8 Must-Try Fried Chicken Spots In Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio quietly flipped a switch on me, and suddenly I was in a fried chicken phase I didn’t see coming.
Cities have a way of unlocking cravings you never planned for.
It started with one drumstick, crispy enough to crackle, and suddenly I was treating chicken like a treasure hunt.
I felt a little like Dustin from Stranger Things tracking a Demogorgon, except mine came with ranch and a side of pickles.
Fried chicken in Columbus isn’t an afterthought or a bar food filler, it’s a full blown identity.
The thing that surprised me most was the variety.
Nashville heat that makes your lips buzz, Southern buttermilk that tastes like someone’s grandma guards the recipe under lock and key.
I started building a list, then defending that list like it was a thesis.
Halfway through, I stopped thinking like a visitor and more like someone choosing favorite children.
Columbus does chicken loudly, proudly, and without hesitation, and I was ready to follow the breadcrumbs.
1. The Eagle
My first stop was The Eagle at 790 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, and the place hit me with that instant, hungry comfort.
Rosemary in the air, hot oil in the background, and a room that already knew it was about to win me over.
Rustic but not heavy, it stayed bright and easy, with wooden tables, and slightly mismatched chairs.
I had heard about their fried chicken, and let me tell you, expectations don’t always survive first bites, but this one did.
The skin crackled under my fork, perfectly seasoned, teasing me before the juicy meat gave itself fully.
I opted for the Nashville hot variation, because if you’re going to do fried chicken in Columbus, you go big or you go home.
The spice hit in waves, bold but not reckless, warming my fingertips as I dug in.
Mac and cheese came on the side, creamy and cheesy in a way that almost demanded a pause to savor.
A couple next to me kept swapping bites, then doing that little wide eyed look that says, “Okay, that’s the one,” every time the crust cracked again.
I leaned back and let it land.
The Eagle isn’t just serving fried chicken.
It’s serving a whole mood, loud crunch, easy warmth, and a room that makes strangers feel like regulars.
I walked out with happy, slightly guilty fingers and one clear plan, this was stop one, not the finale.
2. The Crispy Coop
The moment I spotted The Crispy Coop on 1717 Northwest Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212, I knew the name wasn’t lying.
Crispy was practically painted on the walls in the smell of frying oil and buttery heaven.
Inside, the vibe was playful, with chalkboard menus that made me feel like I’d stumbled into someone’s culinary playground.
I went straight for their double dipped chicken, because commitment matters when the skin promises a crunch symphony.
Each bite sounded a satisfying crack, followed by juicy, tender meat that seemed to whisper, “You waited for this, didn’t you?”
The Nashville-style option had heat, but it was calculated, like a mischievous grin rather than a slap.
On the side, their pickles were sharp and tangy, cutting through richness like a skilled editor trimming fat from a story.
I caught myself stacking each bite against old fried chicken memories, and this Coop kept winning, swagger up front, precision underneath.
By the end my fingers wore that glossy, golden proof you only get from the crust done right.
The crunch first, spice second, and pure attitude all the way through.
3. Soul 2 Go
Soul 2 Go at 72 E Lynn St, Columbus, OH 43215 hit me before I even looked at the menu.
The air had paprika warmth, a cayenne prickle, and that smoky note you don’t fully identify, you just trust.
I ordered the chicken and waffles because some days deserve a confident decision.
The chicken came juicy with skin that cracked clean, and the syrup didn’t “sweeten it up” so much as slide right into the heat and make it taste louder.
The waffle was the kind of golden that feels intentional, soft inside, light on the fork, steady enough to hold its own.
Collard greens on the side brought a peppery edge that kept the whole plate from getting too rich, like a well timed reset.
Around me, people were passing sauces back and forth and laughing like they’d done it a hundred times, and I caught myself doing the same.
Then I tried the spicy honey drizzle, bright, teasing, and perfectly behaved, letting the chicken stay center stage.
I wiped my hands, looked at the empty plate, and laughed at how quickly it disappeared.
Soul 2 Go doesn’t just make fried chicken, it makes the day feel better in a way you can actually taste.
4. CM Chicken
Next on my list was CM Chicken on 1132 W Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, and the place announces itself with a fryer sizzle before you even get inside.
I went for their hot fried chicken sandwich, mostly because I wanted to see how far they’d take the spice before it stopped being fun.
The crust came golden and intentional, with a tight crackle that kept every bit of juice exactly where it belonged.
What I liked most was the heat.
Upfront, but smart, building in chapters instead of swinging once and calling it a day.
A pickle spear on the side gave me a quick reset, snapping between bites like clean punctuation.
The bun did its job quietly, sturdy without stealing any attention from the real point of the order, the chicken.
I told myself I’d take it slow, but the mix of heat, crunch, and seasoning kept pushing me forward.
When the last bite was gone, I sat there for a second, half proud, half tempted to order another.
Walking back out, I realized CM Chicken in Ohio doesn’t just cure hunger, it dares you to come back and prove you meant it.
5. Overdose Hot Chicken
Overdose Hot Chicken is exactly what it sounds like, a thrill ride for your taste buds with a side of fried perfection.
The walls on this 3260 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43204 location, were adorned with playful signage warning you of heat levels that sounded like video game bosses.
I went straight for the “Hot Enough to Cry” option, because if you’re going to do fried chicken, you do it recklessly.
The crunch was immediate and addictive, the meat tender underneath, resisting the flames just long enough to make you grin.
The seasoning was audacious, layered with paprika, garlic, and a mysterious hint of sugar that made each bite pop.
Coleslaw came on the side, crisp and tangy, grounding the intensity like a cool breeze after a summer sprint. Even the buns had a confident presence, holding the overload together without collapsing.
Every bite was a negotiation between daring and delight, and I loved every second of it.
When I felt my stomach finally settle, I was a little sad I couldn’t stay longer, because so many people were waiting for their moment to grab a table.
So I left, satisfied, and ready for the next spot.
6. Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken on 1828 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201, reminded me that fried chicken can feel familiar and surprising at the same time.
The red sign at the entrance felt like a warning for the bold flavors this chicken was about to bring, and I took it exactly that way.
Heat levels varied, and I picked a middle ground, enough to feel alive but not enough to regret it instantly. The seasoning was meticulous, each bite carrying a subtle smokiness alongside the fiery notes.
I tried a side of seasoned fries that had a crunch rivaling the chicken itself, perfect for scooping up tiny bits of sauce.
I slowed down for the last few bites, letting the crunch, the juicy meat, and the heat land exactly right.
When the plate was finally empty, I felt like I’d completed a small culinary mission.
But I still had two more places to hit, so I headed out fast, already impatient to see what they’d bring to the table.
7. The Modern Southern Table
The Modern Southern Table on 5179 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, didn’t try to charm me with a speech, it just did the work.
I ordered the buttermilk brined chicken, and the plate showed up looking unapologetically golden.
The seasoning didn’t shout, it landed.
Salt right where it needed to be, a little pepper warmth, and that quiet savory depth that keeps you reaching back in without thinking.
The sides made it feel complete instead of crowded.
Grits that went creamy and steady, green beans with buttery snap, cornbread that broke apart in soft crumbs and didn’t need rescuing.
Every bite had these small, careful touches, smoke here, herbs there, like someone bothered to taste it twice before it ever hit the pass.
When my plate was down to crumbs and streaks, I sat back and smiled.
I felt spoiled, satisfied, and already checking the clock, because I still had one last stop to make.
8. Preston’s: A Burger Joint
I ended the crawl at Preston’s: A Burger Joint at 2973 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202, aiming for burgers, until the fried chicken stole the show.
I ordered the spicy chicken sandwich, and it was thick, crisp, and juicy, with a steady heat and pickles that snap perfectly.
The bun was lightly toasted, supportive, no ego.
Fries came golden and properly salted, ideal for dragging through whatever sauce was left on the wrapper.
The room had that easy Columbus energy, people laughing mid bite, comparing notes, staff tossing out spice advice like they’d guided a hundred happy decisions already.
I finished slower than I planned, mostly because I didn’t want the run to be over yet.
Then the last bite disappeared, and I just sat there, satisfied in a very specific way.
Columbus, Ohio didn’t turn me into a fried chicken person, it reminded me how a city can be tasted, one crunchy, juicy stop at a time.