1. Brown’s Fried Chicken, Avon Street
Formerly Stoney’s Grocery, this pitstop in Belmont has garnered quite a following for its fried chicken, which owner Mike Brown became known for when he served it at his mini-market in Esmont years ago.
A Sunday special gets you 12 pieces and a two-liter Pepsi product for $19.99.
2. Wayside Fried Chicken, Fry’s Spring
For over 40 years, Wayside Takeout & Catering, featuring Ole Virginia Fried Chicken, has been a favorite eatery in Charlottesville, serving up “some of the best fried chicken in the south.”
Listed in Southern Living’s “Best of the South”, they cater to visitors in the area, businesses and the University of Virginia with the same fast & friendly service as their regular loyal local customers.
3. GOCO On Cherry Ave.
832 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA
Website
There’s chicken, and then there’s chicken! At GOCO on Cherry Ave. you’ll find some of the best chicken in Charlottesville, along with a wide variety of sides. Potato wedges, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, not to mention subs and pie. If you’re looking for some fast, great-tasting chicken to-go, head to GOCO.
4. The Whiskey Jar, Downtown Mall
The Whiskey Jar uses Byrd Mill, locally-milled, flour-dusted, sustainably raised Mennonite farm chicken, generously coated in a house blend of Bantry Bays locally-provided herbs, spices and seasoning. Fried in Peanut Oil and served over local, organic, slow-stewed Collard Greens with Kite’s Virginia Country Bacon.
All of their meat is sourced locally. Much of it is organic but all of the local meat they use is sustainably raised by farms within an hour’s drive. They put a lot of time and effort into sourcing heritage breeds as would have been raised in past times because they believe this provides you with a richer, healthier, and more fulfilling eating experience.
5. Michie Tavern, Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Michie Tavern’s fried chicken is juicy (“It would still taste amazing in the morning”), perfectly seasoned (“It has flavor throughout the meat too”), and fried ’til dark (“It’s gotta be the grease they use”). Take a free tour of the museum and then belly up to the buffet every day in the summer and fill your plate with chicken (baked or fried) and 18th century sides liked stewed tomatoes and black-eyed peas for $16.95.
Michie Tavern’s dining room, the Ordinary, features Hearty Midday Fare offered by servers in period attire. The rustic restaurant setting provides a lunch dining experience rich in southern culture and hospitality for families to enjoy. Their buffet is based on 18th-century Southern recipes. Patterned after the southern tradition, many guests choose their bountiful midday fare as the day’s main meal. During the colder months guests enjoy their Midday Fare before a roaring fire. A variety of beverages including hot mulled apple cider, traditional lagers, ales and wine are available to complement your meal.
6. Mel’s Cafe, Main Street
Down home cookin’ where everyone is family. Mel’s Cafe have been in business and part of the Charlottesville community for 16 years, serving the best southern-style cuisine in town. Give them a try and we guarantee you’ll go back.
Their fried chicken has amazing, crispy skin, perfectly seasoned, fantastically moist and comes fresh & hot. The three piece fried chicken dinner is almost too much to finish.
7. Brownsville Market, Crozet
This Shell station shop hass been keeping the area’s construction workers and locals in gas, cold drinks, and freshly grilled and fried food for more than 30 years. Its classic fried chicken and traditional sides make the ideal picnic contribution or dinner for the family when you don’t feel like cooking.
8. Preston Avenue Shell, Preston Avenue
Only in Virginia do we know how good the food at gas stations can be, and this Shell Station next to Bodo’s is no exception. For 12 years now, the food counter in the back’s been frying up top-notch chicken (“very tender!”) and dishing up southern sides fresh every day. Its legion of fans swear by its spicy seasoning and the Monday night special, which gets you two pieces of chicken with one side, a biscuit and a 16 ounce drink for $3.99.
9. Chicken Coop, Lovingston
Chances that there’s chicken at a place called Chicken Coop are good. But only Nelson County locals and those who happen upon it while fueling up the car at the Exxon station that houses it would know. A 12-piece meal comes with potato wedges, coleslaw, and six rolls for $17.99. And there’re plenty of six-packs or 40s to choose from, too.
10. Lumpkins, Scottsville
The giant rooster out front is a surefire sign that fried chicken’s one of this 50-year-old restaurant and hotel’s specialties. But life shuts down early in the country, so come for breakfast or lunch any day but Wednesday or Sunday, or an early bird dinner on Thursdays and Fridays. The pies are made fresh every day before even the roosters are up.
11. Foods Of All Nations, Ivy Road
It might sell foods from all nations, but the fried chicken is from right here in the U.S. of A.— and this upscale grocery store that’s been around for more than 50 years does it well. Head straight for the deli to stock up on it, plus classic sides like Shirley’s potato salad. Then swing by the bakery for a sweet treat or two.
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