By Steven Doyle
We love our fried chicken, and have been seeking out the very best Dallas has to offer. We scoured the streets and found some with an ethnic twist, others are straight forward crispy fried and juicy.
We had to eliminate a few that didn’t qualify as traditional, such as Bon Mua’s fried Cornish hen, which still is worth making the drive to Carrollton. In making our list we were shocked at how many plates of fried chicken we had sampled over the past months. Colonel Sanders would have said he was too drunk to taste the chicken after dining at a few of these places.
Enjoy our list which is in no particular order. We tried to give a good mix between the more refined and the more obvious yard birds.
Babes
The standard by which all fried chicken in the Metroplex should be judged. The location in Roanoke seems more authentic, but there are plenty of locations, including the cousin store, Bubba’s. Brined so it carries saltiness and served up with some amazing sides including fluffy biscuits and plenty of house-made cream corn.
BbBop
Currently with two locations in Dallas, this homegrown Korean fast-casual restaurant makes that wonderful light and airy-crusted Korean fried chicken that has a kiss of a sweet chile sauce for a bit of spiciness and kicked up flavor. Both locations are on Greenville Avenue, with the latest store on the lowest half near Ross where all the cool restaurants play.
Remedy
Across the street (literally) from BbBop sits perched one pretty fantastic old school-styled restaurant which likes to emulate a soda fountain. Besides a pretty terrific grilled cheese and tomato soup combo, Remedy also has this seriously delicious fried chicken that has been simmered in its own fat before deep fried. You also will taste some of the best pie around the Dallas area.
Celebration
This home-cooking Mecca has been in business a fast and friendly 40 years serving up chicken fried steaks, meatloaf, catfish and southern fried chicken. The sides are sturdy and the chicken is light and crispy. For those with a “get in me belly” outlook on lunch, you may order as many plate refills as you can sample.
Rudy’s Chicken
If you enjoy a little theater with your dinner, Rudy’s is the place to check out. This Oak Cliff hot spot serves its fried chicken simple, hot and delicious. Served atop a few slices of white bread (presumably to soak up any extraneous grease) and a side of spicy peppers, Rudy’s is inexpensive and delicious. For less than three dollars you can get a meal of fries, two pieces of chicken and those peppers. The seasoning that is added after is salty and addictive. Be on the lookout for the entrepreneurial type who will want to sell you today’s catch in the parking lot. 3115 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas.
Max’s Wine Dive
Nothing pairs better with fried chicken than a nice bottle of Dom Pérignon. No, seriously. The iconic French champagne is served by the glass, along with plenty of other labels you would not expect from a place that served late night fried chicken. And to boot, the chicken is pretty wonderful. Very wonderful.
Chicken House
This is your basic fried chicken done very well. The crust is substantial, well-seasoned and perfected amiably. This is another example of ghetto bird that will have you driving circles around the building for a closer inspection, but all is good in the house of hen. 4839 Gaston Ave., Dallas.
Sissy’s Southern Kitchen
Sissy’s has garnered plenty of accolades and for good reason. The chefs here are deft at the art of chicken and make a fine example. The dark fried crust is light and airy, while the juicy meat squirts with piquancy. The sides are not to be missed especially the fried okra and creamed corn. Both are decadent. Located on Henderson Avenue, there will be a second location coming soon in the downtown Dallas area.
Pecan Lodge
We have you looking twice, right? Yes, this is home to the best brisket in Dallas and made our top five list for BBQ. But, the owners make some damned good chicken. The pieces are mammoth and served fresh with each order.
Hatties
The buttermilk chicken that is served with a Tasso gravy on the brunch menu at Hattie’s serves as a shining example of southern fried glory. Enjoy this dish along with other southern favorites such as the very best shrimp and grits in Dallas.
Stampede 66
This is the holy mother of fried chicken. Pyle’s version will no doubt be the best you have ever tried and it actually is injected with honey for an insanely good flavor. Your fist bite will reveal a shower of juiciness and droplets of that injected honey. An obligatory ‘yeehaw’ is due about right here.
