You can find some of the best finger-licking good chicken in the City of Angels. LA has it all, whether you are looking for a classic fried chicken sandwich or golden poultry in a decadent honey butter sauce. However, not everyone can make good fried chicken. For many cooks, cooking fried chicken is an art form.
Los Angeles has plenty of restaurants offering the crème de la crème of fried chicken. Are you drooling yet? Crispy, crunchy, and tangy, the seven best fried chicken spots in Los Angeles await you.
1. Farmshop
Farmshop offers a one-of-a-kind fried chicken experience. Their specialty is Jidori chicken, which is full of flavors that fried chicken dreams are made of. In addition, it has a tender texture. This dish is brined for the entire night. Farmshop also boasts a unique coating process, which keeps the chicken juicy and soft.
Farmshop features a “fried chicken Sunday” where clients can pre-order or pick up a bucket of their famous fried chicken. They also offer artisan desserts and tasty alcoholic beverages. Whether dining in or out, Farmshop serves a simple dish perfectly.
Address: 225 26th St #25, Santa Monica, CA 90402, United States
Map: Farmshop
Hours: 7 am to 7 pm, Monday and Tuesday; 7 am to 9 pm, Wednesday and Thursday
2. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken brings the flavors of Southern tradition to LA. This no-frills chicken joint offers pure and unadulterated flavor. Their secret lies in a two-day marinating process that infuses the chicken with a unique spice blend. The chicken is fried in peanut oil, giving it a crispy, golden crust. The end result is tender, juicy meat with a subtle kick.
Gus’s Fried Chicken understands that sometimes the classics are best left untouched. Try the bone-in option for the full experience. In addition, all plates come with classic sides like baked beans and coleslaw, completing the Southern comfort food experience.
Address: 1262 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019, United States
Map: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Hours: 11:30 am to 8:30 pm, Monday-Sunday
3. Tokyo Fried Chicken Co.
Chef Kouji brings his passion for fried chicken to the suburbs with this restaurant. The restaurant serves Japanese chicken (karaage) with a Southern flair. Tokyo Fried Chicken focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant sources organic, hormone-free birds that are brined for hours in a soy, garlic, and ginger sauce blend. This long brining process ensures the flavors are fully infused into the meat, resulting in a deeply seasoned chicken.
Unlike some thicker batters that can overpower the chicken, the batter is flavorful yet light, allowing the natural taste of the chicken to shine through. Tokyo Fried Chicken Co.’s signature sides include pickled ginger cabbage and chicken rice. You can also get your hands on soy-glazed carrots, mac and cheese, nori, and sharp white cheddar. With great service and friendly staff, Tokyo Fried Chicken Co. is a favorite among fried chicken fans.
Address: 801 S Olive St Suite C, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Map: Tokyo Fried Chicken, DTLA
Hours: 11:30 am to 9 pm, Tuesday to Sunday; Closed on Monday.
4. Howlin’ Ray’s
Get ready to turn up the heat at Howlin’ Ray’s. This restaurant is inspired by Nashville’s legendary hot chicken scene. This Chinatown gem lets you choose the heat level of your fried chicken, from Country (zero heat) to Howlin (a fiery inferno for the brave). Their secret weapon is a secret pepper blend that coats the chicken, delivering a slow burn that builds with each bite.
Menu standouts include their fried chicken wings, available in white or dark meat. Fried chicken breast with a wing or thigh served with pickles and bread is also a great choice.
You also won’t want to miss their take on the traditional fried chicken sandwich. Juicy, perfectly cooked breast meat is served in a toasted brioche bun. The sandwich is topped with tangy slaw, pickles, and their signature “comeback sauce.” Take one bite, and we can guarantee you will be coming back for more.
Address: 727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Map: Howlin’ Ray’s Hot Chicken – Chinatown
Hours:11 am to 7 pm, Wednesday-Sunday; closed on Monday and Tuesday
5. Huckleberry Bakery & Café
This popular bakery and cafe offers a limited-time treat for fried chicken enthusiasts. Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe offers free-range fried Jidori Chicken, which is available only on Fridays.
This dish is simple with a touch of rustic flavors. The chicken is brined in buttermilk for a hint of tang and coated with a crust infused with cayenne and hot sauce. The cornbread and coleslaw provide a perfect side to the chicken, making this a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
This charming bakery and cafe has a warm and inviting atmosphere. The space is filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. Their comfortable seating options make this bakery ideal for a casual lunch with your friends.
Address: 1014 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
Map: Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe
Hours: 7 am to 3 pm, Monday-Sunday
6. Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar is known for its creative fried chicken sandwiches. Their Smokey Fried Chicken has boneless, crispy Jidori chicken dipped in smoked milk gravy. This dish takes inspiration from Southern comfort food but with a modern twist.
Other menu favorites include sweet yam preserves and tangy pickled okra. You can also bedazzle your taste buds with their honey sriracha fried chicken sandwich.
Quench your thirst from the tickle of crispy fried chicken with a cold craft beer. On the weekends, you can come here for a craft cocktail and a chicken sandwich before hitting any of the best dance bars in Los Angeles.
Address: 1800 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Hours: 11:30 am to 9 pm, Monday-Thursday; 11:30 am to 10 pm, Friday; 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday; 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday
7. Main Chick Hot Chicken
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Main Chick Hot Chicken offers piping hot and savory fried chicken. It is considered by fans to sell some of the most delicious fried chicken in all of LA. Individuals with a large appetite won’t be disappointed.
Main Chick Hot Chicken has a simple menu with generous servings of crispy fries and fried chicken tenders. For those who don’t like spice, don’t fret. Main Chick also has plenty of non-spicy options available. Prepare your taste buds; Main Chick will have you dreaming of fried chicken long after the last bite.
Address: 11419 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 11 am to 11 pm; Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 1 am
Honorable Mentions
Los Angeles has so many great fried chicken restaurants that choosing just seven is difficult. Here are a few honorable mentions that deserve recognition for serving up tasty fried chicken:
- Kyochon Chicken: serves fresh and flavorful fried chicken, including some of the best Korean fried chicken wings. These tasty wings are prepared with soy, garlic, and other sauces. This no-frills restaurant is popular among locals and is ideal for a late-night meal.
- Anajak Thai Cuisine: serves delicious fried and curry chicken and seasonal fish dishes. The Hat Yai Fried Chicken is their standout dish. Seasoned to perfection with a southern Thai flavor, this dish is a flavor bomb of savory spices!
- Banh Oui: a unique bakery and cafe in LA that serves pastries, sandwiches, and coffee with a Vietnamese twist. Their signature fried chicken sandwich served on a Kaiser roll with katsu, garlic spread, and kale slaw has won both customers’ hearts and bellies.
Elevate Your Fried Chicken Experience
You will find the best fried chicken with a symphony of flavors to satisfy your taste buds in Los Angeles. Because honestly, a fried chicken dish will never go out of style.
Crispy, crunchy, and melt-in-your-mouth good, LA delivers when it comes to fried chicken. So do yourself a favor and test out these must-try spots for fried chicken in Los Angeles. Your taste buds will thank you!
