We Ranked 8 Of Georgia’s Best Fried Chicken Spots And Here Are The Results

One spot on this list seats total strangers together at tables built for ten, then passes the fried chicken around like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s. Another fed civil rights leaders while they made plans, and it still fries chicken today.

That’s the kind of history Georgia packs into a drumstick. I love that a humble plate of chicken can carry stories older than most of our grandparents.

So I went looking for the places keeping that crispy tradition alive. One is a lunch-only cafeteria with paper plates.

Another piles its bird onto a buffet beside collards and mac and cheese. One has a drive-through, and one serves its chicken next to oysters at dinner.

Ranking them was tough, and I fully expect a few friendly arguments. Grab a napkin, because your stomach is about to have opinions.

Which one would you drive across the state for first?

1. The Busy Bee

Few kitchens can say civil rights leaders once gathered over their plates. Martin Luther King Jr. and Hosea Williams both spent time at this Atlanta storefront, and the fryer is still going strong.

The Busy Bee Cafe opened in 1947, started by a self-taught cook with a gift for soul food. That’s nearly eight decades of chicken, which is a pretty impressive streak for any kitchen.

In 2022, the James Beard Foundation named it one of America’s Classics. That award honors beloved local restaurants with timeless appeal, and this place fits the description perfectly.

Your main mission here is Busy Bee’s Fried Chicken, the signature item on the menu. Pair it with mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or black-eyed peas for a true soul food spread.

Not in a chicken mood? Smothered pork chops and potato salad also hold down the menu, and a cornbread muffin rounds things out nicely.

Save room for something to sip, too. The lemonade is hand-squeezed daily, and you can also grab an Arnold Palmer if you like your tea and lemonade mixed.

The space is small, so expect a line at busy times. Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings tend to draw the biggest crowds.

Takeout is a smart move if the room fills up. Either way, you’ll be eating a piece of Atlanta history, and it happens to come with crispy skin.

Address: 810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

2. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Shy eaters, consider yourselves warned. At this Savannah institution, you’ll likely share a big table with people you’ve never met.

Tables are built for about ten guests, and the food arrives family-style on heaping platters. You pass the fried chicken, grab a biscuit, and suddenly you’re chatting with strangers like old cousins.

The history runs deep here. The house dates back to 1870, and Sema Wilkes took over the boardinghouse in 1943, serving lodging and home-style Southern cooking.

She ran it for 59 years, and her family keeps the tradition going today. The James Beard Foundation named it one of America’s Classics in 2000.

Fried chicken is the star, but the supporting cast is huge. Look for cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé, okra gumbo, collard greens, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Biscuits and cornbread both show up, so you won’t have to pick a side in that debate. Candied yams and meatloaf may join the party too.

Plan carefully, because lunch is served only on weekdays. Reservations aren’t accepted, so a line outside is part of the deal.

Bring cash or a check, since cards aren’t taken. There’s an ATM on-site if your wallet forgets the rules.

Fridays tend to be the busiest, so an earlier weekday could save you some waiting. Trust us, the chicken is worth standing on that sidewalk.

Address: 107 W Jones St, Savannah, GA 31401

3. Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant

Paper plates and plastic forks never looked so good. Over in Columbus, this lunch-only cafeteria keeps things simple and lets the fried chicken do the talking.

Here’s how it works. You walk down the line, pick your meat, choose your sides, and find a seat before your stomach starts complaining.

Fried chicken leads the lineup, but you’ve got backup options. Catfish, pork chops, baked chicken, meatloaf, and hamburger steak often appear on the menu.

Then comes the fun part, picking sides. Mac and cheese, turnip greens, black-eyed peas, rice and gravy, okra, and cornbread dressing all make strong cases for your plate.

Biscuit or cornbread? That’s a choice you’ll have to make, and neither answer is wrong.

Portions are big, so don’t schedule anything too demanding for the afternoon. A nap after lunch might feel less like a choice and more like destiny.

Dessert deserves real attention here. Red velvet cake, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and brownies are all on the menu.

Wash it down with sweet tea for the full Georgia experience. The tea pairs nicely with something sweet after a plate of salty, crunchy chicken.

Timing matters, since doors close in the midafternoon. It’s open weekdays and Sundays for lunch but closed Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons get the busiest.

Parking nearby can be a little tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Your reward is a hearty, down-home meal that won’t empty your pockets.

Address: 104 8th St, Columbus, GA 31901

4. The Bears Den

Bears love honey, but this den in Macon is all about comfort food. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collards headline a menu built for hungry humans.

The Bears Den sits on Oglethorpe Street and runs on weekday hours. It opens midmorning and closes in the early evening, Monday through Friday.

That schedule makes it a lunch favorite, especially on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Want a calmer visit?

Try stopping by closer to the evening.

Your plate can stay classic with fried chicken and a couple of sides. Collard greens and black-eyed peas keep things traditional, while mac and cheese adds that cheesy comfort.

Fried green tomatoes are worth a look, too. They bring a tangy crunch that plays nicely next to a crispy chicken thigh.

Portions are generous, so arrive with an appetite. The dining room is bright and sunny, with a laid-back feel that suits a midday break.

Got a pup with you? Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, which is handy on a pleasant Macon afternoon.

Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up when hunger strikes. Parking is usually easy here, which is always a nice surprise.

Save a little space for dessert before you head out. Sweet tea also gets plenty of love, and it’s hard to argue with that classic Georgia combo.

Address: 1191 Oglethorpe St, Macon, GA 31201

5. Wife Saver

With a name like that, dinner plans are basically handled. Wife Saver is a long-running local chain in Augusta, and fried chicken is the reason it’s still around.

The Washington Road location keeps things quick and easy. You can order at the counter, grab takeout, or roll through the drive-through when you’d rather stay in your car.

Fried chicken is the headliner, but the chicken strips have their own fans. They’re a great choice if you prefer your crunch without any bones getting in the way.

Sides lean proudly Southern. Velvety mac and cheese, hush puppies, and chicken and dumplings help turn a quick meal into a real feast.

Dessert is not optional, at least not in spirit. The banana pudding is a menu highlight, and it’s the sweet ending this kind of meal deserves.

Hours run from late morning into the evening, seven days a week. That makes it a dependable pick for weeknight dinners or a lazy weekend lunch.

Sunday afternoon tends to be the busiest stretch. Mornings are usually calmer if you want to beat the rush.

Families will feel right at home here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and free Wi-Fi for anyone who needs a distraction while the chicken cools.

Parking is usually plentiful, so you won’t be circling the block. Augusta may be famous for golf, but this chicken deserves its own trophy.

Address: 3316 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907

6. Food For The Soul

A buffet loaded with fried chicken sounds like a college student’s dream. In Athens, that dream comes true at this home-style soul food spot on West Broad Street.

The buffet is the main event, and it’s packed with Southern staples. Fried chicken shares space with fried pork chops, fried catfish, and fried chicken livers.

Yes, that’s a lot of frying. Nobody said soul food was trying to win a salad contest.

Sides keep coming, too. Lima beans, pinto beans, rice casserole, collard greens, fried okra, mac and cheese, and cornbread can all turn up on the line.

Deviled eggs also make an appearance on the menu. They’re a fun little extra that feels straight out of a family reunion.

Wash your plate down with sweet tea, because this is Georgia after all. If you’re short on time, takeout is available too.

Pay close attention to the schedule before you go. It’s open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, closing in the early or midafternoon.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays are off days. Showing up hungry on a Saturday would be a sad way to learn that lesson.

Parking can get tight, so leave a few minutes to find a space. Reservations aren’t taken, so just arrive ready to eat.

The atmosphere is casual and down to earth. Bring a friend, grab a plate, and let the buffet make your decisions for you.

Address: 1965 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30606

7. Brochu’s Family Tradition

Fried chicken and oysters on the same table? Savannah makes the pairing feel completely natural at this relaxed neighborhood restaurant.

Brochu’s Family Tradition is a dinner-only spot, opening in the late afternoon seven nights a week. Head for the entrance on 40th Street, since that’s how you get inside.

The fried chicken is the signature dish, known for its crunchy coating. You can go with a half bird, the whole chicken, or a whole chicken dinner if your crew is extra hungry.

Wings are on the menu, too, for anyone who loves a little finger food. A lineup of sauces gives you plenty of ways to dress up each bite.

Now for the ocean side of things. Salt Bomb Oysters stand out on the menu, and they make a bold partner for crispy chicken.

Feeling adventurous? Chicken liver toast is another option, and it’s a fun twist for curious eaters.

Dirty rice makes a smart side to soak up the gravy. Finish strong with banana pudding, a dessert that feels right at home in Georgia.

Weekends and Thursday nights get busy, so plan ahead. Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner.

Dogs are welcome, and outdoor seating is available. Families can relax, too, since high chairs are on hand.

It’s a laid-back night out with serious chicken skills. Just don’t be surprised if you start planning your next visit before dessert arrives.

Address: Entrance on 40th, 2400 Bull St Ste 8, Savannah, GA 31401

8. Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Don’t let the words tea room fool you into expecting tiny sandwiches. Mary Mac’s has been feeding Atlanta big Southern meals since the 1940s, and fried chicken is a big part of the story.

This 1945-era institution sits on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown. It draws both locals and visitors, which tells you plenty about its staying power.

The ordering style here is a little different from most restaurants. Ask your server how it works, and you’ll feel like part of a long Atlanta tradition.

Fried chicken is the classic call, served with generous portions. Add buttery cornbread and creamy mac and cheese, and you’ve got a very happy plate.

The menu goes deep on Southern comfort. Chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie, tomato pie, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato soufflé are all available.

Cornbread dressing and gravy is another strong choice. It tastes like a holiday meal showed up on a regular Tuesday.

Dessert lovers have two big decisions to make. Banana pudding and Georgia peach cobbler both deserve a spot, so maybe bring a friend to share.

It’s open daily from late morning through the evening. Sunday afternoons and evenings are the busiest, while Tuesday mornings tend to be calmer.

Reservations are accepted, which helps when a crowd shows up. Parking is usually easy, with an on-site lot available.

A meal here feels like a delicious slice of Atlanta history. Just loosen your belt before the cobbler arrives.

Address: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308