There’s no question that fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food. Nothing beats a good old fashioned piece of chicken with a crispy coating on the outside and moist and tender meat on the inside. Add a plate of tasty side dishes like mac ‘n cheese or mashed potatoes and you have yourself a mouthwatering meal. When nothing but fried chicken will do, these are the 9 spots you must try in SoCal to satisfy your craving.
Fried chicken and waffles is THE specialty at Poppy + Rose. Free-range chicken fried up to perfection then placed on top of a hearty Belgian-style waffle. Add some chives, butter, and syrup and your tastebuds will explode with pure joy.
With a name like Crack Shack you know this chicken must be memorable. And how often do you get a note tucked inside your basket of chicken explaining why it's so darn delicious?! It's no coincidence the Crack Shack made the Food & Wine list for Best Fried Chicken in the US.
Look at this delicious golden fried chicken served with your choice of sides. There's something about eating fried chicken in a classic diner setting that makes the experience even better.
If spicy chicken is your thing, you better head on over to Howlin' Ray's in Chinatown. This hot spot is known for its lip-smacking good Nashville-style fried chicken that's hot, hot, hot! What makes this chicken so hot? The perfect blend of cayenne pepper and paprika on a piece of chicken fried to a perfect crisp.
5. Jimmy's Famous American Tavern -- Dana Point and other SoCal locations
Just ask the waiter what dish is the most recommended and it will always be the fried chicken. It's perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The chicken is served on a gorgeous bed of mashed potatoes covered in a delicate gravy.
6. Streetcar Merchants of Fried Chicken, Doughnuts and Coffee -- San Diego
Be prepared to wait for your fried chicken at this uber-popular joint that cooks every order fresh. Since everything looks amazing on the menu, you might have a hard time deciding what to order. I'll make it easy for you and guide you to the Tommy's Twofold. Picture this: Crispy fried chicken on top of a red velvet waffle with a dollop of cinnamon cream cheese topping. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
If you like your chicken served in a bucket, check out Three Seventy Common. The fried chicken is only offered on select Sunday nights served family style with all the sides you crave to complete the feast. You know the fried chicken has to be special when it's only available one night per week.
KyoChon opened its first restaurant in South Korea in 1991 and quickly became a national favorite. Since then, KyoChon has expanded and it now has locations here in the US. Best known for its signature soy garlic glaze and a double-frying technique that leaves the chicken ultra tender on the inside, the flavor of KyoChon fried chicken is unmistakably delicious.
All you can eat fried chicken? Oh yeah! And plenty of tasty sides and cornbread to go with it.
If your mouth isn’t watering yet, you better check your pulse as these pictures should be making you hungry. If all these photos of fried chicken have been making you think about your other favorite dish — a juicy steak — check out my 10 favorite steakhouses in Southern California. No matter what you’re craving, one of these places will hit the spot.
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