Top Fried Chicken In South Florida

Fried chicken is a classic Southern staple that is as impossible to get wrong as it is to get right. Chefs need just the right amount of breading to spice ratio cooked to golden brown perfection to ensure the perfect piece of chicken. Since South Florida typically caters to international cuisine as opposed to southern delicacies, its interpretation of the classic dish has many variations, from traditional Southern fried chicken to the latest chicken and waffle fad. There's also an American New take on the dish that makes the most modest chicken appear modern. So take your pick or better yet, try them all on July 6, National Fried Chicken Day.

Kush By Lokal
2003 N. Miami Ave.
Wynwood, FL 33127
(305) 576-4500
kushwynwood.com

Everyone has heard of the infamous Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Southern California - mostly because of its innovative approach to pairing what used to be the unusual combo of chicken with waffles. Well now the dish has gone mainstream and Kush in Miami has its own take on the fan favorite. It starts with two medium breaded chicken breasts cooked to a honey golden crisp. Then it's plated with a Belgium waffle, which is then topped with bacon pieces and powdered sugar and served with a house-made sriracha maple syrup. Many well-traveled South Floridians agree that this chicken and waffle combination rivals the great Roscoe's. At just $15 per order, who can blame them?

Joe's Stone Crab
11 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-0365
www.joesstonecrab.com

Dining around the bottom half of a peninsula pretty much guarantees that you can find some unbelievably fresh seafood, but the surprise of Joe's Stone Crab is that it also serves the best fried chicken on the beach. The bone-in chicken is traditionally southern fried and Joe's ups the crisp factor by pairing it with a side of dirty potato chips and coleslaw. The chicken itself is not overly greasy, but has just enough breading to satisfy those hankering for mom's fried chicken. For a half order of chicken with sides, it's only $9.95 per meal making this an amazing deal in a cozy atmosphere with filling portions.

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
1600 Lenox Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-5220
runchickenrun.com

Yardbird has made several national lists including winning a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant for its innovative American New approach to classic staples, and since chicken is its forte, patrons can get fried chicken prepared three ways. The first is the Blue Plate Special, where two pieces of Lewellyn's heavily breaded, but non-greasy chicken is paired with citrus pepper watermelon and finished with a homemade buttermilk biscuit. The chicken n watermelon n waffles is similar to the Blue Plate Special, but pairs the fried chicken and watermelon with cheddar cheese chow chow waffles, bourbon maple syrup and honey hot sauce. The final dish is the crunchy Yardbird sandwich, which is basically a fried chicken BLT with buttermilk dressing served on a bun. The prices range from $14 to $36, so depending on what you order, you might spend more than you expected. But once you taste this chicken, you will find that it is worth every penny.

Related: Top Spots For Chicken And Waffles In South Florida

The Federal
5132 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 758-9559
www.thefederalmiami.com

You may have heard the hype about The Federal from the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" and decided to stop in. If you do, you have to try Ceez's Smokey Fried Chicken for one of the most unique flavors you've ever tasted. This restaurant smokes the chicken first and then fries it and plates it atop a bed of mashed sweet potatoes. The dish is finished off with a sweet cranberry relish, and by the time you're done eating, your mouth will be doing aerial acrobatics with flavors reminiscent of barbeque, Southern comfort food and a fruity fiasco. The meal costs $20, but it's one of those South Florida dishes that you just have to try.

Betty's Soul Food & Barbecue
601 N.W. 22nd Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
(954) 583-9121

You can't do a list about fried chicken without mentioning a soul food restaurant, and there is none better than Betty's in Fort Lauderdale. Here, you can pick up favorites like ox tail and catfish, but we're here to talk about fried chicken. It's just like grandma used to make - if grandma was born and raised in the South and pan fried your favorite fried chicken on Sunday morning. Pair it with some collard greens, mac and cheese and a side of corn bread and you've got an authentic Southern meal. Don't worry about your attire or reservations because here, everybody is home..

Related: Top Spots For Southern Comfort Food In South Florida

Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at .