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Philly's fried chicken game is strong, so check these out.
Philly's fried chicken game is strong, so check these out.

10 Fried Chicken Dishes to Try Before You Die

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Philly's fried chicken game is strong, so check these out.

Federal Donuts wasn't the first to pair fried chicken and doughnuts, but it's certainly the most successful with a burgeoning empire that's even expanded to that haute-food-wasteland, the ballpark.

FedNuts' fried chicken, admiringly spotlighted in the New York Times, is golden and juicy, served either seasoned—dusted with tart buttermilk ranch—or glazed—coated in sticky-sweet honey ginger sauce, served in a cardboard box with with a warm honey donut along for the ride. Incidentally, the shop is celebrating National Fried Chicken Day on July 6 by giving away 10 Golden Tickets at both the Pennsport and Center City sites.

But, Philly's finger-licking-good fried chicken game is strong all over town, from Chef Anne Coll's perennial Korean fried chicken special at Meritage to the cult favorite KFC at Cheltenham's Cafe Soho, which was actually the inspiration behind Mike Solo's FedNuts birds. But, enough talk. Here are the 10 Fried Chicken Dishes to Try Before You Die, in no particular order.


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Cafe Soho

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Cafe Soho’s crispy Korean Fried Chicken has found so much success -- Tony Bourdain featured it on his Travel Channel show The Layover -- that the crew was able to open a second location in Blue Bell.

Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar

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On Thursdays, fried chicken gets an upgrade thanks to Meritage’s Korean Fried Chicken special. For $17, you get two sides and twice-fried spicy sesame-glazed chicken.

REX 1516

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Southern-inspired Rex 1516 takes its fried chicken seriously. Chef Justin Swain brines drumsticks and thighs in sweet tea for 24 hours before dredging them in flour and spices, dipping them in buttermilk and house hot sauce, dredging again, then frying to golden-brown perfection.

Chick-a-licious

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Ignore the dumb name and let the double-fried Korean chicken -- 6 wings for $7, 4 drumsticks for $6.50 -- speak for itself. Bonus: they’re open until 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Jones’ classic fried chicken and waffles, blanketed in warm gravy, doesn’t disappoint.

Resurrection Ale House

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The extra-crunchy double fried chicken at Resurrection Ale House, recognized by Bon Appetit a few years back, is served with spicy honey and a side of cornbread. It’s as good as you’ve heard.

Khyber Pass Pub

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The fried chicken po-boy -- also available vegan -- is served on a real-deal Leidenheimer roll shipped from New Orleans topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, and creole mustard.

Alla Spina

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The maple glazed fried chicken with mozzarella curd mashed potatoes is so good you’ll want to die. Marc Vetri, you can do no wrong.

Warmdaddy's

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The Southern fried chicken dinner at Warmdaddy’s is worth the trip out Columbus Boulevard. You get all four pieces -- leg, breast, wing, and thigh -- served juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. Or order it with waffles, topped with gravy and syrup.

Federal Donuts

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The best of the bunch, Federal Donuts keeps making national headlines for good reason -- it’s just that freaking good. See above.

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Cafe Soho

Cafe Soho’s crispy Korean Fried Chicken has found so much success -- Tony Bourdain featured it on his Travel Channel show The Layover -- that the crew was able to open a second location in Blue Bell.

Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar

On Thursdays, fried chicken gets an upgrade thanks to Meritage’s Korean Fried Chicken special. For $17, you get two sides and twice-fried spicy sesame-glazed chicken.

REX 1516

Southern-inspired Rex 1516 takes its fried chicken seriously. Chef Justin Swain brines drumsticks and thighs in sweet tea for 24 hours before dredging them in flour and spices, dipping them in buttermilk and house hot sauce, dredging again, then frying to golden-brown perfection.

Chick-a-licious

Ignore the dumb name and let the double-fried Korean chicken -- 6 wings for $7, 4 drumsticks for $6.50 -- speak for itself. Bonus: they’re open until 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Jones

Jones’ classic fried chicken and waffles, blanketed in warm gravy, doesn’t disappoint.

Resurrection Ale House

The extra-crunchy double fried chicken at Resurrection Ale House, recognized by Bon Appetit a few years back, is served with spicy honey and a side of cornbread. It’s as good as you’ve heard.

Khyber Pass Pub

The fried chicken po-boy -- also available vegan -- is served on a real-deal Leidenheimer roll shipped from New Orleans topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, and creole mustard.

Alla Spina

The maple glazed fried chicken with mozzarella curd mashed potatoes is so good you’ll want to die. Marc Vetri, you can do no wrong.

Warmdaddy's

The Southern fried chicken dinner at Warmdaddy’s is worth the trip out Columbus Boulevard. You get all four pieces -- leg, breast, wing, and thigh -- served juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. Or order it with waffles, topped with gravy and syrup.

Federal Donuts

The best of the bunch, Federal Donuts keeps making national headlines for good reason -- it’s just that freaking good. See above.

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