13 North Carolina Fried Chicken Joints That Nail It Like Grandma Did

Nothing says Southern comfort like perfectly fried chicken with that golden, crispy crust and juicy meat inside. North Carolina has mastered this culinary art with spots that serve chicken so good, it’ll transport you straight back to Grandma’s Sunday dinner table.

From hole-in-the-wall kitchens to family-owned establishments passed down through generations, these places keep traditional recipes alive while adding their own special touch.

1. Price’s Chicken Coop – Charlotte

Cash-only and worth every dollar, Price’s has been Charlotte’s go-to fried chicken spot since 1962. The no-frills approach focuses entirely on what matters perfectly seasoned chicken with a crackling crust that shatters with each bite.

Lines often stretch around the block, but locals know the wait is just part of the experience. Their chicken comes boxed with traditional sides like slaw and hushpuppies, completing the authentic Southern meal.

Many Charlotte natives mark life milestones with Price’s chicken it’s become woven into the city’s cultural fabric. The recipe remains unchanged after decades, proving that sometimes the old ways truly are the best ways.

2. Mama Dip’s Kitchen – Chapel Hill

Founded by the legendary Mildred Council (known as Mama Dip), this Chapel Hill institution serves chicken that tastes like pure love. Her legacy continues through family members who maintain her exacting standards and secret seasonings.

The chicken arrives with a deep amber crust that’s somehow both substantial and delicate. What sets Mama Dip’s apart is the flavor infused throughout the meat not just in the coating. You’ll taste hints of pepper, garlic, and something mysteriously wonderful that nobody outside the family can identify.

Beyond just a meal, eating here connects you to North Carolina’s rich culinary history. The restaurant itself feels like stepping into a welcoming family home.

3. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles – Durham

Where soul food meets innovation! Dame’s has perfected the chicken and waffle combination with their crispy, spice-dusted chicken perched atop fluffy Belgian waffles. Their signature “shmears” flavored butters like vanilla-almond and maple-pecan melt between the hot chicken and waffle, creating flavor explosions in every bite.

The chicken itself deserves special attention brined overnight before being dredged in a secret spice mixture. This process creates a crust that stays crispy even when drizzled with syrup.

Located in downtown Durham, Dame’s draws everyone from Duke professors to local families celebrating special occasions. The casual vibe makes it perfect for comfort food cravings any day of the week.

4. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey – Raleigh

James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen created a modern classic with Beasley’s. Her chicken gets a drizzle of honey while still hot from the fryer, creating a sweet-savory magic that’s utterly addictive.

The downtown Raleigh hotspot elevates fried chicken with locally-sourced ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. Every piece emerges with a consistent golden-brown crust that shatters perfectly between your teeth. The meat inside remains impossibly juicy, even in the breast pieces that so many places serve dry.

Paired with creative sides like pimento mac-and-cheese custard, this isn’t exactly grandma’s recipe but she’d definitely approve. The industrial-chic space fills nightly with eager diners willing to wait for a taste.

5. Merritt’s Store & Grill – Chapel Hill

Hidden in plain sight, this converted gas station might be famous for BLTs, but locals know their fried chicken is the true hidden gem. Merritt’s serves up chicken with a distinctly peppery crust that delivers a gentle heat that builds with each bite.

Cooked in small batches throughout the day, you’ll never get chicken that’s been sitting under a heat lamp. The family-run operation maintains consistent quality that draws UNC students and professors alike.

Though the space feels more like a country store than a restaurant, that’s part of the charm. Grab your chicken to go or enjoy it at one of the picnic tables outside. Either way, you’re experiencing a Chapel Hill tradition that’s remained deliciously unchanged for decades.

6. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q – Multiple Locations

A true North Carolina institution, Smithfield’s has been frying chicken since 1964 with a recipe that balances simplicity and perfection. Their chicken features a thin, crisp coating that doesn’t overwhelm the juicy meat beneath letting the chicken itself be the star.

What makes their recipe special is the distinctive Eastern North Carolina touch. The seasoning blend has just enough pepper and salt to enhance the natural flavors without masking them. Paired with their famous sweet tea, it’s a meal that defines comfort food for many locals.

With multiple locations throughout the state, Smithfield’s maintains remarkable consistency. Whether you’re at their original Johnston County spot or one of their newer locations, that first bite will transport you to simpler times.

7. The Chicken Hut – Durham

Since 1957, The Chicken Hut has been serving Durham’s Hayti district with soul food that truly lives up to the name. Their chicken emerges from the fryer with a deeply bronzed, textured coating that locks in every drop of moisture.

Family-owned for three generations, the recipes haven’t changed because they’ve never needed to. The seasoning blend reportedly containing over 15 different spices creates a complex flavor profile that keeps loyal customers returning decade after decade.

Beyond just great chicken, The Chicken Hut serves as a community gathering place. Civil rights leaders once held meetings here, and today it remains a spot where people from all walks of life come together over exceptional food. The historic significance adds an extra layer of meaning to every meal.

8. Keaton’s Barbecue – Cleveland

If you’re driving through rural Rowan County, you might miss this unassuming roadside spot but that would be a tragedy. Keaton’s serves what they call “barbecue chicken,” but it’s actually fried chicken dipped in a tangy, spicy sauce that defies easy categorization.

The unique two-step cooking process results in chicken with a crispy exterior that somehow remains crunchy even when coated in their famous sauce. Founded in 1953 by B.W. Keaton, the original recipe remains a closely guarded secret.

The restaurant itself feels frozen in time simple tables, wood-paneled walls, and not much else. Cash only and worth every penny, Keaton’s represents the kind of singular food experience that chain restaurants simply cannot replicate. True chicken aficionados make pilgrimages here from across the country.

9. Skylight Inn BBQ – Ayden

Though renowned for whole-hog barbecue, the fried chicken at Skylight Inn deserves its own spotlight. Following traditions established in 1947, they fry chicken in cast iron skillets rather than deep fryers, resulting in a distinctively uneven, craggly crust with exceptional flavor development.

The seasoning is deceptively simple primarily salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic but the magic comes from the cooking method. Each piece gets turned multiple times in the sizzling fat, creating layers of crispiness that commercial fryers simply cannot match.

Located in tiny Ayden, NC, the restaurant’s iconic dome (modeled after the U.S. Capitol) makes it easy to spot. Inside, you’ll find simple surroundings where the food does all the talking. Their commitment to traditional methods makes each bite a connection to Eastern Carolina’s rich culinary past.

10. Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe – Chapel Hill

Though an Indian restaurant might seem like an unexpected entry on this list, Vimala Rajendran’s Southern-inspired fried chicken has developed a cult following for good reason. Her unique approach marries traditional Southern techniques with subtle Indian spices like cardamom and turmeric.

The result is chicken with a familiar crunch but unexpected depth of flavor. Brined overnight in buttermilk infused with her signature spice blend, each bite delivers a flavor revelation. Located in downtown Chapel Hill, the cafe itself reflects Vimala’s warm personality and community focus.

What makes this chicken special is how it bridges cultures while respecting traditions. It’s not fusion for novelty’s sake it’s a thoughtful evolution that honors both Southern and Indian culinary heritage. The chicken pairs beautifully with both traditional sides and Vimala’s homemade chutneys.

11. The King’s Kitchen – Charlotte

Chef Jim Noble’s nonprofit restaurant serves chicken with a purpose all proceeds support feeding programs for the hungry. Their pan-fried chicken honors traditional methods, with each piece individually attended to rather than deep-fried in batches.

The chicken emerges with a crust that’s thinner than most but incredibly flavorful, with hints of black pepper and herbs visible throughout. Located in uptown Charlotte, the bright, modern space contrasts with the deeply traditional cooking methods used in the kitchen.

Beyond its charitable mission, The King’s Kitchen stands on the merit of its food alone. Using locally-sourced chicken and high-quality ingredients elevates each bite. Their commitment to training community members in culinary skills adds another layer of meaning to an already exceptional meal. It’s grandma’s chicken with a side of social conscience.

12. Lula’s Fried Chicken – Chapel Hill

Hidden inside The Monterrey Court motel, Lula’s feels like a delicious secret you’ve stumbled upon. Their chicken gets a 24-hour brine before being dredged in flour seasoned with paprika, garlic, and a hint of cayenne creating a reddish-golden crust that shatters perfectly with each bite.

What separates Lula’s from the pack is their obsessive attention to cooking temperature. They maintain their frying oil at precisely 325°F, resulting in chicken that’s never greasy but always moist. The modest surroundings only enhance the surprise when that first perfect bite hits your palate.

Named after the owner’s grandmother who taught him the recipe, Lula’s represents fried chicken in its purest form. No gimmicks or trendy twists just perfectly executed, time-honored techniques that result in chicken that could make a grown person weep with joy.

13. Sweet Potatoes – Winston-Salem

Downtown Winston-Salem’s arts district houses this gem where Chef Stephanie Tyson creates what she calls “Mamaw’s fried chicken” a tribute to her grandmother’s recipe. The chicken gets a distinctive boost from a spice blend that includes smoked paprika and a hint of brown sugar in the dredge.

This subtle sweetness creates a beautiful counterpoint to the savory aspects, resulting in chicken that develops a mahogany-colored crust with exceptional depth of flavor. The meat itself remains incredibly juicy, thanks to a buttermilk brine that works its magic overnight.

The restaurant’s warm brick interior creates the perfect setting for this soulful cooking. Paired with their signature sweet potato biscuits, it’s a meal that honors traditional Southern flavors while adding just enough creative touches to make it memorably unique. Chef Tyson’s cookbook even shares a version of the recipe.