Few foods can beat fried chicken when it’s done right. Although Pittsburgh isn’t known for this specific delicacy, while researching this piece we couldn’t help but notice that there are more than a few place in our lovely city that have mastered the art of fried chicken.
If you’re craving some hot and delicious chicken, chances are, there is a spot near you that’s worth checking out.
Did we forget your favorite spot? No worries! Leave it in the comments below.
Happy eating!
Carmi Soul Food
Carmi is known around Pittsburgh for their homestyle soul food. In October, the Northside staple announced that they would be crossing two rivers (!) to move to a new location on East Carson St in the South Side. At the time of print, Carmi is putting the final touches on their new restaurant, and plans to open soon. However, it’s never too soon to checkout their online menu and plot your order. One of the most popular items is house made fried chicken, which is marinated in Mike’s secret spices, and deep fried until crispy brown. Keep an eye on Carmi’s Facebook for an update on their new location.
Chick’n from Relish
Relish is a very popular vegan comfort food restaurant in Bloomfield. The restaurant hosts brunch on the weekends, and supplies donuts to coffee shops around the city during the week. In addition to their Instagram-worthy donuts, Relish serves a variety of vegan dishes. One of the most popular is their chik’n and waffle sandwich. People lineup around the building for this crunchy vegan delight. Although they are not available every day, keep and eye on the Relish Instagram for your next chance to pick one up.
Soul Food Connection
Pittsburghers come from near and far to devour the comforting soul food found at Soul Food Connection on Wood Street in Wilkinsburg. While it’s easy to be distracted by the collard greens, mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes, the real start of the show is the fried chicken. This crispy chicken falls of the bone, and is perfectly seasoned.
Chicken Latino
Located on 21st Street in The Strip, Chicken Latino is a neighborhood favorite. This cozy restaurant offers a full menu of authentic Peruvian cuisine, but the restaurant’s specialty is the pollo a la brasa. Although the chicken is technically not fried, this list would not be complete without Chicken Latio’s rotisserie chicken. The chicken is marinated overnight, and then slowly roasted throughout the day in the restaurant’s Peruvian brick oven. Be sure to load up on the aji, and don’t forget a side of yuca fries. Chicken Latino is great for dining in, or taking out.
The Pub Chip Shop
If you’re look for a quick bite on the South Side, the extensive menu at the Pub Chip Shop is sure to have something to satisfy your craving. As a British chip shop, the restaurant serves baps, pasties, savory pies, and many hand-battered “chip” options. In addition to their famous fish & chips, customers love the chicken & chips, which features chicken tenders which are battered and fried.
Ki Pollo
Pittsburgh was very excited when the owners of Ki Ramen decided to open up a sister restaurant, Ki Pollo, featuring Korean style fried chicken and Argentinian empanadas. If you’re looking for a fast, casual lunch on Butler Street, look no further than Ki Pollo. This tasty chicken is double fried, and then tossed in sauces like Gochujan, Sambal, or Chimichurri. To cut the heat, be sure to order one of Ki Pollo’s house made empanadas.
The Coop Chicken and Waffles
Because The Coop is a mobile food truck, you’ll have to track it down to get some of this fried chicken. Luckily, it is well worth the chase. The menu offers a variety of fried chicken and waffle options, ranging from the standard wings or tenders on a Belgian waffle, to the “Chick-N-Waffle,” which features fresh homemade tenders baked inside belgian waffle. Yes, it is just as delicious as it sounds. Follow The Coop on Instagram for updates on their schedule.
Spicy Karaage Yuzu Kitchen
Yuzu Kitchen is a ramen and robata grill located on Wood Street downtown. The restaurant offers and extensive menu of ramen and stir fry dishes, as well as a drink selection that educates guests on sakes, Japanese whiskey, and Loire Valley wines. From the appetizer section, Yuzu Kitchen serves a spicy karaage chicken with boston bib, paprika aioli, and lemon. Karaage is a Japanese frying technique, similar to tempura, where items like chicken are lightly breaded and then cooked in oil. Yuzu has a happy hour from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with half off appetizers, so be sure to stop by afterwork to checkout this chicken.
The Vandal
Located on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, The Vandal is an all day cafe known for their charming interior, thoughtful menu, and tantalizing fried chicken sandwich. Available for lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Vandal’s crispy chicken sandwich is topped with carrot slaw and chili honey. It is also frequently available on their weekend brunch menu. And, while you’re there, you might as well try out their seasonal salad, which is one of our favorites at Good Food Pittsburgh.
Burgh’ers
For a restaurant with “burger” in the name, it may seem odd to recommend ordering the fried chicken. However, Burgh’ers pickle-brined fried chicken is a can’t miss item on the menu. This sandwich is piled high with a near-comical amount of chicken, and then topped with onions, lettuce, mayo and tomato. Complete the experience by washing it down with one of Burgh’ers house-brewed beers.
Quik-It Chicken
Don’t overlook this hole-in-the-wall restaurant, located on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Quik-It Chicken promises to serve up the “best bird in the burgh.” The restaurant, which also offers delivery, is known for their wings, quik pick, and “Big Q” sandwich. Whenever you’re craving no-frills fried chicken, or freshly-cooked barbecue, head over to Quik-It Chicken.
“The Hotter Chick” at Burgatory
Spice fans, this one’s for you. Burgatory is another restaurant known for their burgers, but their sandwiches and salads should’nt be overlooked. In particular, the smoking-hot “Hotter Chick” sandwich is delicious, and perfect for any spice-fanatic looking to test their strength. This sandwich features a crispy ground chicken patty dunked in Vince’s Secret Hot Sauce, served Nashville style with American cheese, dill pickles, shredded iceberg and mayo.
Kaya
As one of Pittsburgh’s longtime favorite restaurants, Kaya is famous for quite a few things. In addition to their fabulous happy hour, and their KayaFest street party every spring, Kaya also serves up a legendary fried chicken sandwich. Every Thursday Kaya has “Fried Chicken Night,” where guests are served “all the good parts” from one half of a buttermilk-marinated fried chicken. The poultry is served with Reyna’s tortillas and a seasonal, weekly-changing sauce and side. Have you marked your calendar for next Thursday yet?
brunoise
Since brunoise opened in The Smallman Galley in the spring of 2017, the restaurant quickly became known for their s’mores dessert, and juicy burger. However, a few months into their stay, a Tuesday-Thursday fried chicken popup caught the attention of the city, and we get enough. Due to popular demand, brunoise’s fried chicken sandwich – with celery seed aioli, lettuce, pickles, honey, and hot sauce – is now a permanent fixture on the menu. Grab a cocktail at the Galley bar and go see what all the buzz is about.
Hot Chicken Sandwich from Pittsburgh Sandwich Society
The hot chicken sandwich from Pittsburgh Sandwich Society is another one for spice fans only. By the time you finish you might be sweating and licking your lips, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have fully enjoyed the experience. Tangy pickles add a sweet crunch to this smoking hot sandwich. Although it’s hard to stray from the truck’s famous “In n Aht” burger, the fried chicken sandwich won’t disappoint.
Coop de Ville
In addition to opening new restaurants in Lawrenceville and Downtown, The Deshantz Group is currently in the process of opening a new a fried chicken restaurant named “Coop de Ville.” Located in The Strip District, Coop de Ville aims to be a “southern table featuring chicken as the headlining ingredient.” The restaurant will not open until later this year, but luckily, you don’t need to wait that long to try some of this chicken. Keep an eye on the Coop De Ville Instagram, as the restaurant frequently hosts popup previews around the city.
Where is your favorite fried chicken spot in Pittsburgh? Leave it in the comments below!
Chicken sandwich with broccoli and cheese at Cinderlands….delicious
Honey Bees located in the East Hills, corner of Frankstown Rd and Robinson Blvd… awesome!
Mindful Brewing in Castle Shannon has some really good Fried Chicken.
Hot Fried Chicken at Urban Tap is fire.
got any news if any of these places are still operating right now? I could use a good food distressing haha.