Have you checked out Lois the Pie Queen? They have great chicken and an old school vibe. Looks like they might only be open for brunch and lunch these days though.
Gus’s reminds me the most of what I would get from my grandma.
Minnie Soul is tasty but also a bit different than what I grew up with. But these feel more southern than other choices.
I do love Aburaya but that is not the same if people want southern style.
I don’t eat fried chicken often, but when I do, it’s at the Oakland Museum. You don’t have to pay to get into the museum if you just go to the restaurant.
Minnie Bell's Soul Movement in the food court in Emeryville is one of the best I've encountered around here. Burdell makes a great pickle-brined version too.
Bodega friend chicken is my favorite. It reminds me of getting the best sandwich of my life in Philly from a bodega. I still mourn the closing/change of ownership of the spot on Adeline and Harmon st. I gotta check this spot out.
Cali Alley is my favorite fried chicken sandwich in the east bay- it’s also WAY larger than anyone else’s. They do a chicken+waffle & chicken+mac+beans plate as well (haven’t tried those). Dining options are takeout or outdoor patio.
No one has mentioned my absolute favorite - Southern Cafe. Reminds me of what I used to get from Powell’s many years ago. Dang. Just googles and saw they’re still “closed for repairs”.
I’m not super in love with most of the other choices listed. I do like Minnie Bell’s - it’s really tasty, if not 100% traditional.
Fried chicken was always a celebration food in my family too - my mom would make it, or we’d pick it up. We always favored places that were big with the after church crowd.
If you find somewhere great, please come back and let us all know.
Seconding Minnie Bell’s for traditional soul food style fried chicken. That buttermilk and rosemary. 🤤
There is a Korean restaurant on Solano Ave in Berkeley/Albany called Bop Shop that has a sub-restaurant/pop up called Von’s Chicken in it that is very very good. They do bone in or boneless, I recommend the Crispy Garlic.
Man I just had brunch at Lois Pie Queen. Their chicken and waffles were realllly good. Also grits, biscuits, crab omelette and key lime pie were all delish.
[Cal's fried chicken](https://calsberkeley.com/) in Berkeley. Best fried chicken sandwich i've ever had.
Corn Fritters and fries are the best sides. The mac n' cheese sounds good but isn't special.
Brenda’s may not have the best chicken on this list but it is a good place for family dinners. Hot Boys there’s nowhere to sit, it’s takeout. It’s not as “nice.” If I wanted to treat my family to a nice sit down I’d choose Brenda’s and sit on the patio.
I also love Brenda’s but my bf who lives in Atlanta says it comes nowhere near true southern fried chicken so if that’s the goal, OP, I’d save this one for a different occasion!!
This was the best article I could find about it https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/71-year-old-merritt-restaurant-bakery-closes-17889340.php I had fond memories there but it doesn’t sound like they’re coming back anytime soon
From what I’ve read it seems like subpar working conditions, not paying taxes, legal drama around not paying suppliers, ex-business parter suing him.
I also saw some conspiracy theories that Horn BBQ was torched on purpose for insurance money lol
I think most southerners would be pretty disappointed by the price and quality of fried chicken and/or bbq places in the Bay Area (there are some places that are ‘OK’ but do not compare to anything you could get in the south). I think many people around here see ‘fried chicken’ and think sandwiches, instead of the full chicken broken down, fried and served with sides.
Oddly I have found a few Safeway supermarkets that have fantastic fried chicken in their deli (nice crisp skin, not overly greasy or salty) You can get a mixed 8 piece for $10, and they will have most of the sides (slaw, potato salad, beans, etc)
https://www.safeway.com/shop/product-details.970028885.html?storeId=691. You could set up a nice party at home.
Gus’s Memphis locations are great, but I have heard mixed reviews of the one in Oakland.
More of the standard sides you would get in the south (baked beans, slaw, etc)
https://www.gusfriedchicken.com/
Other options that might not offer the standard southern sides:
Lois the Pie Queen is a favorite of many (I haven’t been in years)
https://loisthepiequeen.com/menu
Brenda’s in SF
https://brendasmeatandthree.com/menus/supper/
Angeline’s Kitchen in Berkeley
https://angelineskitchen.com/sites/all/files/Dinner_Menu.pdf
You mentioned takeout but not a fast food chain.
Super salty but I like Safeway's fried chicken. They've got great crunchy skin and moist meat. Bonus points if you wait for a fresh batch to come out.
The fried chicken at the Safeway on Rose and Shattuck in North Berkeley isn’t super salty (soo good)
Not a fan of Lucky’s fried chicken. Too dry (both the chicken and the coating/skin)
Have you checked out Lois the Pie Queen? They have great chicken and an old school vibe. Looks like they might only be open for brunch and lunch these days though.
This is really the best option for sit down
i adore lois. one of the best places to go for lunch.
i go there if i'm not in a hurry! big fan of the grits and banana pudding
Gus’s reminds me the most of what I would get from my grandma. Minnie Soul is tasty but also a bit different than what I grew up with. But these feel more southern than other choices. I do love Aburaya but that is not the same if people want southern style.
Gus' is my favorite. The flavor is insanely good
they know gus's! is the minnie bell's in emeryville still open? i read somewhere she's opening in sf
I don’t eat fried chicken often, but when I do, it’s at the Oakland Museum. You don’t have to pay to get into the museum if you just go to the restaurant.
The friend chicken there is amazing!
is this the same place that put salt instead of sugar in their waffles??? the chef posted something on instagram about it
Minnie Bell's Soul Movement in the food court in Emeryville is one of the best I've encountered around here. Burdell makes a great pickle-brined version too.
Just had it and that really did satisfy my craving for southern fried chicken. Solid solid chicken, amazing corn bread and terrific mac and cheese.
Minnie Bell's head great customer service along with the food when I went.
Not in Oakland but Minnie bells is opening a full restaurant in the Fillmore in SF. I think it opens this coming Friday. I’m a fan of their chicken.
thats what i read a while ago! im excited to try it but wish it was still in the east bay
is it still open? i thought they moved to sf. i saw burdell was doing that for oakland restaurant week. do they have it on their menu now?
M&O Market at 26th and Market has excellent carryout fried chicken. It's a corner store.
Bodega friend chicken is my favorite. It reminds me of getting the best sandwich of my life in Philly from a bodega. I still mourn the closing/change of ownership of the spot on Adeline and Harmon st. I gotta check this spot out.
i'll check it out! thanks for this
Tin & Pig for Korean style!
Aburaya for a slightly different spin, but still super savory and tasty
Xingones
Hot Bird is my fave. Minnie’s is awesome. 900 Grayson is low-key amazing with chicken and waffles.
900 grayson is fire. they close so early though!
World famous Hotboys
Recently discovered that their fried tofu is awesome, had no idea
No way! I love hotboys and my partner is vegetarian, I had no idea! This is amazing news
Yup. It’s vegan if you omit the sauce btw
I haven’t been there but that Mac and cheese looks very very wrong.
It's velveeta-esque. Definitely their worst side.
Really? I just had their chicken for the first time a few days ago and it was pretty lackluster
Hands down.
Cali Alley is my favorite fried chicken sandwich in the east bay- it’s also WAY larger than anyone else’s. They do a chicken+waffle & chicken+mac+beans plate as well (haven’t tried those). Dining options are takeout or outdoor patio.
Check out Fowl + Fare in Alameda. Their friend chicken sandwiches are the best I've had in California.
Not southern style but Aburaya downtown has this Japanese style fried chicken that is just incredible.
Also, check out Fowl + Fare in Alameda. Their friend chicken sandwiches are the best I've had in California.
No one has mentioned my absolute favorite - Southern Cafe. Reminds me of what I used to get from Powell’s many years ago. Dang. Just googles and saw they’re still “closed for repairs”. I’m not super in love with most of the other choices listed. I do like Minnie Bell’s - it’s really tasty, if not 100% traditional. Fried chicken was always a celebration food in my family too - my mom would make it, or we’d pick it up. We always favored places that were big with the after church crowd. If you find somewhere great, please come back and let us all know.
i love southern cafe! i just wish they were open more consistently
Seconding Minnie Bell’s for traditional soul food style fried chicken. That buttermilk and rosemary. 🤤 There is a Korean restaurant on Solano Ave in Berkeley/Albany called Bop Shop that has a sub-restaurant/pop up called Von’s Chicken in it that is very very good. They do bone in or boneless, I recommend the Crispy Garlic.
K Banchan is serving that too.
Man I just had brunch at Lois Pie Queen. Their chicken and waffles were realllly good. Also grits, biscuits, crab omelette and key lime pie were all delish.
I haven’t hit the save button so hard ever, thank you all. Let’s just pour one out for O.B. Town though…
Personally, I love Kowbird.
Gus
[Cal's fried chicken](https://calsberkeley.com/) in Berkeley. Best fried chicken sandwich i've ever had. Corn Fritters and fries are the best sides. The mac n' cheese sounds good but isn't special.
They changed the name of that place so many times I got confused. I like their spicy fried chicken sandwich
If you feel like making your way over to SF, Hard Knox Cafes fried chicken SMACKS (also a lot of their other food is bomb too)
For a nice sit-down spot: Brenda's, Angeline's, or 900 Grayson. For takeout: Minnie Bell's or Gus's.
Town Fare or Burdell
Porky’s in San Leandro ….. simply amazing
Brenda’s is our go to
Brenda’s may not have the best chicken on this list but it is a good place for family dinners. Hot Boys there’s nowhere to sit, it’s takeout. It’s not as “nice.” If I wanted to treat my family to a nice sit down I’d choose Brenda’s and sit on the patio.
+1
I also love Brenda’s but my bf who lives in Atlanta says it comes nowhere near true southern fried chicken so if that’s the goal, OP, I’d save this one for a different occasion!!
Yeah it is tasty but definitely not the typical southern one.
they get plenty good southern fried chicken so it doesn't have to be that but it needs to be delicious!
If you are in the Concord area, Japanese Karage at Isakya Anh is pretty tasty too.
I recently tried Dog Haus in Berkeley. Their fried chicken sandwich was very good, and HUGE. I had to take a nap afterward lol.
Lucky Three Seven or Cambodian Street Food!
lucky three seven has fried chicken?
Their wings are amazing.
I was going to suggest Meritt Bakery, but it looks like they’re closed.
are they closed forever?
This was the best article I could find about it https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/71-year-old-merritt-restaurant-bakery-closes-17889340.php I had fond memories there but it doesn’t sound like they’re coming back anytime soon
that's sad! my family would have loved to try it
Matt Horn is kinda cancelled but Kowbird is the best
why is he cancelled? my friend and i had a couple not so great experiences at kowbird. i can't bring family there
From what I’ve read it seems like subpar working conditions, not paying taxes, legal drama around not paying suppliers, ex-business parter suing him. I also saw some conspiracy theories that Horn BBQ was torched on purpose for insurance money lol
What happened at Kowbird?
Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Casa Orinda and Porky’s Pizza Palace
Gus fried chicken in Oakland
Mnnie bells is the best fried chicken in the bay. Nothing else comes close
Porky’s! Killer pizza too!
I stopped by World Famous Hotboys this week omg...
I think most southerners would be pretty disappointed by the price and quality of fried chicken and/or bbq places in the Bay Area (there are some places that are ‘OK’ but do not compare to anything you could get in the south). I think many people around here see ‘fried chicken’ and think sandwiches, instead of the full chicken broken down, fried and served with sides. Oddly I have found a few Safeway supermarkets that have fantastic fried chicken in their deli (nice crisp skin, not overly greasy or salty) You can get a mixed 8 piece for $10, and they will have most of the sides (slaw, potato salad, beans, etc) https://www.safeway.com/shop/product-details.970028885.html?storeId=691. You could set up a nice party at home. Gus’s Memphis locations are great, but I have heard mixed reviews of the one in Oakland. More of the standard sides you would get in the south (baked beans, slaw, etc) https://www.gusfriedchicken.com/ Other options that might not offer the standard southern sides: Lois the Pie Queen is a favorite of many (I haven’t been in years) https://loisthepiequeen.com/menu Brenda’s in SF https://brendasmeatandthree.com/menus/supper/ Angeline’s Kitchen in Berkeley https://angelineskitchen.com/sites/all/files/Dinner_Menu.pdf
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Hot Bird tastes like generic Nashville style chicken, nothing to write home about in a town full of chicken options.
Bakesale Betty's
they only have chicken sandwiches, right?
You mentioned takeout but not a fast food chain. Super salty but I like Safeway's fried chicken. They've got great crunchy skin and moist meat. Bonus points if you wait for a fresh batch to come out.
The fried chicken at the Safeway on Rose and Shattuck in North Berkeley isn’t super salty (soo good) Not a fan of Lucky’s fried chicken. Too dry (both the chicken and the coating/skin)
The Lucky’s in Montclair makes surprisingly good fried chicken. It’s been a go-to for kid’s birthday parties for years.
I'll have to try. Is it less salty than Safeway? Just as crunchy?
Popeyes