Best Fried Chicken In Los Angeles
From the far reaches of South Central to the depths of Koreatown, Los Angeles does fried chicken right. Here are the best places in town to experience a satisfying hit of deep-fried poultry. - Cathy Chaplin
Bertha's Soul Food Cafe
1714 W Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 777-3373 More InfoSince its opening in 1965, Bertha's Soul Food Cafe in South Central has been churning out crisp, golden, and peppery fried chicken. Sides of sweet potatoes, corn muffins, and mac and cheese make for soulful complements at this homey mom and pop diner.
Campanile
624 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 938-1447 More InfoChef Mark Peel's famed fried chicken is a bit hard to come by, but every so often he serves it as part of Campanile's Monday night family dinners. Keep a keen eye on the restaurant's website for announcements of when this expertly fried specimen will be available. Tables fill up fast.
Eva Restaurant
7458 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 634-0700 More InfoEvery Tuesday night, diners file into Eva for Chef Mark Gold's buttermilk-brined fried chicken. $25 buys all-you-can-drink beer (North County Pilsner from Eureka) and enough fried chicken to feed a small army. Sides like creamed corn, creamed spinach, and potato salad can be had for an additional $5. The fun starts at 6 PM and goes until closing.
Flossie's Southern Cuisine
3566 Redondo Beach Blvd Torrance, CA 90504 (310) 352-4037 More InfoFlossie Miller opened this South Bay soul food restaurant with her daughter Sandra Foster in 1991. The fried chicken here is executed in classic southern style with juicy meat and a crispy exterior. Swing by on weekdays for one entree, three sides, cornbread, dessert, and a drink for just over 10 bucks.
The Foundry On Melrose
7465 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 651-0915 More InfoChef Eric Greenspan channels the soulful south every Tuesday night at The Foundry on Melrose. On these evenings, dubbed "Bluesy Tuesday," the restaurant serves up a finger-licking buttermilk fried chicken and pairs it with decadent cornbread pudding and classic waffles.
Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken
9537 Culver Boulevard Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 202-5453 2600 East Alondra Boulevard Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-7871 More InfoIt's chicken and biscuits heaven at Honey's Kettle. The chicken is cooked in an enormous kettle, which keeps the outside crispy and full of nubs, while the insides stay as moist as can be. For a sweet and savory double punch, don't forget to smother both chicken and biscuits in some honey.
Indo Cafe
10428 1/2 National Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034 (310) 815-1290 No websiteAccording to Jonathan Gold, the secret to Indo Cafe's killer fried chicken is a sweet bath in coconut water and brown sugar before hitting the bubbly oil. The result is the perfect combination of snappy skin and juicy flesh. Little bits of fried garlic provide the finishing touch.
Kyochon
Multiple locations More InfoKyochon, a widely popular chain in Korea, arrived on Los Angeles' shores a few short years ago and has since expanded to six locations. The wings here are twice fried and come in two equally delectable flavors: hot-sweet and garlic-soy. Cool cubes of pickled daikon are just the thing to quell the fiery burning.
Ludo Truck
Location changes, for more information check online: @LudoTruck http://www.ludolefebvre.com/ludobites/ludo-fried-chickenAffectionally referred to as L.F.C. by his legion of devoted fans, Chef Ludo Lefebvre's deep-fried chicken balls are boneless wonders that pack a flavorful punch. Ludo's housemade sauces, including whole grain mustard and barbecue, bump up the dipping quotient. Be sure to save room for some lavender biscuits and slaw, too!
Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles
Multiple locations, for more information check their website: More InfoFounded by Harlem native Herb Hudson, Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles has been serving Angelenos since 1976. The restaurant's namesake items are executed tastily: the waffles are thin and crisp around the edges, while the chicken hits the ideal savory note. Tie both items together with a healthy douse of faux maple syrup.
Cathy Chaplin is a Los Angeles-based food writer and photographer. Her widely-read blog Gastronomy has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Saveur.com. Ms. Danh's food writings have appeared in numerous publications including National Geographic, Saveur, and Time Out Vietnam.
