Fried chicken is good old-fashioned Southern comfort food, and nobody does Southern comfort like Virginia. Discover Virginia's 8 best-fried chicken joints for 2024 with 50-year-old recipes and international-inspired fusions!
The Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken in Falls Church, Virginia, joins only two other locations, one in Washington D.C. and one in Los Angeles to bring the dazzling combination of doughnuts and fried chicken to food connoisseurs. The name tells you everything you need to know: Astro serves doughnuts, and chicken. Choose from several made-to-order cake doughnuts. Chicken comes in two, four, and eight-piece varieties, as well as on sandwiches. Come for the novelty, stay for the flavor.
Super Chicken serves up hot a juicy Peruvian style charbroiled and fried chicken in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. Their chicken is marinated for a full day before being cooked. Their menu is extensive and reasonably priced, with quarter, half and full chicken options. Side orders include rice, fried rice, French fries, beans, yucca, chickpeas, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, onion and tomato salad, house salad, pasta salad, and fried plantains.
Raising Canes Chicken Fingers is a fast-expanding franchise with locations sprouting up all over the United States, and three in Virginia, including in Richmond, Norfolk, and Charlottesville. As you might imagine, the main attraction are the chicken fingers. Everything is cooked to order. For your first visit, we recommend the 3 Finger Combo, which comes with three chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, one Cane’s sauce, Texas toast, and a regular drink.
Pollard’s Chicken is the go-to chicken joint in the Hampton Roads area, with eight locations between Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and counting. They have won the “Best of Hampton Roads” Gold award, as voted-on by the Virginian-Pilot for 21 years straight. Since 1953, Pollards has served box lunches, party trays, catering, and specials with a wide array of options. Stop by one of their locations to see what all of the fuss is about.
Chic n Fish doesn’t bury the lead: they serve primarily chicken and fish. Their southern fried chicken is classically prepared—it’s crispy, battered, and deep fried, served with coleslaw or pickled sweet sour radish. French fries, onion rings, mac and cheese, hush puppies, and additional sides are available to add. Korean fried chicken options are available here, too.
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken may be a franchise, but with only one location in Virginia, it’s still an absolute treat. Since 1966, Lee’s has offered mouth-watering chicken options, including classic fried chicken, breast strips, spicy jumbo dippers, fantastic dipping sauces, and southern-style comfort food sides. Choose from oven roasted or spicy, and add a few of their 23 sides to make a memorable meal.
Wayside Chicken has been serving up their famous “Ole Virginia Fried Chicken” for over 50 years. They’ve been featured in Southern Living Magazine’s “Best of the South” list for their dine-in, take out, and catering options. Wayside is open early for breakfast and stays open late for dessert. Chicken is the star of the menu, and comes individually, in boxes, and in family-sized deals. Their family-friendly, warm atmosphere will appeal to the whole family.
Two Brothers Chicken in Woodbridge, Virginia, is a fast-casual, locally owned joint selling fried chicken, subs, and pizza. The food isn’t exactly healthy for you, but it’s perfect for when you need a little southern comfort on a budget. Order eight or 15-piece chicken wings with ether barbeque or Buffalo sauce, chicken nuggets, or fried chicken sandwiches. Two Brothers also offers fried chicken in two, three, five, eight, 10, 15, and 20-piece platters.