Claire Thompson
Massachusetts may not be the first place you think of when it comes to fried chicken, but the state is home to some of the best chicken joints in the country. From sandwiches to chicken and waffles, there are plenty of options to satisfy your fried chicken cravings. Whether you're looking for a cozy neighborhood spot or a trendy sandwich shop, Massachusetts has something for everyone. So, where can you find the best chicken pop in the state? Let's explore some of the top spots to satisfy your fried chicken fix.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Best fried chicken in Massachusetts: Cambridge's Coast Cafe
Cambridge's Coast Cafe has been named the best fried chicken joint in Massachusetts by popular food publication 'Love Food'. The restaurant, with the slogan "food from the soul", was opened in 1997 by Tony Brooks and his sister Julie. It is committed to serving the best fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese in New England.
The Coast Cafe is a tiny soul food restaurant in Cambridge that has been open for over a decade. It is best known for its fried chicken, with about 300 pounds of chicken served every week. The fried chicken combination plate (chicken, two sides, cornbread) is one of the restaurant's best-sellers. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours before frying. The restaurant's specialties also include grilled haddock with collard green/smoked turkey and mac 'n' cheese.
The Coast Cafe has received rave reviews from customers, with one customer claiming that the fried chicken and cornbread are "orgasmic". The restaurant's cornbread has been described as "melt [ing] in your mouth", and "fluffy and moist". The chicken has been praised as "crispy, moist and flavorful".
The Coast Cafe is located at 233 River Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. It can be cramped, with limited seating for about 7 people. It is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
Chicken Leg Protein Power: How Much Is There?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boston's best fried chicken sandwiches
Boston has a lot to offer when it comes to fried chicken sandwiches. Here are some of the best places to get your fix:
Hot Chix
A new restaurant in Inman Square, Hot Chix serves up a crunchy, spicy version of the fried chicken sandwich made famous in Nashville. Their buttermilk-brined chicken breast is dredged in seasoned flour to create a craggy crust, then spiced to your preferred level of heat, ranging from "not" to "extra hot". The sandwich is served on a brioche roll with sweet coleslaw, creamy remoulade, and half-sour pickles.
Sweet Cheeks Q
Owned by celebrity chef Tiffani Faison, Sweet Cheeks Q is known for its over-the-top menu, which includes a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Available in mild or "Nashville hawt", the sandwich is topped with smoked jalapeño cream cheese and pickles, and served with a side of your choice. If you opt for the "hawt" version, it is recommended to pair it with Mac n' Cheese or Church Basement Potato Salad to balance the spice.
Shy Bird
Shy Bird offers an all-day menu featuring rotisserie chicken and a range of fried chicken options. Their Ranch Fried Chicken Sandwich is dressed with a piquant pepper relish, cheddar, and a house-made pecorino ranch sauce. For breakfast, they offer an English muffin fried chicken and egg sandwich with hot honey and pepper jack cheese. On weekends, you can also indulge in their Chicken & Waffles, served on sugared Belgian-style waffles with maple-dijon syrup.
State Park
State Park offers a Japanese-style chicken katsu sandwich with a crispy panko cutlet, soy-barbecue mushrooms, and shredded cabbage. They also have a Tabasco honey fried chicken option for those who prefer a sweeter taste.
Neighborhood Kitchen
The Spring Street Chicken Sandwich at Neighborhood Kitchen is a must-try. It features a nicely fried, spicy chicken breast topped with bacon jam and chipotle mayo. The bacon jam adds a unique crunch, saltiness, and sweetness to the sandwich, making it a truly memorable bite.
Highland Kitchen
Located in Somerville, Highland Kitchen serves a spicy Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich that packs a punch. It comes with shredded lettuce, buttermilk ranch, and pickles. This sandwich is not for the faint of heart, and they mean it—no refunds!
Whether you're looking for a classic buttermilk fried chicken sandwich or something with a unique twist, Boston has you covered. These are just a few of the many great options to choose from.
Austrothrop Chicken: The Secret to its Heritage
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Where to find Nashville hot chicken in Boston
Boston has a lot to offer when it comes to fried chicken, from Nashville-hot to buttermilk-brined to Korean. Here is a list of places to find Nashville hot chicken in Boston:
State Park in Cambridge serves Nashville hot chicken with a range of sides, including French fries and mac and cheese. The chicken is described as "super crispy on the outside and super juicy and tender on the inside".
Buttermilk & Bourbon in Back Bay is a Southern restaurant that serves Nashville hot chicken in three forms: wings, boneless fried thighs, and a bone-in half chicken. The chicken is fried in canola oil, tossed in rendered pork fat, and dusted with the restaurant's proprietary Nashville spice blend.
Somerville mainstay Highland Kitchen offers a spicy Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich with shredded lettuce, buttermilk ranch, and pickles.
Hot Chix in Inman Square is another place to try Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and other sides.
Trina's is a chill neighbourhood hangout that offers a fried chicken plate with curried cauliflower, a mint pea salad, hot pepper syrup, and cornbread with honey butter. They also serve fried chicken and waffles with hot pepper syrup.
Fiya Chicken in Allston offers Korean-style fried chicken in various forms, including wings, tenders, and sandwiches.
While not exclusively Nashville hot chicken, The Coast Cafe in Cambridge has been named one of the best fried chicken joints in Massachusetts. The business is committed to serving the best fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese in New England.
For those who want to try making Nashville hot chicken at home, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville is said to be the original hot chicken restaurant. The chicken is buttermilk-brined, coated in seasoned flour, and dipped in a fiery cayenne-forward sauce.
Chicken Chow Mein: A Sodium Surprise?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Best hole-in-the-wall chicken spots in Massachusetts
Massachusetts may not be the first place you think of when it comes to chicken, but the state has plenty of fantastic spots to choose from. Here are some of the best hole-in-the-wall chicken restaurants in Massachusetts.
Duguay's Chicken & Seafood
Nestled in Worcester County, Duguay's Chicken & Seafood in Gardner, MA, is a unique hole-in-the-wall spot that began as a farm store next to a poultry farm in 1968. The restaurant now serves fried seafood and chicken. The chicken is a deep golden colour, and it's perfectly paired with thick wedges of their "Jo-Jo" potatoes. The dining area has a comfortable feel with wood-panelled walls and a fireplace.
The Coast Cafe
The Coast Cafe in Cambridge has been named the best fried chicken joint in Massachusetts by the popular food publication 'Love Food'. The business is committed to serving the best fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese in New England, and it certainly delivers, according to customers. Pair the fried chicken with candied yams, and finish your meal with sweet potato pie.
Fiya Chicken
For Korean fried chicken, head to Fiya Chicken in Allston, which opened in late 2020. They serve twice-fried chicken in various forms, including wings, tenders, and sandwiches. They also offer corn dogs fried in pancake batter.
Buttermilk & Bourbon
With a name like Buttermilk & Bourbon, this restaurant had better serve good buttermilk fried chicken—and it does. Choose from wings, boneless thighs, or a bone-in half chicken, served Nashville hot, sweet and spicy, or with barbecue syrup or white barbecue sauce. There's also a location in Watertown.
Blossom Bar
Blossom Bar in Massachusetts specialises in Chinese Szechwan cuisine and has been wowing guests since 1997. They take flavours seriously, and their Chengdu dry hot chicken wings are a must-try. These double-battered wings are dry-rubbed, seared in garlic, and topped with ginger and chilli.
Massachusetts has many great chicken spots, from hole-in-the-wall joints to well-known restaurants. These spots showcase the variety of chicken dishes available, from Korean fried chicken to classic Southern-style.
Chicken and Veg: Fromm Alternatives for Your Dog's Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Best chicken and waffles in Massachusetts
Chicken and waffles is a popular dish in Massachusetts, especially in Boston, where it can be found on many menus. Here are some of the best places to enjoy this classic combination in the state:
Trina's
A chill neighbourhood hangout in Inman Square, Trina's serves a fried chicken plate with curried cauliflower, a mint pea salad, hot pepper syrup, and cornbread with honey butter. Their fried chicken and waffles with hot pepper syrup take a little extra time, but patrons say it's well worth the wait.
The Coast Cafe
Located in Cambridge, The Coast Cafe has been named the best fried chicken joint in Massachusetts by popular food publication 'Love Food'. The cafe was opened in 1997 by Tony Brooks and his sister Julie, with the slogan 'food from the soul'. They serve what many consider to be the best fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese in New England.
Lily P's
This Kendall Square restaurant and bar specialises in fried chicken and oysters. Their ultra-juicy pressure-fried chicken can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including sandwiches, plates, and on a waffle. The restaurant also has a fun ambiance, featuring darts, shuffleboard tables, and other entertainment.
Medford Restaurant
Hidden in a mostly residential corner of Medford, this local favourite serves chicken and waffles with a unique twist. You can choose from red velvet, Asian sesame and scallion, or honey cornbread for the waffle, and select from six flavours for the wings or tenders. Their Spring Street sandwich is also a must-try, featuring spicy fried chicken with chipotle mayo, bacon jam, and a pickle.
Crave — Mad for Chicken
This Chinatown restaurant in Boston is especially proud of its chicken, as indicated by its former name, Crave — Mad for Chicken. They serve fried Korean-style chicken as wings and drums, chicken and waffles, and more.
So, whether you're in Boston or exploring other parts of Massachusetts, these spots will surely satisfy your cravings for chicken and waffles.
Grinding Chicken with a Cuisinart Food Processor: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Coast Cafe in Massachusetts has been rated by Love Food as the best spot for fried chicken in the state. The cafe, which was opened in 1997 by Tony Brooks and his sister Julie, is committed to serving the best fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese in New England.
Other popular spots for fried chicken in Massachusetts include:
- Hot Chix Boston
- Shy Bird
- Buff's Pub
- Blossom Bar
- The Hen House Wings ‘n Waffles
Boston has a lot of options for fried chicken lovers, including:
- Sweet Cheeks Q
- Bisq
- Hemlock Grill
- M&M BBQ
- State Park
- Trina’s
Some of the best places for chicken wings in Massachusetts include:
- Sparky’s Wings and Things
- Blossom Bar
- The Hen House Wings ‘n Waffles
- Buff’s Pub
- Crave
