Right now, Angelenos are going buck wild for fried fowl and there’s no shortage of fingerlickin’ crispiness—both high and low brow—ready to be consumed by the whole hen all over town. “The key to good fried chicken is keeping it moist and crispy!” says LA native and executive chef Joey Booterbaugh of Cafe Birdie in Highland Park, where insane dedicated people drive from Santa Monica to get their tastebuds on his Moroccan-spiced fried chicken. “Brining the chicken ahead of time is key as well as baking powder in the flour dredge for that extra crunch.”
Chef Joey. Image courtesy of @cafebirdiela
Cafe Birdie interior. Image courtesy of Tessa Neustadt
A reservation at the Cal-Med bistro Cafe Birdie is so ferociously coveted right now that you might be surprised to hear that Chef Joey is ever allowed to leave. But sure enough, like any proper food fanatic, he likes to see what other flavor combos chefs across LA are coming up with, especially in the fried chicken department.
So if the chicken were to cross the road, so to speak ... who is cooking up Joey’s favorite fried chicken in Los Angeles? Let the chicken dance commence—we have the list!
Cafe Birdie
Highland Park, $$
Joey Booterbaugh: When I think of fried chicken, I think of spices. And there isn't a better region to find amazing spices than Morocco. I really like the fenugreek in our flour dredge.
Image courtesy of Cafe Birdie
A.O.C.
Beverly Grove, $$$
JB: My favorite high brow fried chicken in L.A. is Suzanne Goin’s Spanish fried chicken at A.O.C.. It’s addictive and crispy with a romesco aioli for dipping.
Image courtesy of @aocla
Horse Thief BBQ
DTLA, $$
JB: Super moist fried chicken sandwich that has a really tasty honey mustard slaw on it.
Chinatown, $$
JB: Pok Pok's fried chicken wings are probably the best fried chicken I've ever had anywhere. Very addictive. Fish sauce flavor-bomb!
Image courtesy of @pdxstateofmind
Connie & Ted’s
WeHo, $$$
JB: The spicy fried chicken sandwich is delicious. The aioli on it is outstanding.
Image courtesy of Connie & Ted’s
The Prince
Koreatown, $$
JB: My favorite low-brow and the best Korean fried chicken in L.A.
Image courtesy of @2tricky
Popeyes
Hollywood and various, $
JB: Best dredge! I want the recipe.
Image courtesy of @uymonster
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Sawtelle and various, $$
JB: Always crispy and delicious!
Image courtesy of @plancheck
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. Follow her jaunts on twitter@belindagosbee or instagram @gos22
Featured image courtesy of Cafe Birdie
