These Ohio Fried-Chicken Places Still Do It Right In 2026
Golden, crispy, and perfectly seasoned fried chicken remains one of the most beloved comfort foods across the country. Ohio has built a reputation for serving up some of the crunchiest, juiciest, and most flavorful fried chicken you’ll find anywhere.
Whether you’re craving traditional Southern-style preparations, Nashville hot variations, or Amish country specialties, these twelve restaurants prove that great fried chicken is alive and thriving in 2026.
I’ve tracked down the spots where the coating stays crispy, the meat stays tender, and every bite reminds you why this dish never goes out of style.
Stay with me.
1. The Eagle OTR, Cincinnati
Walking into this Cincinnati hotspot feels like stepping into a modern Southern kitchen where tradition meets urban energy. The Eagle OTR has mastered the art of creating fried chicken that delivers on both crunch and flavor.
Their signature bird gets brined for hours before hitting the fryer, resulting in meat that stays incredibly moist under a shatteringly crisp coating. The seasoning blend brings just enough spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds.
What sets this place apart is their commitment to scratch-made sides that complement the chicken perfectly. The pimento mac and cheese has become legendary among regulars, while the buttermilk biscuits arrive warm enough to melt butter on contact.
The atmosphere buzzes with conversation and laughter, especially during weekend brunch when the chicken and waffles disappear almost as fast as they can make them. Service stays friendly even when the dining room fills up, and the kitchen maintains quality no matter how busy things get.
Address: 1342 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
2. Mr Chicken, Maple Heights
Family recipes passed down through generations form the foundation of everything served at this Maple Heights institution. Mr Chicken has been feeding the community for years, building loyalty one perfectly fried piece at a time.
The chicken here gets cooked to order, which means you might wait a few extra minutes, but that wait pays off when you bite into chicken that’s hot, fresh, and crackling with texture. Their seasoning leans toward classic flavors that let the quality of the chicken shine through.
Locals know to call ahead during dinner rush because this place gets packed with families picking up meals after work. The portions run generous, and the prices stay reasonable, making it easy to feed a crowd without breaking your budget.
Their wings have developed a cult following, with regulars swearing they’re the best in the area. The staff remembers frequent customers by name and often knows their usual orders before they finish speaking.
Address: 5515 Warrensville Center Rd, Maple Heights, Ohio 44137
3. The Crispy Coop, Columbus
Innovation meets tradition at this Columbus favorite where the menu goes beyond basic fried chicken. The Crispy Coop takes pride in sourcing quality ingredients and preparing everything from scratch daily.
Their chicken gets a unique treatment that involves both buttermilk marination and a special dredging technique that creates extra-crunchy layers. The result is chicken with texture that stays crispy even after it cools down slightly.
Beyond traditional pieces, they’ve developed a sandwich program that’s worth the trip alone. The spicy chicken sandwich balances heat with cooling toppings, while the classic version lets the chicken quality speak for itself.
The restaurant maintains a modern but comfortable vibe that works equally well for quick lunches or relaxed dinners. Their commitment to consistency means you’ll get the same great experience whether you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday night.
Seasonal specials rotate through the menu, giving regulars new flavors to explore while keeping the core offerings that made them popular in the first place.
Address: 1717 Northwest Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43212
4. The Barn Restaurant, Smithville
Stepping into this Smithville establishment feels like visiting a relative’s farmhouse where the cooking happens with care and the portions never disappoint. The Barn Restaurant serves fried chicken the way Ohio families have been making it for generations.
Their approach focuses on simplicity and quality rather than fancy techniques or trendy flavors. The chicken gets seasoned with a straightforward blend that highlights the natural taste of the meat, then fried until the coating turns golden brown.
What makes this spot special is the family-style service that encourages sharing and conversation. Platters arrive piled high with chicken alongside homemade sides that taste like they came from someone’s kitchen rather than a restaurant.
The mashed potatoes are real, the gravy is rich, and the green beans get cooked with just enough seasoning to complement without overwhelming. Desserts rotate based on what’s fresh and seasonal, with fruit pies earning particular praise from customers.
The rustic decor and friendly service create an atmosphere where families feel welcome and comfortable spending time together over a satisfying meal.
Address: 877 W Main St, Smithville, Ohio 44677
5. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, Mt Hope
Amish cooking traditions shine through in every dish at this Mt Hope treasure where recipes have been perfected over decades. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen brings authentic country cooking to the table with fried chicken that tastes like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.
The chicken here gets prepared using methods that prioritize flavor and tenderness over speed. Each piece gets careful attention, resulting in meat that practically falls off the bone while maintaining a satisfying crispy exterior.
Visiting this restaurant means experiencing more than just great food. The atmosphere reflects the simple, honest approach to cooking that defines Amish culinary traditions, with decor that feels warm and welcoming without any pretense.
Their sides deserve equal attention to the chicken, especially the homemade noodles and fresh-baked bread that arrive warm at your table. The staff treats every guest like family, offering recommendations and making sure water glasses stay filled.
Portions run large enough that most people leave with leftovers, which taste nearly as good reheated the next day as they do fresh from the kitchen.
Address: 8101 State Route 241, Mt Hope, Ohio 44660
6. Der Dutchman Restaurant & Bakery, Walnut Creek
This Walnut Creek institution combines exceptional fried chicken with a bakery that produces some of the best pies and breads in Ohio. Der Dutchman has built a reputation that draws visitors from across the state and beyond.
Their fried chicken follows traditional Amish preparation methods that emphasize quality ingredients and patient cooking. The result is chicken with a golden coating that crunches satisfyingly while the meat inside stays juicy and flavorful.
The restaurant operates with efficiency that’s impressive given how busy they stay, especially during tourist season when tables fill quickly. Despite the crowds, the kitchen maintains consistent quality and the service stays attentive and friendly.
Their buffet option lets you sample multiple dishes alongside the fried chicken, though ordering from the menu ensures you get the freshest possible preparation. Either way, save room for dessert because the bakery cases display temptations that are hard to resist.
The pies alone are worth the trip, with fruit fillings that taste like they came straight from the orchard and crusts that flake perfectly with each forkful.
Address: 4967 Walnut St, Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687
7. Amish Door Restaurant, Wilmot
Authentic Amish hospitality greets you the moment you walk through the door at this Wilmot favorite. Amish Door Restaurant serves fried chicken that reflects generations of cooking knowledge passed down through Amish families in the area.
The chicken preparation here follows time-tested methods that can’t be rushed. Each piece gets cooked with attention to detail, ensuring the coating develops proper crispness while the meat cooks through perfectly without drying out.
What draws people back repeatedly is the consistency you can count on visit after visit. The quality never wavers, and the portions stay generous no matter how busy the restaurant gets during peak hours.
Their approach to sides emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients prepared simply to let natural flavors come through. The mashed potatoes are creamy, the corn tastes sweet, and the coleslaw brings a refreshing crunch that balances the richness of the fried chicken.
The dining room maintains a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere where families can relax and enjoy a satisfying meal together. Staff members take pride in providing service that feels personal rather than rushed or impersonal.
Address: 1210 Winesburg St, Wilmot, Ohio 44689
8. CM Chicken, Columbus
Korean fried chicken techniques create something special at this Columbus spot where double-frying produces an incredibly light, crispy coating. CM Chicken has introduced many Ohio residents to a style of fried chicken that differs dramatically from traditional American preparations.
The double-frying method removes more moisture from the coating, resulting in chicken that stays crispy longer and feels less greasy than single-fried versions. The texture is noticeably lighter and crunchier, almost shattering when you bite into it.
Their sauce options range from sweet and savory to properly spicy, with each one adding its own character to the already delicious chicken. The soy garlic version has become particularly popular, offering complex flavors that go beyond simple heat or sweetness.
The restaurant maintains a modern, clean aesthetic that feels contemporary without being pretentious. Service moves quickly during lunch rush, making it a solid option when you need good food without a long wait.
Their sides include both Korean and American options, giving you flexibility to build a meal that matches your mood. The pickled radish that comes with every order provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, crispy chicken.
Address: 1132 W Henderson Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43220
9. Joella’s Hot Chicken, Mason
Southern hospitality meets serious heat at this Mason location where the chicken comes with attitude. Joella’s Hot Chicken specializes in Nashville-style preparations that bring authentic flavors from Tennessee to Ohio.
Their chicken gets marinated, hand-breaded, and pressure-fried to create a coating that’s both crunchy and deeply flavorful. The spice levels range from mild to truly fiery, with each tier carefully calibrated to deliver the right amount of heat.
What sets Joella’s apart is their attention to the complete experience rather than just focusing on spice. Even their mildest preparation offers plenty of flavor, proving that great fried chicken doesn’t need to burn to be memorable.
The sides menu includes Southern classics prepared with care, from creamy grits to tangy coleslaw that helps cool your palate. Their sweet tea arrives properly sweetened, offering refreshment between bites of spicy chicken.
The casual dining room fills up quickly during dinner hours, but the turnover stays steady enough that waits rarely stretch too long. Staff members know the menu thoroughly and can help guide you to the right spice level for your tolerance.
Address: 5016 Deerfield Blvd, Mason, Ohio 45040
10. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Columbus
Sometimes simplicity wins, and this Columbus location proves that doing one thing exceptionally well beats trying to do everything. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers focuses exclusively on chicken tenders, perfecting them through repetition and consistency.
Their chicken strips get hand-battered and cooked to order, ensuring freshness with every meal. The coating stays light and crispy, letting the quality of the chicken come through without heavy breading overwhelming the meat.
The signature Cane’s sauce has developed a devoted following, with its tangy, slightly spicy profile complementing the chicken perfectly. Some customers admit they come as much for the sauce as for the tenders themselves.
The menu’s simplicity means the kitchen can focus on quality rather than juggling dozens of different items. That focus shows in the consistency you can count on whether you visit for lunch or dinner, weekday or weekend.
The crinkle-cut fries arrive hot and properly salted, while the Texas toast gets grilled with butter until golden. The coleslaw brings a cool, creamy contrast that rounds out the meal nicely.
Service moves quickly, making this a reliable option when you need good food without a long wait.
Address: 10 E 11th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
11. Roosters, Columbus
Wings take center stage at this Columbus location where sauce variety and consistent quality keep customers coming back. Roosters has built a following around their wings program, offering enough sauce options to keep things interesting visit after visit.
Their wings get fried until the skin crisps up properly, then tossed in your choice of sauce that ranges from mild to nuclear. The frying technique ensures the wings stay crispy even after sauce application, a detail that separates good wings from great ones.
Beyond wings, their menu includes chicken tenders and sandwiches that receive the same attention to quality. The tenders work well for people who want the flavor without dealing with bones, while the sandwiches offer a handheld option that travels well.
The sports bar atmosphere makes this a popular spot for watching games while enjoying good food. Multiple screens ensure you can catch your team no matter where you sit, and the sound system keeps things lively without making conversation impossible.
Their lunch specials offer good value, and the service stays friendly even when the restaurant fills up during big games. The staff knows the sauce lineup thoroughly and can help you find options that match your heat tolerance.
Address: 1832 W Henderson Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43220
12. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Cincinnati
Classic recipes and family-friendly service define this Cincinnati location where tradition matters more than trends. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has been serving Ohio families for decades with a preparation method that’s remained largely unchanged because it works.
Their chicken gets pressure-cooked rather than traditionally fried, a technique that produces meat that’s incredibly tender while maintaining a crispy coating. The pressure-cooking method also reduces cooking time without sacrificing quality, meaning your chicken arrives hot and fresh.
The seasoning blend leans toward mild and approachable flavors that appeal to a wide range of tastes. This makes Lee’s a reliable choice when you’re feeding a group with different preferences, from kids to grandparents.
Their sides stick to traditional favorites prepared simply and well. The mashed potatoes come with gravy that’s rich without being too heavy, while the coleslaw brings a cool crunch that balances the warm chicken.
The restaurant maintains a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere where families can relax over a satisfying meal. Prices stay reasonable, and portions are generous enough that you often leave with leftovers.
Service is consistently friendly, with staff who seem to genuinely enjoy helping customers.
Address: 5251 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238