The 10 Best Fried Chicken Spots In Atlanta

Us folks in the capital of the South love our fried chicken—Korean fried chicken with a light, crunchy exterior, a whole bucket of battered pieces that’ll make you reminisce like Mary J. Blige, or the Southern fried kind that’s been an Atlanta soul food staple for nearly a century. When you're in the mood for a crispy bird, which is 99% of the time around here, these kitchens do it the best.

THE SPOTS

Mukja Korean Fried Chicken

Mukja Korean Fried Chicken is not a place where you have to ask for your chicken fried hard—it's standard here. The Midtown spot has everything we love in an excellent fried bird: a light crispy exterior (where the chicken doesn't get lost in breading), an inside that stays tender and juicy, and savory seasonings that penetrate deep into the meat. Slide through for the half bird combo with tasty sides like elbow macaroni in smoked gouda sauce or the spicy Korean slaw loaded with scallion and garlic. And with free Midtown parking, nothing should keep you from joining Mukja's crew of takeout regulars and lunching coworkers who, like us, revere this place.

Roshambo

Remember ordering a big bucket of chicken with a side of biscuits back in the day? Head to Roshambo in Buckhead for a bucket with a side of nostalgia. The crunchy chicken has a herby spice mix (they won't tell you the recipe) that makes it extra savory. You can order the Party Barrel, either a half or whole bird, broken into four to eight pieces. And just like your bucket from back in the day, it comes with three sides—sweet corn on the cob, creamy mac and cheese, and buttery biscuits—a substantial meal for sharing. Even the old-school diner feel of this place is a nice throwback to a time when fried proteins were at the top of our Atlanta food pyramid.

The Busy Bee Cafe

Busy Bee’s has been consistently great since the '40s, with diners including Dr. Martin Luther King and former President Barack Obama stopping by for their famous fried chicken with a side of slow-cooked collard greens and buttery mashed potatoes. The chicken is fried in a very light batter that’s more seasoning than bread, which ramps up the flavor of the juicy meat (it’s mastery, at this point). The West End classic is takeout-only since the dining room is indefinitely closed. But that hasn’t stopped the crowds, so expect to wait in the parking lot with neighborhood regulars, soul food connoisseurs, and jittery tourists at least 20 minutes after your online order should’ve been ready. But this chicken is worth the wait.

Paschal's Restaurant

Paschal’s, a one-time gathering place for Civil Rights legends like MLK and Ralph David Abernathy, has a lot in common with its West End neighbor, Busy Bee. With a rich history here too, they're often frequented by politicians looking for photo opps and visitors looking to pay their respects. And the combos at Paschal's are just as good: sides like collard greens, black-eyed peas, and fried green tomatoes are hearty. And they also fry their very well-seasoned chicken in a light batter. But Paschal’s is where you can take a big group of soul food lovers for a sit-down meal because the polished duplex is huge (they moved to this location in 2002), so clusters of colleagues often file in for lunch and large families pack the place on Sunday afternoons.

The General Muir

General Muir’s Friday Fried Chicken is a solid spot to kickstart your weekend. It’s only available on Fridays, when you get a half bird with your order. The chicken is fried to crackly levels, with each bite almost loud enough to reverb at the table. It’s satisfying but mildly spiced, so the “hot sauce in my bag” crew will feel prepared when visiting this Emory Point restaurant and delicatessen. The chicken comes with a refreshing watermelon ricotta salad and fried plantain, which is best enjoyed with a wine on their relaxed patio, where you can spot everyone from families to Emory doctors having a low-key meal.

How Crispy Express

At Summerhill’s fast-casual How Crispy Express, the menu is nearly all chicken. Their crunchy six-piece battered wings are a standout, but their thigh-meat nuggets and fried chicken thigh sandwiches are excellent choices too. Your order can be sauced up with garlic-honey butter or lemon pepper, just know that the batter on this chicken is full of spicy flavor. We usually order at the counter, then take our meal to the colorful patio that overlooks Georgia Avenue. But this place is also an easy takeout option, especially if you're picking up food for kids and picky adults who only eat "nuggies" and fries.

Soul Food & Culture

If your lunch break calls for something more spirited than cold breakroom pizza, Soul Food & Culture’s stall in Krog Street Market will have a fried chicken combo in your hand within minutes of taking your place in line. You get three large whole-fried wings that are crispy, wonderfully seasoned, and come with pickled onions, which provide a nice tang to contrast the saltiness. Order it with not-too-sweet candied yams and moist cornbread and zone out from the food hall chaos, as well as the office disarray that awaits you back at work.

Oreatha’s At The Point

On Wednesday jazz nights at Oreatha’s, a violinist roams through the tables playing R&B covers, creating a melodic soundtrack to drown out the crunching of your Korean fried chicken dinner. This upscale soul food spot in Cascade Heights stands out from its fast-casual neighbors and works just as well for a romantic date night or a fun meet-up with friends—whatever the scenario, everyone is here for the homestyle comfort of the deeply seasoned half bird with a crackly skin. Pair it with an Old Fashioned, and since there's a Whiskey Wednesday special, this could easily become your new favorite day of the week.

South City Kitchen Buckhead

South City Kitchen, which has several locations around town, is an Atlanta classic because of its great Southern staples like fried green tomatoes and grilled pork chops. With this down-home menu in a fine dining setting, their fried chicken has to come correct. It does. There is nothing too complex here—it's consistently crunchy with a very light seasoning and breading that isn’t too thick. Coupled with a complimentary basket of pillowy cornbread and soft biscuits, it's an anytime-is-a-good-time comfort meal. Expect to sit with a business crowd at lunch and a more formally dressed crowd at dinner.

Big Daddy's Cafe

Folks in Cascade flock to Big Daddy Cafe for their soul food menu with distinctly Caribbean influences. The takeout-only spot has great oxtails and rice, but show some love to their fried chicken, which is generously spiced. At $15, you'll score four huge whole wings with a few sides of your choice (most are skippable, but the safest bets are the black eyed peas and collard greens). Be prepared for a line of hungry people behind you—and some possible testiness behind the counter. Just know what you want when you step up.