Looking for some input into the best fried chicken in NOLA.  Thoughts?

The Times-Pic did a whole series on this in the fall.
nola.com/food/index.ssf/…

And no one *ever* agrees on the best anything

Willie Maes and Chubbies are my favorites.

No one has topped Popeye's yet, but I keep trying.

I've enjoyed Willie Mae's and McHardy's chicken. Been meaning to try the McKenzie's Chicken in a box as well.

The best chicken I've ever had in my life was at Fiorella's. I've also had bad chicken there though, so consistency seems to be a problem there.  Willie Mae's on the other hand is always good, but they have never achieved chicken nirvana.

I've had some pretty dope fried chicken at sassafras in gentilly

Thanks guys.  I think we'll be trying Willie Mae's and Chubbies.

FYI, I found going to the Willie Mae's in the riverbend was more convenient.

Manchu

You're right Josh! Manchu has the best chicken wings!

Veronica S and I hit up Willie Mae's, and we were underwhelmed. It was good, but it wasn't quite "worth the calories" good, if you know what I mean.

High Hat on Freret does a fried chicken special several nights a week. Very good with amazing sides! Also, great cocktails with fresh ingredients too.

My favorite is McHardy's!

Also, if anyone has made Southern Living's sweet tea brined fried chicken, I need to know: myrecipes.com/recipe/swe…

I vote for Willie Mae's, although I'd go to the one on St. Charles Avenue as opposed to the original.

I love that gas station fried chicken - Krispy Krunchy!!! Try the Shell Station at Elysian Fields and N Carrollton. Get the blueberry biscuits too.

Try Crabby Jack's on Jeff Hwy
Or Jacques Imo's on Oak St.
Same guy.

Ever try the chicken at Piccadilly on Clearview ?  Fried chicken doesn't have to cost a fortune to be good...

Ever try Mandina's?  Order a fried shrimp or oyster po-boy?  When you taste what they can do with that, I think fried chicken is not far behind.

The second or third comment on Popeyes. Even though the business in the chain game, the most delicious stores are in New Orleans. The one right on St. Charles near the pontchartrain expressway is damn good. There are plenty of other local options that flare the friend chicken up in many different ways. Good luck in your quest.

McHardy's Chicken is the best!

Willie Mae's is amazing, and very novel, especially the crust. It has a flaky, almost pastry-like texture. The juiciness is unsurpassed.

What I have seen people debate with chicken is the texture of breading, the spiciness, and the saltiness. And maybe an occasional "it's too greasy" complaint, which raises the question of what they're doing eating fried chicken. Willie Mae's is great on all these fronts.

The potential drawback for some is that they tend to cook it long. It gets a very dark brown to it. I think this is amazing. Thorough and consistent browning is the whole reason for deep frying food. But it can border on too dark for some people. The meat itself, however, remains perfectly juicy, almost like biting into a ripe peach.

My service was awful last time I went, and they get packed, so go early. I think the crowds alone tell you something about it. If I had a to pick a "must have" chicken joint, that would be it.

p.s. I also love Popeye's, but it's not Willie Mae's, and you can find it everywhere these days. The busiest and probably best Popeye's I ever went to was in East Cleveland.

Willie Mae's

Pro tip: Order the red beans and rice along with some dark meat chicken.  After finishing the chicken, pour the leftover "chicken skin debris" into the red beans.  Enjoy.

I've been getting some great tips from some experienced fried chicken eaters.  Thank you everyone.

Mc Hardys chicken n fixin - don't get the strips though ..

I like the tenders at "Key's Fuel Mart" best if you get there at 11AM when they are freshly made.

"Please U" has a great $7.65, 5-tenders and waffle breakfast. They are delicious too, especially if dipped in sausage cream gravy.

Otherwise, I agree with Niki:  "McHardy's"!!

Brother's. Gas station chicken at its finest.

I eat Brother's fried chicken more often than I care to admit because there is one right down the street from me. And it is really good. Not Willie Mae's, but good.

Agreed that's why it's in the gas station food category. :-P