Americans love chicken. While it’s one of the most versatile proteins around, fried chicken holds a special place in the country’s culinary culture. Crispy, juicy, and endlessly comforting, it’s the kind of dish people crave. Plus, it easily goes with just about any side. Fried chicken isn’t hard to find. There’s a chicken joint practically on every corner, but some chains do it better and have mastered the art of frying chicken. To find out which ones truly stand out, Eat This, Not That! asked chefs to name the fried chicken chains they think do it best. Here are the top seven.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken delivers spicy, crispy fried chicken with deep Southern roots. While it isn’t the biggest chicken chain, it has 37 locations across the U.S., spreading its spicy, Southern‑style fried chicken beyond its Memphis roots. It’s a must-try, says Chef Andrew, “Gus’s famous chicken is coated in a proprietary spice blend built around cayenne and other seasonings, giving it a distinctive slow‑burn heat that’s part of its identity,” he says. “The chicken is hand‑battered and fried until the thin coating becomes crisp and flavorful while locking in juicy, well‑seasoned meat — a style of Southern fried chicken that’s spicy, soulful, and uniquely Memphis.”
Gus and Gertrude perfected these recipes, allowing their slight sweetness to offset the spiciness of the fried chicken. As Gus’s continues to grow, we will honor these traditions and serve up some of the world’s best fried chicken. And, before you ask, no, you cannot have the recipe. As Gus once quipped, “This is a dead man’s recipe [and] I ain’t telling.”
