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Roaming Rooster’s wildly popular fried chicken sandwich.
Roaming Rooster/Facebook

Where to Get Crispy, Crunchy Fried Chicken Around D.C.

18 top-notch destinations for the fried fan favorite

by Tierney Plumb and Eater Staff Updated
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Roaming Rooster’s wildly popular fried chicken sandwich.
| Roaming Rooster/Facebook
by Tierney Plumb and Eater Staff Updated

Fried chicken is one of those lovable dishes that never goes out of style. The finest fried chicken around D.C. can be found at iconic takeouts, hip bars, acclaimed restaurants, and food hall stalls. Below are some of the standout takes around town.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Honeymoon Chicken

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Executive chef Rob Sonderman, who already has a carnivorous following as pit master at Federalist Pig, turned to chicken at this retro poultry pad that popped in Petworth in January. All natural, cage-free chicken gets a pickle brine bath for 24 hours before taking a trip into a pressure fryer. Along with build-your-own buckets of bone-in white and dark meat, crispy chicken makes appearances in salads, sandwiches, and atop sweet corn waffles.

4201 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 983-5010
(202) 983-5010
A hot honey chicken sandwich comes with its cilantro-lime slaw. 
Honeymoon Chicken/official photo

Also featured in:

Hitching Post Restaurant

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Petworth’s Bib Gourmand-designated restaurant has been around since 1967. Fried chicken dinners come with two sides, and are priced $19 for a four piece meal or $21 for five wings. Each order is made fresh, so allow 20 to 30 minutes for preparation. Takeout is available by calling the restaurant, and there is delivery through UberEats.

200 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-1511
(202) 726-1511

Also featured in:

Roaming Rooster

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The Black-owned food truck that got its start in 2015 has built up a solid following for its free-range, grain-fed poultry (musician/influencer Bri Hall is one celebrity fan). The business now includes nine standalone stores scattered across the DMV. That includes brand new outposts in North Bethesda and Chantilly, along with U Street NW and Foggy Bottom food hall Western Market. Order online for pickup or delivery.

3176 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018
(202) 507-8734
(202) 507-8734
Three wings and pickles topped on a slice of white bread
Fried chicken wings from Roaming Rooster
Roaming Rooster [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Roy Boys

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This lively, neon-lit Shaw bar near 9:30 Club sends out silver trays of fried chicken, tenders, sliders, and sandwiches like the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” with Nashville-basted fried chicken, slaw, pickles, and buttermilk ranch. Both carryout and delivery options are listed on the restaurant website. Stick and stay at the bar for well-executed cocktails.

2108 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 558-9382
(202) 558-9382
Close-up shot of fried chicken from Roy Boys
Fried chicken from Roy Boys
Roy Boys [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Oohs And Ahhs

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Chicken wings and quarters are among the choices for main dishes in this U Street soul food icon’s $54.95 family meal deal. Fried chicken and wings can be ordered a la carte as well. Pickup is available through the restaurant’s website, and there is delivery via Postmates.

1005 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 667-7142
(202) 667-7142

Service Bar DC

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Golden brown and brined fried chicken options are aplenty at this award-winning cocktail bar in Shaw, which just ranked No. 18 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Choose from classic chicken thighs, served with fries, mac and cheese, and green beans. Find fried chicken priced from $20-$42 depending on order size, and additional sandwich varieties. Carryout available directly through the restaurant’s website. Service Bar has a patio service setup.

928 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232

Also featured in:

Anju

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One of the most popular menu items from this Korean gastropub from the group that runs ChiKo is its fried chicken served with gochujang glaze and white barbecue sauce. The half chicken is available via pickup or delivery on Caviar for $18, along with patio and dine-in service.

    Search for reservations
  • Capital One Dining
    Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
1805 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 845-8935
(202) 845-8935
Korean fried chicken doused in sauce
Fried chicken from Anju
Anju’s fried chicken [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Chicken + Whiskey

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The South American street food spot is known for its slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, but Seven Reasons chef Enrique Limardo’s cassava-breaded strips are also a top seller. The deep-fried poultry is tossed in a six-spice seasoning, served with a choice of mango-guayaba or house barbecue sauce. Order online for takeout or delivery daily, or order it from its whiskey bar tucked in the back. An additional location recently landed in Columbia, Md., with another en route to Navy Yard.

1738 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-2456
(202) 667-2456

Also featured in:

KoChix Chicken

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Pre-paid pickup and delivery through UberEats are now the game for this local destination for spicy and crunchy Korean fried chicken. There are various combinations of wings and drumsticks (soy garlic, honey, honey spicy, hot honey spicy) to pick from.

400 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 232-3468
(202) 232-3468

Also featured in:

Lyle Washington DC

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The stylish hotel restaurant dotted with white couches and artwork is known for its gluten-free fried chicken main that gets rested overnight in potato starch, coated with rice flour, and served with hot honey and a warm potato salad ($26). On weekends, buckets of the bird ($46) come with bubbly or beers at brunch for $24 more.

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 964-6750
(202) 964-6750
Lyle’s new Buckets, Bubbles & Brews brunch offering.
Lyle

Also featured in:

Little Chicken

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Nestled in a hidden alleyway at D.C.’s shiny new Midtown Center sits this playful mashup between Grazie Grazie sub shop owner Casey Patten and Michelin-rated Maydan alums Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan (now at Caribbean-styled Bammy’s in Navy Yard). Pieces of bone-in chicken — pick white or dark meat, spicy or regular — come by the box or bucket. There’s also combos, sides, salads, and a “Cluck Norris” sandwich that tops jalapeno popper dip and pepper jelly over fried chicken.

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 989-0292
(202) 989-0292
A bone-in bucket features eight pieces of thighs, wings, breasts, and drum sticks.
Rey Lopez for Little Chicken

Also featured in:

PogiBoy

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Downtown food hall the Block is home to a Filipino American fast-food menu from chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca. Fried chicken sandwiches rely on a seasoning mix featuring tamarind powder and long pepper that tastes like sinigang, a sour soup. Adobo chicken nuggets with spicy banana ketchup are also a fan favorite. The menu draws inspiration from global fast-food chain Jollibee, which offers buckets of fried “chickenjoy” with brown gravy in Wheaton, Md. and a new Alexandria, Va. outpost.

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 681-7516
(202) 681-7516

Also featured in:

Maketto

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The Taiwanese fried chicken served with five spice caramel, chiles, and fried shallots, is one of the most popular items at Erik Bruner-Yang’s cool cafe on H Street NE. Order a $28 large plate for carryout through Caviar or do dine-in.

    Search for reservations
  • Capital One Dining
    Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One cardholders. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app.
1351 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 838-9972
(202) 838-9972
Maketto [Caviar]

Also featured in:

Bantam King

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The fried chicken plate from Bantam King influenced by Chinese and East Nashville flavors comes with steamed rice, chicken drippings, a dinner roll, pickles, and salsa verde. An additional plate comes with a tangy-sweet onion sauce, Japanese curry powder, and shaved Vidalia onions. Dine-in or do carryout through the restaurant; delivery through Caviar or UberEats. A new Sunday-only “Doffle” special pairs a doughnut waffle with fried chicken that’s glazed with sweet and spicy syrups.

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 733-2612
(202) 733-2612

Also featured in:

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken (Multiple locations)

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Classic fried chicken at this D.C. and Falls Church outlet, also known for its fancy doughnuts, comes in two, four, or eight pieces ($7.50-$26), plus chicken fingers. Adding tots is never a bad idea. Both locations have delivery and takeout information on the website.

1308 G St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 809-5565
(202) 809-5565
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

Also featured in:

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Central

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The famous fried chicken recipe from the late and great French chef Michel Richard lives on at his classy downtown stalwart, served with mashed potatoes, Dijon sauce, and watercress salad ($26). Opt for patio or in-room dining across the recently renovated restaurant. At happy hour, a $9 order of chicken nuggets gets a kick from Sriracha honey.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 626-0015
(202) 626-0015
Fried chicken from Central
Fried chicken from Central
Central [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Hot Lola’s

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This Ballston food hall stall from Moon Rabbit chef Kevin Tien focuses on Sichuan-spiced Nashville hot chicken. Its full menu of sandwiches and tenders is available for carryout or delivery. Tien is also associated with Petworth’s cozy new Magpie and the Tiger, which offers kkanpunggi (batter-fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce).

4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

Henry's Soul Cafe (Multiple locations)

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Henry’s may have made a name for itself on sweet potato pies, but both locations offer savory soul food classics available for pickup and dine-in, including fried chicken. The chicken is sold by the half or as wings (there’s chicken and waffles as well). Order online for the Maryland location here and the U Street location here.

5431 MD-210, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 749-6856
(301) 749-6856

Also featured in:

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Honeymoon Chicken

4201 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011

Executive chef Rob Sonderman, who already has a carnivorous following as pit master at Federalist Pig, turned to chicken at this retro poultry pad that popped in Petworth in January. All natural, cage-free chicken gets a pickle brine bath for 24 hours before taking a trip into a pressure fryer. Along with build-your-own buckets of bone-in white and dark meat, crispy chicken makes appearances in salads, sandwiches, and atop sweet corn waffles.

4201 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 983-5010
(202) 983-5010
A hot honey chicken sandwich comes with its cilantro-lime slaw. 
Honeymoon Chicken/official photo

Hitching Post Restaurant

200 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011

Petworth’s Bib Gourmand-designated restaurant has been around since 1967. Fried chicken dinners come with two sides, and are priced $19 for a four piece meal or $21 for five wings. Each order is made fresh, so allow 20 to 30 minutes for preparation. Takeout is available by calling the restaurant, and there is delivery through UberEats.

200 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-1511
(202) 726-1511

Roaming Rooster

3176 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018

The Black-owned food truck that got its start in 2015 has built up a solid following for its free-range, grain-fed poultry (musician/influencer Bri Hall is one celebrity fan). The business now includes nine standalone stores scattered across the DMV. That includes brand new outposts in North Bethesda and Chantilly, along with U Street NW and Foggy Bottom food hall Western Market. Order online for pickup or delivery.

3176 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018
(202) 507-8734
(202) 507-8734
Three wings and pickles topped on a slice of white bread
Fried chicken wings from Roaming Rooster
Roaming Rooster [Photo: Facebook]

Roy Boys

2108 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This lively, neon-lit Shaw bar near 9:30 Club sends out silver trays of fried chicken, tenders, sliders, and sandwiches like the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” with Nashville-basted fried chicken, slaw, pickles, and buttermilk ranch. Both carryout and delivery options are listed on the restaurant website. Stick and stay at the bar for well-executed cocktails.

2108 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 558-9382
(202) 558-9382
Close-up shot of fried chicken from Roy Boys
Fried chicken from Roy Boys
Roy Boys [Photo: Facebook]

Oohs And Ahhs

1005 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Chicken wings and quarters are among the choices for main dishes in this U Street soul food icon’s $54.95 family meal deal. Fried chicken and wings can be ordered a la carte as well. Pickup is available through the restaurant’s website, and there is delivery via Postmates.

1005 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 667-7142
(202) 667-7142

Service Bar DC

928 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Golden brown and brined fried chicken options are aplenty at this award-winning cocktail bar in Shaw, which just ranked No. 18 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Choose from classic chicken thighs, served with fries, mac and cheese, and green beans. Find fried chicken priced from $20-$42 depending on order size, and additional sandwich varieties. Carryout available directly through the restaurant’s website. Service Bar has a patio service setup.

928 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232

Anju

1805 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

One of the most popular menu items from this Korean gastropub from the group that runs ChiKo is its fried chicken served with gochujang glaze and white barbecue sauce. The half chicken is available via pickup or delivery on Caviar for $18, along with patio and dine-in service.

1805 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 845-8935
(202) 845-8935
Korean fried chicken doused in sauce
Fried chicken from Anju
Anju’s fried chicken [Photo: Facebook]

Chicken + Whiskey

1738 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The South American street food spot is known for its slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, but Seven Reasons chef Enrique Limardo’s cassava-breaded strips are also a top seller. The deep-fried poultry is tossed in a six-spice seasoning, served with a choice of mango-guayaba or house barbecue sauce. Order online for takeout or delivery daily, or order it from its whiskey bar tucked in the back. An additional location recently landed in Columbia, Md., with another en route to Navy Yard.

1738 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-2456
(202) 667-2456

KoChix Chicken

400 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Pre-paid pickup and delivery through UberEats are now the game for this local destination for spicy and crunchy Korean fried chicken. There are various combinations of wings and drumsticks (soy garlic, honey, honey spicy, hot honey spicy) to pick from.

400 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 232-3468
(202) 232-3468

Lyle Washington DC

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

The stylish hotel restaurant dotted with white couches and artwork is known for its gluten-free fried chicken main that gets rested overnight in potato starch, coated with rice flour, and served with hot honey and a warm potato salad ($26). On weekends, buckets of the bird ($46) come with bubbly or beers at brunch for $24 more.

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 964-6750
(202) 964-6750
Lyle’s new Buckets, Bubbles & Brews brunch offering.
Lyle

Little Chicken

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Nestled in a hidden alleyway at D.C.’s shiny new Midtown Center sits this playful mashup between Grazie Grazie sub shop owner Casey Patten and Michelin-rated Maydan alums Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan (now at Caribbean-styled Bammy’s in Navy Yard). Pieces of bone-in chicken — pick white or dark meat, spicy or regular — come by the box or bucket. There’s also combos, sides, salads, and a “Cluck Norris” sandwich that tops jalapeno popper dip and pepper jelly over fried chicken.

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 989-0292
(202) 989-0292
A bone-in bucket features eight pieces of thighs, wings, breasts, and drum sticks.
Rey Lopez for Little Chicken

PogiBoy

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Downtown food hall the Block is home to a Filipino American fast-food menu from chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca. Fried chicken sandwiches rely on a seasoning mix featuring tamarind powder and long pepper that tastes like sinigang, a sour soup. Adobo chicken nuggets with spicy banana ketchup are also a fan favorite. The menu draws inspiration from global fast-food chain Jollibee, which offers buckets of fried “chickenjoy” with brown gravy in Wheaton, Md. and a new Alexandria, Va. outpost.

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 681-7516
(202) 681-7516

Maketto

1351 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The Taiwanese fried chicken served with five spice caramel, chiles, and fried shallots, is one of the most popular items at Erik Bruner-Yang’s cool cafe on H Street NE. Order a $28 large plate for carryout through Caviar or do dine-in.

1351 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 838-9972
(202) 838-9972
Maketto [Caviar]

Bantam King

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The fried chicken plate from Bantam King influenced by Chinese and East Nashville flavors comes with steamed rice, chicken drippings, a dinner roll, pickles, and salsa verde. An additional plate comes with a tangy-sweet onion sauce, Japanese curry powder, and shaved Vidalia onions. Dine-in or do carryout through the restaurant; delivery through Caviar or UberEats. A new Sunday-only “Doffle” special pairs a doughnut waffle with fried chicken that’s glazed with sweet and spicy syrups.

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 733-2612
(202) 733-2612

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken (Multiple locations)

1308 G St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Classic fried chicken at this D.C. and Falls Church outlet, also known for its fancy doughnuts, comes in two, four, or eight pieces ($7.50-$26), plus chicken fingers. Adding tots is never a bad idea. Both locations have delivery and takeout information on the website.

1308 G St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 809-5565
(202) 809-5565
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

Related Maps

Central

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The famous fried chicken recipe from the late and great French chef Michel Richard lives on at his classy downtown stalwart, served with mashed potatoes, Dijon sauce, and watercress salad ($26). Opt for patio or in-room dining across the recently renovated restaurant. At happy hour, a $9 order of chicken nuggets gets a kick from Sriracha honey.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 626-0015
(202) 626-0015
Fried chicken from Central
Fried chicken from Central
Central [Photo: Facebook]

Hot Lola’s

4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

This Ballston food hall stall from Moon Rabbit chef Kevin Tien focuses on Sichuan-spiced Nashville hot chicken. Its full menu of sandwiches and tenders is available for carryout or delivery. Tien is also associated with Petworth’s cozy new Magpie and the Tiger, which offers kkanpunggi (batter-fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce).

4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

Henry's Soul Cafe (Multiple locations)

5431 MD-210, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Henry’s may have made a name for itself on sweet potato pies, but both locations offer savory soul food classics available for pickup and dine-in, including fried chicken. The chicken is sold by the half or as wings (there’s chicken and waffles as well). Order online for the Maryland location here and the U Street location here.

5431 MD-210, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 749-6856
(301) 749-6856

Related Maps