A Guide to Fried Chicken in Los Angeles

Ride or fry.

Mar 29, 2014
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Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Who doesn't love fried chicken? That is the question I consistently heard while photographing crispy golden birds all over Los Angeles. This savory dish is a part of American history, and when people start comparing "the best," things get rowdy.

Even though California isn't known as a fried chicken haven—the South has had that on lock for at least a century—Los Angeles is the home of some amazing fried chicken purveyors. While rediscovering my favorite haunts and a lot of new ones along the road, I realized that the City of Angels definitely gives the south a run for its money.

Angelenos are selling our fried chicken talents too short. When I embarked on this guide, it wasn't difficult to write down at least 20 different places that I could easily recommend. Our city is abundant in seasoned, fried poultry of every kind, from Venice to the San Gabriel Valley.

If you're looking for unique flavors for every wing, breast, leg and thigh, these are the spots—many of them mom and pop—that you need to know. (You won't find Roscoe's here because that's too obvious.)

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Willie Jane

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Neighborhood: Venice
Address: 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Website: WillieJane.com
Perfect for: The Nice Dinner

When you need a date spot, bottomless mimosa brunch with the girlfriends or dinner with the parents, Willie Jane is the place. From the team that opened South L.A.'s Post & Beam, the Westside has been blessed with a restaurant that brings together Southern cuisine influenced by California's farm-to-table steeze. This quiet bungalow located on Abott Kinney Blvd, with an adjoining herb garden and chicken coop, is quite the cozy zone. Fried chicken has never been presented so beautifully, with a thoughtful seasoned skin that will have you guessing which fresh herbs were used. If it's biscuits that you seek, Willie Jane has some of the absolute best in Los Angeles, accompanied by a bountiful slathering of orange honey butter.

Lucky Noodle King

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Neighborhood: San Gabriel
Address: 534 E Valley Blvd. # 10
Website: LuckyNoodleKing.com
Perfect for: The Spice Factor


If it's spicy that you seek, Sichuan-style Chongqing chicken will satiate your senses, and what better place to eat authentic Chinese food than San Gabriel? Lucky Noodle King is a small mom-and-pop that is easy on your wallet and packs so much flavor into each dish, you'll be questioning everything you've been eating up until this point. These bite size fried chicken pieces are stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and chili peppers, and are almost guaranteed to bring a little numbness to your lips. If you're not a spicy pro, make sure you have enough napkins to blow your nose because you might end up looking like a hot mess. Don't sleep on the Dan Dan Noodles which are also a crucial order here.


Jim Dandy

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Neighborhood: Vermont Vista
Address: 11328 S Vermont Ave.
Website: N/A
Perfect for: The Bang for Your Buck


Sometimes you just want to spend $5 on something delicious. Cue Jim Dandy. The chicken is fried to order, with your choice of the classic crispy or spicy (albeit not very spicy) and it's so pipping hot you'll be wishing you had gloves on to eat it. The four piece mixed is the way to go if you're looking to try all flavors, with an exterior so crunchy you'll be shocked to find nothing but juicy meat on the inside. If you still have room in that belly after eating their behemoth sized pieces, I suggest you scoop up a banana pudding to go.


My Two Cents

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Neighborhood: Mid-City
Address: 5583 W Pico Blvd.
Website: MyTwoCents.com
Perfect for: The Sunday Brunch


Did someone say gluten-free fried chicken? It exists and it's absolutely delicious when touched by the hands of the incredibly talented and charming Chef Alisa Reynolds. Creating what she calls "evolved nostalgia", My Two Cents is a marriage of down-home Southern cooking and a healthy California lifestyle. Sunday brunch boasts chicken and waffles, sweet potato hash, and grits to name a few. The vibe that makes you feel like you're chilling with the fam at a backyard barbecue (there was a DJ playing A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill and Jhen̩ Aiko when I was there.) It's sophisticated comfort food made to order and I'm sure it won't take long for this spot to blow up. This is your new brunch spot, trust.


Overtime

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Neighborhood: Pico-Union
Address: 1045 Blaine St.
Website: N/A
Perfect for: The Road Trip


This place is located in a 76 gas station. True, gas stations aren't typically considered culinary destinations, but when you get a whiff of the chicken at Overtime, you'll know that gasoline and a pack of gum simply will not do. Formerly Mr. Sippee (a name very much missed), I first discovered this hidden gem while living on the border of Downtown L.A. and Westlake. What was meant to be a quick stop at the pump immediately became a chicken revelation and I haven't been the same since. Pair with their broasted potatoes and you have yourself a $5 meal you can brag about.


The Serving Spoon

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Neighborhood: Inglewood
Address: 1403 Centinela Ave.
Website: Facebook Page
Perfect for: The Late Night Spot

The Serving Spoon is classic Inglewood and will never have a shortage of fans as long as they continue to dish out delectable bites of fried chicken, catfish, and chitlins. Perfect for any occasion—especially weekend breakfast with the fam—there is never a bad time to eat these chicken and waffles, even when the wait is long. This is the kind of chicken that has you dipping your finger into syrup so that you don't waste any little morsel of crunchy skin. Having a late night craving? Spooning After Dark is in full effect, with the restaurant staying open from 10pm - 5am Fridays and Saturdays.

Dante Fried Chicken at Short Order

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Neighborhood: Fairfax
Address: 6333 W 3rd St., Stall #110
Website: DanteFriedChicken.com
Perfect for: The Chef Residency


Dante is known as a nomadic fried chicken chef in these streets, and luckily for Los Angeles, he's serving up his latest creations at Short Order, located in The Original Farmers Market. For over ten years, Dante has been creating amazing food-related experiences, like the fried chicken and biscuits loft parties in NYC and his pop-up gourmet food trucks. He has been winning hearts with his creations on both coasts and abroad. His latest ride or fry incarnation can be enjoyed every Sunday in his "fried chicken blowout," with three options to indulge in his award winning flavors: waffle, sandwich or salad. I'd advise you to arrive on the earlier side as demand has become very high that they do run out.


Honey's Kettle

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Neighborhood: Culver City
Address: 9537 Culver Blvd.
Website: HoneysKettle.com
Perfect for: The Conscious Cooks  


Founded in 2000, Honey's Kettle is serving humanely raised, vegetarian fed, and hormone free fried chicken. They pride themselves on what they call food prepared "the old-fashioned way," meaning that each batch is made from scratch. Hand-dipped and prepared in deep kettle drums, the chicken at this Culver City institution is tender, with natural juices emerging with each bite. If you want to feel good about the fried chicken you're eating, without sacrificing the flavor, this is the place. Don't forget to order plenty of hot biscuits while you're at it!


Kokio Chicken

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Neighborhood: Koreatown
Address: 371 N Western Ave.
Website: KokioChicken.com
Perfect for: The Wing Spot


This place has only been open for only four months, but word on the street is that it's better than Kyochon, and it just so happens I might have started that rumor. Korean-style wings are like small gifts for your mouth. They pack a lot of flavor and before you know it, you've polished off 8 without even blinking an eye. You can taste the difference at Kokio because the chef has developed his own secret sauce recipes rather than importing them from Korea. From classic to sweet-and-spicy, each wing is insanely crispy with meat practically that falls off the bone. These combined textures make for a melt in your mouth meal.


Tokyo Fried Chicken

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Neighborhood: Monterey Park
Address: 122 S Atlantic Blvd.
Website: Facebook Page
Notable quality: The SGV Gem 


Fried chicken is a big deal in the San Gabriel Valley, and if you are not familiar, check out a boba shop on a weekday afternoon or a Valley Blvd. cafe after midnight. As a devotee of The Open Door, I was bummed to see its doors close, but when the chef followed up with Tokyo Fried Chicken, all sentiments of sadness were lost. Served family style at $12 a person, their fried chicken is piled on a paper lined tray, surrounded by bowls and cast irons filled with the sides of your choice. Macaroni and cheese sprinkled with nori or fried Brussels sprouts with goat cheese are always a good look if you enjoy a strong sides game. The bird, packed with aroma in each bite, is marinated in soy, ginger and garlic, so it has a classic Japanese flavor. Its crispy fried skin on the other hand, is inspired by the South. With the addition of a little house made "Ponzu Bear" (spicy or regular), your chicken will be elevated to the next level. Wash it all down with T.F.C.'s yuzu lemonade, a drink that deserves to be called the nectar of the gods.


Plan Check

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Neighborhood: Beverly Grove
Address: 351 N Fairfax Ave.
Website: PlanCheck.com
Notable quality: The Cool Spot 


Since opening its second location among the booming shops on Fairfax, Plan Check has become the place for those who seek refuge in a modern American menu. They developed a cult following with their incredibly tasty burger topped with ketchup leather, but it's their chicken that deserves your immediate attention. For those who enjoy layers of robust flavors, Plan Check's smokey fried jidori chicken placed gently in a pool of smoked milk gravy, yam preserves, and topped with pickled okra is must. A perfect combination of savory and sweet, this cast iron beauty tastes just as delicious as it looks.


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