Crispy, crunchy, and full of juicy flavor, fried chicken may be among life’s guiltiest pleasures. While fried chicken sandwiches, wings, and tenders populate menus all over town, there is something especially satisfying about good old-fashioned, bone-in yardbird. Whether you’re on the hunt for by-the-piece or by the bucket, check out these eight restaurants slinging tasty drumsticks, breasts, and thighs that justify driving down the block or to the far reaches of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
Come for the fried chicken, stay for the Hokey Pokey… or vice versa. Babe’s Chicken Dinner House has grown into a DFW metro phenomenon with 10 knick-knack-filled locations located across nearly every corner of the region. Fried chicken ($19), and all entrées, come family-style, so sides of house salad, green beans, Grandma’s corn, mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, and gravy hit the table in portions large enough for groups to share. When the Hokey Pokey starts playing, jump to your feet to work off a tiny bit of what you’ve eaten before the peach cobbler and banana pudding arrive. Multiple locations, babeschicken.com
Street’s Fine Chicken
The Street family has been serving good ol’ fashioned Southern comfort food for decades, and one of their latest ventures focuses almost exclusively on chicken. The wait for French fried chicken ($11) flies by when you settle the which-came-first debate with an order of sriracha-spiced deviled eggs ($11). Each order of chicken or half chicken comes with a buttermilk biscuit and a side from a long list that includes Tabasco cheddar goat cheese grits, black-eyed peas, collard greens, and maple glazed brussels sprouts. 5211 Forest Ln. #108, Dallas, streetsfinechicken.com
Brick & Bones
Dive bars may not be known for their food, at times offering pretzels, peanuts, or bounty from a nearby vending machine. But, if you’re lucky, your dive bar of choice serves killer fried chicken. At Brick & Bones, it’s all about the bird. Snag a 10-piece bucket ($29) of 24-hour-brined chicken fried to order. Accentuate your clucker with sides like habanero bacon mac, Mexican corn, poblano mashed potatoes, and green beans. 2713 Elm St., Dallas, bricknbones.com
bbbop Seoul Kitchen
What bbbop serves is “Not Your Mama’s Fried Chicken.” Head to this Oak Cliff restaurant and order the Korean-style poultry by the half chicken ($17). Get it coated with spicy chili or soy ginger sauce, alongside pickled daikon radish, slaw, and rice. Dining in a large group? Try the family meal ($70), which includes 10 pieces from a whole bird, with double rice, Mandarin orange peanut salad, vegetable potstickers, and a gallon of specialty tea. 828 West Davis St., Dallas, bbbop.com
Roots Southern Table
Celebrity chef Tiffany Derry won over the nation with her cheerful personality and infectious smile when she appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef, but her duck-fat-fried chicken declared victory over their hearts, souls, and stomachs. The chicken is only served family-style ($56), and is large enough for four. Seasoned with Derry’s signature Creole spice, the chicken is coated and fried in duck fat, then served with drop biscuits and pepper jelly. Try it with sides like rock shrimp fried rice or fried yams with garlic butter. 13050 Bee St., Farmers Branch, rootssoutherntable.com
The Slow Bone
The Slow Bone’s fried chicken is available by the individual piece ($4), which makes a great addition to a brisket platter, and by the whole bird ($30). Every piece begins with a special smoked brine, while potato starch in the batter gives it its crisp bite. Don’t sleep on sides like brussels-cauliflower au gratin and squash casserole. 2234 Irving Blvd., Dallas, slowbone.com
The Seeker
Chef Stephan Pyles has been creating crave-worthy restaurants in Dallas since the 1980s. In 2012, he opened Stampede 66, an Uptown eatery designed to create the ultimate Texas dining experience. When the restaurant eventually shuttered, the dish missed the most was the honey-fried chicken. Today, Pyles helms the Seeker, the on-site restaurant of the Interstate Inn in Stephenville about an hour from Dallas-Fort Worth, and his time-honored dish is one of many reasons to make the journey. SP’s honey fried chicken ($24) starts with a sous vide bird that’s fried until golden before getting drizzled in honey. It arrives with mashed potatoes, scratch-made gravy, and Southern-style green beans. Plan ahead, and book a room at the inn to sleep off your food coma. 809 East Rd., Stephenville, theseekertx.com
Bubba’s Cooks Country
Before inspiring Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Bubba’s Cooks Country was wowing Dallasites with fried chicken. The 1950s diner-style decor makes the circa-1981 business feel like it’s been around forever. Plus, it’s a great value, and it’s served fast. Order at the counter, then find a seat while the staff plates up super-juicy fried chicken. Single pieces with a side and a yeast roll or cornbread start at just $8, while a larger portion including three pieces with double sides and bread is a bargain at $17. Be the king or queen of the next picnic by stopping here for a bulk family pack ($26). 6617 Hillcrest Ave., Dallas, bubbascookscountry.com
