When I have to choose between grilled or fried chicken, I put on my stretchy pants and pick fried chicken all day, every day. There is nothing like a superb piece of fried chicken with a thin layer of extra crispy batter and a juicy center. Even better, I love fried chicken sandwiches. When combined with the right seasoning, fresh vegetables, and the perfect bun, it is the ultimate comfort food that warms my inner Southern heart and soul.
Here are my Top 5 Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Chicago…
5. Leghorn Chicken
Leghorn Chicken is a hip, BYO restaurant that specializes in customized chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken bowls, and fried chicken tenders, made only from farm-raised birds. The chicken sandwiches are the star of the menu and the way to go. Choose your cut (breast or thigh), style (hot or not), and bread (bun or biscuit). You can add toppings like organic iceberg or tomatoes for $0.25 or premium toppings like kimchi for $0.50.
Cluckin’ good.
FAB TIP: The Leghorn Café in River North serves breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Enjoy fresh orange juice, organic milk, and Stumptown coffee.
{Location}
Leghorn Chicken
Ukrainian Village || 959 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 394-4444
Leghorn Café
River North || 600 N Lasalle St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 944-4444
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)
{Fab Rating: 3.5 Fabs}
4. Parson’s Chicken & Fish
Affordable eats with a casual environment, Parson’s Chicken & Fish offers raw, fresh, and fried food options, including items like Salmon Crudo, Vegetable Club, and Fried Chicken Sandwich with House Made Potato Chips. The Fried Chicken Sandwich is comprised of a fried Amish chicken thigh with slaw, American cheese, hot sauce, aioli, and NorthStar Pickles. The chicken is brined for 12 hours then battered in buttermilk-flour and fried extra crispy. The pickles and slaw add a little crunch while the tanginess of the hot sauce balances out the creaminess of the aioli.
Chicken thigh, oh my!
Parson’s Chicken & Fish // Photo: @fabsoopark
Along with lunch and dinner hours, they serve brunch on the weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Open late night, every day. Come for the chicken and stay for the Negroni slushies!
FAB TIP: They have a great patio during the summer, which turns into an ice rink during the winter.
{Location}
Parson’s Chicken & Fish
Logan Square || 2952 W Armitage, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 384-3333
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)
{Fab Rating: 3.5 Fabs}
3. Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Honey Butter Fried Chicken, a counter-service restaurant in Avondale, is worth the visit. What’s not to like about fried chicken slathered in honey butter? The honey butter is so good; I order a side of honey butter with my honey butter.
The chickens are locally sourced, sustainable, and butchered in-house. Not only is the chicken high quality, the ingredients used in the sides and desserts are also locally sourced. From the pimento in the mac ‘n cheese, to the toffee in the chocolate cookie, you will feel good about what you are eating.
You can’t go wrong with The Original Fried Chicken Sandwich. The crispy fried chicken comes between a buttery bun, then topped with a crunchy slaw and candied jalapeño mayo.
Get your tickets to the bun show.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken // Photo: @fabsoopark
FAB TIP: Order three sides and get two corn muffins and honey butter for FREE!
{Location}
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Avondale || 3361 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 478-4000
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)
{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}
2. Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken
Donut? Check. Fried chicken sandwich? Check. Donut fried chicken sandwich? Check and check. Fried chicken on a whaaat? Oh, dear! My hips say no, but my stomach says yes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you need to try it at least once. The sweetness of the glazed donut and the heat from the spicy chicken make for an over-the-top #donutwich. It is not for the faint-hearted.
Donut count calories.
Do-Rite uses hormone free, fresh chickens. For $5, you can enjoy an original or spicy chicken sandwich with bread & butter pickles, mayo, and lettuce. I like how the fried chicken is not overly breaded.
FAB TIP: Chicken menu only available at the Erie location.
{Location}
Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken
River East || 233 E Erie St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 344-1374
{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)
{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}
1. The Roost Carolina Kitchen
The Roost Carolina Kitchen declares itself as the home of the “best damn chicken in Chicago”. Does it live up to its claims? I ain’t gonna lie, it is damn good chicken, especially the fried chicken sandwiches. Choose between spicy or Nashville hot on a bun or buttery biscuit. I prefer the Nashville hot because I like the extra tingle on my lips from the hot chili oil… #KylieJennerChallenge. Go straight for the buttermilk biscuits, which are butter rich, extra thick, and perfectly fluffy.
The fried chicken sandwiches that are served during lunch and dinner are topped with cucumber coleslaw, dill pickles, and chipotle ranch dressing. Add sharp cheddar cheese for $1. You can also get it as a meal for an additional $1, which includes two sides or a side and a dessert. Side options include buttermilk biscuit, cucumber coleslaw, hand-cut potato chips, and creamy mac and cheese. Better yet, indulge in some good ‘ole Southern desserts like peach cobbler and bread pudding.
The breakfast fried chicken sandwiches are my faves. With options to add bacon and over easy egg, breakfast just got epic. Check out their new location in River West!
The Roost, The Roost, The Roost is on fire.
FAB TIP: The chicken is made-to-order so if you are in a rush, call your order in. It will take about 15 minutes if you are dining in, so be prepared to wait.
{Location}
The Roost Carolina Kitchen
Lakeview || 1467 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 261-5564
River West || 455 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 877-5738
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)
{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}
Alright, I just gained 10 pounds writing this article. It’s a rough life but somebody’s gotta do it. Where are your favorite fried chicken sandwich spots? Please comment below.
Live the Fab Food Life, Y’all,
Soo
Note: These meals were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
