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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

by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated
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Mammaw’s fried chicken with pepper jelly at Restaurant Beatrice.
| Kathy Tran
by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated

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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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

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.

6110 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX 75252
(972) 590-8991
(972) 590-8991

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.

1006 W Main St, Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 245-7773
(972) 245-7773

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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.

100 S Central Expy #18, Richardson, TX 75080
(214) 272-3735
(214) 272-3735

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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.

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
(214) 346-4441
(214) 346-4441

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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.

4503 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 351-5681
(214) 351-5681

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.

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 373-6527
(214) 373-6527

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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.

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 917-7140
(469) 917-7140

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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.

4234 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-7822
(214) 443-7822

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.

2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 377-7727
(214) 377-7727

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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.

2121 N Pearl St St 170, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 208-2441
(469) 208-2441

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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.

2713 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 914-6776
(469) 914-6776
Brick & Bones/Facebook

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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.

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
(469) 962-2173
(469) 962-2173

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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.

3115 S Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216
(214) 375-9234
(214) 375-9234

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Whistle Britches

6110 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX 75252

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.

6110 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX 75252
(972) 590-8991
(972) 590-8991

Babe's Chicken Dinner House

1006 W Main St, Carrollton, TX 75006

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.

1006 W Main St, Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 245-7773
(972) 245-7773

Ricky's Hot Chicken

100 S Central Expy #18, Richardson, TX 75080

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.

100 S Central Expy #18, Richardson, TX 75080
(214) 272-3735
(214) 272-3735

Roots Southern Table

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

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.

13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
(214) 346-4441
(214) 346-4441

Celebration Restaurant

4503 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209

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.

4503 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 351-5681
(214) 351-5681

Bubba's Cooks Country

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

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.

6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 373-6527
(214) 373-6527

Streets Fine Chicken

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

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.

3857 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 917-7140
(469) 917-7140

Mike's Chicken

4234 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

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.

4234 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-7822
(214) 443-7822

The Slow Bone

2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

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.

2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 377-7727
(214) 377-7727

Yardbird Table & Bar

2121 N Pearl St St 170, Dallas, TX 75201

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.

2121 N Pearl St St 170, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 208-2441
(469) 208-2441

Brick & Bones

2713 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

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.

2713 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 914-6776
(469) 914-6776
Brick & Bones/Facebook

Restaurant Beatrice

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

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.

1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
(469) 962-2173
(469) 962-2173

Rudy's Chicken

3115 S Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216

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.

3115 S Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216
(214) 375-9234
(214) 375-9234

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