Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County

Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County

It’s hard to hate fried chicken. Whether you grew up loving a big old bucket of KFC or sunk your teeth into granny’s Southern fried chicken, it’s a sense memory most of us share. Brined in buttermilk, dredged in flour and given a nice hot oil bath, there’s nothing quite like it. Hit the park and spread a blanket for a perfect picnic afternoon.

 

Mother Clucker, Shokakko Food Truck

The “Mother-Clucker” sandwich with twice fried chicken, slaw, pickled jalepeño, bang bang dip on a toasted brioche bun from Shokakko, an Asian street food truck on their regular Thursday night visit Jan. 23, 2025 at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Twice-fried chicken sandwiches ($16) are five-napkin affairs. Go for the “Mother-Clucker” with piles of slaw, pickled jalapeños and “Bang Bang” dip made with gochujang, chili crunch and fermented chiles on a brioche bun. It’s fiery and filled with umami but not tongue-singeing. You can find the Shokakko’s latest schedule of stops at Instagram.com/eat_shokakko.

 

Belfare Sonoma

The fried chicken sandwich from Belfare in Petaluma. (Kim Carroll)

Piled-high classic fried chicken sandwich filled with dill pickles, Cajun cabbage and spicy sesame mayo on a Parker House bun. 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite D, Petaluma, 707-774-6029, belfaresonoma.com

 

Twin Oaks Roadhouse

The fried chicken sandwich at Twin Oaks Roadhouse on Old Redwood Highway in Penngrove. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)

A thick slab of juicy fried chicken gets the Nashville hot treatment with a brioche bun, bread and butter pickles, lettuce and mayo. 5745 Old Redwood Highway, Penngrove, hopmonk.com

 

Lou’s Luncheonette

Spicy Fried Chicken with mac and cheese and pickles from Lou's Luncheonette in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Lou’s Luncheonette is all about classic fried chicken. Try their spicy Nashville fried chicken, chicken and waffles or country fried chicken with cornbread and collards. 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, lousluncheonette.com

 

Lunch Box

Fried chicken sandwich from Lunch Box. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)

Lunch Box serves up a variety of great sandwiches in Sebastopol, including a fried chicken. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com

 

Mendocino Farms

The “Not So Fried Chicken” Sandwich with Mendo’s krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta from Mendocino Farms Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

The “Not-So-Fried” Chicken Sandwich gets its crispy crunch from “Mendo Krispies” — flash-fried polenta bits. It’s a healthier take on the classic that doesn’t get lost in translation. Montgomery Village, 2400 Sonoma Ave., Suite D4, Santa Rosa, mendocinofarms.com

 

Acorn Cafe

Fried chicken teriyaki sandwich from Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Acorn Cafe)

Dive into this banh-mi riff on fried chicken. Crisp, juicy breast meat is sandwiched between two togarashi-topped buns, housemade teriyaki sauce, pickled daikon and a slather of spicy mayo. Each bite is creamy, crunchy, sweet, pickle-y and delicious, with a restrained crunch that tickles rather than tearing up the inside of your mouth. Required eating. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com

 

Marla Fried Chicken Frydays

Fried chicken fry-days at Marla SR in Santa Rosa. (Marla SR)

The fried chicken pop-up you’ve come to know and love (or should) returns weekly from 5-8 p.m. each Friday at Marla SR cafe (208 Davis St., Santa Rosa). Now and throughout the summer, they’ll fry milk whey-brined chicken for a crispy bird that crunches back at every bite. Details at Instagram.com/marla_sr.

 

Underwood Bistro

Hat Yai Fried Chicken with sticky rice, cucumber salad and sweet + sour sauce with a Mucho Micho cocktail from Underwood Bar and Bistro Friday March 21, 2025, in Graton. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

There’s a not-so-secret Thai menu at this classic French bistro you’ll want to explore. Along with pad Thai, the Hat Yai fried chicken is a revelation. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com

 

More Great Fried Chicken

Petaluma

 

Sax’s Joint

Top-notch chicken and waffles. Crispy, crunchy and sweet. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

Fried chicken sandwich with goat cheddar, romaine, garlic mayo, bacon, Della Fattoria bun at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

 

Brewster’s Beer Garden

Fried chicken sandwich with goat cheddar, romaine, garlic mayo and bacon on a Della Fattoria bun. Yum. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

 

Windsor

fried chicken at Sweet T's in Windsor

Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar

Sonoma County’s Blue Ribbon Best. Southern Fried Chicken with garlic smashed potatoes, slaw, braised greens and a biscuit. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com

 

Santa Rosa

Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave’s Hot Chicken

It may be a chain, but that doesn’t mean this mild to Oh My Lord spicy chicken isn’t awesome. Get a mix of sliders and tenders with coleslaw, fries and sauce. You won’t regret it. 2240 Mendocino Ave., Suite C-1, Santa Rosa, 707-582-2200, daveshotchicken.com

 

Craving crispy, golden perfection? Whether you're into fiery sandwiches, Southern comfort classics, or creative takes on the original, Sonoma County’s fried chicken scene is seriously cluckin’. Grab some napkins and start your own fried chicken tour today — your taste buds will thank you!

Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County
Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County
Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County
Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County
Where to Get the Best Fried Chicken in Sonoma County

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