We’ve been craving comfort food for the last few months, and fried chicken is at the top of our list.
THE BLUE-RIBBON BEST - Sweet T’s, Windsor: There’s a running debate about who has the best fried chicken in Sonoma County. I give a blue ribbon to this crispy, juicy, just-right Southern fried chicken with grits and a biscuit. 9098 Brooks Road South, Windsor, sweettsouthern.com. (Heather Irwin)
BEST CRAVEABLE CLASSIC - Rosso, Santa Rosa: I’ve loved this fried chicken for years. Made with arborio rice flour and topped with a caramelized pancetta glaze, it’s crispy and sweet and just about perfect with creamy mashed potatoes. 53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, rossopizzeria.com. (Heather Irwin)
OLDIE BUT GOODIE - Lou’s Luncheonette, Sonoma: It’s back to their roots for this oft-changing Sonoma spot, which has recently been renamed Lou’s Luncheonette but was better known as Boxcar Fried Chicken. Their spicy fried chicken is as good as ever, and it’s available for pickup or outside dining at the picnic tables. 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, lousluncheonette.com. (John Burgess)
BEST SANDWICH - Sonoma Crust, Santa Rosa: The best fried chicken sando, because the juicy chicken breast is sandwiched between two waffles. 1040 N Dutton Ave. Suite A, Santa Rosa, sonomacrust.com. (Heather Irwin)
BEST WEEKEND TAKEOUT - Backyard, Forestville: Always a major player in the Sonoma County fried chicken lineup, you can order two to 20 pieces for pickup. The buttermilk fried chicken comes with a seasonal side, biscuits and honey butter. Friday and Saturday only, advance purchase required at backyardforestville.com, 6566 Front St., Forestville. (Sarah Stierch)
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BEST HAWAIIAN-STYLE - April Pantry, Petaluma: This brand new player in Petaluma serves up a solid fried chicken sando, along with a ridiculously good Aloha Plate featuring coconut rice, fried chicken and mac salad. 1000 Clegg Ct., Petaluma, aprilpantry.com. (Courtesy of April Pantry)
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken), Various locations: We’d be remiss not to mention Japanese-style fried chicken. Small bites of breaded chicken breast often served with Kewpie mayo. Ramen Gaijin, 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, ramengaijin.com; Shige Sushi, 19161 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma, shige-sushi.com; Sushi Kosho, 6750 McKinley Ave., Sebastopol, sushikoshotogo.com. (Heather Irwin)
Chicken Sandwich, Wild Bird, Santa Rosa: Chicken sandwiches are a focus for this Flamingo Hotel pop-up. Pan-Asian sauces make them super flavorful. Pool-side dining at the tiki bar or a family pack to go. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, flamingoresort.com/dining/wild-bird. (Heather Irwin)
Weekend Pickup Fried Chicken, Street Social, Petaluma: This trending little bistro has reopened for dine-in reservations, but their weekend golden fried chicken (gluten-free) has been a hot seller. 29 F Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma, streetsocial.social. (Courtesy of Street Social)
Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken, Larkfield and Rohnert Park: Gas-station fast food chicken that’s pretty darn good. Fuel & Food Market Valero, 4856 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa; 1417 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, krispykrunchy.com. (Courtesy of Krispy Krunchy)
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A few more faves: Chicken Fried Chicken at Sax’s Joint in Petaluma (pictured); Nashville-Style Fried Chicken at Bird and Bottle in Santa Rosa; Fried Chicken at TIPS Roadside in Kenwood; Fried Chicken and Waffles at Beer Baron in Santa Rosa; Buffalo Fried Rocky Chicken at Fork Roadhouse in Sebastopol; Buttermilk Fried Chicken at Chalkboard in Healdsburg; Fried Chicken Dinner at K&L Bistro in Sebastopol. (Chris Hardy)
Fried chicken with mashed Yukons, peas and carrots at Tips Roadside in Kenwood. (Heather Irwin)
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We’ve been craving comfort food for the last few months, and fried chicken is at the top of our list. It’s a timeless classic, whether you cut your teeth on KFC or mom’s family recipe. Whether you prefer it brined or buttermilk, with biscuits or gravy, there’s nothing quite like it. Click through the above gallery for some of our favorite summer fried chicken spots — many with takeout or dine-in available. Spread a blanket and hit the park for a perfect afternoon.
Despite pandemic and wildfires, new restaurants are popping up around Sonoma County.
Hot Nashville Fried Chicken sandwich at Twin Oaks Road House (with a side of their chili)…dee-vine!!! No, seriously dee-vine!!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/62f33e7deb02bceaec3a019d4ac4deefe1f4737bb021cf4f2b80e5aeeb518a4b.jpg Surprised that newcomer Taub Family Outpost on the square in Sonoma was left off this list. It’s not only delicious, it’s gluten-free! Take-Out all day/eve, and Dine-in & on the sidewalk at Dinner. 707.721.1107
Rocker Oysterfellers in Valley Ford has an amazing fried chicken.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Shell Station, Larkfield. Hands down great at a reasonable price. One day I waited too long and to still my craving, I went to KFC, where I never go. Badddddd mistake.
What about Timberline at the River? They have amazing Fried Chicken and their serving sizes are huge.
I love Sweet T’s, but you neglected to mention the Chicken & Waffles at Layla, at MacArthur Place in Sonoma.