Food & Drink

Fried Chicken Guide

April 02, 2023 | Posted in Food

If you're looking for crispy, flaky chicken or savory, tender meat that falls off the bone, you're in luck. Pasadena knows how to do some of the best fried chicken, with a lineup of LA's top hotspots that will make your mouth water just thinking about it.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Howlin' Rays

When Howlin' Rays opened their first store in 2015, it sparked a hot chicken craze in Los Angeles, with an infamous 3 hour line and chaotic parking. Their latest outpost in Pasadena is their second spot, and it is delivering the same outstanding fried chicken in a spacious full-service location on South Arroyo Parkway, with plenty of seating. Check their Instagram to see how the long line wait times are and enjoy eating in this hotspot.

Howlin' Rays Pasadena

Hot in Old Pasadena

Main Chick Hot Chicken

Main Chick Hot Chicken is a passion-inspired food concept serving the most unique Nashville style fried chicken to date. Their team has culminated the best version of product to create the most enjoyable experience for guests. They serve hot chicken with spices ranging from mild to some of the hottest peppers in the world.

Main Chick Hot Chicken

Japanese Fried Chicken Spot

Tokyo Chick

Japanese Fried Chicken is made using a technique called karaage, where it is coated using a light flour before deep-frying in oil. Karaage is synonymous with chicken nowadays, but at Tokyo Chick, you can enjoy 5 different homemade Japanese sauces to go with your fried chicken. There's teriyaki, wasabi, garlic soy, tokyo spicy, and signature crispy. There's also bento boxes, perfect for lunch.

Tokyo Chick

Local's Favorite

Louisiana Fried Chicken

Come for the surprisingly crispy chicken with just the right amount of spice, located in between the flurry of fried chicken spots on Lake Avenue. You'll have to order take-out through a bullet proof glass, but not before reading about how this chain is an Cambodian-American immigrant success story. The locals love this spot for the crunchy goodness, and we recommend checking out the cute shops in East Washington for an after meal walk.

Louisiana Fried Chicken Pasadena

Not a Fried Chicken Restaurant

Top's Restaurant

Top Restaurant on Colorado/Allen has some of the best crispy fried chicken. This mom-and-pop shop serves Hawaiian food, but the fried chicken is a clear star of the show. Read the rave reviews across the board for motivation. Enjoy the crisp and golden Indonesian fried chicken with a selection of fun mains, such as loco moco, Indonesian fried rice, spam musubi, and more.

Top Restaurant

KFC... Korean Fried Chicken

bb.q Chicken

This is not the KFC you're thinking of. bb.q Chicken restaurant stands as a vibrant culinary destination renowned for its exceptional Korean Fried Chicken. the menu showcases a delectable array of crispy, flavorful chicken, meticulously prepared using authentic Korean recipes and techniques. Each dish, from the signature Golden Original to the spicy Hot Spicy, bursts with unique flavors that delight the palate.

bb.q Chicken

Restaurants

As the birthplace of Julia Child and hometown of beloved food critic Jonathan Gold, Pasadena is a celebrated food town located in downtown Los...

Hispanic and...

It's important to support Hispanic-, Latino- and Latina-owned businesses, not just during Hispanic Heritage Month, but all year round. These...

Asian-Owned

Discover the following AAPI-owned businesses to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and support throughout the year.

Woman-Owned

As Pasadena celebrates Women's History Month, we encourage visitors to support local woman-owned businesses.

Black-Owned

Now, more than ever, it's important to support our local businesses, especially in the Black community.

Dog-Friendly...

Because furkids are family too!

Outdoor Dining...

Alfresco dining where diners can soak in the sun alongside some of the region’s most tantalizing cuisine