Where to find Best Fried Chicken in Austin: A Definitive Guide

Every fan of fried chicken in Austin has a go-to restaurant. It’s just a very good meal that tastes fantastic with a Dr. Pepper on a hot summer day and equally good with creamy mashed potatoes on a chilly winter day. Since Austin is known for its love of fried chicken, it only makes sense to share a map of some of the best chicken joints in town.

In addition to having some of the top restaurants in the nation right now, Austin, Texas, is known for having the best fried chicken in the country. So whether you want it hot, sweet, or originally crispy or consider it your ideal comfort meal, we have you covered.

We traveled all across Austin in quest of the best fried chicken, which led to the creation of this incredible list. Continue reading to see our summary of Austin’s top fried chicken eateries!

1. Spicy Boys

Several well-known breweries have the 2 food trucks from the fried chicken specialists Spicy Boys parked outside, including Zilker Brewing on East 6th Street and St Elmo Brewing Company located at The Yard in south Austin. Additionally, both Spicy Boys locations are close to other well-known bars in Austin if you don’t like beer.

Indulge a fried chicken sandwich or some of Spicy Boys’ famously delicious wings topped with their unique spice and herb blend, chili honey, fried onions, and scallions. Their original fried chicken sandwich will quickly become one of your favorite meals in Austin when paired with an icy cold beer and a side of their flawlessly crispy tater tots with spicy Sichuan pepper.

Location: Multiple Locations

2. T22 Chicken Joint

Originally branded as a place to get Nashville hot chicken in Austin, it was known as “Austin Hot Chicken.” Today, T22 Chicken Joint (Tumble 22) has many locations in Lake Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, selling hot chicken with spice levels ranging from mild to extremely spicy.

Take a chance on the “Stupid Hot” if you’re feeling bold, but be ready to regret it quickly. Pay attention to the sides and sweets here! Some of the city’s best pies are prepared there.

Location: 7211 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

3. Top Notch

If you’ve been in Austin for over a few minutes, you should already be familiar with Top Notch because it’s one of the original establishments here. Although the burgers and shakes at Top Notch are excellent, the super-crispy fried chicken is the main attraction at this north Austin eatery.

The Texas french fries, toast, and a few more side items should definitely be ordered. Even though the chicken is delicious on its own, a generous amount of gravy will only enhance the flavor of this Austin fried chicken.

Location: 7525 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

4. Lucy’s Fried Chicken

Lucy’s has been a favored spot for one of the top locally-owned chicken restaurants serving a variety of southern specialties in Austin for more than ten years. It’s a family-friendly, sit-down restaurant that also makes for a great place to go for brunch on the weekends.

They excel at the basics (you can figuratively order a bucket of fried chicken from their menu) but offer a few tastier options. Try the crispy fried chicken nachos, which are topped with refried beans, cheddar, cotija, crema, guacamole, and (of course) guacamole. Oysters can be purchased here, either raw or cooked. This Austin fried chicken joint also has amazing pies, just like Tumble 22. Don’t leave without eating a slice of their whipped cream-topped pecan pie!

Location: 2218 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704

5. Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken

Although Gus’s, a fried chicken chain with locations across the nation, is technically not a local eatery, it is a must-try if you’re looking for Austin’s best-fried chicken.

At Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, every piece of chicken is extra crispy, crunchy, deep-fried to a golden crisp, and then wonderfully juicy and moist. Each set of plates comes with beans, coleslaw, and white bread, anywhere from Tennessee to Texas. They add the ideal amount of spice to season it.

You can see famous spices used by Southerner here.

Location: 117 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

6. Colleen’s Kitchen

Some of Austin’s best buttermilk fried chicken can be found at Colleen’s Kitchen. You should add the roasted garlic mashers, collard greens, and four cheese mac n cheese to the table in addition to the three breasts and three thighs that are served family style.

If you haven’t gone, Colleen’s Kitchen is a charming, exquisitely furnished, cozy southern eatery in the Mueller neighborhood. It’s the kind of place you might want to meet up with your mother, a group of girlfriends, or maybe on a date for dinner before seeing a movie at the Alamo.

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Location: 1911 Aldrich St STE 100, Austin, TX 78723

7. Mattie’s At Green Pastures

In a 19th-century home, Mattie’s is a brunch and special occasion restaurant featuring an antique-chic lounge, bar, and patio spaces. It’s one of Austin’s most beautiful restaurants and a very stunning location to eat. In addition, the old estate boasts a sizable outdoor dining area, a lawn covered in oak trees, and roaming peacocks! So it’s undoubtedly one of Austin’s most sought-after wedding venues.

Searching for a perfect wedding venue in Austin? Here are some.

The fried chicken at Mattie’s, a restaurant in Green Pastures, is undoubtedly one of their most famous meals, so let’s stick with the subject of the best fried chicken in Austin. With mashers, baby kale-shaved Brussels sprouts, bacon, gouda, pickled onions, and buttermilk ranch. It is dipped and fried to a crisp golden brown. Make sure to drink one of their fantastic southern cocktails with it.

Location: 811 W Live Oak St, Austin

8. Golden Tiger

There is no finer food to eat at 11 pm after a few beers than a fried chicken sandwich from Golden Tiger, a food truck that is located in front of Whistlers cocktail bar that offers burgers and fried chicken sandwiches.

Fried chicken sandwiches come in three flavors: classic, Thai, and buffalo. They are all extremely juicy because they are deep-fried chicken thighs, but the sauces set them apart from one another. The original has gochujang mayo, the Thai has sweet chili sauce, and the buffalo includes Buffalo sauce with blue cheese or ranch options.

Location: 1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX

9. Hank’s Austin

Despite the expanding population, few restaurants are still in northeast Austin (the Windsor Park region). Thus, Hank’s is a much-needed addition to the neighborhood. It’s a sweet eatery with a sizable patio, a coffee shop section, a fantastic happy hour, and wonderful fried chicken!

One of Austin’s best fried chicken dishes is the brined chicken at Hank’s. Everything you love about fried chicken is there—it’s incredibly golden brown, crunchy, and oh-so-flavorful. It is available on both their lunch and dinner menus.

Location: 5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723

10. Pollo Las Abuelas

Austin is also one of the most distinctive cities. You’ll discover toppings like queso, arbol-garlic oil, roasted serrano crema, and cotija cheese here inspired by South Texas and Mexico. Additionally, if you go for their weekend special, you can add some bacon coated in Mexican Coke and a fried egg.

Don’t forget to order some Bandera Tots, which are topped with Tajin, chipotle mayo, cotija, and jalapeño crema. The tiny trailer is just next to Valentina’s and close enough to get a whiff of some fantastic BBQ aromas on your way in. It is located outside of a gas station south of Slaughter and Menchaca.

Location: 11444 Menchaca Rd, Austin

11. The Little Darlin

Nowadays, hardly many restaurants are open until 2 am, so when we have a need for fried chicken in the middle of the night, we go to The Little Darlin’ off William Cannon and South Congress. A crispy fried chicken thigh, some Duke’s mayo, some house-made pickles, and a little mound of sweet and sour coleslaw that adds terrific texture and crunch to each bite make up this sandwich, which is a classic done perfectly.

Choose a beverage from The Little Darlin’s house-infused selection to accompany it, then choose a space on the expansive patio and relax. It’s simple to accomplish this here.

Location: 6507 Circle S Rd, Austin

12. Penthouse Brewing

The owners of Pinthouse Pizza started Pinthouse Brewing as a side business in South Austin. While beer has always been a major priority at the other locations, it is now the primary focus. The Austin Hot Chicken sandwich is available on their most current menu revision. It consists of two thick pieces of Pullman bread, a fried chicken breast that is almost tender enough to be mistaken for a leg, black pepper vinaigrette slaw, and a sweet and sour Nashville hot sauce.

The combination of the two flavors is enough to convince you to convert your allegiance from Pinthouse Pizza to Pinthouse Brewing (which, happily, you’ll never have to do).

Location: 2201 E Ben White Blvd, Austin

13. The Cavalier

The Cavalier also makes one of the best chicken sandwiches in town. A cool Caribbean coleslaw that adds texture and flavor is placed on top of the fried chicken after being coated in a sweet-and-spicy sauce. You may also order this dish as a side. After eating it, your hands will be a little bit messy, serving as a lasting remembrance of the mouthwatering sandwich you just downed.

Location: 2400 Webberville Rd, Austin

We all know that nothing really beats a good fried chicken sandwich. So whether you’re looking for something from the South, Asia, or just your classic American bite, Austin has got you covered. From Hank’s Austin and Pollo Las Abuelas to The Little Darlin’ and Pinthouse Brewing, there are plenty of amazing options in town. So grab your friends and plan a trip to taste the best fried chicken in Austin today!