10 Maryland BBQ Joints That Locals Swear Fry Up Chicken Just the Way It Should Be
Maryland knows a thing or two about great food, and fried chicken is no exception. Across the state, locals have their favorite spots where the chicken comes out crispy, juicy, and absolutely perfect every single time.
Whether you’re craving a quick roadside bite or a sit-down meal with all the fixings, these BBQ joints deliver fried chicken that’ll make you come back for seconds. Here are ten places where the locals swear the chicken is fried just right.
1. Park’s Fried Chicken
Park’s Fried Chicken is a long-running Baltimore favorite known for serving some of the city’s most consistent, crispy fried chicken. While not a BBQ restaurant, its strong reputation and longstanding local following make it a natural fit on any list celebrating great fried chicken in Maryland.
Locals love the crisp breading, juicy meat, and no-nonsense service that have kept Park’s a community staple for decades.
2. Porkey’s BBQ
Porkey’s is one of Southern Maryland’s fried-chicken standouts. Their chicken is cooked fresh and served in generous portions—everything from 2-piece meals to 16-piece family buckets. Locals love the crispy exterior and juicy meat, and fried chicken is a major focus of the menu rather than an afterthought.
The relaxed, roadside feel adds to the charm. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or picking up dinner for the family, Porkey’s delivers consistency and flavor every single time.
3. Fryer’s Roadside
Fryer’s Roadside shows how good fried chicken can be when it’s made fresh and kept simple. This modern walk-up spot serves hot, made-to-order fried chicken boxes, tenders, and classic sandwiches with a crisp, light coating.
The setup is straightforward, and the focus is on fresh cooking and quality ingredients, which keeps locals returning for comforting, no-frills fried chicken.
4. Pit Boys
Pit Boys is best known for pit beef, but their menu also includes fried-chicken platters that get steady attention from regulars. The chicken is hearty, flavorful, and fits in well with the rest of their comfort-food lineup.
From construction crews grabbing lunch to families picking up weekend meals, Pit Boys has earned its place as a reliable spot for those who want pit beef and fried chicken from the same kitchen.
5. Smokehouse Pit Beef
Smokehouse Pit Beef offers a full comfort-food menu, including a popular fried chicken breast platter. The chicken is fried to order and served with sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, or fries—classic, satisfying, and generously portioned.
The casual, friendly environment makes this a long-time favorite for anyone craving straightforward fried chicken with a familiar, homestyle feel.
6. Southern Blues
Southern Blues is a Maryland staple for soul food, and fried chicken is one of their most consistently praised dishes. Each piece comes out hot, golden, and full of flavor, complemented by sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread.
The atmosphere varies by location, but all share the same commitment to hearty, comforting Southern-style cooking that keeps customers coming back.
7. Taste This
Taste This has built a strong local reputation for fried chicken that’s always fresh and well-seasoned. Whether you choose wings, tenders, or classic bone-in pieces, the chicken arrives crisp and full of flavor.
Customers appreciate that dishes are prepared to order rather than sitting under heat lamps. With a menu that ranges from fried chicken to seafood and BBQ options, it’s a go-to neighborhood spot for satisfying comfort food.
8. Chesapeake Landing Restaurant
Chesapeake Landing may be known for seafood and its oyster salad bar, but locals also point to its fried chicken as a standout. Their “Delmarvalous Fried Chicken” is golden and crispy, a favorite pairing with Eastern Shore classics like crab cakes.
The setting is warm and family-friendly, and many visitors are pleasantly surprised to discover excellent fried chicken in a restaurant better known for Maryland seafood traditions.
9. Silver & Sons BBQ
Silver & Sons BBQ is one of the newer additions to Maryland’s BBQ scene, and their fried chicken dinner—offered on select days—has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. The chicken is crisp, juicy, and served with rotating seasonal sides.
Their scratch-made approach and creative specials make this a strong choice for anyone who wants both barbecue and well-executed fried chicken from the same kitchen.
10. Red Hot & Blue
Red Hot & Blue finishes our list with fried chicken that packs a flavorful punch worthy of their name.
Red Hot & Blue brings Memphis-style BBQ to Maryland, and when fried chicken is on the menu, it’s a crispy, flavorful option that complements their ribs and pulled pork.
The laid-back atmosphere and wide range of sides make it a reliable stop for hearty Southern comfort food in the Annapolis area.