14 North Carolina Eateries Serving Fried Chicken That Tastes Like Sunday
In North Carolina, fried chicken is more than comfort food; it’s a tradition that brings people together.
Across the state, small-town diners and family-run spots serve golden, crispy chicken with flavors that feel like they’ve been perfected over generations.
The aroma of frying chicken mingles with cornbread and collard greens, creating a sense of warmth before the first bite.
Locals know which kitchens deliver the juiciest meat, the crispiest crust, and that unmistakable home-cooked feeling.
In North Carolina, fried chicken isn’t just a meal; it’s a reminder of Sundays filled with laughter, family, and plates piled high with food that nourishes both body and soul.
1. Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack — Asheville, NC
Spice lovers rejoice because this spot brings Nashville heat straight to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Rocky’s opened its doors with one mission: to prove that hot chicken belongs in Asheville just as much as the city’s beloved food scene.
Located at 1455 Patton Avenue in West Asheville, the restaurant operates out of a converted service station that keeps things casual and fun.
The bright red exterior practically screams for attention, while the interior features simple wooden tables and walls covered in quirky chicken-themed art.
Their famous Hot Chicken Sandwich comes in five heat levels, from Southern (no heat) all the way to Shut the Cluck Up (seriously hot).
Each piece gets hand-breaded and fried to order, then slathered in their signature cayenne-laced oil.
The crunch stays perfect even under all that spicy goodness.
2. Sand Hill Kitchen — Asheville, NC
Farm-to-table philosophy meets down-home cooking at this West Asheville gem that opened in 2016.
Chef Jason Farmer grew up eating Sunday chicken at his grandmother’s table, and he’s brought those flavors to life here.
You’ll find Sand Hill Kitchen at 1667 Haywood Road, tucked into a charming renovated house with a cozy front porch and rustic wooden interior.
The dining room features exposed brick walls, vintage light fixtures, and reclaimed wood accents that create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Their Buttermilk Fried Chicken is brined overnight, then coated in seasoned flour and fried until the skin crackles with every bite.
It arrives with honey hot sauce and house-made pickles that add the perfect tang.
Locals swear the collard greens and mac and cheese are equally essential.
3. Keaton’s Barbecue — Cleveland, NC
Barbecue might be in the name, but regulars know the fried chicken here deserves equal billing.
This family-run spot has been feeding hungry folks since 1953, making it one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the region.
Situated at 17365 Cool Springs Road in Cleveland, the building looks like a classic country roadhouse with white clapboard siding and a big welcoming porch.
Inside, you’ll find red-and-white checkered tablecloths and walls decorated with vintage photos of the Keaton family.
Their fried chicken gets seasoned with a secret spice blend passed down through three generations.
The pieces come out golden brown with incredibly juicy meat that practically falls off the bone.
Order the chicken plate and you’ll get hushpuppies, coleslaw, and your choice of two vegetables.
4. Bum’s Restaurant — Ayden, NC
Eastern North Carolina knows barbecue, but this place proves the region also understands fried chicken.
Bum Dennis opened this restaurant in 1989, and it quickly became a destination for anyone craving authentic country cooking.
Located at 566 3rd St in Ayden, the restaurant sits in a simple building with a big parking lot that fills up fast during lunch and dinner.
The interior keeps things no-frills with booth seating, wood paneling, and a cafeteria-style serving line where you can watch your food being plated.
The fried chicken here comes out piping hot with a light, crispy coating that doesn’t overpower the tender meat underneath.
Each order includes cornbread that’s slightly sweet and fluffy.
Fun fact: Bum’s originally started as a barbecue joint, but the chicken quickly stole the show.
5. The Derby Restaurant — Mount Airy, NC
Mount Airy might be famous as the inspiration for Mayberry, but locals know The Derby as the place for serious fried chicken.
This restaurant has been serving the community since 1937, making it a true institution in this charming mountain town.
You’ll find it at 1901 S Main St, housed in a vintage building with a distinctive retro sign out front.
The interior features classic diner booths, a long counter with swivel stools, and black-and-white tile floors that transport you back in time.
Their fried chicken follows an old-fashioned recipe that produces incredibly crispy skin and juicy meat every single time.
The pieces are generously sized, and the seasoning hits that perfect savory note without being too salty.
Order the chicken dinner and you’ll get mashed potatoes, green beans, and fresh-baked rolls.
6. Mecca Restaurant — Raleigh, NC
Downtown Raleigh workers have been filling the booths here since 1930, making Mecca one of the capital city’s oldest restaurants.
Three generations of the Kanellos family have kept the recipes and traditions alive, serving breakfast and lunch to devoted regulars.
Located at 13 East Martin Street in the heart of downtown, the restaurant occupies a narrow storefront with a vintage neon sign.
Inside, you’ll find a tight space with counter seating, a few small tables, and walls covered in old photographs documenting nearly a century of history.
The fried chicken plate is a lunchtime favorite, featuring perfectly seasoned pieces with a golden crust that shatters beautifully.
It comes with two vegetables from the daily selection and cornbread that’s baked fresh every morning.
Get there early because they close at 3 PM and often sell out.
7. Time-Out Restaurant — Chapel Hill, NC
College students and professors alike have been fueling up at this Chapel Hill staple since 1984.
Time-Out started as a small sandwich shop and grew into a full-service restaurant beloved for its generous portions and reasonable prices.
Situated at 201 West Franklin Street, right in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill, the restaurant sits in a multi-level space with big windows overlooking the street.
The interior combines booth seating with communal tables, exposed brick walls, and sports memorabilia celebrating UNC athletics.
Their fried chicken is brined for tenderness, then coated in seasoned flour and fried until golden.
The result is chicken that stays moist inside while delivering that satisfying crunch outside.
The honey butter biscuits that come alongside are legendary in their own right, and many diners order extra to take home for breakfast the next day.
8. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen — Chapel Hill, NC
Breakfast lovers line up before dawn at this tiny spot that’s been making legendary biscuits since 1992.
Owner Bobby Shinn learned biscuit-making from his grandmother, and he’s been turning out perfect ones ever since.
You’ll find Sunrise at 1305 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, operating out of a small orange building that looks like an old gas station.
There’s no indoor seating at all, just a walk-up window where you place your order and wait for your name to be called.
The Fried Chicken Biscuit is what brings people back day after day.
A perfectly seasoned piece of crispy fried chicken gets tucked into a fluffy, buttery biscuit that’s still warm from the oven.
The chicken is fried fresh throughout the morning, never sitting under heat lamps.
They close at 2:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
9. Slappy’s Chicken — Winston-Salem, NC
Wings and tenders take center stage at this Winston-Salem favorite that’s been perfecting fried chicken since 2011.
Founder Brandon Holcomb wanted to create a place where quality chicken and creative sauces could shine without the fuss.
Located at 1144 Revolution Mill Drive in the historic Revolution Mill complex, the restaurant occupies a renovated textile mill space with high ceilings and industrial charm.
The interior features exposed ductwork, concrete floors, and colorful murals that give the space a modern, energetic vibe.
Their signature Slappy Tenders are hand-breaded and fried to order, arriving extra crispy with your choice of sauce.
The Buffalo Ranch and Korean BBQ sauces are customer favorites.
Fun fact: they source their chicken from local farms whenever possible, ensuring freshness and supporting the regional economy.
The sweet potato fries make an excellent side option.
10. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q — Smithfield, NC
What started as a single location in 1979 has grown into a beloved regional chain, but the original Smithfield location still holds special meaning for locals.
David and Judy Blackmon opened the first restaurant with a focus on quality ingredients and consistent preparation.
The flagship location sits at 4419 South Equity Drive in Smithfield, housed in a freestanding building with red brick exterior and a welcoming covered entrance.
Inside, the dining room features comfortable booth seating, wood-toned accents, and a bright, clean atmosphere perfect for families.
Their fried chicken is marinated, hand-breaded, and pressure-fried to lock in moisture while creating that signature crispy coating.
The chicken dinner comes with two sides, hushpuppies, and a biscuit.
The fried okra and seasoned green beans are particularly popular side choices.
They also offer a chicken tender plate for those who prefer white meat.
11. Haberdish — Charlotte, NC
Chef Jamie Brown elevates traditional Southern cooking to new heights at this NoDa neighborhood hotspot.
Haberdish opened in 2013 and quickly became known for taking classic dishes seriously while adding creative modern touches.
Located at 3106 North Davidson Street in Charlotte’s arts district, the restaurant occupies a beautifully renovated space with soaring ceilings and large windows.
The interior blends industrial elements like exposed brick and metal beams with elegant touches like plush seating and sophisticated lighting fixtures.
Their Buttermilk Fried Chicken is brined for 24 hours, then coated in seasoned flour and fried in cast-iron skillets.
The result is chicken with incredible flavor depth and texture.
It arrives with hot sauce honey, house-made pickles, and your choice of two sides.
The pimento mac and cheese is absolutely worth ordering. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner service.
12. Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack — Charlotte, NC
Personality bursts from every corner of this fun, vibrant chicken spot that opened in 2015.
Owners Chris Coleman and Keia Mastrianni created a space where great fried chicken meets a lively, welcoming atmosphere that feels like a party.
You’ll find Bossy Beulah’s at 3001 East Independence Boulevard, Suite 1330, in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.
The restaurant features bright turquoise and pink colors, funky artwork, and a casual counter-service setup where you order at the register and find your own seat.
Their fried chicken comes in various forms, from classic pieces to sandwiches and tenders.
Everything gets seasoned with a proprietary spice blend and fried until perfectly crispy.
The Chicken Sandwich with comeback sauce and pickles has developed a cult following.
They also serve chicken and waffles that combine sweet and savory in the best possible way.
The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.
13. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food — Charlotte, NC
Authentic soul food recipes passed down through generations make this Charlotte restaurant feel like eating at someone’s grandmother’s house.
Nana Morrison’s opened with the goal of sharing traditional African American cuisine prepared with love and respect for heritage.
Located at 3824 Corning Pl, Ste A, Riverbend Shopping Center in Charlotte, the restaurant sits in a modest space with welcoming signage.
Inside, the space feels homey with comfortable seating, family photos on the walls, and a cafeteria-style serving line where you can see all the day’s offerings.
The fried chicken here follows old-school methods, seasoned simply and fried in cast iron until the skin turns deep golden brown.
Each piece is juicy and flavorful without relying on fancy techniques or trendy ingredients.
The collard greens, candied yams, and macaroni and cheese are all made from scratch daily. Save room for the peach cobbler.
14. Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish — Charlotte, NC
No fancy decor or complicated menus here, just consistently excellent fried chicken that keeps neighbors coming back.
Mr. Charles has been serving the community for years, building a loyal following through quality and reliability.
You’ll find Mr. Charles at 3100 Statesville Ave #A in Charlotte, operating out of a simple storefront.
The building has basic signage and a straightforward interior with counter service, a few tables, and walls decorated with menu boards listing daily specials.
Their fried chicken is seasoned generously, coated in a well-spiced batter, and fried until extra crispy.
The pieces come out hot and fresh, with a satisfying crunch that gives way to tender, juicy meat.
Most customers order the chicken box, which includes several pieces, fries, and bread for an incredibly reasonable price.
The fish is also excellent if you want to mix things up.