give you a great starting point of vetted restaurants to try in your search for tasty fried chicken.

For Los Angeles, Eater LA’s map of best fried chicken restaurants highlights top picks like Honey’s Kettle and Gol Tong Chicken.

Ask Locals

Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Asking coworkers, friends, neighbors, and even social media networks for fried chicken recommendations near you can surface hidden gems you may not find on review sites and media lists. Locals will know about their neighborhood go-to spots for fried chicken.

Drive or Walk Around Your Area

Sometimes just getting out and exploring your own neighborhood is the best way to discover restaurants. Look for places advertising fried chicken on menus and signs. Be on the lookout for spots with long lines or busy dining rooms, which can indicate good food.

Use Apps to Search Nearby

Apps like Yelp, Google Maps, and TripAdvisor have features to search for specific cuisines and dishes near a given location. Enter terms like “fried chicken” or “Nashville hot chicken” and filter the results by distance to pinpoint fried chicken joints nearby.

The KFC restaurant finder at locations.kfc.com allows you to search for your nearest location as well.

What Makes Fried Chicken Good?

When you find a promising spot, what qualities should you look for in your fried chicken? Here are the keys to identifying restaurants that serve up tasty fried chicken:

Juicy, Moist Chicken

The chicken meat itself should be juicy and moist. If the chicken is dry or stringy, that is a sign of overcooking or low-quality preparation. Well-made fried chicken starts with fresh, never frozen chicken brined or marinated to keep the meat tender and flavorful.

Crispy, Seasoned Breading

The ideal coating on fried chicken is ultra crispy on the outside and seasoned for flavor. Look for a light, crunchy breading that adds texture without dominating the natural flavor of the chicken. The coating should adhere well to the meat without excessive greasiness.

Consistent Results

A mark of a great fried chicken spot is the ability to execute high-quality fried chicken consistently, so every bite tastes just as good as the last. This comes down to using proper frying techniques and cooking the chicken properly every time.

Made to Order

Fried chicken is best enjoyed fresh, right after frying. Restaurants that fry chicken to order when you place it, rather than keeping batches sitting under heat lamps, will deliver superior taste and texture.

Reasonable Prices

Fried chicken is a budget-friendly food. Places charging excessive prices for basic fried chicken are relying more on hype than merit. You can find delicious, satisfying fried chicken without breaking the bank.

Fried Chicken Styles to Try Near You

One of the great things about fried chicken is the variety of styles and preparations. Here are some of the most popular fried chicken versions to sample from restaurants near you:

Southern Fried Chicken

This traditional style features chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, legs and wings coated in seasoned flour and fried until crispy. Look for versions that brine or marinate the chicken first for added moisture. Served with biscuits and sides like mashed potatoes or collard greens.

Nashville Hot Chicken

Originating in Nashville, this spicy fried chicken is coated in a cayenne pepper paste mixture while hot from the fryer. Flavors range from mild to extra hot. Typically served on white bread with pickles to cool the heat.

Korean Fried Chicken

Korean-style fried chicken features a thin, ultra-crispy breading with flavors like soy garlic and spicy chili. It is often fried twice for extra crunch. Korean chicken places offer boneless fried chicken and wings.

Chicken Tenders & Sandwiches

Restaurants offering fried chicken tenders and sandwiches allow you to enjoy this food in handy, on-the-go portions. Breaded tenders with dipping sauces and fried chicken sandwiches are convenient weekday meals.

Chicken & Waffles

This soul food favorite combines crispy fried chicken with waffles topped with butter and syrup for a sweet and savory treat. Keep an eye out for chicken and waffles specials at brunch spots.

Ready to Find Amazing Fried Chicken Near You?

Focus on spots that serve juicy, moist chicken with a light yet ultra-crispy coating made fresh to order. Fried chicken has so many delicious regional twists to try, from Southern-style to hot chicken and Korean versions.

With this handy guide, you can satisfy your fried chicken craving and discover new favorite local restaurants for this American classic comfort food. Now get out there and find some finger lickin’ good fried chicken near you!

Several fast-food chains are known for high-quality chicken, but Popeyes and Chick-fil-A are frequently cited as top contenders. Popeyes is praised for its flavorful, crispy, and well-seasoned chicken. Chick-fil-A is also highly regarded for its juicy and flavorful chicken, particularly in its chicken sandwich.

The best fried chicken franchise is subjective and depends on individual preferences, but KFC, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A are consistently ranked as top contenders. KFC is known for its “Original Recipe” fried chicken with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, while Popeyes offers a New Orleans-style fried chicken known for its bold flavors and spicy kick.