When it comes to fried chicken, some would say no special occasion is required.
That’s especially the case for a city that claims fried chicken as one of its homegrown delicacies. Louisville’s thriving food scene has plenty of love for the Southern staple, with national and local chains such as CM Chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Joella’s Hot Chicken and Indi’s Chicken planting roots across the area. Higher-end restaurants dish it out, too.
At Ensō, 1758 Frankfort Ave., acclaimed chef Lawrence Weeks includes Japanese Fried Chicken with lemon, jezebel sauce, Alabama white barbecue sauce, butter lettuce and pickled pepper on the menu. Cask Southern Kitchen, 9980 Linn Station Road, has carved out spots for chicken and waffles and a buttermilk Southern fried chicken sandwich, and at Buck’s Restaurant, 425 W. Ormsby Ave., fine dining features the option for fried chicken livers. Chicken King, 639 E. Broadway, has fried chicken boxes to feed the whole family. Plus, you’ll find weekly fried chicken specials at unlikely places such as Mellwood Tavern, 1801 Brownsboro Road, where homemade fried chicken and Southern sides are served Tuesdays and Thursdays at the bar with roots going back to 1885.
Really, depending on the timing, you could drive down some streets in Louisville and the wafting scent of fried chicken would be enough of a reason to pull over for a feast. If you were looking for an excuse, though, to get your fried chicken fix, there’s a holiday for that.
National Fried Chicken Day falls on Sunday, July 6, offering a justification for biting into a Kentucky favorite.
And, we’ve got some ideas for where to celebrate.
The following isn’t a comprehensive list, but consider it just starting point for your fried chicken adventures.
äta Restaurant
4864 Brownsboro Road, ata-restaurant.com
ata Restaurant, 4864 Brownsboro Road, recently started serving fried chicken daily, in addition to the restaurant’s Tuesday fried chicken special.
Shortly after opening this cozy fine dining destination in the former home of Anoosh Bistro, chef David Danielson came up with an idea to ramp up business on Tuesdays. He brought along his version of fried chicken longtime fans knew from Danielson’s time at Old Stone Inn in Simpsonville, which closed in 2020. The Tuesday special turned so popular that, as of March, fried chicken was added to the dinner menu. For $25, the meal comes with country pork loin spare ribs, watermelon tomato salad, corn succotash and whipped mashed potatoes.
More: Does this restaurant by former Churchill Downs chef serve the best fried chicken in Kentucky?
Chik’n & Mi
1765 Mellwood Ave., chiknandmi.com
Along with ramen noodles and a dreamy patio in Butchertown, Chik’n & Mi offers Asian-inspired fried chicken. Patrons have the choice between a three or five piece meal, with chicken tossed in sweet soy, hot jaew bong or extra hot sauce or served sauceless with as side of peppercorn ranch. Nuggets are also available.
The Eagle
1314 Bardstown Road and 7900 Shelbyville Road, eaglerestaurant.com
While The Eagle is notably not local to Louisville, the small regional chain has soared into town as a top destination for fried chicken and sides, such as spoonbread, white cheddar grits, homemade biscuits and collards. With two locations in Louisville, the craft beer hall is known for serving multiple sizes of its all-natural, free range and brined in house chicken.
Louie’s Hot Chicken and Barbecue
4222 Poplar Level, louieshotchickenandbbq.com
This spot keeps things simple by mostly serving stuff you’ll find in its name. Started by three friends who spent years perfecting their Nashville hot chicken recipe, Louie’s serves chicken with heat levels including medium, hot, extra hot and extra extra hot “if you dare,” according to the restaurant’s website. Louie’s also offers barbecue, including smoked brisket, pork and wings, daily.
LuCretia’s Kitchen
617 W Oak St., lucretiaskitchen.com
A few months after moving to its new location in March 2024, this soul food and barbecue restaurant got some love from Southern Living. In December 2024, LuCretia’s Kitchen was recognized on the esteemed publication’s list of “The Best Fried Chicken In The South, According To Southern Chefs.”
Southern Living tapped chef Lawrence Weeks for the list, who praised LuCretia’s Kitchen, saying, “Lucretia’s Kitchen has my heart. Their chicken is so crispy and comes out golden brown. Also, Lucretia is the nicest and welcomes you in like family.”
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen
122 W. Main St., merleswhiskeykitchen.com
If you prefer your fried chicken with a side of bourbon and live music, put Merle’s on your must-try list. The downtown restaurant’s all natural “25 hour recipe” goes for a half chicken or a quarter chicken. For a different vessel for your fried chicken, the “Yum Bowl” is piled with chicken tender pieces, smashed potatoes, gravy, cheddar cheese, corn poblano salsa and pickled onions.
Royals Hot Chicken
736 E. Market St., royalshotchicken.com
Since opening in 2015, Royals’ yellow and orange neon sign has become synonymous with fried chicken. From Eternal Optimist Hospitality, the same restaurant group that owns Bar Vetti, Royals bills itself as serving Louisville’s “favorite hot dipped, Nashville-style hot chicken with endorphin-ringing heat.” With options such as chicken tenders, chicken tender tacos, a fried chicken sandwich or a fried chicken salad sandwich, Royals also offers sides like coleslaw, a broccoli and bacon salad, and crinkle cut fries. You’ll also find milkshakes and local beer on tap.
Shirley Mae’s Cafe
802 S. Clay St., shirleymaescafe.com
No fried chicken list would be complete without mentioning Shirley Mae’s Café. The iconic soul food restaurant in Louisville’s Smoketown neighborhood has kept serving its beloved fried chicken and hot water cornbread since the passing of its owner, Shirley Mae Beard. As has been the longtime motto, the cash-only café invites you to “come on home for dinner.”
More: Inside 10 must-try restaurants, bakeries and bars around Louisville, Kentucky
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where to find some of the best fried chicken in Louisville