From hole-in-the-wall joints to fine dining spots, here are the tastiest takes on fried chicken in New Orleans
Fried chicken is a southern staple, with excellent versions found everywhere from low-key dives to the fanciest of white tablecloth institutions. New Orleans is a culinary mishmash of French, African, Italian, Caribbean and Spanish influences—making it unique for the South—but the city’s dining scene certainly does boast Southern influence and flare, which explains why fried chicken here is just a little bit different. Certain locals will argue that the best fried chicken in New Orleans is none other than Popeyes, but there’s no shortage of must-try spots that take the dish to new heights with style and plenty of seasonings. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal with indulgent sides or just a box to take to a picnic, these are the best spots for fried chicken in New Orleans.
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This guide was updated by New Orleans-based writer Gerrish Lopez. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
Whether you’re craving a quick three-piece to go or having a party, McHardy’s on Broad Street is for you. The busy takeout spot does it right whether you plan a meal for one or 100. The crispy, peppery chicken hits the spot every time, and sides like red beans and rice, dirty rice or mac and cheese make for a complete and filling meal.
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This family business dates back to the 1940s, though it’s only been in Gentilly since 2016. Known for New Orleans-style Italian classics and Southern favorites, Fiorella’s serves up a mean plate of chicken, fried crispy with a hint of spice. Plates are served with two sides—choose from the vegetable of the day, fries, mashed potatoes or potato salad.
Dooky Chase’s is a Treme institution made famous by the late, great Leah Chase. The restaurant played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, and draws crowds for some of the best Creole food around. The Southern fried chicken is marinated and spiced with Creole seasoning, served with a choice of sides like green beans, sweet potatoes, mustard greens, stewed okra, baked mac and cheese and more.
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This old-school chicken joint is of the same family as the beloved, long-gone pastry shop of the same name. The crunchy, peppery chicken is simple, straightforward and delicious. It’s a takeout-only establishment, but you’ll want to dig in as soon as you get your order from the counter.
This family-owned Creole soul food restaurant in Treme—the last remaining restaurant from the famed Baquet family—is still going strong. Lil Dizzy’s is unmatched when it comes to soul food favorites such as red beans, stewed okra and gumbo, and the fried chicken is no different. Get a two-piece with sides or stop in for a daily special with fried chicken on the side. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
Willie Mae’s is currently closed due to a fire, but when it’s back the chicken is bound to be as good as ever. One of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the city, this Treme landmark dates back to 1957 and was deemed an “America’s Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region” by the James Beard Awards. The wet-batter chicken is fried to perfection, and plates are offered with sides ranging from candied yams and cornbread to three types of beans. Lucky Angelenos can visit the L.A. location while we await the reopening of the original.
This late-night lower Decatur dive is always busy, but the Creole food comes through. Coop’s Cajun fried chicken has a bit of spice and is served with rabbit and sausage jambalaya and cole slaw, or choose the red beans and rice place with fried chicken. For a real treat, the Coop’s Taste Plate includes the fried chicken along with red beans, jambalaya, shrimp creole and seafood gumbo.
For something different, chef/owner Sophina Uong’s Kashmiri Fried Chicken at Mister Mao infuses the classic southern fried chicken with the bold flavors of South Asia. This sensory feast features boneless, skinless thighs fried with Szechuan chile, black salt, lime cream, fresh lemongrass, chile de arbol, ancho and cumin.
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Yes, some of the city’s best fried chicken can be found at a gas station…quite a few in fact, and Brother’s Food Mart is undoubtedly the best. With dozens of locations in the metro area, there are plenty of opportunities to try the crunchy, high-quality chicken. Check out the shop in the CBD—it’s not a gas station, and it produces some of the best of the Brother’s bunch.
With a posh picnic vibe and plenty of shareable dishes—plus picnic-ready meals to go—Picnic Provisions & Whiskey lives up to its name. But the star of this show, presented by a partnership between Commander’s Palace and Reginelli’s, is the crawfish boil fried chicken. Crispy and spicy, the juicy thighs and white meat tenders are prepared with a special boil-style seasoning. Add an Old Fashioned and some sugarcane slaw, buttermilk biscuits or cajun potatoes, and you’ve got a winner.
Sure, this Tennessee-born chicken joint is a chain, but Gus’s has earned its place among the local favorites, even winning the crown at the 2019 Fried Chicken Festival. White and dark meat is marinated before frying in a spicy batter, and options range from plates paired with slaw, baked beans and bread to a la carte pieces—yep, if you want just one wing or tender, you got it.
Mark your calendar for Tuesdays because that’s the one and only day when the unforgettable fried chicken makes an appearance at High Hat. This Freret Street fave is revered for its Louisiana and Mississippi Delta cuisine, but the chicken is a standout, especially with sides like black-eyed peas, pimento cheese grits, stewed okra, or hush puppies.
Grab a spot in line—there’s always a line—at Chicken’s Kitchen in Gretna. You’ll find homestyle favorites like mac and cheese, red beans and rice and smothered okra. The fried chicken is tender and juicy, with just the right amount of crunch. Stick with the standard two-piece with sides or try a plate of tenders on Fridays.
Chef Alon Shaya takes fried chicken to new heights at Miss River, his elevated take on Louisiana cuisine in the Four Seasons Hotel. The whole, buttermilk-fried chicken is carved tableside, its juicy pieces presented along with three flavorful house-made dipping sauces.
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