Atlanta is known for lemon pepper wings, sure—but fried chicken sandwiches have to be a close second. And not just because the city gave rise to a certain fast food empire with a drive-thru on every other corner. But sandwiches now go way beyond the basics, like Taiwanese hot chicken laid out on a bed of sweet apple slaw, a paprika-heavy sauce coating a crunchy chicken thigh, or a vodka-spiked red sauce with melted burrata poured over a bird and squished between a buttery bun. These are the city's best fried chicken sandwiches.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken leans so hard into the small-town charm that you almost forget it’s a popular chain. The Sandy Springs location nails this “chicken joint around the corner” vibe with checkered tablecloths, handwritten specials taped to sunlit windows, and a steady stream of locals who clearly know it’s good. And we agree.
The chicken is excellent—crackly skin, juicy meat, and slow-building spicy heat with each bite. The sides are great, too. The greens are sweet with a hint of spice, and the mac and cheese is gooey and paprika-dusted. It all feels like it should be served with a cold sweet tea and zero plans for the rest of the day. Come with friends for a plate-passing, table-sharing kind of meal, or solo at lunch when you just need to hit pause and eat something filling.
Bar-setting as far as spicy chicken goes. The dark brown skin shatters when you bite in, and the meat stays juicy with a good amount of heat.
A spicy chicken thigh on a big, buttery potato bun with pickles and mayo. Nothing fancy, just a fantastic chicken sandwich.
These greens go great with the chicken. Tender without being mushy, with a hint of hot spice.
Get this. It’s creamy with a nice crunch from the firm cabbage. Simple and refreshing.
This is another solid pick. It’s sweet with a mustardy undertone that adds some depth.
Soft, creamy and cheesy with a generous dusting of paprika on top. Plus, we Southerners always appreciate the pairing with our crunchy fried chicken.
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.”
