Phenomenal Fried Chicken in Delco

For many food lovers, a juicy, tender piece of fried chicken with a golden, shatteringly crunchy exterior, is close to the perfect food. There’s something nostalgic about this classic American delight as well; fried chicken may bring to mind road-trip meals, family reunions, church picnics, or Sunday dinner at the grandparents’ house. So important are the handful of ingredients in fried chicken that restaurants’ and families’ recipes and techniques are tightly guarded — what they brine the chicken in, and for how long; the spice blend in the batter; and the frying temp and time.

Fried chicken is often associated with Southern foodways, but the category has become such a national trend that you can now find great fried chicken all over the country, including right here in Delco. When your cravings come a-calling, check out these eight stellar spots that excel in the art of fried chicken:

 

 

Federal Donuts & Chicken

In September 2024, an outpost of Federal Donuts & Chicken — Philly superstar chef Mike Solomonv’s chicken-and-donuts chain — opened in Radnor, right across the street from Radnor High School. This is Fed Nuts’ first full-scale location in the Philadelphia ‘burbs (there is a kiosk in the Wynnewood Whole Foods), and we are grateful that they chose Delco! 

Federal Donuts & Chicken essentially offers four things: fried chicken, donuts, fries and coffee. On the chicken side of things, choose from sandwiches, like the Original Fried Chicken Sandwich, with a buttermilk ranch seasoned chicken breast, American cheese, dill pickles and spicy rooster sauce on a potato roll; and a basket of chicken tenders with two dipping sauces and a plain donut. Chili pepper-lovers: Go for the Hot Honey Chipotle Sandwich, with bread-and-butter pickles, crispy bacon and cheddar cheese on a potato roll. And, pick up a half-dozen donuts on your way out to share with friends or family! 

232 N. Radnor Chester Rd., St Davids; (484) 580-2929.

 

Crisp Chick’n 

It’s right there in the name! While Crisp Chick’n does offer burgers, salads and wraps, the star of the show is the expertly seasoned fried chicken. Order it up via a specialty sandwich (we like The Delco, with American Cheese, fried onions and Dijon mustard on a pretzel bun), or as a tenders or bites, which are available in orders of two to 20 pieces. 

All of the chicken dishes can be customized in terms of spiciness; choose from “no heat,” “hot,” or “insanely hot”! The dipping sauces are a treat as well. Customer favorites include Nashville hot sauce, ranch and Korean bbq. Round out your meal with one of Crisp Chick’n’s delightful sides, like waffle fries, coleslaw or onion rings, and satisfy your sweet tooth with one of its extra-thick milkshakes!

27 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (484) 461-2165.

 

bb.q Chicken 

It used to be that to find authentic Korean-style fried chicken, you’d have to drive to the Northeast. Now, it’s easier to get this style of fried chicken, which incorporates potato starch in its batter and is twice-fried for a tremendous crunch, closer to home. That is, in part, thanks to the proliferation of small chain restaurants, like bb.q Chicken, which have helped popularize the style. At the Upper Darby location, adventurous eaters will love the complex flavors, like gang-jeon (spicy soy sauce with cinnamon and chilis) and Gangnam-style (black pepper and garlic). More straightforward options, like honey garlic and golden original, are also on offer.

All chicken orders at bb.q Chicken are available as a whole chicken, wings or boneless bites. Turn your chicken into a full meal with the addition of a Korean side dish, like kimchi fried rice, or sides like steamed rice, fried dumplings or cheese fries.

7034 Terminal Square, Ground Floor, Upper Darby; (445) 888-3005.

 

Chester Fried Chicken

At Chester Fried Chicken, or “CFC” as the locals call it, tasty fried chicken is available every which way: boneless and buffalo wings, by the piece, nuggets and tenders, piled atop fresh salads, or paired with ample sides as Family Meals. For a great value, try one of the chicken combos; choose from two, three or five pieces of fried chicken, a soul food-inspired side (think: mac-and-cheese, mashed potatoes and collard greens) and a drink. CFC is small inside, and is best for takeout or delivery. 

2214 W. 9th St., Chester; (610) 808-9666.

 

DanDan 

This sleek restaurant, which specializes in Sichuan/Taiwanese cuisine is best known for its savory and spicy dishes, like soup dumplings, ginger shredded duck and, of course, DanDan noodles. However, one of the true secret gems on its menu is under the appetizer section: turmeric fried wings. These impossibly crunchy wings are sheer perfection, golden from the turmeric spice and dusted with a spicy pepper seasoning. Don’t forget to order a side of house-made cilantro dipping sauce.

Try the wings as a snack alongside one of DanDan’s lovely cocktails or cold Pennsylvania-made craft beer as a flavor-packed way to kick off your meal. 

214 Sugartown Road, Wayne; (484) 580-8558. 

 

Sterling Pig Brewery

Craft beer and fried chicken make a pretty delicious combo; a sudsy, refreshing brew is the ideal palate cleanser between bites of salty, savory goodness. Enjoy this gastronomic match-up at Sterling Pig Brewery, a stalwart of the Media dining scene. Though there are lots of things to choose from on its impressively packed food menu (including Texas-style barbecue and wood-fired pizza), go for the fried chicken sandwich, topped with tangy pickles, crunchy iceberg lettuce, sweet-meets-spicy honey sriracha and your choice of cheese. For the beer, we suggest a bright, crisp pour of The Snuffler, Sterling Pig’s house IPA.  

609 W. State St., Media; (484) 444-2526.

 

Wilson’s Secret Sauce 

When you go to a barbecue joint, you’re likely ready to go to town on a feast of succulent smoked meats, like brisket, pulled pork or ribs. Wilson’s Secret Sauce, an unassuming joint just down the way from Llanerch Diner on Township Line Road, has plenty of meat, to be sure. From the brisket chili, to the jumbo wings, to the pork belly and Brussels sprouts, there is plenty on offer to satisfy any meat-lover. So, it’s an unexpected and unique discovery to find a vegan fried chicken sandwich on the menu! This vegetarian handheld features a piece of nicely fried plant based chicken topped with lettuce, tomato and onion on a bun, along with a side of crispy fries!

265 E. Township Line Rd., Upper Darby; (484) 453-8608.

Springfield Ale House

A quintessential neighborhood bar, Springfield Ale House serves up consistently quality pub grub that keeps the locals coming back. The London Broil Au Jus and fish and chips are fan-favorites, but don’t sleep on two fried chicken sandwiches on the menu: a standard build with lettuce, tomato, onion and ale sauce, and a crispy chicken BLT, an inspired mash-up of two classic sandwiches. Both come with fries, but we suggest paying the $1 upcharge for a side of excellent onion rings.

773 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield; (484) 472-6742.

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA. They say we’re A LOT…and they’re right!  Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email, or online.

– Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo by Ed Newton, courtesy of Federal Donuts