The Bay Area’s best fried chicken sandwiches have come a long way since the early ‘80s, when Burger King made a big to-do about its newest offering. Back then, the fried chicken sandwich was nothing more than crispy chicken tenders shoved between a hoagie roll topped with iceberg lettuce and mayo—and (for it’s time) it was brilliant.
Fortunately, the world of fried chicken sandwiches has evolved in a big way since the King debuted its masterful creation. The San Francisco Bay Area is now teeming with restaurants, pop-ups, food trucks and neighborhood joints that serve up mouthwatering compilations of deep-fried crispy chicken sandwiches. They arrive stacked inside brioche buns, torpedo rolls and more, topped with coleslaw, bacon, aioli, BBQ sauce, pickles, jalapenos and other scrumptious toppings.
You could say that the bird is having its moment.
Here are our picks for 10 of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the Bay Area.
1) Hawking Bird (Oakland)
It turns out that award-winning chef James Syhabout (behind Michelin-starred Commis and the more casual Hawker Fare) can also create a tasty fried chicken sandwich to rival any hole-in-the-wall. Hawking Bird’s fried chicken sandwich comes topped with mayo, a housemade charred chili jam and slaw dressed in lime juice, fresh green chilies, mint and cilantro. No fries here, but you can order sides of tots, fat rice, green beans, pickled veggies, bone broth, garlic noodles and curry gravy.
How to get it: Stop by 4901 Telegraph Ave in Oakland daily, except Mondays.
2) Love Burn (South San Francisco)
Love Burn is another pop-up that fries up crazily crispy and delicious Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. Love Burn adds a global twist to their chicken using Chinese Five Spice, guajillo chiles and other flavorful spices. Their sandwiches come on a potato bun with creamy slaw and pickles—but order the Hot Leg & Thigh combo if you want more chicken. Patrons get to choose from amusingly named sauces: 0: Just a Friend (No Spice), 1: Crush (Mild), 2: First Date (Medium), 3: Burning Love (Hot! A little painful), and 4: One Night Stand (Good Luck! Milk’s on us!). Levels 2 through 4 come with a blend of pickles, onions and jalapenos.
How to get it: Love Burn serves up the goods Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., from their permanent spot inside the Hometown Bowl (130 Northwood St.) or order delivery via common delivery apps.
3) Southern Comfort Kitchen (Castro Valley & Roaming Food Truck)
Run by three brothers from New Orleans, Southern Comfort Kitchen dishes up authentic Cajun cuisine, and you’ll see the Cajun influence their Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. Not one but two pieces of chicken breasts are soaked in buttermilk, Louisiana hot sauce and blackening seasoning, and then are fried golden and piled inside a French bun. They top this stack of deliciousness with red wine vinegar slaw, dill pickles and Old Bay garlic aioli. The menu includes comfort food and every favorite Cajun dish you can think of, including beignets for dessert (Sundays only).
How to get it: Visit Southern Comfort Kitchen at 3571 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley for takeout (online ordering available), or keep an eye out for their truck popping up at Off the Grid lunch and dinner Makerts.
4) Eat On Monday (Milpitas & Roaming Food Truck)
Food truck Eat On Monday got its start as a pop-up at Café Yulong in Mountain View and is currently serving lunch from their commercial kitchen in Milpitas near the Milpitas BART station. Their truck is starting to show up again for private catering and some lunch stops. What makes their signature buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, called the “UFC Club,” exceptional is they adorn it with two pieces of maple-glazed bacon (also available in spicy version). Lettuce, tomato, spicy house spread and an Acme torpedo bun round out the tower of yumminess.
How to get it: Check for regular lunch hours and pick up at Milpitas BART station at 1558 Gladding Ct., Milpitas.
5) Bakesale Betty (Oakland)
Run by Alison Barakat, Bakesale Betty is one of San Francisco’s OG fried chicken sandwich makers. You currently only have nine hours a week to order one of Alison’s buttermilk Fried Chicken and Coleslaw Sandwiches. The slaw contains jalapenos for a nice kick, and to finish things off, try a slice of pie or a freshly baked cookie.
How to get it: Find Bakesale Betty Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m at 5098 Telegraph Ave., Oakland.
6) World Famous Hotboys (Oakland)
This former pop-up has a permanent brick-and-mortar spot in Uptown Oakland (1601 San Pablo Ave., Oakland) and serves up a fabulous Nashville hot chicken sandwich that practically bursts out of its bun. Choose your sauce ranging from no spice to one of six levels of heat. Order “The Hot Hot” online and you’ll be required to answer a questionnaire confirming you’re willing to take the risk! World Famous Hotboys also serves chicken wings and other bone-in options such as breast and wing, half chicken and even a whole chicken. End with a hot, fresh “bonut” (a donut-biscuit hybrid).
How to get it: Swing by between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. any day of the week. In addition to a second permanent location in Sacramento, the team behind World Famous Hotboys has recently launched what they’re calling a “Foo Truck” that is out on tour with recent stops in Denver.
7) The Bird (SoMa & Hayes Valley)
You know you’re in for something remarkable when you bite into a fried chicken sandwich made in a shop dedicated to the craft of frying chicken. Their limited menu offers a few entrees (all featuring fried chicken), hot wings, curly fries and apple fritters. What elevates The Bird’s fried chicken is they use free-range chicken thighs, buns baked fresh daily and slaw made hourly. The breading happens to be gluten-free too. Celery, slaw, mayo, pickles and a choice of two sauces top it all off. The Bird won’t bust your budget either—the sandwich will only set you back $9. The new Hayes Valley location serves beer, wine and cocktails.
How to get it: Visit their locations in either Hayes Valley at 406 Hayes Street or SOMA at 115 New Montgomery St open seven days a week.
8) SF Chickenbox (SoMa)
SF Chickenbox has been a local fave forever and has moved around some. They operated out of the sports bar Trademark SFC on Folsom Street for a while and then moved to the Brew Coop on Valencia Street last summer. Their website currently indicates they’re on vacation. An Instagram post and Twitter tweets promise a new permanent home at 464 Broadway! Their delectable fried chicken sandwich came dressed with lettuce and “special sauce,” and they used halal chicken and canola oil in their fryers. We can’t wait to see what they come up with when they open in their new space!
How to get it: Stay tuned for an update for a permanent location at 464 Broadway.
9) Scratch Cookery (San Jose)
This fried chicken sandwich spot has a heat tier system that will keep you coming back for more. The levels crawl up from cayenne to habanero to Carolina reaper. We also like that you can order it on thick slices of Texas Toast with a crispy cheese skirt. The chicken portions here are very generous, so come hungry.
How to get it: Visit their location in Downtown San Jose (30 Fountain Alley #150)
10) Wursthall (San Mateo)
The fried chicken sandwich at Wursthall is backed by Kenji Lopez-Alt, culinary superstar. It’s brined in buttermilk overnight and dusted with gochugaru (Korean fried chicken flakes). We recommend pairing it with their roasted potatoes.
How to get it: Visit their location in San Mateo (310 Baldwin Ave).
11) Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement
Minnie Bell’s is famous for their crunchy fried chicken. They’ve recently stacked it into a sandwich where you can enjoy the crisp shell against the pillowy bread.
How to get it: Visit their location in San Francisco (1375 Fillmore St).
12) Hot Sauce and Panko
This spot is all about panko, Japanese breadcrumbs, which are coarse but light. You can opt for their standard fried chicken sandwich or get the ultra waffle sandwich that comes with cabbage, Kewpie mayo, Sriracha caramel, ginger sauce, and a square Belgian waffle.
How to get it: Visit their location in San Francisco (1468 Hyde St).
13) Katsu-ya
Katsu-ya assembles their fried chicken sandwiches on shokupan, Japanese milk bread, for a contrast in each bite between soft, chewy bread and crisp, tender chicken.
How to get it: Visit their location in San Francisco (132 Bush St).
