7 Georgia Fried Chicken Spots Tourists Line Up For & 7 That Only Locals Know
Growing up in Georgia, I quickly learned that fried chicken is more than just a meal—it’s practically a way of life.
The almost religious devotion Southerners have for that golden, crispy crust and tender, juicy meat goes beyond simple comfort food; it’s woven into our cultural identity. Tourists often flock to the big-name spots, and while those famous kitchens certainly deserve the attention, they only tell part of the story.
The real heart of Georgia’s fried chicken legacy lives in the hidden gems, the mom-and-pop places locals whisper about and frequent on quiet Tuesday nights. Today, I’ll share both worlds.
1. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room (Savannah)
The first time I visited Mrs. Wilkes’, I showed up at 8:30 AM and still found myself 20th in line! The communal dining experience here transforms strangers into family before the first bite.
Seated at large tables with bowls of Southern sides passed around, the fried chicken remains the undisputed star—crackling skin with hints of pepper and salt, meat so tender it practically falls off the bone. President Obama even made a special trip here during his term.
My tip: bring cash and an empty stomach. The all-you-can-eat format means you’ll want room for seconds of that legendary chicken.
2. Home Grown (Atlanta)
My Atlanta friends nearly disowned me when I admitted I hadn’t tried Home Grown’s fried chicken. “You call yourself a Georgian?” they teased. One bite of their perfectly seasoned, craggly-crusted chicken changed everything.
The unassuming building on Memorial Drive houses culinary magic that’s earned national recognition. Their secret? A 24-hour brine followed by a dredge that includes cornmeal for extra texture.
Weekends see lines stretching down the block as tourists clutching travel guides mix with hungover locals seeking their famous Comfy Chicken Biscuit—fried chicken smothered in sausage gravy atop a buttery biscuit.
3. The Busy Bee Café (Atlanta)
Walking into Busy Bee feels like stepping into a time machine. Founded in 1947, the walls practically vibrate with civil rights history—Martin Luther King Jr. was a regular!
My grandmother swears their chicken recipe hasn’t changed since she first tasted it in the 1960s. The chicken marinates for 12 hours before being fried in peanut oil, creating that signature mahogany crust that shatters gloriously with each bite.
Camera-wielding tourists line up alongside longtime patrons in this tiny spot. The James Beard Foundation named it an American Classic for good reason—one taste of their perfectly seasoned chicken tells a story of tradition, community, and culinary mastery.
4. Paschal’s (Atlanta)
Last summer, my uncle insisted on taking me to Paschal’s. “This chicken fueled the civil rights movement,” he explained, and he wasn’t exaggerating. Civil rights leaders regularly gathered here in the 1960s, planning over plates of their famous fried chicken.
Today’s location might not be the original, but that signature recipe remains unchanged—a peppery, perfectly seasoned crust surrounding moist meat that makes you close your eyes in appreciation with each bite. Their chicken sandwich variation has developed its own following.
What makes it special? A 12-hour cold-water brine and pressure-frying technique that locks in moisture while creating that distinctive crunch tourists travel miles to experience.
5. Brochu’s Family Tradition (Savannah)
“You’ve gotta try this new place,” my Savannah cousin texted last year. “Chef used to work at Husk, but this chicken would make his grandma proud.” She wasn’t wrong.
Despite being relatively new (opened in 2022), Brochu’s has already earned a spot on the New York Times’ 50 best restaurants list. Their fried chicken achieves the impossible—a crust that stays crispy for hours while the meat remains impossibly juicy.
The secret lies in their three-day process: brining, drying, dredging in buttermilk and seasoned flour, then frying at precisely 325 degrees. Tourists are catching on quickly, but for now, you can still snag a table without planning weeks ahead.
6. Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken (Atlanta)
The first time I bit into Gus’s chicken, tears literally formed in my eyes—partly from the gentle heat, partly from pure joy. This Memphis transplant has captured Atlanta hearts with spicy fried chicken that maintains a delicate balance: crisp exterior, juicy interior, and heat that builds rather than overwhelms.
Located downtown, it’s become a mandatory pilgrimage for food tourists who’ve seen it featured on countless TV shows. The chicken arrives with a reddish-brown crust, signaling the cayenne-forward seasoning that makes it distinctive.
My personal hack? Order extra pickles and place one on each bite to create the perfect spicy-tangy-crunchy-juicy mouthful. Their sweet tea provides the perfect cooling counterpoint.
7. H&H Restaurant (Macon)
Mama Louise’s chicken at H&H isn’t just food—it’s a piece of music history. She famously fed the Allman Brothers Band when they couldn’t afford to pay, creating a friendship that lasted decades.
The restaurant’s walls display photos chronicling this unique relationship, while the chicken recipe remains unchanged since 1959. Each piece features a thin, crispy coating that doesn’t overwhelm the perfectly seasoned meat beneath.
Tourists making the pilgrimage to Macon for music history find themselves equally enchanted by this soul food landmark. I always order the two-piece dark meat plate with collards and mac and cheese—the exact combination Duane Allman reportedly favored. Some things are too perfect to change.
8. Mother’s Best Fried Chicken (Decatur)
“Don’t tell too many people about this place,” my neighbor warned when sharing Mother’s Best location. Tucked in a Decatur strip mall, this unassuming spot serves what three different local chefs have told me is the best fried chicken in Georgia.
The crust shatters audibly when you bite in, revealing chicken that’s been marinated in a secret blend rumored to include buttermilk, hot sauce, and eleven herbs and spices. They only fry in small batches, ensuring each piece emerges from the oil at the perfect moment.
While it occasionally appears in chef-curated lists, Mother’s Best remains primarily a local treasure. Cash only, limited hours, and absolutely worth any inconvenience.
9. Publix Fried Chicken (Statewide)
Don’t laugh! My family’s beach trips always begin the same way—stopping at Publix for their criminally underrated fried chicken. This grocery store chain’s deli counter holds Georgia’s best-kept fried chicken secret.
Unlike fancy restaurants, Publix delivers consistent, perfectly seasoned chicken with a crust that somehow stays crispy for hours. The meat remains juicy even when cold, making it ideal for picnics.
No tourist guidebook will ever list it, but ask any Georgian about emergency dinner solutions or beach trip essentials, and Publix chicken inevitably comes up. At under $8 for an eight-piece box, it’s also the best value on this list—leaving more money for sweet tea and banana pudding.
10. Geneva’s Chicken & Cornbread (Savannah)
Finding Geneva’s feels like a treasure hunt. Located in a residential neighborhood far from Savannah’s tourist district, this tiny spot has no website and limited social media presence—just generations of loyal customers.
Miss Geneva fries each piece to order, resulting in a 15-20 minute wait that locals know is absolutely worthwhile. The chicken emerges with a deeply bronzed, pepper-flecked crust hiding impossibly juicy meat seasoned all the way to the bone.
Her cornbread deserves equal billing—crisp-edged, buttery, and slightly sweet. I discovered this gem through my barber, who made me promise not to post about it online. Sorry, Charles—some joys are too good not to share!
11. The Smoakhouse (Athens)
My college roommate dragged me to The Smoakhouse after we both failed our economics midterm. “This chicken will fix everything,” she promised. Five years later, I still make the drive to Athens just for their extraordinary fried chicken.
What makes it special? A 48-hour brine followed by a buttermilk soak, then a dredge in flour spiked with smoked paprika. The result is chicken with complex flavor that goes far beyond the typical salt-and-pepper profile.
Located just far enough from campus to deter casual visitors, this family-owned spot remains primarily frequented by locals and UGA alumni in the know. Their chicken and waffles special on Sundays has a cult following for good reason.
12. Frog and Peach (Savannah)
“Meet me at the Frog,” texted my Savannah friend when I mentioned being in town. This unassuming buffet-style restaurant near Forsyth Park serves what might be the most overlooked excellent fried chicken in Georgia.
While tourists crowd more famous spots, locals slip into this modest establishment for chicken that emerges fresh from the fryer every 20 minutes. The seasoning is simple—just salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic—but the technique is flawless, resulting in chicken that’s crispy outside and meltingly tender inside.
Reddit threads among Savannah residents frequently mention this place with a conspiratorial tone. “The rest of the buffet is just okay,” one regular told me, “but we’re all here for the chicken anyway.”
13. Buckner’s Family Restaurant (Jackson)
Sunday lunch at Buckner’s has been my family’s tradition since before I could reach the lazy Susan that centers each table. Located halfway between Atlanta and Macon, this family-style spot serves chicken so good that locals willingly wait an hour for a table.
Operating since 1980, they’ve perfected a simple preparation: chicken soaked in saltwater brine, dredged in seasoned flour, then fried in peanut oil. The result achieves that Georgia fried chicken ideal—shatteringly crisp exterior with juicy, flavorful meat.
Tourists occasionally stumble upon it while traveling between cities, but Buckner’s primarily serves multi-generational Georgia families who’ve been coming for decades. Cash only, closed Mondays and Tuesdays—classic local spot behavior!
14. Matthews Cafeteria (Tucker)
My grandfather introduced me to Matthews Cafeteria with the solemn declaration that “they fry chicken the way God intended.” Since 1955, this Tucker institution has served what might be the most nostalgic fried chicken in Georgia—exactly the way your Southern grandmother would make it if she had decades of practice.
The cafeteria-style service might seem outdated, but locals know it ensures fresh chicken throughout the day. Their preparation is straightforward—chicken seasoned simply with salt and pepper, dredged in flour, and fried until golden.
What makes it special is the consistency. I’ve been eating their fried chicken for 30+ years, and it tastes identical to my first childhood visit—crispy, juicy, and deeply comforting.