Our 13 picks for the best fried chicken outside of the South

Southern Kitchen ^ | April 18, 2019 | Rachel Taylor

[smalltownslick]

I always loved Popeye’s, and hadn’t had any for a long time. Finally found some here in Ohio, and I was very disappointed. They’ve been sold twice, and now don’t seem any different from any others. Except for that blackened ranch dipping sauce. Which seems to me just like the salad dresing they used to have at eland’s.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Just tried Cracker Barrel’s new fried chicken meal. It’s OK - but tastes like Banquet frozen fried chicken to me. Can’t believe they are stopping their chicken and rice for this stuff.

Popeyes mild is my favorite chain chicken. KFC original is OK, but tends to be greasy. KFC extra crispy was good years ago when it first came out but just nasty today. A few local restaurants and gas stations make really good chicken. There used to be one in Ider, Alabama that had the best, but it changed hands and stopped making it.

[Iscool]

I used to love KFC. For years now, those KFC place near me serve a far inferior fried chicken.

KFCs close to me switched from selling chickens to chicks...Or maybe they're Cornish Hens...

[Iscool]

Why does everything have to have sweet potatoes or kale in it?

Why are they selling chicken and waffles together?

[Albion Wilde]

Royal Farms in MD and VA have the best “gas station chicken” I have ever come across. Try to grab some each time I travel through the area. I would take it over Popeye’s or Bojangle’s anytime.

You are correct. Royal Farms has the best fried chicken! Popeye's is next best in this zone.

[Hatteras]

I, personally, would rank Bojangle’s chicken over Popeye’s. But then again, Bojangles is more “inside” the South. Not a fan of Popeye’s. Every time I have tried Popeye’s it has been way too crispy, more batter than chicken.

[JimRed]

The Colonel’s recipe is fine with me!

[trisham]

I love tomatoes.

[Albion Wilde]

I, personally, would rank Bojangle’s chicken over Popeye’s. But then again, Bojangles is more “inside” the South.

The only ones anywhere near me are over an hour away, and all in majority not my kind of neighborhood. But I might try to make an incursion into the one in Union Station, DC if I am down in the District at an opportune time. Thanks for the tip.