1455 West 29th St.
Hingetown’s Larder offers the best fried chicken sandwich on the west side, and perhaps, in town. It’s all thanks to an exceptionally pillowy house bun made with spent grain, buttermilk and Amazake, a Japanese fermented rice drink. In that bun you’ll find pieces of fried chicken thigh accompanied by lettuce, a sauce made from mustard, mayo and toasted yeast, fresh herbs and both kosher dill zucchini pickles and Kool Aid-pickled onions.
Photo via Scene Archives
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Larder
1455 West 29th St.
Hingetown’s Larder offers the best fried chicken sandwich on the west side, and perhaps, in town. It’s all thanks to an exceptionally pillowy house bun made with spent grain, buttermilk and Amazake, a Japanese fermented rice drink. In that bun you’ll find pieces of fried chicken thigh accompanied by lettuce, a sauce made from mustard, mayo and toasted yeast, fresh herbs and both kosher dill zucchini pickles and Kool Aid-pickled onions.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” />Mr. Chicken
Multiple Locations
Mr. Chicken has been serving up chicken to the suburbs of Cleveland since 1968. And for years they’ve been perfecting the fried chicken sandwich. Roll through any one of their locations this weekend and rest assured they most-likely won’t be out of your favorite sandwich option.
Photo via @mrchickencle/Instagram
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Mr. Chicken
Multiple Locations
Mr. Chicken has been serving up chicken to the suburbs of Cleveland since 1968. And for years they’ve been perfecting the fried chicken sandwich. Roll through any one of their locations this weekend and rest assured they most-likely won’t be out of your favorite sandwich option.
Photo via @mrchickencle/Instagram
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Lox, Stock and Brisket
3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
You’ll find the best chicken sandwich on the east side at Anthony Zappola’s new-school Jewish deli. Lox’s Lincoln Park ($10) sandwich, served on an egg roll from Unger’s Kosher Bakery in Cleveland Heights, comes with an enormous triangle of buttermilk battered schnitzel set off with fluorescent pickles, slaw and a touch of spicy mayo. Lox’s sandwich is a masterclass in balance: buttery, sweet and crispy with just a hint of spice.
Photo by Karin McKenna
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Lox, Stock and Brisket
3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
You’ll find the best chicken sandwich on the east side at Anthony Zappola’s new-school Jewish deli. Lox’s Lincoln Park ($10) sandwich, served on an egg roll from Unger’s Kosher Bakery in Cleveland Heights, comes with an enormous triangle of buttermilk battered schnitzel set off with fluorescent pickles, slaw and a touch of spicy mayo. Lox’s sandwich is a masterclass in balance: buttery, sweet and crispy with just a hint of spice.
Photo by Karin McKenna
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V’s Gourmet Chicken
15418 Lakeshore Blvd.
The home of some of our favorite fried chicken in Cleveland unsurprisingly offers the best classic, soul food-style fried chicken sandwich ($7.50) in town. Served with the traditional accoutremonts of red onion, mayo, provolone and shredded lettuce, V’s sandwich towers with chunks of immaculately crispy chicken breast and comes nestled in a pillowy kaiser roll from Orlando Bakery.
Photo via Douglas Trattner” data-title=”
V’s Gourmet Chicken
15418 Lakeshore Blvd.
The home of some of our favorite fried chicken in Cleveland unsurprisingly offers the best classic, soul food-style fried chicken sandwich ($7.50) in town. Served with the traditional accoutremonts of red onion, mayo, provolone and shredded lettuce, V’s sandwich towers with chunks of immaculately crispy chicken breast and comes nestled in a pillowy kaiser roll from Orlando Bakery.
Photo via Douglas Trattner” itemprop=”image” />
Sauce the City at Ohio City Galley
1400 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Nashville hot chicken fans have Victor Searcy to thank for a crunchy, meaty, spicy sandwich version of that Southern staple at Sauce the City at Ohio City Galley. The kitchen can crank up the heat if that’s how you like it, but they also sell one without the flames. It’s all up to you.
Photo via Sauce the City
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Sauce the City at Ohio City Galley
1400 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Nashville hot chicken fans have Victor Searcy to thank for a crunchy, meaty, spicy sandwich version of that Southern staple at Sauce the City at Ohio City Galley. The kitchen can crank up the heat if that’s how you like it, but they also sell one without the flames. It’s all up to you.
Photo via Sauce the City
” itemprop=”image” /> EDWINS
13024 Buckeye Rd., Cleveland
EDWINS made its name as a non-profit upscale French bistro helping formerly incarcerated individuals training in the culinary and hospitality industry. They’ve expanded to two more restaurants, a bakery and a butcher shop all while staying true to their original mission. Recently, they added a Nashville hot chicken sandwich on a temporary basis to their butcher shop menu and it was so popular they had to keep it full time.
Photo via EDWINS/Facebook
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EDWINS
13024 Buckeye Rd., Cleveland
EDWINS made its name as a non-profit upscale French bistro helping formerly incarcerated individuals training in the culinary and hospitality industry. They’ve expanded to two more restaurants, a bakery and a butcher shop all while staying true to their original mission. Recently, they added a Nashville hot chicken sandwich on a temporary basis to their butcher shop menu and it was so popular they had to keep it full time.
Photo via EDWINS/Facebook
” itemprop=”image” /> Hot Chicken Takeover
242 Main St., Westlake
Our nation is presently in the grip of a fried chicken frenzy. Celebrity chefs are unveiling fried chicken spin-offs, every other restaurant has added fried chicken sandwiches to the menu, and variations like Korean-fried chicken, fried chicken and waffles, and Nashville hot chicken continue to gain market share. Why are diners obsessed with fried chicken? Because it’s delicious. Messy, but delicious. The best fried chicken shacks keep it simple, do it right and deliver the goods in an attractive setting with great customer service. That describes Hot Chicken Takeover to a ‘T’.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
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Hot Chicken Takeover
242 Main St., Westlake
Our nation is presently in the grip of a fried chicken frenzy. Celebrity chefs are unveiling fried chicken spin-offs, every other restaurant has added fried chicken sandwiches to the menu, and variations like Korean-fried chicken, fried chicken and waffles, and Nashville hot chicken continue to gain market share. Why are diners obsessed with fried chicken? Because it’s delicious. Messy, but delicious. The best fried chicken shacks keep it simple, do it right and deliver the goods in an attractive setting with great customer service. That describes Hot Chicken Takeover to a ‘T’.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
” itemprop=”image” /> The Crispy Chick
5618 Woodland Ave., Cleveland
Head to Woodland Avenue in the Central neighborhood and you’ll find a new fast-food restaurant that serves only one entree: chicken tenders. They are some of the best tenders you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying in Cleveland. They arrive fresh and hot on a bed of crinkle-cut fries accompanied by coleslaw, toasted garlic bread and a soft drink.
Photo via The Crispy Chick/Facebook” data-title=”
The Crispy Chick
5618 Woodland Ave., Cleveland
Head to Woodland Avenue in the Central neighborhood and you’ll find a new fast-food restaurant that serves only one entree: chicken tenders. They are some of the best tenders you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying in Cleveland. They arrive fresh and hot on a bed of crinkle-cut fries accompanied by coleslaw, toasted garlic bread and a soft drink.
Photo via The Crispy Chick/Facebook” itemprop=”image” /> Mahall’s
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood
When you only have two items on your whole menu, you know they have to be good. That’s the case at this Cleveland institution. Mahall’s may mostly be known for their live music and bowling, but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve up a mean fried chicken.
Photo via Scene Archives
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Mahall’s
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood
When you only have two items on your whole menu, you know they have to be good. That’s the case at this Cleveland institution. Mahall’s may mostly be known for their live music and bowling, but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve up a mean fried chicken.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” /> Southern Cafe
11817 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Sometimes for names of restaurants, simple is better, and the name of this place says it all. What would you expect at a place called Southern Cafe? Of course they have yummy fried chicken, especially when it comes with waffles
Photo via @Gone.Girl.Go/Instagram” data-title=”
Southern Cafe
11817 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Sometimes for names of restaurants, simple is better, and the name of this place says it all. What would you expect at a place called Southern Cafe? Of course they have yummy fried chicken, especially when it comes with waffles
Photo via @Gone.Girl.Go/Instagram” itemprop=”image” /> Angie’s Soul Cafe
Multiple Locations
With soul cafe in the name of the restaurant, this is the spot for that good southern comfort cooking. While you can’t go wrong with the collard greens and candied yams, you’ll have to get the fried chicken, in either dark or white meat.
Photo via @BakerDewayne/Instagram
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Angie’s Soul Cafe
Multiple Locations
With soul cafe in the name of the restaurant, this is the spot for that good southern comfort cooking. While you can’t go wrong with the collard greens and candied yams, you’ll have to get the fried chicken, in either dark or white meat.
Photo via @BakerDewayne/Instagram
” itemprop=”image” /> Zanzibar Soul Fusion
Multiple Locations
This Shaker Square eatery, which expanded to downtown in 2018, owned by the same restaurateurs that started Angie’s Soul Food Cafe, is a must-visit soul food spot. This place does their own take on southern comfort and the fried chicken is a staple on the menu.
Photo via Scene Archives
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Zanzibar Soul Fusion
Multiple Locations
This Shaker Square eatery, which expanded to downtown in 2018, owned by the same restaurateurs that started Angie’s Soul Food Cafe, is a must-visit soul food spot. This place does their own take on southern comfort and the fried chicken is a staple on the menu.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” /> Dirty Bird
3427 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
We can add Dirty Bird to the long and growing list of fried chicken-themed concepts popping up across Northeast Ohio. This new “Southern comfort food” eatery might be new to diners, but it’s being prepared by the veteran chefs at Michael’s Genuine at the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. The take-out and delivery only menu stars heavily spiced fried chicken in half- and whole-bird portions; this is not a pieces-parts operation. The buttermilk-marinated and seasoned chicken also is available in a Nashville Hot-style sandwich, a sandwich starring smoked thighs, and “Bird Bowls” layered with greens, veggies, fried or smoked chicken and creamy buttermilk dressing.
Photo by Mette Blumensaadt
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Dirty Bird
3427 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
We can add Dirty Bird to the long and growing list of fried chicken-themed concepts popping up across Northeast Ohio. This new “Southern comfort food” eatery might be new to diners, but it’s being prepared by the veteran chefs at Michael’s Genuine at the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. The take-out and delivery only menu stars heavily spiced fried chicken in half- and whole-bird portions; this is not a pieces-parts operation. The buttermilk-marinated and seasoned chicken also is available in a Nashville Hot-style sandwich, a sandwich starring smoked thighs, and “Bird Bowls” layered with greens, veggies, fried or smoked chicken and creamy buttermilk dressing.
Photo by Mette Blumensaadt
” itemprop=”image” /> Antonio’s
Multiple Locations
A local pizza chain with 15 locations has really good fried chicken? We’d argue it’s up there with the best in town. Just try it and thank us later. And pair it with some Freddy Bread.
Photo via Antonio’s Pizza/Facebook
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Antonio’s
Multiple Locations
A local pizza chain with 15 locations has really good fried chicken? We’d argue it’s up there with the best in town. Just try it and thank us later. And pair it with some Freddy Bread.
Photo via Antonio’s Pizza/Facebook
” itemprop=”image” /> Hell’s Fried Chicken
11324 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Sheng Long Yu is on an absolute tear. In the last year and a half alone, he has opened Dagu Rice Noodle shops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, a poke restaurant called iPoke near the Cleveland Clinic, and a shimmering new Shinto Japanese Steakhouse in Westlake to complement the 16-year-old original in Strongsville. This year, he also opened Hell’s Fried Chicken. Objectively speaking, Hell’s is making some of the best fried chicken in town. The proprietary process, which includes marinating, breading and frying, results in a light, pale and uber-crunchy coating that stays crisp for a remarkably long time.
Photo by Doug Trattner ” data-title=”
Hell’s Fried Chicken
11324 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Sheng Long Yu is on an absolute tear. In the last year and a half alone, he has opened Dagu Rice Noodle shops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, a poke restaurant called iPoke near the Cleveland Clinic, and a shimmering new Shinto Japanese Steakhouse in Westlake to complement the 16-year-old original in Strongsville. This year, he also opened Hell’s Fried Chicken. Objectively speaking, Hell’s is making some of the best fried chicken in town. The proprietary process, which includes marinating, breading and frying, results in a light, pale and uber-crunchy coating that stays crisp for a remarkably long time.
Photo by Doug Trattner ” itemprop=”image” />White House Chicken
180 Wooster Rd. N., Barberton
Famous for its unique style of fried chicken, one rooted in Serbian recipes, the town of Barberton once had as many as half a dozen places all preparing similar versions of the dish. Many are long gone, but White House is still here and doing it right. The bird is never frozen and always fried in lard, producing a glistening copper crust.
Photo via Scene Archives
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White House Chicken
180 Wooster Rd. N., Barberton
Famous for its unique style of fried chicken, one rooted in Serbian recipes, the town of Barberton once had as many as half a dozen places all preparing similar versions of the dish. Many are long gone, but White House is still here and doing it right. The bird is never frozen and always fried in lard, producing a glistening copper crust.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” />SOHO Chicken + Whiskey/Chicken Run
1889 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Put “chicken” in your name and you better do it right, and SoHo does. While SoHo temporarily changed their concept to a takeout spot called Chicken Run for the pandemic, they’re still serving perfectly fried thighs and breasts. They also have a bunch of different, super flavorful chicken sandwiches and yummy chicken and waffles too.
Photo via Scene Archives
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SOHO Chicken + Whiskey/Chicken Run
1889 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Put ::chicken:: in your name and you better do it right, and SoHo does. While SoHo temporarily changed their concept to a takeout spot called Chicken Run for the pandemic, they’re still serving perfectly fried thighs and breasts. They also have a bunch of different, super flavorful chicken sandwiches and yummy chicken and waffles too.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” />Dina’s Pizza & Pub
5701 Memphis Ave., Cleveland
Dina’s deep in Old Brooklyn is one of those neighborhood spots that seems off the beaten path for many Clevelanders. Yeah, they’re known for their chicken wings but their fried chicken sandwich is scrumptious too.
Photo via Scene Archives” data-title=”
Dina’s Pizza & Pub
5701 Memphis Ave., Cleveland
Dina’s deep in Old Brooklyn is one of those neighborhood spots that seems off the beaten path for many Clevelanders. Yeah, they’re known for their chicken wings but their fried chicken sandwich is scrumptious too.
Photo via Scene Archives” itemprop=”image” />ParkView Nite Club
1261 West 58th St., Cleveland
Recent changes in the kitchen at Parkview Nite Club are just the latest chapter in the quest to offer guests quality fare at neighborly prices. Their current food offerings, run by Chow Chow, feature great southern items like Nashville-style hot chicken. It’s hot, so if you like spicy, stay away, but it takes the term mouth-watering to a whole new level.
Photo via Scene Archives
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ParkView Nite Club
1261 West 58th St., Cleveland
Recent changes in the kitchen at Parkview Nite Club are just the latest chapter in the quest to offer guests quality fare at neighborly prices. Their current food offerings, run by Chow Chow, feature great southern items like Nashville-style hot chicken. It’s hot, so if you like spicy, stay away, but it takes the term mouth-watering to a whole new level.
Photo via Scene Archives
” itemprop=”image” /> Danny’s Deli & Restaurant
1658 St Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland
Opened up in 1978, this spot’s most known for its fresh corned beef sandwiches. But for those looking for something a little different, go forth with fried chicken sandwich. Don’t worry, it comes with bacon.
Photo via @_margimae/Instagram
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Danny’s Deli & Restaurant
1658 St Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland
Opened up in 1978, this spot’s most known for its fresh corned beef sandwiches. But for those looking for something a little different, go forth with fried chicken sandwich. Don’t worry, it comes with bacon.
Photo via @_margimae/Instagram
” itemprop=”image” /> Boss ChickNBeer
120 Front St., Berea
Opened in a small strip mall in Berea not even a year ago, Boss ChickNBeer comes from the minds of Heather Doeberling and Emily Moes who are also behind the Mexican-themed Boca Loca. And yes, their fried chicken sandwich just knocks it out of the park.
Photo via @bosschicknbeer/Instagram
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Boss ChickNBeer
120 Front St., Berea
Opened in a small strip mall in Berea not even a year ago, Boss ChickNBeer comes from the minds of Heather Doeberling and Emily Moes who are also behind the Mexican-themed Boca Loca. And yes, their fried chicken sandwich just knocks it out of the park.
Photo via @bosschicknbeer/Instagram
” itemprop=”image” />Market Garden Brewery
1947 West 25th St., Cleveland
Market Garden serves up great beer (obviously) but their menu is often underrated. And their fried chicken sandwich, made with thigh meat, is not to be missed. Enjoy the cheesy, buttery hand-held with a pint of something delicious.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
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Market Garden Brewery
1947 West 25th St., Cleveland
Market Garden serves up great beer (obviously) but their menu is often underrated. And their fried chicken sandwich, made with thigh meat, is not to be missed. Enjoy the cheesy, buttery hand-held with a pint of something delicious.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
” itemprop=”image” />Herb N’ Twine
4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Herb n’ Twine’s foray into the fried chicken sandwich game stands out as the only one in the city that doesn’t make you feel like you have been battered and deep fried yourself. Herb n’ Twine glazes strips of fried chicken breast in a sweet honey garlic sauce and wedges them between their house made french bread, making for a subtle interplay of crisp and crunch set off by a punchy slaw.
Photo via @emuhoray/Instagram
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Herb N’ Twine
4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Herb n’ Twine’s foray into the fried chicken sandwich game stands out as the only one in the city that doesn’t make you feel like you have been battered and deep fried yourself. Herb n’ Twine glazes strips of fried chicken breast in a sweet honey garlic sauce and wedges them between their house made french bread, making for a subtle interplay of crisp and crunch set off by a punchy slaw.
Photo via @emuhoray/Instagram
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