Sometimes (read: oftentimes) we get an uncontrollable hankering for fried chicken. In order to satiate that hunger, we've scoured the city, from gas stations to gastropubs, and tasted dozens of versions. These are our favorites.
Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema applies the same careful attention to their fried chicken that they do to any of their more upscale fare. Dedicated chefs concoct a spicy, Moroccan-inspired version of fried chicken by seasoning both the raw meat and the flour mix equally with Madras curry powder. Served with a chicory salad to provide some acidity, and raisins and spiced honey to add sweet complexity, hummus and harissa-spiced carrots are mixed in for the perfect balance of flavors. // 2534 Mission St, San Francisco, foreigncinema.com
(photo via Wing Wings)
Wing Wings
Wing Wings serves up the best of the best. The recipe is nothing fancy: a 48-hour brined chicken broken down into eight pieces is dredged in old-bay-seasoned flour and deep-fried to perfection. No buttermilk. No egg. No double dredge. In need of the perfect atmosphere for such a treat? Order up at Off the Grid's Picnic at the Presidio on Sundays. Maybe the San Francisco fog seeps into the chicken, or perhaps it’s the mere act of gnawing on a drumstick while sitting in the grass, either way, there’s something magical about the whole set up. November 1st if your last chance to experience Wing Wings at The Presidio this season. // 422 Haight St, San Francisco, wingwingssf.com; offthegrid.com
4505 Meats Burgers & BBQ
Everything Ryan Farr does at 4505 Meats manages to be ridiculously delicious, including his fried chicken, which is only available on Thursdays. The chicken is slow-smoked and then quick-fried upon order, guaranteeing you the best of both worlds. It’s served with a side of gravy – but it’s totally unnecessary. // 705 Divisadero St, San Francisco, 4505meats.com
(Photo by Omar Mamoon)
Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken
There’s something super suspect about getting fried chicken from a gas station, but we like to live life on the edge. The fried chicken at Krispy Krunchy inside the gas station on 17th and South Van Ness is legit. They’re open 24 hours, and fry the chicken every hour in small batches so it’s super fresh and crispy. It’s definitely on the salty side, as there’s a healthy dash of MSG in the flour, but we’re okay with that. Where else are you going to get fried chicken at 4:00am? // 599 S. Van Ness Avenue, krispykrunchy.com
(Photo by Libby Truesdell)
Brenda's French Soul Food
Brenda's French Soul Food is the place to go for a great fried chicken plate. On the menu it's modestly listed as BFC—which stands for "Best Fried Chicken"—and includes three pieces of their super-juicy-on-the-inside and crispy-on-the-outside fried chicken, a warm flakey biscuit, and tangy collard greeens. Brenda's BFC was also a newcomer to 7x7's Big Eats List this year, so you know it's a must-eat. // 652 Polk St, frenchsoulfood.com
Popeyes
Sure it’s a chain, and yeah the chickens most likely did not run around fields or have names, but it’s just delicious. It’s spicy, it’s crunchy, it’s crispy, and it’s consistent. Even the folks at Mission Chinese Food love Popeye’s. If you love MCF, it’s only logical that you love Popeye’s. // locations.popeyes.com
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