Best to-go fried chicken in Oakland / East Bay?

[lbmonroe]

We are hosting a backyard party and I'd like to order some good fried chicken to-go from someplace other than KFC / Boston Market or the grocery store. Any ideas??

[jillyju]

Soul's Restaurant makes great fried chicken, and definitely does sell it by the tray for party purposes.

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Soul's Restaurant
6403 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94806

[nerdigrrl]

Culina's in Alameda's Marketplace also has fried chicken. Though, they only fry once in the morning, so it won't be hot. I love it cold still. And you should place an order ahead of time to guarantee your needs.

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Culina
1650 Park St, Alameda, CA

[ShepherdBGoode]

Culina's is good, if you like big, crisp breading. Tore UP a Superbowl party with that mess.
Jodie's is the same--love it fresh hot fried to order, but I've walked in off the street and walked out in 5 minutes with 8 pieces, too.
Merritt Bakery is very good in the thinner crust department, also pretty centrally located.
BUT, who forgot Porky's Pizza, 1221 Manor Blvd, San Leandro--510-357-4323--still my hands-in-the-box favorite. Fresh hot crispy crust, nice size pieces, tastes so good it's almost healthy. They still don't open till 3 PM, so call ahead.

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Merritt Bakery
203 E 18th St, Oakland, CA 94606

Culina
1650 Park St, Alameda, CA

[ernie in berkeley]

Jodie's in Albany has excellent fried chicken and can provide it via his daughter's catering business. You can't just stop in and pick it up; give them a call.

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Jodie's Restaurant
902 Masonic Ave, Albany, CA 94706

[alina555]

Caesar's Chicken in Hayward. I like mine spicy.

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Caesar's Chicken Take Out
19450 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541

[Mission]

Had Merritt bakery chicken recently at a wedding.

Very good looking and tasting chicken,Everyone enjoyed it.
Was not served hot.

They did special ordered it.
Which may have produced a better product.

They had like ten boxes of the stuff.
And each box was made to fit a huge cake.

I have had both Nellies(I give it a C+) and Scends (B)

But I think Merritt might be best for your needs.

Plus it sounds like they could use the business.

PS

My Mom's a chef from Chattanooga TN and I have lived in the South so I do know a little about Fried Chicken.

[lbmonroe]

Very interesting. A similar post from 3 years ago had a lot of positive reviews for Nellie's but most of the other suggestions were for sit-down places like Hibiscus or sandwhices from Bake Sale Betty's (which are great but not what I am looking for).

I think a weekend taste test from Scends and Merrit might be in order.

[wolfe]

Scends may be great but I believe they only do wings.

[annabana]

Scends is great and great! And they do pieces other than wings. My husband often gets take-out and then brings it home to Mill Valley it is delicous. Their sides are also good to great. Enjoy.

[wolfe]

I tried but was told at the counter they only had wings. They were very busy but I didn't see other pieces on the menu.

[wolfe]

Another vote for Scends wings only.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6968...

[lbmonroe]

I definitely need pieces other than wings.

[Stephanie Wong]

Scends or Merritt or Nellie's?

I like all of these for their fried chicken, but have always eaten it on site while still hot.

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Nellie's Soulfood
1155 3rd St, Oakland, CA 94607

Merritt Bakery
203 E 18th St, Oakland, CA 94606

Scend's Restaurant
3627 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608

[shanghaikid]

ditto here for soul food chicken. curious what happens to the taste after it sits around for a few hours? not that it's a possibility if it's finger licking good!

add frisco fried , s.f. to the list, but it's pricey.

[lbmonroe]

Not sure if we'll have time to make it to SF before the party. Amongst the three you list - what's your favorite?

[shanghaikid]

haven't tried fried drumsticks in oaktown chitown for a while. you can get a tray full for a reasonable price. check the chinese delis there. buy some to check it out. ask what the tray price is at places where you like the chicken.

some places sell it by the pound (10, 20, etc.). check how many lbs. they would considner a tray.

best taste
814 franklin st.
oakland, ca.

had good luck here but new owners may have taken over the past few years.