You came here for fried chicken, and fried chicken is what you're going to get.
Well, we can't literally give you fried chicken on this web page, but we'll give you a damn good list of places to get it in Austin. Turns out, there are quite a few places in town where you can get fried chicken and quite a few different ways. From Nashville-style hot chicken to chicken and waffles, and good old-fashioned classic fried chicken, this list has you covered. You'll be licking chicken grease off your fingers in no time, champ. Here are our picks for the best fried chicken in Austin.
Contributed by Chance Williams
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photo via facebook
2529 S Lamar Blvd
One of Nashville's most popular hot chicken spots recently opened its first location in Austin. Hattie B's is known for its long lines due to its famous, hot, and juicy chicken that everyone raves about. You can choose your heat level, starting at no heat all the way up to "Shut The Cluck Up" (for spice enthusiasts only), so all fried chicken lovers can indulge. They also offer tons of southern sides that are scratch-made daily, including pimento mac & cheese, potato salad, creamy coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, bacon cheddar grits, and more. End your meal with creamy banana pudding or peach cobbler for dessert.
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photo via facebook
Various Locations
When you ask just about anyone in Austin where their favorite fried chicken spot is, the chances of them declaring Spicy Boys as number one are pretty high. Their Pan-Asian fried chicken is full of flavor and spice, which you can get as wings, a sandwich, bone-in, or boneless. Their sandwiches are some of their most popular items, with three to choose from: The OG (sweet chili honey, papaya relish, Thai basil ranch), Hot Gai (chili oil, Swiss cheese product, pickles, massaman mayonnaise), or Tingly Gai (spicy pickles, charred onion aioli, Sichuan pepper, lemon chili crisp). All of their trucks are in different bars around the city, so you can pick a location based on what drink you want to pair your fried chicken with.
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photo via Bird Bird Biscuit
2701 Manor Rd
1401 W Koenig Ln
Chicken and biscuits are just meant to go together, and Bird Bird Biscuit has perfected both. The biscuits are buttery and flaky, but their fried chicken is the reason they are on this list. Each bite is crispy, salty, sweet, and juicy. They have three chicken sandwiches on their menu but are best known for the Queen Beak: spiced and breaded chicken breast on a biscuit with cayenne black pepper honey and bacon-infused chipotle mayo. These sandwiches are huge, so come hungry.
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photo via Mattie's
901 West Live Oak St
Mattie's is known for being a beautiful, historic estate with peacocks roaming around as well as for their insanely good fried chicken. This crispy goodness can be found on their dinner menu, served with bacon and gouda mashed potatoes, baby-kale shaved brussel sprouts pickled onions, and a buttermilk ranch for dippin. Their brunch menu variation is a Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict. This benny has homemade buttermilk biscuits, fried chicken, and poached eggs, all topped with a creamy hollandaise.
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photo via instagram
Various Locations
If you crave that fiery kick to your crispy fried chicken, Tumble 22 is where you need to go. With numerous locations scattered across town, Tumble 22 eagerly awaits your arrival, ready to treat you to tantalizing hot chicken and frosty brews. Their Nashville-inspired chicken takes flight as each succulent piece is expertly fried in scorching oil and then coated with Chef's secret spice blend, ensuring a perfectly balanced explosion of flavors. Brace yourself as you choose from a range of six spice levels, from the mildly playful "wimpy" to the daredevil's delight of "super hot." And fear not, for a slice of their heavenly housemade pies stands ready to extinguish any mouthful's fiery aftermath, or perhaps indulge in a whole pie to savor later.
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Various Locations
If there was ever a way to show that their restaurant means business about being in the business of fried chicken, it would be Happy Chicks' 50 lb chicken-shaped disco ball. The restaurant's tenders are lightly breaded, fluffy, and uniformly delicious. Brined overnight to ensure that they retain as much flavor as possible, Happy Chicks chicken does that thing that we all imagine fried chicken should do when you bite into it - it crunches. Gloriously, gratifyingly, and honest to goodness, audibly.
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Photo via Yelp
7525 Burnet Rd
A classic drive-in style joint, you can get a little Dazed and Confused at Top Notch in North Austin. If you’re going totally retro, a classic fried chicken sandwich pairs well with a milkshake on a Friday night.
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500 W 5th St
A little more upscale than the rest of the list, Fixe Southern House has a classy but fun atmosphere to kick-start your evening out on the town. The fried chicken will bring you back down to earth, with a tender buttermilk flavor that graces the taste buds.
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Photo via Yelp
303 Red River St
10525 West Parmer Lane
With delicious food and a fun atmosphere, you can't go wrong with the southern comfort of Moonshine. The fried chicken comes as a part of the chicken and waffles dish, and if you haven't had it yet, get ready for your new favorite dish in town.
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600 N Lamar Blvd
An updated take on the classic diner experience, 24 Diner has it all. Peruse the wide array of options on the menu, or stick with the fried chicken - it's amazing and will keep you coming back. (Psst: fried chicken is a wonderful hangover cure and pairs well with a brunch cocktail at 24 Diner.)
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photo via instagram
11721 Rock Rose Ave #100
“Be Patient, It's Worth It” is the menu’s request for the fried chicken, and it couldn’t be more accurate. With huge portions and mashed potatoes and coleslaw as appropriately tasty side dishes, Culinary Dropout does not disappoint, even after the wait.
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OTHER GREAT PLACES FOR FRIED CHICKEN IN AUSTIN:
1801 E 51st St
Various Locations
117 San Jacinto
Various Locations
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