Jake Harper
Los Angeles is a city with a wide variety of fried chicken options. From Nashville-inspired hot chicken to classic Southern dishes, there is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a spicy kick or a sweet and crunchy bite, LA has a fried chicken spot that will satisfy your cravings. You can find fried chicken served in sandwiches, by the piece, or in a bucket. Some popular spots include Howlin' Ray's, Tokyo Fried Chicken, and Les Sisters. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even find unique combinations such as fried chicken with truffle and caviar or chicken drizzled with Szechuan-style chili oil. So, where should you go in LA for great chicken? Let's explore the options!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fried chicken | Howlin' Ray's, The Prince, Chimmelier, Les Sisters, California Chicken Cafe, Dave's, Raising Cane's, Pioneer Chicken, Bangin' Buns, Cluck & Blaze, Gol Tong Chicken, Honey's Kettle, Fire Chicken |
| Chicken sandwiches | Daybird, Chick-fil-A, Main Chick, Fyrebird Chicken, Popeyes, Jay Bird's, Bangin' Buns, Cluck & Blaze, Fire Chicken |
| Chicken tenders | Daybird, Chimmelier, Dave's, Raising Cane's, Bangin' Buns, Gol Tong Chicken |
| Nashville-style hot chicken | Howlin' Ray's, Main Chick, Fire Chicken, Cluck & Blaze |
| Korean-style fried chicken | Chimmelier, Gol Tong Chicken, Fire Chicken |
| Southern-style fried chicken | Honey's Kettle, Chick-fil-A, Les Sisters |
| Thai-style fried chicken | Hat Yai chicken |
| Taiwanese-style fried chicken | Taiwanese popcorn chicken |
| Japanese-style fried chicken | Japanese chicken karaage |
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What You'll Learn
Fried chicken sandwiches
Los Angeles is home to some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the country. Here are some spots to check out:
Howlin' Ray's
Featured on Eater LA and Infatuation, Howlin' Ray's serves up fiery hot chicken sandwiches. The cayenne-crusted chicken breast is served on a buttery brioche bun with pickles, peppery slaw, and comeback sauce. Be warned, the "Howlin' level spicy" is only for the brave!
Venice Cafe Great White
Bon Appetit named the fried chicken sandwich at Venice Cafe Great White the best version they ate all year. The chicken is dredged in rice flour and served with sweet onion mayo, champagne dressing, bibb lettuce, and a sesame brioche bun.
Chef Kuniko Yagi
Chef Kuniko Yagi's Japanese-style fried chicken sandwich is a must-try. The sandwich features a turmeric-tinged bun, pickled daikon, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, lemon aioli, and miso jam. The jalapeno adds a pleasant surprise of heat.
Night + Market
Located in Weho, Silver Lake, and Venice, Night + Market serves up a towering Thai-style fried chicken sandwich. The juicy and crunchy chicken is served on a toasted supermarket-style bun with ranch dressing and Thai papaya salad. Pair it with a glass of bubbly, semi-funky natural wine for the full experience.
Tokyo Fried Chicken
Tokyo Fried Chicken in DTLA offers a massive Japanese-Southern fusion fried chicken sandwich. The juicy piece of chicken thigh is served on a toasted brioche bun. The thick batter and fresh house-baked milk bread make this sandwich a standout.
Daybird
Daybird, helmed by Chef Mei Lin, is known for its fried chicken sandwiches. The sandwiches feature thigh meat and are served with golden brown fries.
Dave's Hot Chicken
With two locations in Los Angeles, Dave's Hot Chicken serves up spicy fried chicken sandwiches that are perfect for an Instagram shot.
Les Sisters
Les Sisters in Winnetka is a Cajun restaurant that serves up generous pieces of fried chicken with a well-seasoned crispy coating. Enjoy it with sides like mac and cheese or Cajun fries.
Anajak
Anajak in the Valley is a celebrated Thai spot that offers Southern Thai fried chicken. The chicken is succulent and crispy, served with sticky rice and spicy nam jim sauce.
Go Go Bird
Go Go Bird in Culver City's Citizen Public Market serves a gourmet fried chicken sandwich with a touch of heat. The chicken is marinated in a Japanese-leaning marinade with white soy, kombu, shiitake, and bonito flakes, then finished with Sichuan chili oil and a light dusting of chili pepper.
In addition to these spots, there are numerous other restaurants and stalls in Los Angeles serving up delicious fried chicken sandwiches, including K-Town newcomers, Lebanese spots in Glendale, and classic American diners.
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Korean fried chicken
One popular spot is CM Chicken in Gardena, known for its addictive snow sauce. MacArthur Park's Hoho Chicken offers a unique twist on traditional Southern-style fried chicken, tossing it in a Korean glaze so that soy garlic and spicy gochujang-based sauces coat every inch of its crunchy skin. 77 Kentucky is another restaurant that serves juicy Korean fried chicken, with a delicious "Chinese chicken" option tossed in a Kung-pao style sauce.
For those who enjoy a classic combination of chicken and beer, Gol Tong Chicken in Koreatown is a cult favourite. The owner, a former filmmaker, adds fruit and avocado to the pile of fried chicken, creating a unique and delicious experience. Another Koreatown haunt, The Prince, serves Korean fried chicken in various forms, including wings, full plates, and spicy options.
If you're looking for a more unique preparation style, Dak gangjung refers to a specific style where chunks of chicken are battered, fried, and tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce. Koreatown's The Gangjung specialises in this style, serving mountains of gangjung alongside piles of slivered cabbage.
With so many options to choose from, LA is the perfect place to indulge in the crispy, juicy, and flavourful goodness of Korean fried chicken.
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Southern-style fried chicken
If you're craving Southern-style fried chicken in Los Angeles, there are several options to choose from. Here are some of the best spots to satisfy your fried chicken cravings:
Honey's Kettle
Honey's Kettle, located in Culver City or downtown Los Angeles, is famous for its Southern-style fried chicken. The chicken is fried in enormous kettle drums, resulting in a thick, crispy coating. The chicken is served with packets of honey and fresh, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. Vincent Williams, the founder of Honey's Kettle, has perfected the art of Southern-style fried chicken over four decades, even going as far as custom-ordering fryers and cooking utensils to replicate colonial-era kettle cooking. Their chicken is crispy, crackly, and fried in peanut oil, with a golden crust that locks in the flavour from their top-secret spice blend.
Church's
Church's is a fast-food chain with several locations in South L.A. and one in El Monte. They are known for their Texas-style fried chicken and glistening honey butter biscuits. Their chicken has a shaggy, cornflake-like crust, and they also offer sides such as fried okra and frosted apple pies.
Dinah's
Dinah's has two locations in Los Angeles: one in Glendale and another in Culver City. While both serve fried chicken, the Glendale location is particularly renowned for its Southern-style fried drumsticks and wings. Their tasty batter pairs perfectly with homestyle sides like waffles, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and pineapple coleslaw.
Les Sisters
Les Sisters is a Cajun restaurant in Winnetka, in the Valley, that serves classic Southern-style fried chicken. Their chicken is served with generous pieces of meat and a well-seasoned, crispy coating.
The Prince
Located in Koreatown, The Prince is known for its throwback menu item: fried chicken. Their chicken is available as wings, full plates, or spicy iterations. It is a popular spot for movie buffs, cocktail enthusiasts, and those seeking late-night bites.
Chimmelier
Also situated in Koreatown, Chimmelier offers Korean-style fried chicken in various forms. You can order a whole or half bird, perfect for feeding a group, or opt for wings or chicken tenders.
Howlin' Ray's
Howlin' Ray's, found in Chinatown, serves some of the hottest Nashville hot chicken in Los Angeles. Their chicken is available in various spice levels, from country style with no heat to "howlin'" spice levels that border on painful to eat.
Gol Tong Chicken
Gol Tong Chicken, a cult-favorite restaurant in Koreatown, was opened in 2017 by Kil Chae Jeong, who started making fried chicken in South Korea.
Jim Dandy Fried Chicken
Jim Dandy Fried Chicken, located on Imperial and Vermont in South Los Angeles, offers reasonably priced fried chicken that is reportedly one of the best in the city.
These spots showcase the diverse and delicious options for Southern-style fried chicken in Los Angeles, each with its unique take on this classic dish.
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Fast-food fried chicken
Los Angeles is a haven for fried chicken lovers, with a variety of options ranging from fast-food chains to upscale restaurants. Here is a list of some of the best places to satisfy your fried chicken cravings in LA, specifically focusing on fast-food fried chicken:
Dave's:
Dave's is the king of chicken tenders in LA. With locations across LA County, Dave's offers hand-battered, 24-hour marinated chicken tenders that are cooked to order. You can choose from seven spice levels, ranging from 'No Heat' to 'Ghost Pepper'. Their loaded shakes and creamy mac & cheese are also worth trying.
Howlin' Rays:
Howlin' Rays has been serving some of the hottest fried chicken in LA for almost a decade. Located in Chinatown, Howlin' Rays offers Nashville-style hot chicken with spice levels ranging from country style with no heat to the painfully spicy 'Howlin''. They also have a location called The Prince, known for its movie buff patrons and stiff cocktails.
California Chicken Cafe:
California Chicken Cafe is the unsung hero of LA's rotisserie chicken scene. They serve juicy rotisserie chicken and fresh wraps with a California twist. It's the perfect spot for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal.
Chick-fil-A:
Chick-fil-A is a beloved chain that embodies Southern hospitality. They serve crispy, hand-breaded chicken and craveable classics like waffle fries and their iconic Chick-fil-A sauce. Chick-fil-A is a must-visit for a true Southern comfort food experience.
Main Chick:
Main Chick is an LA-born, Nashville-style hot chicken joint. With six combo meals and spice levels ranging from 'Naked' to 'Supreme', this spot will satisfy spice lovers and chicken enthusiasts alike.
Pioneer Chicken:
Pioneer Chicken is an LA institution with a long history. With only two locations remaining, they serve juicy, crispy, and crunchy chicken with a nostalgic feel. Their sides, including spicy rice, mashed potatoes, and corn, are also worth trying.
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Hot chicken
If you're craving hot chicken in Los Angeles, you're in luck! The city has hundreds of iterations of fried chicken, from lowbrow to upscale, including the now-ubiquitous Nashville-style hot chicken. Here are some top spots to satisfy your spicy chicken cravings:
Howlin' Ray's
Considered the chef who started LA's Nashville hot chicken craze, Johnny Zone of Howlin' Ray's serves up juicy, spicy chicken with a dedicated, high-energy crew that keeps morale high when the lines get long. Choose between white or dark meat, or a sandwich, and select your preferred level of heat. Howlin' Ray's has two locations: the original in Far East Plaza, and a newer, more spacious spot in Pasadena that offers beer and wine.
Humble Bird
Located in North Hollywood, Humble Bird is run by former Howlin' Ray's employees Louis Silva and Brandon Walthrop. They serve up Nashville-style hot chicken that some say is even better than the original.
Red Chickz
If you don't want to wait in line for Howlin' Ray's, head to nearby Red Chickz for a solid alternative without the queue. Enjoy their chicken tender tacos in a vibrant setting with blasting music.
Cluck & Blaze
For an unconventional take on hot chicken, try Cluck & Blaze. Their monster-sized Nashville breakfast burrito is filled with hot chicken fried in red chili oil, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, tater tots, and a spicy cream sauce. You can even order it "Jerry-style" with over-easy eggs.
Bangin' Buns
Bangin' Buns in Huntington Park serves juicy tenders with a lighter spice marinade. Their unique use of hot dog buns instead of traditional white bread or brioche makes their sandwiches a mess-free, grab-and-go option.
Daybird
Daybird's hot chicken sandwich features juicy chicken with a sharp slaw of chives, red peppers, and crunchy cabbage.
Jay Bird’s
Located in Long Beach, Jay Bird’s offers six levels of spiciness for their chicken, with an extra crispy skin to balance out the mac from their Macdaddy sandwich. This sandwich consists of a juicy fried chicken breast topped with warm mac and cheese inside a brioche bun.
Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken in Hollywood serves Nashville-style tenders and sliders piled high with juicy chicken, dill pickles, and crunchy kale slaw on soft potato buns, coated in their signature sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many great spots for fried chicken in LA, including Howlin' Rays, Les Sisters, California Chicken Cafe, Pioneer Chicken, and Dave's.
Some popular spots for hot chicken in LA are Jay Bird’s, Bangin’ Buns, Cluck & Blaze, and Main Chick.
Daybird, Chick-fil-A, and Gol Tong Chicken are all known for their delicious fried chicken sandwiches.
Raising Cane's, Chick-fil-A, and Popeyes are all popular fast food chicken spots in LA.
Dave's is known for having the best chicken tenders in LA, with seven spice options to choose from.
