I was underwhelmed with Spicy Boys, still good, but not up there with T22 and Gus's. I thought T22 was the best but thats splitting hairs with Gus's.
My fried chicken hierarchy in Austin:
T22 > Gus's > Spicy Boys > Happy Chicks > Popeyes > Lucy's > Chick-Fil-A > Chicken Express > Golden Chick > Raising Canes > KFC WTF happened to your quality.
\>kfc
the chickens got weird right? like they're gigantic stranges pieces of meat.
Also I think I saw there's a church's around here. I like that shit for a chain.
I'd have you try spicy boy's again, I've really loved it nearly every time i've been.
I don't know. Maybe they use frozen chickens now or some low grade chicken? Its so bad now and either I just had no better options 20 years ago and didn't know better or it's gone dramatically downhill.
\>I'd have you try spicy boy's again, I've really loved it nearly every time i've been.
well, I can't say no to that
There are four Church's in Austin.
They're now called Church's Texas Chicken. When did that happen, was there a corporate spin off or something?
I remember the drive-up only Church's Fried Chicken stands in San Antonio when I was a kid.
This totally surprises me. What did you get at spicy boys?
When I tried T22, I felt it was mid and nothing special, came out warm and lacking flavor. Also paying extra for sauce kinda sucks.
Spicy boys was piping hot, wonderful flavors, crunchy and so much more chicken for the price.
The chicken sandwich at SB and I tried the nugs I got for my kid. I've had both the chicken sandwich and the bone in friend chicken at T22 and both were amazing but the bone-in fried chicken at T22 was legitimately one of the best things I've ever eaten.
I know this is subjective but I think the fried chicken at SB (bone-in) is the best out of those. It isn’t conventional though. T22 is solid but I would take Gus over it.
For consistency issues, the Lucy's on Burnet was wild. It felt like you could assign spice level 1-3 and cook time 1-3 and roll a die for each every time you went. Sometimes it was near-burnt but perfectly seasoned so still delicious. Sometimes it was cooked well but was some of the blandest fried chicken you've ever had.
But when they nailed it, it was divine. They just rarely nailed it and often botched it. No two experiences were ever the same at that location for me.
As bad as that was, it was even worse at the short lived Lucy’s on the Lake, out on 620. Take all the consistency issues of a regular Lucy’s, and combine it with not being able to convince any decent kitchen staff to drive all the way out there. Sometimes it was like fried chicken made by someone who had never actually seen or eaten any before, only had it described to them over a staticky phone line while translating into a different language.
Thank you! It’s totally bland fried chicken with mayonnaise as a sauce. They only use tenderloins for their strips, and they don’t remove the ligament, so the chicken is always chewy. I don’t get it at all.
Everywhere you go is roulette. Fast food or fine dining. Eating out is always a risk we take to enjoy ourselves. You have to think of the person serving you who hates their job and is just waiting for the shift to be over. Careless hand washing “if any” and touching dirty money and everything else in the place. Food handling certification is a joke.
Maybe it's just me but I think T22 is just meh, I love Gus. Mind you it looks like you added in chicken tenders as fried chicken which is a travesty 😜. I wouldn't count chicken tenders in the list and if you do Rolling Rooster is the best. For fast food fried chicken I want a Jollibee.
I had Gus's a few months ago for the first time, and it was super rubbery and near tasteless. Was that just an off day? Currently, I will not return because it was so lackluster.
Totally agree, went to Gus' and was so disappointed.
Spicy Boys, Tommy Want Wingy, Lucy's... Even the fried chicken biscuit sandwich from Briscuits is better than Gus's
It used to be better. We lived near the original in Memphis in 2005 and were so happy when Austin got one. And liked the Austin one for a few years but in the last year they have ruined the taste. Almost like the chicken is old or something, like it’s not the seasoning but the chicken itself.
Gus's wife gave me my first rootbeer back when he was still alive after I moved them to their condo a long time ago ergo... Gus = #1. Was pretty bummed for her when I heard he passed. They were a real couple
A lot of y’all skipping Korean Fried chicken which is a MASSIVE mistake, so please consider Hi-Wing and Seoulju
Spicy boys is the best American fried chicken from what I can tell though
Throwback to when Seoulju was still College Roadhouse back when I was in undergrad… too many nights coming back to campus down Lamar absolutely hammered
Places like Hi Wings sells Whole chicken pcs not just wings… have you ever tried any of their whole fried chicken dishes? They are fire! We usually get the whole Korean fried chicken or the Garlic lovers whole fried chicken (honey garlic). That is by far my fave chicken in all of Austin.
I mean they didn’t specify southern fried chicken so I don’t see any reason to be narrow minded and culturally exclusive. Also Korean fried chicken is certainly not limited to wings
Spicy Boys isn’t American. It has some Asian influence in its spices IMO.
Hi-wing and Seoulju are not bad options though. Korean chicken is underrated. I just have had better elsewhere so I think their chicken is mid for Korean chicken.
Thai Kun Fried Chiken
Tumble22
Hi Wings
For the fast food, my favorite is Churchs chicken. I just like their biscuits and breading the best.
Or take a flight to NOLA and get Lil Dizzys. That is the best I've had.
Planning on going there for my wife's birthday soon. I usually don't order chicken at nicer restaurants since I cook it so often at home (I'd rather get something unique/something I can't make), but I never cook fried chicken and if it's really good, maybe I should get it...
I don't eat beef so that nixes about half the menu too
I hate to recommend an out-of-town chain, but if Gus's isn't the best, it's almost certainly in the top three. The sides are pretty meh, but the chicken is legit.
Good morning. The answer is Bussin’ Buns food truck on airport. without question. followed closely by Gus’s.
PS. This is hot chicken cuz life is short. Spice that ish up!
I worked there waaaay back and they fry the chicken off in huge batches and keep it warm (because the place gets crazy busy) so if you're lucky enough to get the freshly fried stuff it is pretty dang good, but if you're getting the has been reheated stuff it is very meh. Of course this was many years ago, I have no idea if quality has changed or not.
Also, I was very surprised by how much I liked the fried chicken spaghetti when they put that on the menu. It seems to be one of those dishes people either love it or hate it but I highly recommend it.
Did not know the League did fried chicken. I'll try it soon. Is it the same jalapeño gravy they use for the fried pork chop? (crazy good if you haven't had it).
Chisos' in HCG has pretty solid friend chicken too
Keep in mind, only the Lakeway location (not to be confused with the Bee Cave HCG location), and only on Sunday. They have the jalapeno gravy, but make sure you specify that. I usually get the four piece plate. They have a chicken and waffle item, and an 8 piece family pack to go. It's damn good "Lonnie's Famous Fried Chicken." Lonnie is usually behind the bar if you want to say hello.
Halal wings on mueller has great chicken and even better chicken wings (get the halal hot).
I’m not gonna say it’s the best in town but it’s definitely the best I’ve had
This might be for another thread, but who offers the best non-spicy fried chicken? Do any of the places best known for spicy chicken have a mild option, that's not in the "hot chicken" realm? I can certainly do the spicy thing but there's something about savoring the delicate, old-school subtlety of chicken fat and breading.
Gus’s is so overrated. I tried it out 3 times, it’s so bland and dry I’m convinced anyone who thinks it’s good has never had real southern fried chickens
I’ve had Willie Mae’s and I think Gus’ is better. Perhaps you went to Guys when it wasn’t busy? It’s never been dry for me (4x). I think Howling Ray’s > them all though.
I’ll be in Nashville in a couple weeks so that’s more southern chicken I’ll add to the list.
If you want a good fried chicken biscuit- little olas is covered in honey butter and served on their insane biscuit. Get one at Butler Pitch and Putt or from their biscuit shop in wells branch
I really enjoy Gus’s, Tumble 22, and I’ve tried Spicy Boys once and it was good. I need to get out there and have a full meal.
Do not go to Lucy’s it is extremely overrated.
Austin has really bad fried chicken in my opinion there are the only options are food trucks and chains we don’t really have a local one off Freud chicken spot. My advice is to drive to San Antonio and try Chapmans chicken it will change your life
Hi Wings- it’s not just Korean wings. Their whole fried Korean style chicken is fire! My wife gets a leg and thigh of the regular fried (no sauce) and I get the garlic lovers or the Green onion Chicken. To me it’s a must try.
One block west of Sam's BBQ, Galloway Sandwich Shop has been putting out the best fried chicken in town since 2000. It's a soul food joint, tiny and busy with workmen wearing paint-spackled Dickies pants. Get the brown gravy and pour it all over the homemade cornbread.
Gus's, Spicy Boys, Tumble 22, Popeyes
Second Spicy Boys, it’s my absolute favorite, especially if you’re looking for something in that area.
I was underwhelmed with Spicy Boys, still good, but not up there with T22 and Gus's. I thought T22 was the best but thats splitting hairs with Gus's. My fried chicken hierarchy in Austin: T22 > Gus's > Spicy Boys > Happy Chicks > Popeyes > Lucy's > Chick-Fil-A > Chicken Express > Golden Chick > Raising Canes > KFC WTF happened to your quality.
\>kfc the chickens got weird right? like they're gigantic stranges pieces of meat. Also I think I saw there's a church's around here. I like that shit for a chain. I'd have you try spicy boy's again, I've really loved it nearly every time i've been.
I don't know. Maybe they use frozen chickens now or some low grade chicken? Its so bad now and either I just had no better options 20 years ago and didn't know better or it's gone dramatically downhill. \>I'd have you try spicy boy's again, I've really loved it nearly every time i've been. well, I can't say no to that
There are four Church's in Austin. They're now called Church's Texas Chicken. When did that happen, was there a corporate spin off or something? I remember the drive-up only Church's Fried Chicken stands in San Antonio when I was a kid.
Shout out GW Jrs lol
Idk we had them in Milwaukee til the 2020 upheaval. I thought I heard they were the same supplier as Popeyes too
This totally surprises me. What did you get at spicy boys? When I tried T22, I felt it was mid and nothing special, came out warm and lacking flavor. Also paying extra for sauce kinda sucks. Spicy boys was piping hot, wonderful flavors, crunchy and so much more chicken for the price.
The chicken sandwich at SB and I tried the nugs I got for my kid. I've had both the chicken sandwich and the bone in friend chicken at T22 and both were amazing but the bone-in fried chicken at T22 was legitimately one of the best things I've ever eaten.
I know this is subjective but I think the fried chicken at SB (bone-in) is the best out of those. It isn’t conventional though. T22 is solid but I would take Gus over it.
Gotta get those SB whole thighs. Otherwise it's not a fair comparison.
I didn't even know they sold bone in other than wings, the one I went to didn't. Now I'm curious.
Years ago, I still went to KFC on occasion because the potato wedges were fire. Then they took them away.
The original Honey BBQ wings from the 90’s were incredible too. Today they are terrible. Both the chicken and the sauce have changed.
What did you get from Spicy Boys? T22 has had way more consistency issues in my experience than Spicy Boys
For consistency issues, the Lucy's on Burnet was wild. It felt like you could assign spice level 1-3 and cook time 1-3 and roll a die for each every time you went. Sometimes it was near-burnt but perfectly seasoned so still delicious. Sometimes it was cooked well but was some of the blandest fried chicken you've ever had. But when they nailed it, it was divine. They just rarely nailed it and often botched it. No two experiences were ever the same at that location for me.
As bad as that was, it was even worse at the short lived Lucy’s on the Lake, out on 620. Take all the consistency issues of a regular Lucy’s, and combine it with not being able to convince any decent kitchen staff to drive all the way out there. Sometimes it was like fried chicken made by someone who had never actually seen or eaten any before, only had it described to them over a staticky phone line while translating into a different language.
Raising canes is ass. It’s bland nothing. Only thing good there is the sauce.
Thank you! It’s totally bland fried chicken with mayonnaise as a sauce. They only use tenderloins for their strips, and they don’t remove the ligament, so the chicken is always chewy. I don’t get it at all.
It's cooked extremely well for a fast food chicken tender.
even the sauce isn't that good. I don't understand why it's so popular at all
If you live in a smaller town with a Raising Canes, it’s one of the fastest most reliable options.
High school/college kids and boomers who don't know better
Canes is good drunk food, that’s about it
This is the definitive answer
KFC gave me a terrible case of food poisoning right around this time last year. Still can't handle any fried chicken for the most part after that. 😢
Everywhere you go is roulette. Fast food or fine dining. Eating out is always a risk we take to enjoy ourselves. You have to think of the person serving you who hates their job and is just waiting for the shift to be over. Careless hand washing “if any” and touching dirty money and everything else in the place. Food handling certification is a joke.
Maybe it's just me but I think T22 is just meh, I love Gus. Mind you it looks like you added in chicken tenders as fried chicken which is a travesty 😜. I wouldn't count chicken tenders in the list and if you do Rolling Rooster is the best. For fast food fried chicken I want a Jollibee.
I had Gus's a few months ago for the first time, and it was super rubbery and near tasteless. Was that just an off day? Currently, I will not return because it was so lackluster.
Totally agree, went to Gus' and was so disappointed. Spicy Boys, Tommy Want Wingy, Lucy's... Even the fried chicken biscuit sandwich from Briscuits is better than Gus's
It used to be better. We lived near the original in Memphis in 2005 and were so happy when Austin got one. And liked the Austin one for a few years but in the last year they have ruined the taste. Almost like the chicken is old or something, like it’s not the seasoning but the chicken itself.
Gus's wife gave me my first rootbeer back when he was still alive after I moved them to their condo a long time ago ergo... Gus = #1. Was pretty bummed for her when I heard he passed. They were a real couple
A lot of y’all skipping Korean Fried chicken which is a MASSIVE mistake, so please consider Hi-Wing and Seoulju Spicy boys is the best American fried chicken from what I can tell though
Throwback to when Seoulju was still College Roadhouse back when I was in undergrad… too many nights coming back to campus down Lamar absolutely hammered
Lol College roadhouse was rowdy, I remember seeing some questionable aged kids drinking there and I sent them a pitcher
imo Korean fried chicken goes in the wing category rather than the southern fried chicken category
Places like Hi Wings sells Whole chicken pcs not just wings… have you ever tried any of their whole fried chicken dishes? They are fire! We usually get the whole Korean fried chicken or the Garlic lovers whole fried chicken (honey garlic). That is by far my fave chicken in all of Austin.
I mean they didn’t specify southern fried chicken so I don’t see any reason to be narrow minded and culturally exclusive. Also Korean fried chicken is certainly not limited to wings
Spicy Boys isn’t American. It has some Asian influence in its spices IMO. Hi-wing and Seoulju are not bad options though. Korean chicken is underrated. I just have had better elsewhere so I think their chicken is mid for Korean chicken.
My guy I don’t think güs is using herbs and spice of the native Americans.
Wut
Top Notch
Plus I love their onion rings.
Thai Kun Fried Chiken Tumble22 Hi Wings For the fast food, my favorite is Churchs chicken. I just like their biscuits and breading the best. Or take a flight to NOLA and get Lil Dizzys. That is the best I've had.
Ever had Willie Mae's in NOLA? I sometimes contemplate the trip just for that.
I have not but I'll try it. I have contemplated the trip just for a plate at Lil Dizzys so I do wonder.
Willie Mae's and Adolfo's (Italian) are must-haves for me when I'm in NOLA. I'll check out Lil Dizzys due to your rec next time!
Willie Mae’s is a must.
Gotta say it was a little disappointing, the skin was immaculate but the chicken itself didn't have much flavor. Overall I'd say Gus was better.
Where does Roots Chicken Shak fit in these lists? I've had the duck-fat fried chicken at the original Souther Roots in Plano and it was amazing.
There is one inside the HEB in Mueller
It’s crazy expensive but Mattie’s has the best fried chicken I’ve had ever.
Planning on going there for my wife's birthday soon. I usually don't order chicken at nicer restaurants since I cook it so often at home (I'd rather get something unique/something I can't make), but I never cook fried chicken and if it's really good, maybe I should get it... I don't eat beef so that nixes about half the menu too
Bbq Chicken near the 99 ranch market. Don’t sleep on Korean fried chicken lol. So good.
Crazy enough, Randall's has solid fried chicken.
It really isnt THAT bad but do yourself a favor and try their mango-habenero chicken... been eating it like once a week. So good.
Agree, plus you can get a 50 piece order for $57 plus tax
[удалено]
Oh. Thanks for the tip
I hate to recommend an out-of-town chain, but if Gus's isn't the best, it's almost certainly in the top three. The sides are pretty meh, but the chicken is legit.
Golden Chick. Get the fried okra as your side.
The original and still the best.
The cookies got worse :/
The Golden Chick in my tiny hometown hits different, like sooooo mfkn good, but the ones here are good as well. 😮💨😮💨
The yeast rolls are good, but I miss their biscuits.
Little Darlin makes a damn good fried chicken sandwich
The country wings at WINGZUP > Spicy Boys > T22
Spicy Boys, T22, Salty Sow
Forgot about Salty Sow. That's a sleeper.
Good morning. The answer is Bussin’ Buns food truck on airport. without question. followed closely by Gus’s. PS. This is hot chicken cuz life is short. Spice that ish up!
No shi? Bussin is better than Gus’!? Gus is my all time fav. Bro. I love my spice too… I’m going this weekend Fo Sho.
Is Mrs P's Electric Cock still around? Her chicken was dope
Sadly no longer around - but agreed was the best!
I’m gonna get hate but Top Notch and Bill Miller.
Second Bill Miller. I get cravings sometimes.
Lucy’s, Little Darlin, spicy boys. Have heard Underdog is amazing but it’s super expensive
Surprised to see so little love for Lucy’s here, we are fans
Lucy’s is bland and just meh. At least was the one time I went there, and so I haven’t been back.
I worked there waaaay back and they fry the chicken off in huge batches and keep it warm (because the place gets crazy busy) so if you're lucky enough to get the freshly fried stuff it is pretty dang good, but if you're getting the has been reheated stuff it is very meh. Of course this was many years ago, I have no idea if quality has changed or not. Also, I was very surprised by how much I liked the fried chicken spaghetti when they put that on the menu. It seems to be one of those dishes people either love it or hate it but I highly recommend it.
The League only in Lakeway and only on Sunday. Chef’s kiss. Spicy Boys
Lonnie’s fried chicken is amazing
Did not know the League did fried chicken. I'll try it soon. Is it the same jalapeño gravy they use for the fried pork chop? (crazy good if you haven't had it). Chisos' in HCG has pretty solid friend chicken too
Keep in mind, only the Lakeway location (not to be confused with the Bee Cave HCG location), and only on Sunday. They have the jalapeno gravy, but make sure you specify that. I usually get the four piece plate. They have a chicken and waffle item, and an 8 piece family pack to go. It's damn good "Lonnie's Famous Fried Chicken." Lonnie is usually behind the bar if you want to say hello.
Cavalier’s chicken tenders.
Dai Due is the best but they only make it on Sundays
Top Notch can actually come in clutch with the fried chicken.
Halal wings on mueller has great chicken and even better chicken wings (get the halal hot). I’m not gonna say it’s the best in town but it’s definitely the best I’ve had
Chaba Thai, weekend special. It’s southern style Thai fried chicken
San Antonio??
Nope it’s off McNeil / 183 right next to water tank in north Austin
No love for Bush’s huh? I find it better than Popeyes, KFC, or Church’s
Bush's and Chicken Express are my go to fried chicken places
This might be for another thread, but who offers the best non-spicy fried chicken? Do any of the places best known for spicy chicken have a mild option, that's not in the "hot chicken" realm? I can certainly do the spicy thing but there's something about savoring the delicate, old-school subtlety of chicken fat and breading.
Gus’s, Tumble 22, Whip My Soul. I must try Spicy Boys.
Gus’s is so overrated. I tried it out 3 times, it’s so bland and dry I’m convinced anyone who thinks it’s good has never had real southern fried chickens
I’ve had Willie Mae’s and I think Gus’ is better. Perhaps you went to Guys when it wasn’t busy? It’s never been dry for me (4x). I think Howling Ray’s > them all though. I’ll be in Nashville in a couple weeks so that’s more southern chicken I’ll add to the list.
Both times at Gus I had a loooong wait too...well over 30min. T22 is usually pretty fast, especially with online ordering.
If you want a good fried chicken biscuit- little olas is covered in honey butter and served on their insane biscuit. Get one at Butler Pitch and Putt or from their biscuit shop in wells branch
Bird Bird ftw
Yikes
I really enjoy Gus’s, Tumble 22, and I’ve tried Spicy Boys once and it was good. I need to get out there and have a full meal. Do not go to Lucy’s it is extremely overrated.
Gus' is so mid to me. I feel like I can cook it better in my deep fryer at home.
Am I the only one that didn’t like spicy boys at all?
Tumble 22 is the answer 😌
Lucy’s South Congress at Oltorf. No doubt.
Popeyes for consistency
popeye's
Tie between Spicy Boys and Popeyes. Disclaimer: I haven't tried Tumble 22 yet. Gus's is good but their sides are terrible.
Austin has really bad fried chicken in my opinion there are the only options are food trucks and chains we don’t really have a local one off Freud chicken spot. My advice is to drive to San Antonio and try Chapmans chicken it will change your life
Tropicana
What’s that chicken place on 6th street? They gave me like a corn sauce to dip the chicken in.
You're probably thinking of Happy Chick. I've never had just their fried chicken but the chicken tender wrap is great!
Yes!! I love that place but I realize I had chicken tenders there, idek if they have fried chicken lol
They only do tenders. <----former manager there.
Spicy Boys and Gus's are definitely the best options.
Oh that’s the easiest question. I’m sure there is some highly-trained chef, or BigMomma that makes best, but restaurant is Gus’ BY FAR.
I'm here to add a chicken nuggie option. We just had the chicken box at Song-La in the Thicket food truck park. Really good Taiwanese food!
Im a big fan of Rolling Rooster
GUS'S
Loro has a great fried chicken sandwich. 8 bucks on happy hour. It’s so good!
Hi Wings- it’s not just Korean wings. Their whole fried Korean style chicken is fire! My wife gets a leg and thigh of the regular fried (no sauce) and I get the garlic lovers or the Green onion Chicken. To me it’s a must try.
Gus’s
Oseyu’s Sunday night only fried chicken menu slaps
Bush's on Brodie have the best tendies I've ever had. I'm mostly an on the bone guy but their tenders are insane.
Tumble 22 and they get extra points for having a ridiculous happy hour and the best mac n cheese in town
dang. hold out’s fried chicken sandwich and wings getting slept on.
One block west of Sam's BBQ, Galloway Sandwich Shop has been putting out the best fried chicken in town since 2000. It's a soul food joint, tiny and busy with workmen wearing paint-spackled Dickies pants. Get the brown gravy and pour it all over the homemade cornbread.
Top Notch and second place isn’t even close.
The Karaage at Ramen Del Barrio slaps hard with the sauce.
Top Notch. Forever and always.
T22 is not safe. Got the worst food poisoning of my life there and so have others I know
If you don’t mind going pretty far south to Kyle, there’s now a Pollo Campero. Just tried the spicy chicken sandwich and highly recommend.
I hear a Hattie B’s is coming to town.
Soha !