Cluck Yeah: Where to Find Fire Fried Chicken in the DMV
Fried chicken is having a moment in the DMV, and with the recent openings of Fancy Ranch at Union Market and Side Chick by Ellie Bird, it’s officially getting crispy out there. Whether you like yours southern-style, spiced Nashville-hot, slathered in sauce, or crisped up Korean-style, there’s a fried chicken fix waiting for you.
Here’s where to get your finger-lickin’ fill:
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
Fancy Ranch
1309 5th Street NE, DC
From the team behind Shilling Canning Co, crispy Amish fried chicken sourced from family-owned farms. Brined for 12 hours, soaked in hot-sauce-spiked buttermilk, and fried golden.
Side Chick by Ellie Bird
125 Founders Avenue, Falls Church, VA
A new carryout concept from the team behind Ellie Bird. Chicken is brined, marinated in buttermilk and sriracha, then double-fried with your choice of spice: original, spicy, or crazy hot.
🍗 THE DMV FRIED CHICKEN HIT LIST
CHIKO
Various Locations
Asian-fusion fried chicken done right: crispy orange chicken, double-fried wings, bold sauces.
Cork Wine Bar
1805 14th Street NW, DC
Their Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays are a DMV favorite for a reason.
Doro Soul Food
1701 6th Street NW, DC
Ethiopian-inflected soul food with incredibly crispy, spiced fried chicken.
Elmina
2208 14th Street NW
Chef Eric Adjepong adds West African flavors to his brunch with a fried chicken sandwich layered with honey peri-peri, slaw, and puna yam chips.
Fryers Roadside Chicken
12830 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
This roadside gem serves up crispy, golden fried chicken that’s flavorful and full of retro charm.
H & Chicken
1409 H Street NE, DC
Southern fried chicken served up fast & you want it with waffles..
Honeymoon Chicken
4201 Georgia Avenue NW, DC
Chef Rob Sonderman with his Michelin Bib Gourmand pick. Classic, juicy fried chicken, plus hot honey and Nashville-style options.
Multiple Locations
Filipino-style fried chicken with roasted banana ketchup
Kinship
1015 7th Street NW, DC
Michelin-starred and now serving Adele’s 3-Piece Fried Chicken Special (all dark meat). Only available Fridays–Sundays at the bar through August 3.
KoChix Chicken
400 Florida Avenue NW, DC
Korean-style wings and tenders in house sauces like spicy honey.
Queen Mother – Chef Rock Harper brings the heat with a boldly seasoned fried chicken sandwich.
Moonraker (Tokyo Fried Chicken & Champagne Club)
The Pendry, 655 Water Street SW
Tokyo fried chicken and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot served with skyline views, Monday through Thursday through Happy Hour.
Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken (by Chef Rock Harper)
Various Pop-Ups / Locations
Chef Rock Harper brings the heat with a boldly seasoned fried chicken sandwich.
Roaming Rooster
Multiple Locations
This home-grown free-range fried chicken chain is known for it’s sandwiches, wings, and tenders.
Silver & Sons
5362 Westbard Ave, Bethesda
Chef Jarrad Silver’s Sunday-only fried chicken is now served by the piece. Two, four, or eight.
Unconventional Diner
1207 9th Street NW, DC
Crispy-skin fried chicken, cheddar-chive biscuits, upscale comfort..
103 W. Strawberry Street, Marshall, VA
Amanda Luhowiak’s Fried chicken sandwich topped with Buffalo sauce, it is smoky and so satisfying.
Yardbird Table & Bar
901 New York Avenue NW, DC
Southern staples, their fried chicken is buttermilk-brined and crispy.
Whether you’re in it for the spice or the crunch, the DMV’s fried chicken game is strong and still growing.
Go forth and cluck responsibly.
