Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Chicago

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago has grown into the third-largest city in America and one of the most popular places to visit. Known for its snowy winters, deep-dish pizza, sports teams, and the elevated subway lines, this city has plenty to see and do. Visitors can take a riverboat cruise on the Chicago River, see “The Bean” in the famous Millenium Park on the waterfront, check out a Cubs game, listen to homegrown jazz or take in some live comedy at the legendary Second City club. Locals say you can’t leave town without trying the deep dish pizza and hearty Chicago hot dogs, but don't forget to sample the best fried chicken in Chicago! So where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. If you feel like chicken tonight, check out our Tastemaker 20 Guide to the best fried chicken in Chicago.

The OpenTable Team

12 Restaurants

Updated January 10, 2020

Restaurants:	The Izakaya at Momotaro, Eden, Somerset…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Japanese, American…
Neighborhoods:	West Loop, Avondale / Irving Park, Gold Coast / Streeterville…

The Izakaya at Momotaro

$$$$

Japanese

West Loop

4.7

534 reviews

The Izakaya is located on the subterranean level of Momotaro on Lake Street. It features a shared-plates, pub-inspired menu that echoes the lively street scenes of Tokyo. The interior has narrow lounge-inspired ‘alleys’ around a central bar and hand-painted Japanese menus, funky neon lights and vintage Tokyo street signs. The overall vibe is dark, energetic and trendy. Saddle up to the 30-seat bar for their selection of crafted cocktails, sakes and a quality selection of Japanese whiskeys. One of the main attractions on the menu is the Jidori Karaage, Japanese-style fried chicken served with yuzu kosho.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Eden

$$$$

American

Avondale / Irving Park

4.6

868 reviews

Located in the West Loop area of downtown, just steps from the United Center, Eden is a fantastic spot to go for some of the best fried chicken in Chicago. Chef Devon Quinn offers a fresh take on American food with a focus on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients and the highest level of flavor in each dish. The menu has a wide range of ever-changing options, including home-made pasta, steak, seafood, vegetables, and of course, their outstanding fried chicken appetizer, served with sweet chili buffalo, sesame and scallion.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Somerset

$$$$

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.4

2174 reviews

Somerset is a great place to go for some of the best fried chicken in Chicago. Located on North State Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood, Somerset is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They serve American cuisine from Michelin-starred Chef Lee Wolen and keep the menu locally-sourced. Highlights include the Whole Roasted Chicken for two, Smoked Beet Tartare, flatbreads and their famous fried chicken sandwich, served with pickles, cabbage and spicy aioli. The interior is classy and elegant, inspired by a new take on American Country Club fashion.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Smith - Chicago

$$$$

American

River North (Chicago)

4.6

1785 reviews

The Smith is a laid-back neighborhood Brasserie with a simple mission - to make people happy. The owners are super passionate about taking care of their employees, guests and community. They work closely with local farmers and purveyors and serve delicious food and drinks made with the freshest ingredients. The menu features bistro classics, seasonal fare and craft cocktails. It’s a perfect place to meet for after-work eats, a relaxing date or mid-week dinner. Order their amazing brick pressed chicken, it’s one of the local favorites.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

the Albert

$$$$

Contemporary American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.6

537 reviews

The Albert is a super trendy hotspot for dining in the Gold Coast neighborhood on Ontario Street. They feature the season’s finest offerings and peak flavors in a big, beautiful dining area filled with decor like vintage copper pots and Surrealist murals on the walls. They offer a seasonal menu focused on high quality, locally sourced ingredients both from nearby farms and the urban rooftop garden program on top of the building. Chef Larry comes up with amazing dishes, like the Fried Crispy Chicken Leg, a red roast glaze served with Satsuma.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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LUXBAR

$$$$

Comfort Food

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.7

2170 reviews

Luxbar, located on Bellevue Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, takes inspiration from the work of Adolf Loos. The bar captures elegance in simplicity, using stone, glass, brass and wood bathed in natural light. It’s a neighborhood saloon with a much cooler vibe and the food is fresh, natural and accessible. Specialty cocktails also use natural, fresh ingredients and simple recipes. Plus, many people think it is the place to go for the best fried chicken in Chicago! The Buttermilk fried chicken, served with honey and creamy coleslaw, is filling and makes for a perfectly satisfying meal after a day of adventuring.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Quality Crab & Oyster Bah

$$$$

Seafood

Lincoln Park

4.6

1759 reviews

Quality Crab and Oyster Bah is a neighborhood crab house in the heart of Lincoln Park. Created by the team behind Shaw’s Crab House, they specialize in quality crab, fresh oysters and seafood flown in from all over the world. Seafood is the primary offering but they have much more than that on the menu! A must-try is the Chesapeake Fried Chicken Dinner. It features free-range local chicken, mac and cheese and Helen’s B&B pickles, and you can choose from 3 pieces of dark meat or 2 pieces of white or a Half Bird plate. They also have an excellent selection of wine and cocktails.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Doc B's Restaurant + Bar - Gold Coast

$$$$

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.7

974 reviews

Doc B’s is a super comfortable, inviting casual American restaurant on Walton Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood. They serve food made from scratch daily and incorporate the highest-quality ingredients. The menu has a variety of entree salads, special entrees, crave-worthy burgers and sandwiches, Wok Out Bowls, housemade pizza, indulgent desserts and much more. Locals love the Tennessee Hot Chicken! It’s a plate of boneless fried chicken glazed with a delectable habanero-honey sauce and served with their famous coleslaw.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Stefani Prime

$$$$

Steak

Lincolnwood

4.8

1535 reviews

Stefani Prime, located in the North Suburb of Lincolnwood, is a perfect place to go for some of the best fried chicken in Chicago in a casual, elegant atmosphere. The menu features prime cuts, the freshest seafood, signature Italian dishes and more. More than just a steakhouse, it strives to offer the best of everything, from the food to the service. It’s a great place to go when you want to get a little bit out of the hustle and bustle of the city yet still enjoy a quality meal. Try their Italian spin on Fried Chicken - the Chicken Milanese. Pan-fried in butter and served with arugula salad, it is definitely one of the highlights of the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Serai

$$$$

Malaysian

Logan Square

4.3

169 reviews

Serai is a casual dining Malaysian restaurant located on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Named after the Malaysian word for Lemongrass, it focuses on southeast Asian cuisine with bright, bold flavors and spice! Lemongrass is the ingredient that connects all the food from this region and makes for a truly authentic recipe. The menu offers specialties like Char Koay Teow, Curry Laksa and Hainanese Chicken and they also have fantastic noodles and rice dishes. Try their Szechuan Dry Spicy Chicken, a plate of fried chicken breast in chunks stir-fried with dry chili, ginger and garlic!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

D4 Irish Pub and Cafe

$$$$

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.6

866 reviews

D4 Irish Pub and Cafe, named after Dublin’s premiere zip code, is the best place to go for a taste of Dublin in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The restaurant serves modern favorites with an Irish flair and focuses on home-cooked recipes and style. Offerings include classics like the rustic shepherd’s pie, hand-battered fish and chips and towering Angus beef burgers! They use only the finest and freshest ingredients. Try the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast, served with baby swiss cheese, chipotle slaw and a shaved pickle on a warm brioche roll.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

$$$$

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

4.6

1740 reviews

Blue Door Kitchen and Garden, home to celebrated Chef Art Smith, is a farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast. They serve a highly seasonal menu and focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing. They pride themselves in showcasing dishes made from fresh, local ingredients from Midwest farms. The menu is vast and varied, featuring items like pierogis, ceviche, Brussels and Kale Salad, Caramelized cheese and more. But whatever you do, be sure to try the Chef’s famous buttermilk fried chicken.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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