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A spread of Cajun food is on a table: fried chicken with peppers, corn, a side dish of pickles, and a bourbon.
Mammaw’s fried chicken with pepper jelly at Restaurant Beatrice.
Kathy Tran

13 Places to Eat the Finest Fried Chicken in Dallas

Because there's nothing more perfect than crispy, juicy, deep-fried yardbird

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Mammaw’s fried chicken with pepper jelly at Restaurant Beatrice.
| Kathy Tran

Classic fried chicken is always en vogue, whether you prefer a thin and crispy crust or something more substantial. Dallas is a veritable wonderland of excellent fried chicken dishes, some of which pop up in some pretty unexpected places. Which leads to the question: Where do you find Dallas' best fried chicken?

Not surprisingly, it's not hard to find a great bucket (or plate, bag – the vessel is not important) of fried chicken in the Big D. Whether you're looking for something classic or trendy, country-style or globally influenced, these Dallas restaurants offer a bounty of deep-fried, finger-lickin' goodness.

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Whistle Britches

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This chicken shack from chef Omar Flores has earned a loyal crowd of regulars, and for good reason. The birds here are brined in pickle juice and covered in a crispy batter, available on the bone or in ridiculously good chicken sandwiches. Try the Hot Dang, Flores' take on Nashville-style hot chicken.

Babe's Chicken Dinner House

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The O.G. of Dallas' fried chicken scene, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is an excellent option for perfectly fried bird. Order up fried chicken on the bone or strips, all paired with a selection of family-style sides included in the price. Just don't fill up on those biscuits before the chicken comes.

Ricky's Hot Chicken

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There are now a bounty of fried chicken spots slinging super-spicy, Nashville-style hot chicken, and Ricky’s is among the best. Halal chicken is fried to crunchy perfection, then offered in five different spice levels that range from “no heat” to “A-bomb.” Cool down with a side of vinegar slaw.

Roots Southern Table

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Chef Tiffany Derry’s Roots Chicken Shack, with its duck fat fried chicken, has been supplanted by her wonderful restaurant in Farmers Branch. Get it there but add the gruyere potato and a fancy cocktail.

Celebration Restaurant

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When Grandma's kitchen isn't open, get thee to Celebration for a down-home plate of classic fried chicken. There aren't any fancy sous vide machines or uber-trendy garnishes to be found, but the time-tested combination of marinating, breading, and frying is executed perfectly at this Dallas stalwart.

Bubba's Cooks Country

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With a name like Bubba's, great fried chicken makes sense, but this Dallas classic thoroughly exceeds expectations. The #1 combo – a piece of chicken, one side, and a roll – makes for an excellent light lunch, but go ahead and splurge on the three piece.

Streets Fine Chicken

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A French-inspired take on the classic Southern fried yard bird awaits at this Oak Lawn eatery. The chicken here is brined for 24 hours in a secret concoction that includes lemon and herbes de provence, which results in an endlessly juicy bird.

Mike's Chicken

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Whether it's wings, tenders, or crisply fried drumsticks you crave, Mike's is an ideal choice. Order a four-piece chicken tender combo served with a selection of housemade dipping sauces (including a peanut butter-infused Buffalo sauce) or combine dark & white meat for a perfect on-the-bone combo. In addition to the Maple Ave. location, Mike’s opened a new spot on Forrest Lane in North Dallas this year.

The Slow Bone

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Order barbecue if you must, but The Slow Bone's fried chicken is the stuff of legends. Chef Jeffrey Hobbs starts off by smoking a pan of water for the brine, letting the chicken chill overnight, then deep fries the birds to crispy, crunchy perfection.

Yardbird Table & Bar

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Yardbird brought its take on Southern comfort food to Uptown Dallas in 2020. If you’d like your fried chicken prepared in a manner befitting a James Beard nomination and the atmosphere to be more fancy than homestyle, get here for the half bird with hot honey. The chicken and waffles is also deep fried deliciousness.

Brick & Bones

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The fried chicken at this Deep Ellum haunt has a seriously devoted crowd of loyal followers. The chicken here (bone-in or tenders) is brined for 24 hours to make it juicy, then battered and served in a bucket, on rice, or alongside a waffle. Try the “sexy chicken,” or bird that’s deep-fried without batter and tossed in Nashville-style hot chicken oil.

Restaurant Beatrice

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On any night at this Oak Cliff restaurant, you’ll smell Mammaw’s fried chicken as soon as you park. Tables around you will have a massive platter of the Louisiana-style recipe, served with pepper jelly and a housemade biscuit. While everything on the menu here is excellent, the fried chicken is a must — at least once. And happily, it’s available for dinner, lunch, and with a waffle for brunch.

Rudy's Chicken

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Head to South Dallas for fried chicken so delicious that you’ll “slap yo mamma’s mamma,” or at least that’s what Rudy says. Gloriously greasy thighs and legs are some of the best in Dallas, perfectly seasoned and never soggy. Pro-tips: expect a line, and don’t forget to bring cash — cards are no good here.

Whistle Britches

This chicken shack from chef Omar Flores has earned a loyal crowd of regulars, and for good reason. The birds here are brined in pickle juice and covered in a crispy batter, available on the bone or in ridiculously good chicken sandwiches. Try the Hot Dang, Flores' take on Nashville-style hot chicken.

Babe's Chicken Dinner House

The O.G. of Dallas' fried chicken scene, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is an excellent option for perfectly fried bird. Order up fried chicken on the bone or strips, all paired with a selection of family-style sides included in the price. Just don't fill up on those biscuits before the chicken comes.

Ricky's Hot Chicken

There are now a bounty of fried chicken spots slinging super-spicy, Nashville-style hot chicken, and Ricky’s is among the best. Halal chicken is fried to crunchy perfection, then offered in five different spice levels that range from “no heat” to “A-bomb.” Cool down with a side of vinegar slaw.

Roots Southern Table

Chef Tiffany Derry’s Roots Chicken Shack, with its duck fat fried chicken, has been supplanted by her wonderful restaurant in Farmers Branch. Get it there but add the gruyere potato and a fancy cocktail.

Celebration Restaurant

When Grandma's kitchen isn't open, get thee to Celebration for a down-home plate of classic fried chicken. There aren't any fancy sous vide machines or uber-trendy garnishes to be found, but the time-tested combination of marinating, breading, and frying is executed perfectly at this Dallas stalwart.

Bubba's Cooks Country

With a name like Bubba's, great fried chicken makes sense, but this Dallas classic thoroughly exceeds expectations. The #1 combo – a piece of chicken, one side, and a roll – makes for an excellent light lunch, but go ahead and splurge on the three piece.

Streets Fine Chicken

A French-inspired take on the classic Southern fried yard bird awaits at this Oak Lawn eatery. The chicken here is brined for 24 hours in a secret concoction that includes lemon and herbes de provence, which results in an endlessly juicy bird.

Mike's Chicken

Whether it's wings, tenders, or crisply fried drumsticks you crave, Mike's is an ideal choice. Order a four-piece chicken tender combo served with a selection of housemade dipping sauces (including a peanut butter-infused Buffalo sauce) or combine dark & white meat for a perfect on-the-bone combo. In addition to the Maple Ave. location, Mike’s opened a new spot on Forrest Lane in North Dallas this year.

The Slow Bone

Order barbecue if you must, but The Slow Bone's fried chicken is the stuff of legends. Chef Jeffrey Hobbs starts off by smoking a pan of water for the brine, letting the chicken chill overnight, then deep fries the birds to crispy, crunchy perfection.

Yardbird Table & Bar

Yardbird brought its take on Southern comfort food to Uptown Dallas in 2020. If you’d like your fried chicken prepared in a manner befitting a James Beard nomination and the atmosphere to be more fancy than homestyle, get here for the half bird with hot honey. The chicken and waffles is also deep fried deliciousness.

Brick & Bones

The fried chicken at this Deep Ellum haunt has a seriously devoted crowd of loyal followers. The chicken here (bone-in or tenders) is brined for 24 hours to make it juicy, then battered and served in a bucket, on rice, or alongside a waffle. Try the “sexy chicken,” or bird that’s deep-fried without batter and tossed in Nashville-style hot chicken oil.

Restaurant Beatrice

On any night at this Oak Cliff restaurant, you’ll smell Mammaw’s fried chicken as soon as you park. Tables around you will have a massive platter of the Louisiana-style recipe, served with pepper jelly and a housemade biscuit. While everything on the menu here is excellent, the fried chicken is a must — at least once. And happily, it’s available for dinner, lunch, and with a waffle for brunch.

Rudy's Chicken

Head to South Dallas for fried chicken so delicious that you’ll “slap yo mamma’s mamma,” or at least that’s what Rudy says. Gloriously greasy thighs and legs are some of the best in Dallas, perfectly seasoned and never soggy. Pro-tips: expect a line, and don’t forget to bring cash — cards are no good here.

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