When it comes to comfort food, people often think of perfect fried chicken. The crispy texture paired with bold seasoning makes it a classic. We all have our go-to spots, whether it’s a large chain or a cozy local spot that feels like home.
Growing up with the familiar fried chicken bucket always holds a nostalgic charm. However, finding truly exceptional fried chicken is like discovering a hidden treasure. We’ve scoured the city, seeking out restaurants that have caught the attention of food enthusiasts. These places always deliver fried chicken that’s nothing short of perfection. Let’s take a look together.
1. **Joe’s Drive-In Chicken (Isom, Kentucky)**: Joe’s Fried Chicken has been named the best small restaurant in the state by the online magazine Cheapism. However, this restaurant does have a long history, and its dishes truly live up to its reputation. Its delicious fried chicken is the main reason why diners keep coming back.
Joe’s restaurant has a long history. It was founded in 1966 by Joe Pack. His parents continued the tradition for many years. Today, his granddaughter runs the restaurant. It still retains its classic drive-in style.
Cheapism magazine specifically recommended their curly fries. Upon entering the restaurant, you can see that it has many regular customers who visit daily. This fully demonstrates its consistent quality.
2. **Brew Bird Restaurant (Fargo, North Dakota)**: Now we head to North Dakota. Here, there’s another highly acclaimed restaurant: the Brew Bird Restaurant in Fargo. Love Food magazine named this restaurant the best chicken restaurant in the state.
Since its inception, the restaurant has been committed to offering a variety of gluten-free options, ensuring that more people can enjoy delicious meals. Their chicken nuggets and sandwiches are the most popular items, and the restaurant also boasts an extensive sauce menu.
Don’t just take our word for it, and don’t rely solely on Love Food’s rankings. Brew Bird boasts an impressive 4.6-star rating on Google, based on over 700 reviews. This speaks volumes about their consistent quality and customer satisfaction. This highly rated restaurant is located in northern Fargo at 30 North University Drive. They even have an outdoor patio—sounds like the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious dinner, doesn’t it?
3. **Rowdy Rooster (New York City, New York)**: Get ready to taste chicken like never before. Rowdy Rooster in New York City is the real deal. They reimagine classic American dishes with a twist of Indian flavors. As a result, it has made it onto the list of must-try spots for food enthusiasts. It is said to be one of the best restaurants in New York State.
They don’t hold back on the spice. From mild to fiery, there’s a wide range of heat levels to suit every palate. Their menu draws inspiration from classic dishes around the world, such as North Indian chicken pakora, East Indian chili chicken, and South Indian chicken. They also put a unique spin on some home-style dishes.
Love Food recommends not missing out on this. Try the “Big Rowdy Sandwich” with crispy fried chicken, pickled onions, garlic sauce, and mint sauce, all sandwiched between soft potato bread—it sounds like an explosion of flavor and texture.
4. **Sweet Chick (New York, various locations)**: New York State is a powerhouse for chicken cuisine. Sweet Chick has multiple locations throughout New York City. With its signature fried chicken, this restaurant has truly made a name for itself.
Their fried chicken is exceptional overall, with the signature dish being the most memorable. The chicken waffle is a must-try. According to “Foodie,” their version is perfect, as it successfully balances crispiness, juiciness, and the sweet-and-salty flavor.
5. **Butterbird (Madison, Wisconsin)**: Our journey continues to Wisconsin. LoveFood has named Madison’s Butterbird the best restaurant in the state. The restaurant is highly praised for seamlessly blending the essence of fast food and casual dining. It’s both approachable and refined, making it well worth the drive.
Butterbird has several signature dishes. Somehow, they’ve really made a name for themselves. They’re famous for their fried chicken dinner, triple-ground beef burger, and Badger spicy chicken sandwich. Other popular dishes include Badger spicy fried chicken and chicken strip platter. There’s plenty more to explore on the menu.
Customers rave about the quality of the fried chicken, describing the meat as exceptionally tender and juicy. They also mention that everything they ordered was delicious. On Yelp, the restaurant has a 4.2/5 rating, with positive reviews scattered throughout. Located at 1134 Regent Street in Madison, this is the perfect spot for a solo foodie adventure.
6. **Miller’s Chicken (Ohio)**: Next, let’s take a look at Ohio. Ohio also has a chicken restaurant that has received high praise from Cheapism. It was included in the magazine’s list of “Best Alley Chicken Restaurants in Every State.” Miller’s Chicken took the top spot on the Ohio list.
The exact reasons for their top ranking are not detailed. However, it’s easy to imagine they’ve hit the sweet spot for fried chicken enthusiasts. Picture crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat. The seasoning likely offers that classic, satisfying flavor profile. Such accolades indicate they’ve mastered a well-honed craft and outshone all other fried chicken spots in the state.
For those driving or living in Ohio and craving fried chicken, Miller’s Fried Chicken sounds like a must-visit destination.
7. **Doomie’s Home Cookin’ (Los Angeles, California)**: We’re heading to Los Angeles, a city renowned for its plant-based diet. This city is passionate about exploring new culinary concepts, particularly when it comes to creating comfort food without animal ingredients.Doomie’s Home Cookin’ is one of the leaders of this trend. Founder and chef Doomie accepted this huge challenge and is committed to creating the perfect fried chicken texture. He says he will use only plant-based ingredients throughout the process.
Chef Doomie believes that keeping ingredients traditional is the best choice. He chooses to omit certain ingredients rather than substitute them with something else. If an ingredient doesn’t feel right, he won’t use it.
For the fried chicken batter, he made a bold choice. He completely omitted dairy and plant-based milk, using only water as a substitute. The main ingredients are a mixture of meat, skin, and fat, all of which he has developed plant-based versions of, which are currently being used at Doomie’s restaurant.
They even went a step further and used two plant-based chicken substitutes.This allows them to replicate the contrast in texture between white and dark meat in real chicken. This provides a more complete and high-quality recreation. Doomie’s is perfect for anyone curious about how far plant-based comfort food has come.
Most importantly, it’s perfect for those who want truly professional plant-based chicken. It’s made using simple methods and standard techniques. This is a place that showcases plant-based food not just as a different type of food, but as a craft in itself.
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