Frying foods from doughnuts in ancient Egypt to fish in the Iberian Peninsula has been around for centuries. Many food historians credit Scotland, Western Africa and even China as the origins for fried chicken. English cook Hannah Glasse published the first recipe for fried chicken in 1747 in her book “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy,” a bestseller with 947 recipes.
Now fried chicken is a staple for everything from picnics to family dinners.
Restaurants across the state specialize in fried chicken, served with mashed potatoes or waffles, on a buffet, and even double fried.
Here’s a look at some of the restaurants in Iowa that offer fried chicken.
Did we miss your favorite fried chicken in Iowa? Shoot us a message at sstapleton@gannett.com and we’ll give it a try. Tell us where to find it and why you like it so much.
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Basic Bird
Get your chicken fried twice with Korean fried chicken. Basic Bird in the Beaverdale neighborhood from chef Joe Tripp offers his rendition with a thin, crispy crust that can be sweet or spicy. Opt for sweet honey butter, spicy gochujang, or a combination of both to coat the chicken. Diners can also order a bone-in chicken or a sandwich on brioche bun.
Location: 2607 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Contact: basicbird.com
Breitbach’s Country Dining
Not even two fires could shut down Breitbach’s Country Dining. The oldest restaurant in Iowa and a James Beard Foundation winner for America’s Classics serves broasted chicken that comes with the salad bar and a choice of potato. The restaurant originally opened in 1852 and Jacob Breitbach, great-great grandfather of the present owner, purchased the business in 1862. Stop by on Friday or Saturday nights or Sundays when the broasted chicken is on the buffet.
Location: 563 Balltown Road, Balltown
Contact: 563-552-2220 or breitbachscountrydining.com
Bubba
When in the South, order fried chicken. The Southern comfort food restaurant Bubba from Chris Diebel and Orchestrate Hospitality is all about fried chicken, served for lunch, dinner, or brunch. Bubba starts with certified organic chicken that’s brined in buttermilk, then breaded, seasoned and fried as it’s ordered. Order two or three pieces, or a half bird, and the delve into options such as hot, honey hot, or smothered in gravy. Order chicken and waffles for brunch or dinner, or a fried chicken sandwich at lunch. And pair any of these crispy options with fried green tomatoes or deviled eggs.
Location: 200 10th St., Des Moines
Contact: 515-257-4744 or bubbadsm.com
Good & Quick
The convenience store at Good & Quick Tire and Auto Service in Nevada might not be the place you’d expect to find delicious fried chicken, but it’s well-known to customers, who travel distances just to get the golden, crispy meals. “People come up from Urbandale, Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames,” owner Charlie Good said. The chicken is brought in fresh, double battered and fried fresh several times a day. Sides available include potato salad, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potatoes and gravy, baked beans and potato wedges. New to the menu on Mondays and Fridays are Cajun chicken tenders and Cajun potato wedges.
Location: 519 Lincoln Hwy., Nevada
Contact: 515-382-3462 or facebook.com/GOODandQUICK
High Life Lounge
Step back in time to a ’70s den decorated with wood paneling, low-slung ceilings, and vintage beer signs and order the broasted chicken at the High Life Lounge. The restaurant broasts its chicken in a pressure cooker to ensure each piece comes out with a juicy inside and crispy skin. Order combinations of white and dark meats, then pair your meal with mashed potatoes and gravy or broccoli.
Location: 200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines
Contact:thehighlifelounge.com
Mt. Hamill Tap
It’s all about fried chicken at the Mt. Hamill Tap, where diners score everything from a quarter to a whole chicken on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the berg west of Burlington. Fans say the chicken is juicy with a crispy outer layer.
Location: 1467 155th Ave., Donnellson
Contact: 319-469-2221
Ox Yoke Inn
Order the family-style special at the Ox Yoke Inn for unlimited fried chicken, ham and roast beef served with cottage cheese with chives, the salad of the day, potatoes and gravy, a breadbasket, and strawberry jam. You can order sauerkraut and pickled beets as well. The restaurant, which uses a special blend of seasonings for its breading, estimates that it serves up to 40,000 pounds of fried chicken a year.
Location: 4420 220th Trail, Amana
Contact: 319-622-3441 or oxyokeinn.com
Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry
In 2016, Sugapeach Chicken and Fish Fry opened in North Liberty. Since then, it has been a fan favorite for bringing soul food to North Liberty. Sugapeach offers a wide variety of fried chicken and fish for traditional soul food connoisseurs in a cafeteria-style setting. The chicken is crisp yet juicy, with the breading strongly adhering to the meat; with barbeque sauce and signature hot sauce, Fin and Beak, can be added to give the chicken an added kick. The restaurant offers traditional sides like coleslaw and mac and cheese. In addition, Sugapeach has house-made lemonades that pair perfectly with the main dish, transporting diners to the south.
Location: 650 Pacha Pkwy. #1, North Liberty
Contact: 319-826-1809 or Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry on Facebook
Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails
Sweet Caroline’s in downtown Ames has a Nashville vibe that’s driven home by its menu, which includes some of the best fried chicken in central Iowa. Hand breaded and fried fresh to order, the chicken is available Southern style, with no heat added, or feel the heat with Nashville style. Chicken is accompanied by a choice of two "Farm Fresh Sides" from a selection of 16 comfort foods like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and country gravy, buttered sweet corn and sliced cucumber salad. Sweet Caroline's menu includes other Southern favorites, like fried catfish, hushpuppies, meatloaf, shrimp po'boys and Nanner Puddin shakes. Named for the Neil Diamond song that’s synonymous with a Cyclone home win, Sweet Caroline’s features a full bar, a large menu and a courtyard patio.
Location: 316 Main St., Ames
Contact: 515-802-4105 or sweetcarolinesames.com
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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