Here at Enthusiastic About Life, we are huge fans of all sorts of different food. As I travel the United States, I love seeing how different states do fried chicken (including hot chicken). Check out all of the fried chicken I’ve eaten throughout the United States and let me know which spot sounds the best!
Arizona
Charlie Mae’s Soul Food
I tried Charlie Mae’s Soul Food for the first time and it was DELICIOUS! The fried chicken was super juicy and flavorful, I def recommend. Unfortunately the side I wanted (mac and cheese) was sold out so I’ll have to go back.
Culinary Dropout
I’ve been wanting to try the Culinary Dropout for so long! I got the delicious fried chicken and was really happy because the portions were huge (and I was so hungry). I can’t believe I ate the entire plate (lol). The biscuit was just heaven in my mouth, the chicken was perfectly fried and had such good flavor. This place has a great feel too and is perfect for large groups. Definitely having my birthday dinner here next year! I recommend! They have cool little things to do after you eat too (corn hole, ping pong, etc.)
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
I totally understand why people talk about Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, their chicken is phenomenal!! The chicken is fried perfectly, is super crispy and has so much flavor!
Jaybird’s Sedona
At Jaybird’s, I tried the white meat with fries which included a breast and wing, spiced with your choice of heat (hot of course), served with sliced bread, dill pickles, spicy fries, and one sauce. The heat level was perfect as it was spicy but not too spicy where I couldn’t enjoy the chicken. I also tried the chicken sandwich and the coleslaw perfectly balanced the sandwich. Their homemade lemonades and sweet tea are the best way to wash down all of this deliciousness.
Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles
Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles has been one of my fave spots for so long! I’ve been a huge fan of them forever because I LOVE sweet and savory dishes and it truly doesn’t get any better than a sweet waffle and the tastiest fried chicken.
Lom Wong
Another great date night spot with delicious Thai food is Lom Wong! Their drinks are incredible as are all the dishes we tried! We had the Won Pen’s fried chicken which was so crispy and had so much flavor.
KAIZEN
If you are looking for a Japanese-Latin fusion then look no further than Kaizen. Everything I had was delicious and if you go during happy hour, it’s all 50% off! The karaage fried chicken was also excellent!
LUCI’S AT THE ORCHARD
Luci’s at the Orchard is one of my favorite outdoor breakfast spots in Phoenix. Their biscuits are homemade and amazing! I loved the fried chicken biscuit breakfast sandwich that came with potatoes. Their desserts and coffee are also delicious!
Mingo’s Louisiana Kitchen (Food Truck)
Mingo’s Louisiana Kitchen has the most delicious and crispy fried chicken. Their crinkle cut fries are also the perfect companion!
Monroe’s Hot Chicken
If you want spicy fried chicken, then check out Monroe’s Hot Chicken! It’s a fast casual spot and the best way to cure a hangover!
Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
The food at Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe is famous in Arizona! Super friendly people work here and it was delicious!! Good spot, I recommend! No wonder it’s been around for more than 50 years!
New Penny Cafe
New Penny Cafe has delicious breakfast sandwiches! I had their fried chicken breakfast sandwich and the biscuit was excellent!
Prep & Pastry
Prep & Pastry is one of my favorite brunch places in Arizona. I had the fried chicken and French toast and it was just mouthwatering. Their brunch drinks are also sooo good!
The Raven Cafe
The Raven Cafe in Prescott is a super hip place with an awesome beer and wine selection and the food is AMAZING. I think this is my favorite place in Prescott so far. Loved the chicken fried chicken, the waffle fries and the homemade gravy. DELICIOUS. Thanks for the recommendation Tim!
Original Gravity
If you are looking for an amazing fried chicken sandwich and a great selection of beer, look no further than Original Gravity in Phoenix!
I had the The Bee’s Knees sandwich which came with a fried chicken breast and whipped maple butter. So simple yet so delicious! Their fries were also very tasty.
Welcome Diner
I’m always a fan of Welcome Diner’s fried chicken sandwich. It’s so good on their homemade biscuits!
Wilderness Brewing Company
The best fried chicken and waffles dish that I’ve had recently was at a brewery, can you believe it? The waffle reminded me of a Waffle House dish but way better and the fried chicken was perfectly fried and flavored!
California
Riviera House
Riviera House in Redondo Beach has a great unlimited mimosa deal and their jidori fried chicken and waffles are so good! I love the sweet and savory taste of the dish!
Ad Hoc + Addendum
If you’re craving super flavorful fried chicken in Napa Valley but want more of a casual experience, I recommend you stop by and pick up a bucket of fried chicken from Ad Hoc + Addendum. My boyfriend and I devoured an entire bucket on our own and we wanted more!
Chicago
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
I know Chicago is Pizza heaven but I was told by my foodie friends that I had to check out Honey Butter Fried Chicken and OMG. This fried chicken sandwich with HONEY BUTTER is hands down the most delicious chicken sandwich I’ve ever had in my life. Make sure to stop here when you’re in Chicago. The staff is super friendly and they have really good drinks too! I almost want to lick my phone screen just looking at this photo lol who’s with me?!
Colorado
Stanley Marketplace (Denver Biscuit Company)
I had literally the BEST breakfast sandwich or my life at Denver Biscuit Company inside of Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado. This is a breakfast biscuit sandwich with bacon, fried chicken, honey butter in between two BISCUITS prepared french toast style!!! My mouth is watering just writing this. It was freaking delicious!!
Hawaii
Moani Waikiki
If you’re looking for a place with delicious appetizers then I recommend Moani Waikiki. It’s in a great location with a ton of other restaurants, bars, and shops. I tried the fried chicken appetizer and it was incredible!
Minnesota
Revival Fried Chicken
I didn’t really expect to be eating fried chicken in Minnesota but while researching restaurants that I ABSOLUTELY had to try (according to the internet) I stumbled upon Revival Fried Chicken. They had so many amazing reviews so I tried it and my friends, it was amazing. It was crunchy but not difficult to eat, the chicken was extremely well seasoned and I ate a lot more than I care to admit. The restaurant also has a really cool vibe and they have really good drinks!
North Carolina
Haberdish
If you’re looking for delicious fried chicken in Charlotte, North Carolina then look no further than Haberdish! It’s so flavorful and the staff is so friendly.
Nevada
Kyu
If you want a phenomenal fine dining experience, you have to check out Kyu! It’s amazing and every dish is so unique with so much flavor. This fried chicken was out of this world!
New York
The Spot
If you’re looking for a fun drag brunch spot with huge portions of brunch food, check out The Spot! The fried chicken and tator tots were so good!
Washington DC
Bukom Cafe
If you’ve never had West African food, stop what you’re doing and go try Bukom Cafe! I loved their popular fried chicken wings served with jollof rice. Everything was amazing!
Feel free to check out the entire catalog of my Food Bucket List for category inspiration and email me or comment below asking me for more restaurant recommendations as I aim to please!
I hope you all enjoyed the list! Thank you all for reading, and stay enthusiastic!
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-Maira