Fried chicken has been an American staple for more than 200 years, though it likely showed up at the table long before Mary Randolph included a recipe in “The Virginia House-Wife” in 1824. Southerners may claim it as their own, but crispy chicken has always had international appeal, from Japanese karaage and sweet-spicy Korean yangnyeom, sticky with gochujang, to Ukrainian chicken Kyiv.
The Colonel made it an affordable takeout staple, and in recent years, fried poultry has made the rounds at upscale restaurants with cheffy touches like aioli, housemade pickles and brioche buns.
I’m a fan of all of it, from granny’s Crisco-fried drumsticks in a cast-iron skillet to Sonoma County’s riffs on the classic: sticky-fingered fast food, Nashville hot chicken that makes your lips burn and mile-high sandwiches with enough crunch and sauce to make the grease stains on your shirt somehow worthwhile.
Editor’s Picks
Belfare Sonoma
From farm market pop-up to their own brick-and-mortar, Belfare’s piled-high classic fried chicken sandwich has weathered trends for good reason. Filled with dill pickles, Cajun cabbage and spicy sesame mayo and served on a Parker House bun, they’re my go-to for the classic. 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite D, Petaluma, 707-774-6029, belfaresonoma.com
Lou’s Luncheonette
Lou’s Luncheonette has staked its claim on crispy, perfectly battered fried chicken. Their spicy Nashville is the play, here, with pickled jalapeños, ranch and slaw. Chicken biscuits with pimento cheese or honey butter and hot sauce are worth the drive. 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, lousluncheonette.com
Khom Loi
Bite-sized fried chicken pieces, fragrant with strips of lemongrass and fried lime leaves, are a tasty Thai take on the classic. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-329-6917, khomloisonoma.com
Lo & Behold
Chef Sean Kelley’s “Almost Famous” tenders ($18) are a grown-up twist – crunchy, salty and with a dip of homemade ranch for good measure. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com
Rosso
Rosso’s signature fried chicken remains a standout under new ownership, served with smashed potatoes and finished with a sweet, caramelized pancetta glaze. 53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-615-7893, rossopizzeria.com
Songbird Parlour
What began as a neighborhood pop-up has become a wildly popular weekly event, available for dine-in or takeout. Call 707-343-1308 or email [email protected] by 5 p.m. Friday to place an order. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com/fried-chicken-night
Lunch Box
Their well-dressed classicfried chicken sandwich is perfectly delightful, but there’s something extra sexy about their chicken Parm sando – with a crispy Parmesan-crust, marinara, melty provolone and mozzarella Shirt stains be damned. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com
Mendocino Farms
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, 707-921-2482, mendocinofarms.com
Acorn Cafe
I’m deeply in love with this Godzilla of a sando that isn’t afraid of bending the rules. Sweet soy, pickled veggies, sliced jalapeño and chili aioli lean toward a banh mi, but it’s entirely its own beast, with a restrained crunch that tickles rather than tear up the inside of your mouth. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com
Bonchon
Fans of sweet, sticky, garlicky-glazed Korean fried chicken will find plenty to like at this fast-casual spot, which pairs it with sauces, including creamy cucumber-wasabi, spicy Korean sauce, Japanese mayo and good old ranch. 447 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-241-3765, bonchon.com
Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar
Southern-style fried chicken comes with garlic smashed potatoes, braised greens, slaw and a biscuit. It’s a classic plate done right. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com
Sushi Kosho
Call ’em knobs, nibbles, or chicken cuties, these bite-sized bits are crispy fried nuggies to nosh, swimming in a sweet-savory puddle of sesame aioli with yuzu kosho. 6750 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-827-6373, koshosushi.com
Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint
Buttermilk-fried chicken with a side of okra, mac and cheese, cornmeal waffles, and butter crack is both naughty and nice. And impossible to share. 16632 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-604-7184, saucymamasjookjoint.com
More Great Fried Chicken
Sax’s Joint
It takes 20-plus minutes to cook, so you know it’s fresh outta the fryer. Crispy, crunchy and sweet are a perfect combo. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
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
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
Whether you're searching for Sonoma County's best fried chicken or the perfect place to call home, discovering local favorites is part of what makes this community so special. If you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply exploring neighborhoods throughout Sonoma County, Excellerate Real Estate is here to help. Reach out today for expert local guidance and let us help you find a home that's just as satisfying as your favorite comfort food.
