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Where to find the juiciest, crispiest fried chicken in Philly
There are rules when it comes to frying chicken — rules and techniques and philosophies and credos. The idea is simple: juicy meat, crispy skin. But easy-sounding ideas often stumble in execution. Fortunately for Philadelphia, there's some true fried chicken talent in the city's dining scene, with chefs pulling off the right balance of crispy on the outside, tender on the inside chicken, with grease nowhere in sight. Here are 13 great options for fried chicken in and around the city.
Bubble tea and fried chicken make for a delightful combo, especially at Tsaocaa, a chain of tea shops that have a handful of locations around Philly. The fried chicken sandwich can be made with honey garlic, extra spicy, or buffalo sauce, plus sweet potato fries make the meal.
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Foghorn and Fletcher in East Falls calls its offerings “Philly-style fried chicken”: whole or half chickens that can be jazzed up with several different sauces, including herby ranch and curry mayo. There are burgers and fried shrimp, too. Add on a black-and-white milkshake for the full Foghorn experience.
In the parking lot of the Overbrook train station, the Debreaux’s menu explicitly states “Southern food is not fast food.” That’s why customers call ahead to place orders for the fried chicken, with its extra-crispy shell, and sides of mac and cheese and crazy rice.
The chicken at Andy’s is double-fried with a caked-on breading so bubbly and crisp it’s hard to imagine eating chicken another way. Go for the original or choose from options like honey garlic, sweet chili, or golden soy. Add on a bulgogi rice bowl as a side dish.
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In Northern Liberties, Todd and Laura Lyons serve a short menu of the ultimate American comfort foods: extra-crispy golden-brown fried chicken, cornbread, potato salad, and banana pudding. Their chicken gets a touch of sweetness from a drizzle of honey after frying.
Dinner and a show is the name of the game at South Jazz Kitchen on N. Broad, and music sounds that much better when you’re eating buttermilk fried chicken with smoked turkey collard greens and sweet potato gratin. It would be a good idea to get an order of the honey butter cornbread too.
Wishbone fries up buttermilk-battered, pretzel-crusted chicken tenders and wings — served with a choice of creative dipping sauces — at two locations, in Center City and University City. The 13th Street shop also has an extensive beer list.
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Craving a late-night fried chicken sandwich? Hatch & Coop is open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The fried chicken is layered with different sauces on a buttered, toasted roll — or go for the chicken and waffle sandwich with honey butter hot sauce.
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The menu at fast-casual Korean spot Crunchik’n, run by a father and daughter team, includes crunchy Korean fried chicken that’s marinated for 24 hours before being fried and then glazed in a choice of sauces ranging from mild honey soy to sweet chili super spice. You can get a side of tteokbokki if you’re really hungry.
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Marcie Turney and Val Safran's retro Bud & Marilyn’s specializes in homey Midwestern cuisine, like the crispy half chicken with biscuits, house-made hot sauce, honey butter, and pickles. It’s enough to share, especially alongside an appetizer or two like fried cheese curds.
Booker’s in West Philly is a weekend neighborhood brunch destination not only for its floral outdoor seating area but its delicious eggs, pancakes, and chicken and waffles. The strawberry butter is a bonus. Looking for something more substantial? Booker’s offers a fried chicken, waffles, and shrimp entree too.
The Tel Aviv fried chicken sandwich at Federal Donuts is something only Philly’s Mike Solomonov could pull off — a twice-fried chicken breast with Za’atar seasoning, schug tehina, Israeli pickles, and a slice of heirloom tomato on a potato roll. Though it’s not always on the menu, chicken tenders and donuts are, so you’ll never go hungry when stopping by this beloved local chain
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Cross the bridge for this James Beard-winning soul food restaurant in Camden serving golden-brown, never-greasy fried chicken alongside baked mac and cheese, candied yams, and black-eyed peas. Don’t forget to add a slice of sweet potato pie to the order.
Bubble tea and fried chicken make for a delightful combo, especially at Tsaocaa, a chain of tea shops that have a handful of locations around Philly. The fried chicken sandwich can be made with honey garlic, extra spicy, or buffalo sauce, plus sweet potato fries make the meal.
Foghorn and Fletcher in East Falls calls its offerings “Philly-style fried chicken”: whole or half chickens that can be jazzed up with several different sauces, including herby ranch and curry mayo. There are burgers and fried shrimp, too. Add on a black-and-white milkshake for the full Foghorn experience.
In the parking lot of the Overbrook train station, the Debreaux’s menu explicitly states “Southern food is not fast food.” That’s why customers call ahead to place orders for the fried chicken, with its extra-crispy shell, and sides of mac and cheese and crazy rice.
The chicken at Andy’s is double-fried with a caked-on breading so bubbly and crisp it’s hard to imagine eating chicken another way. Go for the original or choose from options like honey garlic, sweet chili, or golden soy. Add on a bulgogi rice bowl as a side dish.
In Northern Liberties, Todd and Laura Lyons serve a short menu of the ultimate American comfort foods: extra-crispy golden-brown fried chicken, cornbread, potato salad, and banana pudding. Their chicken gets a touch of sweetness from a drizzle of honey after frying.
Dinner and a show is the name of the game at South Jazz Kitchen on N. Broad, and music sounds that much better when you’re eating buttermilk fried chicken with smoked turkey collard greens and sweet potato gratin. It would be a good idea to get an order of the honey butter cornbread too.
Wishbone fries up buttermilk-battered, pretzel-crusted chicken tenders and wings — served with a choice of creative dipping sauces — at two locations, in Center City and University City. The 13th Street shop also has an extensive beer list.
Craving a late-night fried chicken sandwich? Hatch & Coop is open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The fried chicken is layered with different sauces on a buttered, toasted roll — or go for the chicken and waffle sandwich with honey butter hot sauce.
The menu at fast-casual Korean spot Crunchik’n, run by a father and daughter team, includes crunchy Korean fried chicken that’s marinated for 24 hours before being fried and then glazed in a choice of sauces ranging from mild honey soy to sweet chili super spice. You can get a side of tteokbokki if you’re really hungry.
Marcie Turney and Val Safran's retro Bud & Marilyn’s specializes in homey Midwestern cuisine, like the crispy half chicken with biscuits, house-made hot sauce, honey butter, and pickles. It’s enough to share, especially alongside an appetizer or two like fried cheese curds.
Booker’s in West Philly is a weekend neighborhood brunch destination not only for its floral outdoor seating area but its delicious eggs, pancakes, and chicken and waffles. The strawberry butter is a bonus. Looking for something more substantial? Booker’s offers a fried chicken, waffles, and shrimp entree too.
The Tel Aviv fried chicken sandwich at Federal Donuts is something only Philly’s Mike Solomonov could pull off — a twice-fried chicken breast with Za’atar seasoning, schug tehina, Israeli pickles, and a slice of heirloom tomato on a potato roll. Though it’s not always on the menu, chicken tenders and donuts are, so you’ll never go hungry when stopping by this beloved local chain
Cross the bridge for this James Beard-winning soul food restaurant in Camden serving golden-brown, never-greasy fried chicken alongside baked mac and cheese, candied yams, and black-eyed peas. Don’t forget to add a slice of sweet potato pie to the order.
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