The Country's Best Fried Chicken
Fantastic Fried Chicken
Pies-N-Thighs, Brooklyn, NY
"I'm on the record as a fried-chicken freak," says editor in chief Dana Cowin, who wasn't disappointed by this cult Williamsburg spot known for fried chicken seasoned with paprika, black pepper, and cayenne. "I adored its homey mood and comfort food."
166 S.4th Street; 347-529-6090; piesnthighs.com
Two Sisters Kitchen, Jackson, MS
Two Sisters' Kitchen, in a two-story house, opens only for lunch (every day but Saturday) and serves a buffet of soul food made with recipes culled from all the women in Diann I. Alford's family. "It's like Sunday lunch at your grandmother's," she says. Piled on Sisters' all-you-can-eat buffet: light angel biscuits, grits, and Southern sides that might include turnip greens, as well as corn bread salad (Alford's mother got her to eat vegetables by adding chunks of corn bread). The one constant: "If the front door's open, we have fried chicken," assures Alford.
707 North Congress St.; 601-353-1180
Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York, NY
Ordering the fried chicken at David Chang's East Village spot requires planning — you'll need a group of four to eight people, and you'll have to reserve the order online. It's worth the hassle. He serves two styles in one sitting: Southern with Old Bay seasoning, and a spicy Korean version. Diners can wrap hot pieces of meat in moo shu pancakes with a variety of sweet and salty sauces.
171 First Ave.; momofuku.com
Harold's Chicken Shack, Chicago, IL
Founded in 1950 by "Fried Chicken King" Harold Pierce, the chain thrives on a simple model: White or dark meat plunged in oil to order, and served with hot sauce.
636 South Wabash Ave.; 312-362-0442
Crisp, Chicago, IL
The quick-service joint turns out a half-dozen versions of Korean fried chicken. Seoul Sassy birds are dipped in a garlic-ginger-soy blend, dusted with flour, and then double-fried for a mysteriously greaseless finish. The Plain Jane has an almost translucent golden coating.
2940 North Broadway; 773-697-7610; crisponline.com
Son of a Gun, Los Angeles, CA
At their buzzy sequel to Animal, chefs Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook serve a perfect fried-chicken sandwich inspired by Georgia-based Chick-fil-A and Oakland's Bakesale Betty. Their version comes piled with spicy pickle slaw, shredded lettuce, and Sriracha aioli in a brioche bun.
8370 W. 3rd Street; 323-782-9033; sonofagunrestaurant.com
Birch and Barley, Washington, DC
Winner of Food and Wine's People's Best New Chef Mid-Atlantic, Kyle Bailey upgrades fried chicken with Belgian waffles during brunch service. The dish comes with buttered pecans and a maple-chicken jus, and the restaurant has a massive beer list with more than 500 bottles.
1337 14th Street; 202-567-2576; birchandbarley.com
Central Michel Richard, Washington, DC
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue; 202-626-0015; centralmichelrichard.com
Simpatica, Portland, OR
Chef David Kreifels serves a curry–seasoned fried chicken at brunch, paired with cakey waffles and a vanilla–infused dried–fruit syrup. Other weekends, the bird gets the eggs Benedict treatment.
828 SE Ash Street; 503-235-1600; simpaticacatering.com
Perry St., New York, NY
Jean-Georges Vongerichten achieves the ethereal crust on his elegant fried chicken by using a whipped cream siphon to apply the batter as foam.
176 Perry Street; 212-352-1900; jean-georges.com
More Fabulous Destinations
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More of the Best Fried Chicken in the U.S.
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