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We take fried chicken seriously in the South. However, it can be highly versatile - spicy, greasy, on a waffle, with a side of fried rice, or over braised greens. This list of locally owned Lafayette staples’ offerings ranges from secret menu items and plate lunch specials to fried chicken being front and center.
The Lunch Box focuses on plate lunches, and Tuesdays are the magical day for fried chicken. If you’re looking for a place with no frills but big servings of heaping, crispy goodness, stop by the Lunch Box on a Tuesday.
Kevin’s Seafood hangs out in an old Popeye’s building, so there must be good fried chicken juju in the air, right? The drive-through window is easily accessible, making it a perfect stop after work for a quick fried chicken dinner.
It is a not-so-well-kept-secret that there is an off-menu item at La Fonda that happens to be one of the most popular menu items: fried chicken. Don’t be fooled by La Fonda’s identity as a Mexican restaurant, as it offers many off-menu items. Go for the margaritas, and stay for the fried chicken.
Fat Albert’s has specialized in all things chicken and fried for years. You can choose from an offering of quintessential southern sides such as okra, cole slaw, and red beans. This place is perfect for laser-focused fried chicken cravings.
Charlie’s Seafood focuses more on Chinese takeout but has a decent chicken drumettes and tenders menu. Charlie’s is perfect for feeding a crowd for game night. A 15-piece bucket of drumettes will run you about $8.
Steven’s is an unassuming wooden building tucked away in the La Place neighborhood but do not be fooled! This is poster child for “hole in the wall.” They are well known for their crispy, well-seasoned fried chicken, and don’t forget an extra sauce.
Hot Food Express is another Asian-inspired/ Cajun restaurant where you can get fried rice with your fried chicken. This is a to-go, no-frills stop, another perfect place for drive-thru pickup on the way home.
If you have never wandered over to Tammy’s Grocery for a late-night snack or an early-morning soda after a long night at the Blue Moon or Artmosphere, have you even experienced true Lafayette? Tammy’s has been a long-standing beacon in the Freetown neighborhood, offering groceries, plate lunches, beer, snacks, boudin, fried rice, and fried chicken.
April Courville is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a professional writer and photographer. Her freelancing career started in 2014 with the Times of Acadiana and has since written for The Daily Advertiser, The Advocate, Reveal Lafayette, Acadiana Lifestyle, and the Current. Her favorite topics to cover are food and wine, art, music and festivals.