Houston’s best fried chicken

Reservations fill up quickly for the once-a-month fried-chicken dinner at Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Midtown.

I developed a love affair with fried chicken during childhood. Whether it was handmade with loving care by my grandmother, or eaten at the neighborhood Church’s or KFC, fried chicken with tender meat and a crispy crust was one of my favorite meals.

This comfort food has morphed into a fashionable menu item at some upscale restaurants, like Max’s Wine Dive, which serves a coveted version soaked for 36 hours in buttermilk and jalapeño. Those looking for the classic fried-chicken experience can still enjoy familiar fast-food spots such as the original Frenchy’s on Scott Street and Popeye’s. Or maybe you have discovered fried chicken for breakfast or brunch, paired with waffles, biscuits, doughnuts or champagne.

I set out to find some of the best fried-chicken spots around town for this month’s Restaurant Listings. If I missed some good ones, send us a note at [email protected] or leave a comment under this story so we can share them with readers – and I can continue my research.

Buzz dining contributor Russell Weil is a native, second-generation Houstonian who loves the history of his hometown and all things burger. Author of the blog Eat More Burgers, Russell enjoys finding new dining spots with his monthly “Burger Buddy Adventure Group.” Russell also is a longtime docent at Holocaust Museum Houston and a senior account executive and project manager at Marion Integrated Marketing. Check out his blog at eat-more-burgers.com. Regular Buzz dining columnist Dai Huynh will return this spring.