Best Fried Chicken In Atlanta: Here's What You Said

ATLANTA, GA — Asking folks in Georgia who makes the best fried chicken can be akin to bringing up politics or religion at Sunday dinner (when, no doubt, some delicious fried chicken is being served).

But, here at Patch, we were willing to take the risk. We asked where your favorite chicken in the metro Atlanta area is served and, boy, did you respond. Nearly 100 of you had some strong feelings about the best yardbird around.

(Special shout-out to the Patch reader who voted for "My Beautiful Wife." We both believe you and eagerly look forward to our Sunday-dinner invitation!)

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And, perhaps because the Southern fried delicacy is so beloved around these parts, there was no runaway winner. Lots of spots, from Canton to Douglasville and at all points in between, got some Patch-reader love. Here's a look at some of your favorites:

• Narrowly edging out a few other Atlanta institutions, Matthews' Cafeteria, in Tucker, got one more vote than its closest competitor, earning the top spot in our readers' minds, and bellies. Opened on Main Street by P.T. and Ruby Matthews in 1956 on the former site of a brick and coal yard, Matthews' serves up Southern-style meat-and-three fare, including tasty chicken, and has been featured far and wide. "Hand battered and fried to a golden brown," one Patch reader wrote. "Has been featured on 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives' and countless magazines. Been in business over 50 years."
• Coming in right behind Matthews' was a slate of other Atlanta-area icons. The Colonnade and Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta, and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, with locations throughout the metro area, were just a couple of votes away from taking the top spot. "I love the spices and the crispy texture of the breading," one reader wrote about Gus's.
• Your votes showed what a lot of fried chicken fans already know — don't count out the big chains. Publix, with locations everywhere, got just as many votes as some of those decades-old landmarks for its tasty takeout. Louisiana-based Popeye's also got more than a little love.
• A handful of newer spots also got a groundswell of support. Revival, in Decatur, South City Kitchen, in Midtown and Vinings, and Table & Main in Roswell had more than a few fans. So did Downtown Kitchen in Canton and The Marietta Local in, you guessed it, Marietta. "Kevin Gillespie's grandma's recipe — just like the cornbread and macaroni and cheese," one reader wrote about Revival. "Good, old-fashioned Southern home cooking with heart."

Also making our long list of friend-chicken purveyors you love (in no particular order):

• Burke's Grill, Douglasville
• Folks, multiple locations
• John Boy's, Marietta
• Soul Delicious Grill & Buffet, Morrow
• J.R.'s Loghouse, Norcross
• Hop's Chicken at Ponce City Market, Atlanta
• The Magnolia Thomas Restaurant, Woodstock
• Big Willie's Hot Stuff, Marietta
• It Is What It Is Wings & Things, Lithonia
• Bojangle's, multiple locations
• Flatlands Bourbon and Bayou, Alpharetta
• Kroger, multiple locations
• Moore's Gourmet Market, Cartersville
• New Georgian Hills Restaurant, Canton
• Buckner's, Jackson
• Summit Chase Country Club, Snellville
• Midway Meal House, Cumming
• Public House, Lilburn
• The Chicken and the Egg, Marietta
• Wahoo Grill, Decatur
• Doug's Place, Emerson
• Big Chick, Washington
• Krispy Krunchy Chicken, multiple locations
• Busy Bee Cafe, Atlanta
• Chick-Fil-A, multiple locations
• The Mill Kitchen and Bar, Roswell
• Fried Tomatoes, Marietta
• The Brunch Apothecary, Dacula
• Stack's Kitchen, Johns Creek
• Golden Corral, multiple locations
• Harold's Chicken and Ice Bar, Marietta
• Strange Taco Bar, Lawrenceville
• Agave, Atlanta
• Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House, Savannah

Also, a special congratulations to Morgan McDonald, of Kennesaw. She was randomly selected from our list of voters to receive a $50 Amazon gift card from Patch. Now let's all get out there and try out some of this tasty chicken!

Photo courtesy Matthews Cafeteria