359501 Fri Jan 12 03:50:29 -0800 2007 68 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2180202 Ok hounds. Give it to me straight. I love fried chicken--loooooove it. Where's the best place in LA? Fri Jan 12 03:50:29 -0800 2007 47513 missbrusselsprout 1 2180253 I've been to dozens of places. I know some will call this an obvious answer but I never had any better than the chicken at Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. Close runner-up: Golden Bird Fried Chicken, especially as made at Porky's BBQ over on Manchester near The Forum. Fri Jan 12 04:11:02 -0800 2007 2180202 12509 Hackenbush 2 2181033 I vote for Golden Bird, again from Porky's. Roscoe's is good, but Porky's is exceptional. (just my two cents..). They are also friendlier at Porky's. Fri Jan 12 14:38:41 -0800 2007 2180253 10764 monkuboy 3 2181980 Make it a third for Porky's. I haven't tried all the LA fried chicken choices, but the Golden Bird at Porky's is very good. (Better than Dinah's on Sepelveda, and better than Honey's Kettle (which I liked)and without the service issues of Honey's Kettle. Fri Jan 12 17:58:51 -0800 2007 2181033 21700 Capybara 2 2182224 How about the golden bird in the Baldwin Hills Mall? Any good? --Dommy! Fri Jan 12 18:43:50 -0800 2007 2180253 10659 Dommy 3 2182775 Haven't been there in ages but it should be the same thing. That's the original location and they have licensed the batter to Porky's. Everyone I know who has tried their chicken is nuts about it. Fri Jan 12 20:24:28 -0800 2007 2182224 10764 monkuboy 4 2183033 Good to know! I read a while ago that not all GB locations are created equal and I originally assumed that was a just another 'branch'. :) --Dommy! Fri Jan 12 21:29:49 -0800 2007 2182775 10659 Dommy 2 2183486 I vote for the Golden Bird Fried Chicken at Porky's. Porky's BBQ 801 E. Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 671-2993 http://www.Ribs123.com Fri Jan 12 23:23:43 -0800 2007 2180253 11646 Norm Man 1 2180315 There was a long thread on this just a few weeks ago. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/58271#comments Fri Jan 12 04:37:46 -0800 2007 2180202 54769 purplescout 1 2180323 Mmmm, Roscoe's. That stuff will kill you, it's so good. Fri Jan 12 04:40:35 -0800 2007 2180202 65272 ciaoxtina 1 2180552 Our Roscoe's (Pasadena, on North Lake) consistently overcooks their chicken - great flavor, but REALLY crunchy. The breast meat, if you go for that sort of thing, is like really good-tasting balsa wood. Legs are better, but still semi-mummified. Best I've had in SoCal is Pann's on the western edge of Inglewood and Henry Moffett's on Lakewood in Bellflower. Pann's wings are bigger and juicier than a lot of drumsticks I've seen! Fri Jan 12 06:25:33 -0800 2007 2180202 11478 Will Owen 2 2181071 I found the same thing at their Long Beach location. Fri Jan 12 14:48:05 -0800 2007 2180552 11046 Curt the Soi Hound 2 2182782 i agree - bone dry chicken at pasadena !!! love those waffles though Fri Jan 12 20:25:39 -0800 2007 2180552 11751 kjs 2 2425403 The Pasadena branch should just stop selling chicken and focus on the waffles. They consistently overcook and dry it out. It's a shame, really, that they can't get it right. However, the excellent waffles keep me going back. Tue Mar 27 10:28:00 -0700 2007 2180552 15848 ozzygee 1 2181605 I've made this rec on the boards many times...but Dinah's on San Fernando (Atwater/Glendale) is a solid choice. Very cheap, too. Fri Jan 12 16:43:21 -0800 2007 2180202 15553 blacksab67 2 2183390 I CANNOT recommend the CULVER CITY Dinha's. They have gone down hill over the years. Fri Jan 12 22:57:01 -0800 2007 2181605 10301 Wes 3 2429159 I took a chance and ate at Dinah's Culver City last night. The service was great (Pam is really on her game), the food was very good (and lots of it) and the price was reasonable. I will be suggesting this to friends and returning very soon. Wed Mar 28 11:44:32 -0700 2007 2183390 86664 mephisto 1 2181748 i personally like the fried chicken and biscuits at honey's kettle in culver city. however, the service SUCKS. a simple order of chicken can take upwards of 30mins. Fri Jan 12 17:09:24 -0800 2007 2180202 10704 wilafur 2 2183466 as with all culver city rests (for lunch)- call ahead and go straight to the cash register when you get there. Fri Jan 12 23:17:48 -0800 2007 2181748 13283 julietg 2 2186744 I agree, love the chicken and biscuits at Honey's, but the service is definitely lacking. I try and justify it by telling myself that the chicken is fried fresh to order. Sun Jan 14 02:52:46 -0800 2007 2181748 24869 BBB 2 2186785 I love the fried chicken from Honey;s Kettle, too. And I completely agree with you, the service is bad. Sun Jan 14 03:07:57 -0800 2007 2181748 13051 eileen216 2 2424943 Honey's Kettle rocked my socks last night. Crisp, flavorful, and didn't sit heavy in my stomach -- some of the best fried chicken I've had in some time. However, as warned, there were service issues. I called ahead and got there about 25 minutes later, but my order still wasn't ready -- and it's not like the place was packed. Waited about 10 more minutes for the food. One poor lady who hadn't called ahead was hovering around the counter and looked like she wanted to murder me for my chicken... Tue Mar 27 08:33:01 -0700 2007 2181748 18466 a_and_w 2 2479380 I tried Honey's Kettle for the first time a few nights ago. I didn't have to do the waiting as my boyfriend when to go get pick up except that he had to wait around for 20min before actually getting the food so I can't really comment on the service except to say that they're slow. I'd except that though--it's "fried to order" fried chicken; that would certainly take awhile to cook up. In any case, I thought everything we got there was delicious (except for the fries which were pretty boring and tasteless) from the pickles (my favorite) to the chicken to the macaroni salad and biscuits. I'm not huge on big artery clogging meals like this all the time, but every few months this kinda food SERIOUSLY hits the spot. Fri Apr 13 17:29:35 -0700 2007 2181748 21477 mstinawu 1 2182646 here's a recent fave of mine - pollo campero. several locations in the LA area - recently opened in Hollywood (Sunset and St. Andrews). Fri Jan 12 19:58:38 -0800 2007 2180202 26154 jaydee 1 2182786 a fresh batch from albertsons works for me...a close second is stater bros...and you can't beat the price !! Fri Jan 12 20:27:06 -0800 2007 2180202 11751 kjs 1 2182908 thanks for saying this about Albertsons, I felt a little funny about saying something, but I think it is the best FC around. They are always frying it up and the most I'v ever waited is 10-15 minutes for a fresh batch (sure beats the 1/2 hour at honeys!) Fri Jan 12 21:00:08 -0800 2007 2180202 16238 Scotty 1 2182993 Traditional? PANN'S (www.panns.com ) Non-traditional? FURAIBO ... maybe the best chicken wings around and the fried chicken is a close (very close) second, which is saying alot. Furaibo Restaurant 2068 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles (310) 444-1432 Fri Jan 12 21:20:02 -0800 2007 2180202 11583 ipsedixit 1 2183034 The best I've had is at Flossies... Just moist and crisp hand-battered goodness... :) --Dommy! Fri Jan 12 21:30:25 -0800 2007 2180202 10659 Dommy 2 2454824 Dommy do you mean Flossie's in the shopping enter on Western and 29th, their FC is good I must admit but the FC at the M & M's on machester is really good too. Dinah's in Culver City can stand to be a lot better. And I will also say that Aunt Kizzys has great FC but don't get their black eyed peas, I mean who puts gravy on black eyed peas????! In all of my black eyed pea eating years I could have sworn thay they sort of have their own gravy...........well at least the way mama makes them anyway! Thu Apr 05 14:28:25 -0700 2007 2183034 87000 FoodaholicinLA 3 2457575 Flossie' is located on Redondo Beach Blvd. in Torrance: Flossie's Restaurant 3566 Redondo Beach Blvd. (at Yukon) Torrance (310) 352-4037 Fri Apr 06 11:59:40 -0700 2007 2454824 11646 Norm Man 3 2460390 Be advised that Flossie's menu radically changes according to the specific day of the week you visit. I'd better not go into details except to say that if you want their great cornbread stuffing on any day other than a Sunday you're out of luck, and there are numerous similar examples an entree or item being available on tue, wed and thurs but not on other days, or whatever. Still the food is pretty good. Another bizarre thing about the place...ordering two pints of some side orders is cheaper than buying one quart! Very odd... Sat Apr 07 21:59:38 -0700 2007 2454824 20399 broncosaurus 3 2460504 Most of Aunt Kizzy's food seems to be swimming neck-deep in something or another that is really rich... I ordered their vegetable dish one time thinking that I would be eating something lighter there - burried in ham hocks, gravy, and sauce, I had to walk away from that plate after only eating about a quarter of it... Sun Apr 08 00:09:51 -0700 2007 2454824 64003 bulavinaka 1 2183303 the juiciest FC i've ever had is at maurice's on pico. good sides, too. Fri Jan 12 22:31:12 -0800 2007 2180202 15007 smssms 1 2183721 Ambers on Burbank Blvd. at Balboa, in Encino. It's technically broasted but it is really perfection in a bird. Sat Jan 13 00:44:50 -0800 2007 2180202 10240 Bob Brooks 1 2184555 Have to say that Albertson's puts the others to shame. You also need to grab a dozen of the spicy crispy wings. Amazing. Who knew? Sat Jan 13 08:09:22 -0800 2007 2180202 23526 kproq323 1 2425076 i would like to 2nd (3rd?) pollo compero in downtown LA and the ambers in encino - both excellent. but don't forget about good old conrad's coffee shop. my wife and i go to the one in la canada, and their fried chicken is great. i believe that wednesday is special night and that its $7 or $8 for a dinner of four pieces. we split it. also, the one in lcf has a very nice bar, and carina the bartendress is very good. Tue Mar 27 09:05:54 -0700 2007 2180202 84647 justanotherpenguin 1 2426182 Cynthia's on Third? Anyone else like to glam up their fried chicken and wash it down with a molten pot of blackberry cobbler a la mode? I've heard tell of hystrionics and customer abuse at the hands of, well, if you don't know to whom I refer I won't name the individual. All I'm saying is this, the chicken's good enough that it might be worth enduring the abuse. Tue Mar 27 13:17:10 -0700 2007 2180202 86346 that wilson girl 2 2426314 From what I understand, said individual is no longer involved with the operation. So...friend chicken, problem free. Tue Mar 27 13:53:43 -0700 2007 2426182 62117 wideeyedraven 2 2427724 I know there are dissenters, but that cobbler is frickin wonderful. Certainly, it's the crust... on the top and a treat that lines the bottom of the dish as well. Never loved the FC myself, not a big fan of debond fried breast and found it a bit too peppery... then again, never went there for the mains, just tried to order something to earn me a cobbler. We tried once to order salads and planned on a cobbler, but got sorely chewed out. For a birthday years back that I catered and held elsewhere, we had cobblers from Cynthia's in much more manageable individual portions. Tue Mar 27 21:53:50 -0700 2007 2426182 15572 Emme 3 2456193 I have never understood the hype about Cynthia's food. I agree with your assessment of the chicken. However, the cobbler is totally overrated; as my husband says, "it's a bucket of hot Smuckers" -- way too sugary! Fri Apr 06 01:01:22 -0700 2007 2427724 70658 hungrygirl106 4 2460126 That's funny b/c I've always found the blackberry part to be tart, and a nice contrast to the hot sweet crust and cool, creamy vanilla ice cream... To each her own! Sat Apr 07 19:06:59 -0700 2007 2456193 15572 Emme 2 2455015 Yes, it's definitely true. "Said person" is no longer involved and the service has improved much. However, not everyone likes overpriced, deboned fried chicken. If it's your thing, though, it's gooooooood. Thu Apr 05 15:22:53 -0700 2007 2426182 85361 tanja 3 2460397 I've purposely kept away from this place on account of all the tales about the Wicked Witch of the Westside. Now that she has melted I'll have to try this supposedly great fried chicken. Hope they let me order extra breasts. Sat Apr 07 22:02:19 -0700 2007 2455015 20399 broncosaurus 1 2426571 M&M soulfood! always tasty and moist! Tue Mar 27 14:59:46 -0700 2007 2180202 68007 wizardx 2 2427144 I second the vote for M & M's, plus great sides. Tue Mar 27 17:52:29 -0700 2007 2426571 77080 justagthing 1 2427112 If you happen to be in OC, Knotts! Their chicken is so yummy! The sides aren't terrific, but the chicken itself is hot, tasty and moist. As for Cynthia's on third, dry, tasteless and expensive (would it kill them to use a spice?) I felt bad that my husband had ordered it. The other food we've had there is fine, but the chicken got so much hype, and I'm not sure why. Tue Mar 27 17:46:17 -0700 2007 2180202 11738 writergirl 1 2427710 Aunt Kizzy's in Marina Del Rey is damn good! Crispy skin and never over cooked. There's also this hole in the wall called Uncle Andre's in Sherman Oaks that serves up good fried and bbq chicken. Tue Mar 27 21:44:55 -0700 2007 2180202 86238 cajun_ribeye 2 2427919 What about the place in Glendale? Wed Mar 28 00:49:38 -0700 2007 2427710 52055 Fat Billie 3 2430362 I'm with you on Albertson's. I too thought it would be silly to throw them in the mix but if you get the chicken pretty soon after it's come out of the over, it is amazing. The longer it sits, well, not so great. I give it 4 stars... Wed Mar 28 16:36:23 -0700 2007 2427919 54187 deadre 4 2430481 I like Albertson's, too -- surprisingly good. Not, however, in the same league with Honey's Kettle. I just tried both recently within a couple of days of one another... Wed Mar 28 17:12:01 -0700 2007 2430362 18466 a_and_w 5 2454964 Here's my take as a westside boy for a long time now. Let me just put it this way: I remember when the chrome was shiny at Johnies. No on Dinahs. Cheap and unoffensive but for me, bland FC is a deal killer. Yes on Albertsons. Cheap and generally tasty A big NO NO NO on Honey's. I do like fried chicken and live for blocks away. I really wanted to like this place but gave up on it last year after about five visits. The wife hated it. And the kids weren't in love with it so we switched to the supers chicken. Two weeks ago we took 3 kids to a small concert at Culver City hall and couldn't agree on where to eat. I can't stand Howdy's or Pacificos. We're burnt out on Dapnhe's fast food Greek so I thought let's try Honey's again. People love it on CH and I'd previously moderated my dis-like of Tito's by going there again after 10 years so why not? Sorry, can't do the same with Honey's. Besides the unintelligble idiot who took our order, the 25 minute wait even though there were only about 5 table filled and most of them already had food, there's still that chemical aftertaste that I'm pretty sure comes from the pre-brined chicken they use. Look, this is fast food deep fried chicken and you know that sign you see at print shops: Good, Fast, Cheap, pick any two? When it comes to fast food fried chicken, you should be able to get two out of three also. Even if you like the taste of HKC, maybe cuz you wuz raized on Pioneer take-out which it most reminds me of, it's still not cheap and the service is not just slow but boorish as well. Oh, and don't forget the pain in the ass parking. sorry, I tried to like it but I couldn't. Kurt Thu Apr 05 15:07:25 -0700 2007 2430481 16652 KayZee 6 2454984 Go to Pann's and order the 6 piece chicken wing dinner, (and if starving get it with the waffle). If with the waffle, eat waffle first as wings will remain good for duration of dinner while waffle is only good while hot to warm. Enjoy the wonderful googie architecture and the classic rock and roll sound track playing at an appropriate (not too loud) volume. Or if not in a chicken mood get the best patty melt in LA. www.panns.com Thu Apr 05 15:14:57 -0700 2007 2454964 63713 tony michaels 6 2457179 LOL -- you may be right about the pre-brined chicken. Tried Albertson's again last night and agree the chicken is indeed better quality -- and the wait significantly shorter. Still, I was genuinely impressed with the seasoning and breading of Honey's Kettle and detected no chemical aftertaste. Fri Apr 06 10:03:11 -0700 2007 2454964 18466 a_and_w 1 2430391 What about Mexica Fried Chicken. I had this and it was abosolutley delightful at La Nueva Posada in Pasadena. You can see a pic here: http://rantsnravesnreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/fried%20chicken Wed Mar 28 16:44:26 -0700 2007 2180202 69129 rantsnravesnreviews 2 2457107 OH MY GAWD that looks awesome! I want to go there NOW. Fri Apr 06 09:43:01 -0700 2007 2430391 70643 rachaels 1 2455240 I have to add that Cynthia's fried chicken is pretty good. Though I think on the bone is so much more flavorful in general. I used to love, love, love the fried chicken at Georgia's - I still think about it and it's been how many years since they closed? This is fast food, but has anyone tried that Pollo Campero? There are a few locations around town... Thu Apr 05 16:49:49 -0700 2007 2180202 65771 LuluBleu 2 2456168 I went to the LB Pollo Campero a couple of weeks ago. I got there right before closing time and the gal at the drive through was really friendly. She even gave me extra since they were closing. I rally liked the flavors/seasonings of the chicken. Quite tasty for fast food chicken. I didn't care much for the pinto beans, but the fried bananas were yummy. Fri Apr 06 00:18:13 -0700 2007 2455240 77080 justagthing 3 2457278 I haven't tried it myself, so I almost hesitate to mention it, but my friends SWEAR by the fried chicken at the Hotel Figueroa downtown. Apparently they have a tiny menu serving only 4 items, and the friend chicken is out of this world. Would love a Chowhound perspective if anyone tries it Fri Apr 06 10:29:27 -0700 2007 2456168 14030 annalulu 1 2457587 Has anyone tried Louisiana Fried Chicken on LaBrea? Fri Apr 06 12:08:52 -0700 2007 2180202 59888 VealParmGuy 2 2457640 Louisiana's is a chain also...I haven't yet tried it, but was told that each one is different. We have 2 in Long Beach, one has been around for awhile and the other opened last year inside a fast food chinese place...kinda weird combo to me. Fri Apr 06 12:42:58 -0700 2007 2457587 77080 justagthing 3 2460147 That's very true. I've been to four or five different ones in the South Bay area, but the best ones are in Hawthorne. I loooovvveee their fried chicken--and it's super cheap! Sat Apr 07 19:21:35 -0700 2007 2457640 21477 mstinawu 2 4294627 Yes. It's OK, but they don't put on enough of that fabulous seasoning so the bird turns out rather bland. Other stores spice it up more. (FWIW, the store in Indianapolis(!) loads it up and is it delish!!!) I can't wait until 500 time when I go back there so I can get a bucket for the race! Sun Jan 04 09:38:32 -0800 2009 2457587 243618 stevie666 1 2457642 Po Folks, Buena Park Fri Apr 06 12:43:51 -0700 2007 2180202 74154 irishkevbo 1 2460399 If they're still around, Soul Follks (formerly on Tracton ave. downtown) deserves mention as one of the best joints for fried chiks. Though I think it's been said they now are a catering only outfit, whereabouts unknown (to me). Sat Apr 07 22:06:06 -0700 2007 2180202 20399 broncosaurus 1 2501676 After reading on here about Honey's Kettle in Culver City, I went recently. Am going back next week. Crunchy, crispy, moist and tender. Good fries too. I'm hooked. Sat Apr 21 00:16:25 -0700 2007 2180202 71206 Barbara Ladden 1 2501677 Dinah's in Glendale. On San Fernando Rd, just north of Los Feliz. It sho ain't fancy, but its pretty darn good. Sat Apr 21 00:19:03 -0700 2007 2180202 84267 girlheartsfood 1 2501950 My husband and I were on our way home from a trip to Sears in Northridge last night when we chanced upon a place called Chi Chi's pizza. The place was teeming and people were coming out with boxes of leftovers. We looked at each other and shrugged, "Why not?" -- the worse that we could get was bad mall-like pizza, right? Well, we ended up NOT ordering any pizza. He got their lasagna which was ooey, gooey, huge and piping hot. For $12.50 it was a gem of a meal. I, in turn, ordered their fried chicken. Out came half a bird, piping hot, moist and juicy. They pressure fry it so it's really tender and when you put a fork to it, the meat just falls off the bone. They serve it with salad, rolls and these HUGE, thick potato wedges that made my husband do the moonwalk of joy. So, yeah, if you find yourself in the Northridge area and hankering for some chicken grease, try Chi Chi's pizza. And ok, next time we'll try their pizza :D Enjoy :) Sat Apr 21 08:04:57 -0700 2007 2180202 40475 sharkgirl88 2 2502311 Chi Chi's has some really good grub, especially for the area... Their Lasagne is Good and the Chicken, while it isn't "traditional" fried chicken, is very tasty and moist. I do miss the nice crispy, spicy skin that I find at M&M Soul Food or Mom's BBQ though, their Pizza is on my top 10 list and some of the best in the valley... Sat Apr 21 11:36:58 -0700 2007 2501950 68007 wizardx 3 4297482 Mom's BBQ, Van Nuys. http://www.momsbarbq.com/ -cb- Mon Jan 05 10:05:07 -0800 2009 2502311 113190 CucumberBoy