The Best Chicken Sandwich in Every State
When you crave a chicken sandwich, so many options lay ahead of you. You could settle and go to a tried-and-true restaurant down the road or make an expedition to find the very best chicken sandwich in your state. If you feel ready to search out the best restaurant that serves up chicken between two buns, we here at Eat This, Not That! with the help of Yelp have come up with the definitive list of restaurants that serve up the best chicken sandwich in your state!
Methodology: This is an all-time list of the best places for a chicken sandwich in the United States, according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the restaurant and food categories with a large concentration of reviews with mentions of "chicken sandwich," then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning "chicken sandwich."
Without further ado, here are the chicken sandwiches that will make your mouth water and are worth the potential road trip across your state. (And if you're looking for a burger be sure to skip the 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.)
ALABAMA: Saw's Soul Kitchen in Birmingham
In a region that serves up some of the best barbecue and chicken in the United States, figuring out which restaurant dishes out the best chicken sandwiches can seem daunting. With a trip to Birmingham, you can treat your mouth to some of Saw's Soul Kitchen's iconic Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwiches. Just make sure to come early, as crowds can form trying to get their chicken fix.
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ALASKA: Bear Mace Bites in Anchorage
In the great frozen north, never feel like you can't get a quality fried chicken sandwich. Bear Mace Bites in Anchorage brings the sandwich to the next level, focusing on extra spicy food. If you want a chicken sandwich with a bite that knocks its competition out of the water, this restaurant is a must.
ARIZONA: Worth Takeaway in Mesa
When you can't take the heat outside, come visit Worth Takeaway in scenic Mesa, Arizona to cool off and take in their version of the chicken sandwich. They offer a selection of choices, ranging from buffalo chicken sandwiches to crispy chicken sandwiches and everything in between.
ARKANSAS: Big Orange in Rogers
When you find yourself in Arkansas, make sure to stop off in Rogers to get one of Big Orange's scrumptious hot chicken sandwiches. Their Hot n' Hot Chicken sandwich should not be missed. It features a "delicious piece of hot battered chicken on the most delicious brioche-style bun" that leaves reviewers on Yelp craving more.
CALIFORNIA: Common Stock in San Diego
San Diego offers up a plethora of good food, but don't forget to make a pit stop at Common Stock if you find yourself in these parts. Their upscale Americana atmosphere and delectable crispy chicken sandwich, made with an extra-crispy batter, will make you glad you popped in.
COLORADO: White House Tavern in Aspen
When you need a tried and true chicken sandwich, the White House Tavern in Aspen in Aspen, Colorado is second to none. The eatery features multiple takes on the classic fried chicken sandwich and the sandwich has become synonymous with the restaurant. The people agree, claiming that the tavern boasts "probably the best chicken sandwich of [their] life."
CONNECTICUT: Craftbird Food Truck in Hartford
When you roll through the capital of Connecticut, you should take a moment to stop off and appreciate the Craftbird Food Truck's chicken sandwiches. Specializing in spicy takes on chicken, it makes sense that this fried chicken hotspot serves up chicken sandwiches that top every eatery around.
DELAWARE: Dewey Beer Company in Dewey Beach
If you crave some traditional American food that sticks to your ribs, check out the Dewey Beer Company and their iconic fried chicken sandwich, ranked #1 in Delaware. Don't miss their incredible honey chicken sandwich, and you can even finish off your meal with a beer flight or a lobster roll. The combo of beer and fried chicken should not be missed.
Note: This location is temporarily closed for renovations.
FLORIDA: KrungThep Tea Time in Winter Park
You may never have guessed that a Thai fusion restaurant that specializes in tea-time sandwiches would top Florida's list of best chicken sandwiches, but the people have spoken (and with good reason)! This unique restaurant located outside of Orlando features the Gaw-Prow chicken sandwich that utilizes Thai flavors to build a fantastic grilled chicken sandwich that is sure to leave your mouth watering.
GEORGIA: The Marietta Local in Marietta
Marietta tops the charts when it comes to its local eatery, The Marietta Local. In a state known for its fried chicken, this is no small feat. The Marietta Local impresses with its standard fried chicken sandwich and grilled chicken club. When you want the best, you need to stop by.
HAWAII: Fresh Bite Kauai in Hanalei
When you're in the mood for something other than Polynesian flavors Hawaii has to offer, this food stand has the answer. With a range of healthy options and buddha, you can be sure that their chicken sandwich won't disappoint and will leave you feeling healthy afterward! Stop by next time you are island hopping.
IDAHO: Republic Kitchen + Taphouse in Post Falls
Whether you are out on the town with friends or want to have a fun night out with the family, the Republic Kitchen and Taphouse in Post Falls, Idaho serves up a chicken sandwich the way you like it. The double-fried chicken sandwich offers a great crunch and you can even get your sandwich Korean style. Look no further to quash those chicken cravings.
ILLINOIS: Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken in Chicago
Chicago never disappoints when it comes to eating, and Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken takes the cake for serving up an awesome chicken sandwich. Try the sweet heat sandwich for a hit of spicy chicken or the original chicken sammie with a doughnut as a bun! Either way, you are in for an experience.
If you're spending any more time in this city, here are the 10 Coziest Coffee Shops in Chicago.
INDIANA: The Eagle in Indianapolis
When you want a taste of the South without crossing the Mason-Dixon line, The Eagle won't let you down. Offering everything from Chicken BLTs to classic fried chicken sandwiches, you will not only get your fill of this tasty bird but with a glass of sweet tea and Mac n Cheese, you might even forget you are in Indiana.
IOWA: Her Soup Kitchen in Iowa City
Who would have thought the best chicken sandwich in Iowa would come from a restaurant specializing in soup and salad? This eatery serves up a healthier grilled take on a chicken sandwich and pairs it impressively against asparagus salads and tortellini soup. If you need a break from fried sandwiches, this restaurant has your answer.
KANSAS: Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que in Olathe
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que knows just how their customers like their chicken: deep-fried and on a bun. This barbecue joint not only offers up iconic smoked meat, but their fried chicken is to die for. Next time you are in Kansas, you have to check this restaurant out!
REALTED: The Best French Fries in Every State
KENTUCKY: Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville
Hot Chicken has steadily crept up and taken the nation by storm over the past few years and Louisville's Royals Hot Chicken aims to be one of the best. Their spicy fried chicken comes served on fluffy buns with a pickle to cut through the heat. If you ever need a chicken fix, it is worth traveling the distance to dine here.
LOUISIANA: District Donuts Sliders Brew in New Orleans
When you visit the Big Easy, you may forget that you are in a fried chicken hotspot with all of the great cajun food that surrounds you. No one does it better than the District Donuts Sliders Brew, offering up their take on the classic fried chicken sandwich that's crisped to perfection.
MAINE: Palace Diner in Biddeford
Sometimes you can't beat a diner. However, Palace Diner isn't an ordinary eatery—the restaurant is situated inside an old streetcar and serves up classics, including the best chicken sandwich in all of Maine. Their take on the sandwich comes with a hearty serving of fried chicken, jalapeño slices, and lettuce stuffed between two sesame seed buns. You can't go wrong with this one!
MARYLAND: Ekiben in Baltimore
This Maryland Asian fusion hotspot will turn your conception of what a fried chicken sandwich is on its head. The double-fried bird comes served with a cilantro melange in between two fluffy dumplings. You have never tried anything like this before, and it will make you see the chicken sandwich in a new light.
MASSACHUSETTS: Dash Cafe in Brighton
You sometimes need to head off the beaten path to get the best food, and chicken is no different. This Brighton establishment serves up a signature panko fried Asian chicken sandwich, topped with a tart Asian slaw. The people love it for good reason, and you are sure to fall in love at first bite.
MICHIGAN: Avenue American Bistro in Wayne
Next time you visit Wayne, don't forget to eat at the Avenue American Bistro, home of the best chicken sandwich in Michigan. Their glazed sweet and spicy chicken sandwich features tangy chicken between a grilled sandwich roll, cooked to perfection.
MINNESOTA: Lake and Irving in Minneapolis
Lake and Irving has it figured out. Their buttermilk chicken sandwich features fried chicken squished between buttered toast and loaded with bacon and cheese. For the best way to indulge and treat yourself, you can't pass this sandwich up.
MISSISSIPPI: Rooster's Restaurant in Jackson
When you're traversing the gulf coast and a chicken sandwich craving strikes, no restaurant like Rooster's can compare. Their hearty take on classic sandwiches will leave you stuffed, and the grilled chicken sandwich, as well as the fried chicken club, are no exception. With so many chicken sandwich options, you could eat here for days and still not get tired of their selection.
MISSOURI: Gobble Stop Smokehouse in Ceve Coeur
With a name like Gobble Stop, there is a lot for this restaurant to live up to. Luckily, this fine eatery delivers on its fowl promises! With a selection of barbecue and classic fried chicken sandwiches, this is your one-stop chicken shop in Missouri.
MONTANA: Backslope Brewing in Columbia Falls
Breweries always offer up a fun time, and sometimes they even serve up the best chicken sandwich in a state. Montana's Backslope Brewing does just that, coming in with a classic fried chicken sandwich that people can't get enough of. With such an inviting atmosphere, it would be a shame to not stop and partake at this great restaurant.
NEBRASKA: Kitchen Table in Omaha
Omaha serves up some of the best food in the Midwest, and they now can claim to have the best chicken sandwich in Nebraska, thanks to Kitchen Table. This fun eatery offers a broiled chicken breast between two slices of deli bread and a side of popcorn. If you feel less adventurous, their take on chicken paninis shouldn't be missed either.
NEVADA: Mama Bird in Las Vegas
Las Vegas' Mama Bird has it figured out. This poultry-centric restaurant boasts a wide selection of fried chicken, ranging from chicken and waffles to mac n cheese chicken, but these can't touch their classic fried chicken sandwich. Their crispy batter-fried favorite perfects a standard and will leave you a believer.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: KC's Rib Shack in Manchester
Manchester's favorite barbecue joint also serves up the state's most adored chicken sandwich. This updated smokehouse spins classic favorites into new forms, featuring everything from bacon sriracha deviled eggs to Brisket Chinese pie. But nothing comes close to their take on the chicken sandwich—made with slow-cooked pulled chicken. Mark down this restaurant on your bucket list when you visit New Hampshire.
NEW JERSEY: Northside Kitchen in Westfield
New Jersey has a lot to offer when it comes to fried chicken, but Northside Kitchen in Westfield knocks it out of the park with their best chicken sandwich. They strip the classic down to its basics, placing fried chicken breast in between two buns and call it done. When you make something so simple, it is easy to perfect it.
NEW MEXICO: Jambo Cafe in Santa Fe
In a state defined by bold Tex-Mex flavors, you may assume that the best chicken sandwich plays on south-of-the-border flavors. You are in for a shock if you expect New Mexico's best chicken sandwich to follow suit when you visit Jambo Cafe. The restaurant immediately hits you with the Caribbean and African flavors, and their chicken sandwich follows suit. For some exotic flavors, try their jerk chicken sandwich, with all the spiciness of the Bahamas.
NEW YORK: Bobwhite Counter in New York
It might seem impossible to select the best chicken sandwich in all of New York, but through it all, the Bobwhite Counter earns the people's love. The buffalo chicken sandwich here serves up the right amount of tanginess and hits that sweet spot of everything you want from buffalo chicken.
NORTH CAROLINA: HomeGrown in Asheville
Asheville offers up a hearty selection of quirky eaters and fried chicken shops, but none of them hit the spot quite like HomeGrown, a New American eatery serving up country favorites. Their buttermilk fried chicken sandwich has the perfect crunch and can fit in any meal.
NORTH DAKOTA: Brew Bird in North River
When you need "hands down [the] best chicken sandwich" in North Dakota, Brew Bird's mix of classic fried chicken sandwiches and beers on tap has you covered. Keep your tab open, as this eatery boasts a huge menu and with so many options, will make you tempted to try it all!
OHIO: The Eagle in Cincinnati
Some could argue that the South serves up the best fried chicken, and Cincinnati's The Eagle takes that opinion to heart. This substantial eatery places an emphasis on southern cooking and their fried chicken sandwich is to boot. The fried breast is held together between two buttered pieces of thick toast and served alongside lettuce and tomato.
OKLAHOMA: Nashbird in Oklahoma City
Nashbird takes the spirit of Nashville's hot chicken scene and supplants it in Oklahoma City, spreading the popularity of spicy chicken far and wide. Their take on the best-fried chicken sandwich in Oklahoma is what you would expect—a hot and crispy chicken breast topped with slaw, served between two potato roll buns. Make sure to make this restaurant a part of your itinerary next time you are passing through.
OREGON: Jojo in Portland
Jojo knocks it out of the park when it comes to serving up the best fried chicken sandwich in all of Oregon. This local favorite serves up mini fried chicken sliders topped with homemade remoulade and pickle and regular-sized fried chicken sandwiches that will knock your socks off! When you need to take friends out for chicken, this spot can't be beaten.
PENNSYLVANIA: Love and Honey Fried Donuts in Philadelphia
The donut and chicken combo might seem odd, but nothing tastes so right in your mouth like a sweet and salty crunch, especially when Love and Honey is serving up their signature beloved chicken sandwich. They offer up a take on a hot and spicy chicken sandwich, pairing the breast meat again cooling coleslaw in a potato bun that will transport you to another flavor dimension.
RHODE ISLAND: Bucktown in Providence
"This was a real winner," one Yelp reviewer wrote of Bucktown's chicken sandwich. "Chicken is well-marinated and has a great crunch from the batter. I'm a huge fan of chicken thighs, so this was a no-brainer."
SOUTH CAROLINA: Boxcar Betty's in Charleston
Charleston serves up a hefty amount of chicken sandwiches in its city limits, but none can top Boxcar Betty's fried chicken sandwich, chicken waffle sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, and more, making them a one-stop-shop for all things chicken on a bun. With so many options to choose from, it's not surprising they made it to the top!
SOUTH DAKOTA: Bread and Circus Sandwich Kitchen in Sioux Falls
Bread and Circus finds its niche in that perfect space between a diner and an eclectic cafe, serving up flavors from around the world mixed in with schnitzels, burgers, and their Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich. This delectable take on the classic sandwich marries the flavors of the Vietnamese Banh Mi, pairing a piece of fried chicken with pickled daikon and carrots, served on a buttered roll. Next time you are stopping through, it would be a sin to pass this eatery up.
TENNESSEE: Hattie B's – Midtown in Nashville
In the years since Nashville hot chicken took the country by storm, multiple local eateries in Tennessee have duked it out to make the claim that they serve up the very best hot chicken. We move closer to the end of this debate, as Hattie B's midtown location can now be crowned by the people as having a superior hot chicken sandwich that stands in a class of its own. When you come through, stop off at this iconic restaurant and experience a classic.
TEXAS: Las Abuelas in Austin
Las Abuelas lives up to its name—this homestyle restaurant serves up food that is as comforting as the food your grandmother might make. Their exciting takes on Mexican-American fusion cuisine leaves you speechless in the best way possible, and their "Original Sandwich" takes the cake. This sandwich consists of a big piece of fried white meat chicken between two buns. The fun doesn't stop there, as the sandwich is then customizable, with toppings that include a range from cabbage and avocado to fried egg and hot sauce. For the best fried chicken sandwich in all of Texas, this is your one-stop shop.
UTAH: Pretty Bird in Salt Lake City
A restaurant called Pretty Bird has a lot to live up to, and luckily, the eatery not only delivers but provides the most memorable chicken experience in all of Utah. With a classic fried chicken sandwich that could have been "cooked in gold," you aren't going to want to skip this chicken shop next time you visit.
VERMONT: Worthy Kitchen in Woodstock
For a fun take on a modern Americana restaurant, Worthy Kitchen is second to none. Their menu offers updated takes on classic diner fare and fusion meals like the bulgogi burger. If you visit, it would be a crime to not partake in their Bombay chicken sandwich, infusing Indian masala flavors into the fry batter.
VIRGINIA: Wooboi Hot Chicken in Herndon
Wooboi is what you'll be saying to yourself when you visit this fine establishment in Herndon, Virginia, and see the generous portions the kitchen is offering out. The classic chicken "Sando" is what you need to order when you come here. Fried to a crisp golden brown and topped with slaw and a pickle, it will make you a true believer.
WASHINGTON: Butcher and Baker Provisions in Port Gamble
Washington's own Butcher and Baker Provisions can't be stopped when you need to kick back, relax, and enjoy a meal in this casual restaurant offering up a mix of healthy cafe fare, eclectic salads, and the best fried chicken sandwich in all of Washington. Served with a side of bacon and lettuce, this meal on a bun will leave you full for the day and will help you keep this establishment on your radar for years to come.
WEST VIRGINIA: Dirty Bird in Morgantown
If Dirty Bird isn't your favorite chicken shop in West Virginia, it will be now. Specializing in all things chicken, their range of sandwiches include the Mexican influenced Vera Cruz fried chicken sandwich, the buffalo chicken sandwich, the "plain jane," and more that will leave you coming back for more. With such a hearty menu of chicken favorites, it's not a surprise this eatery took the number one spot.
WISCONSIN: Swingin' Door Exchange in Milwaukee
Swingin' Door Exchange takes the bar & restaurant combo to the next level by updating their classic bar fare to new heights. Their extra fried chicken sandwich's crunch has come to be a crowd favorite and helped garner them the title of best in Wisconsin. Whether you want to stop in for a drink or just escape the elements for a bit, you have to try their sandwich.
WYOMING: Liberty Burger in Jackson
This exquisite burger joint located in Jackson, Wyoming should be your next destination next time you crave a chicken sandwich. In addition to a superb burger menu, their take on a fried chicken slider perfects a classic and beats out the competition. Next time you head through Wyoming, give this restaurant a chance to make you a convert.
For more, check out The Best Fried Chicken in Every State.
