Mobileâs best fried chicken: Our top 5
Ask the almighty Internet for recommendations on the best fried chicken in the Mobile region, and you’ll get a mixed combo of results.
You’ll be directed indiscriminately to fast-food chains, local specialists and places that appear to be closed. Certain places that aren’t necessarily known for chicken nonetheless rank high in survey after survey. Mary’s Southern Cooking is one. Mama’s on Dauphin is another.
But for this survey, I decided to stick with places that stake their reputations on their ability to fry up a chicken. They do it all day every day and they put it right up their in their names and on their signs.
READ: Birmingham’s best fried chicken: Our top 5
Huntsville’s best fried chicken: Our top 5
A three-piece combo from Danny’s in Robertsdale comes with the lightest, fluffiest biscuit you could ask for.Lawrence Specker | [email protected]
5. Danny’s Fried Chicken
22697 State Highway 59 S., eatatdannys.com
The sign out front says, “It’ll make you smile,” and how can you not love that? I visited on a day when the restaurant’s lobby was closed and an air-conditioning company was on the premises installing what looked like a whole new AC system. The temperature was in the upper 90s, so goodness knows what it was in the neighborhood of that fryer. But God bless ‘em, they were in there frying up chicken for the lunch crowd. If more people worked that hard to make me happy, I’d be really happy.
Order this: My mixed three-piece combo came with two breasts and a drumstick. That plus two sides and a drink ran me an even $11.
The Hart’s Fried Chicken logo has been familiar to Mobilians for several generations now. The guarantee on the box says, “We will replace any items returned to us if you are not completely satisfied.”Lawrence Specker | [email protected]
4. Hart’s Fried Chicken
Two stores in Mobile, one in Prichard, one in Saraland; www.hartsfriedchicken.com
This small family owned, Mobile-based chain opened in 1964, so it has a lot of local history. Not to mention a lot of local partisans. Second-generation company leader Robert Johnson (who’s son Matt is the third-generation president) told AL.com in 2022 that the company’s lightly breaded chicken is cooked under pressure, which “packs the seasoning into the meat.” Hart’s offers a bit of an old-school fast-food vibe, in a good way.
Order this: You can’t go wrong with the basic mixed three-piece combo.
RELATED: You won’t believe the history behind Hart’s Fried Chicken
Looking for fried chicken livers? At JJ’s you can have them served over rice and topped with gravy and onions.David Holloway | [email protected]
3. JJ’s Seafood & Chicken
5681 Nevius Road in Mobile; jjsseafoodchicken.com
JJ’s is a relative upstart on the Mobile-area fried chicken scene, but its parking lot tended to experience overflow conditions from the beginning. It’s not hard to figure out why: In addition to fried chicken, fried shrimp and other fried goodies, the menu offers gumbo, a selection of grilled entrees and daily specials such as pot roast and chicken alfredo.
Order this: If you’re in the mood, the fried chicken livers over a bed of rice and onions with gravy is a heroic meal. Whatever mood you’re in, don’t miss out on the mac & cheese.
RELATED: Love fried chicken livers? This Alabama seafood joint has ‘em (and more if you don’t)
Neighbor’s puts an interesting twist on fried squash (at right), serving it in big wedges suitable for dipping.Lawrence Specker | [email protected]
2. Neighbor’s Seafood & Chicken
5830 Three Notch Road in Mobile; neighborsseafood.com
The funniest moment of this fried chicken quest was when I was sitting in my car in the parking lot at Neighbor’s, waiting for the 11 a.m. opening. As I sat there looking at my phone, I suddenly was hit by the smell of fried chicken. I looked up. It was 11:02 a.m. It was like they’d flipped a switch. Or as if they’d somehow kept the aroma bottled in until the door opened for the first customer at 11, and it took 120 seconds to waft across the parking lot and into my vehicle. Anyway, this locally owned restaurant has been serving “traditional Southern comfort food” since 1992, and the sign spells it out: Seafood – Chicken – Vegetables.” (Does anybody else put “vegetables” on the sign?) The chicken is excellent. Daily specials include Chicken Parmesan, pot roast, chicken & dumplings and more; livers and gizzards also are the menu.
Order this: As a side note (see what I did there?), the fried squash is cut into wedges suitable for dipping, so don’t be surprised when they ask if you want ranch dressing with your squash. You probably do.
The bland exterior of the Daphne Champy’s hides a funky, welcoming interior, a welcome contrast.Lawrence Specker | [email protected]
1. Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken
27080 U.S. 98 in Daphne. Other stores are in Alabaster, Madison and Muscle Shoals. champyschicken.com.
Maybe I should feel bad picking a chain, but I don’t. First off, Champy’s isn’t a very chainy chain. Erin and Todd Putnam opened the second-ever Champy’s in Daphne in 2011. Secondly, every piece of chicken is fried to order. Thirdly, I like the overall experience: Champy’s has a dining room with the feel of a neighborhood pub or a friendly juke joint, for a little more character than a fast-food joint or a standard café. The menu is tight, compared to the other places, and that means the chicken has to impress. It does.
Order this: Whatever else you do, you need to try the tamales, a nod to Champy’s roots in Mississippi. And while you won’t find fried seafood platters and po-boys on the menu, the catfish plate is excellent.
READ: Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken: Exactly what you’re expecting, with a few surprises
More on Mobile food:
Mobile’s best doughnuts: Our top 3
Mobile’s best meat-and-threes: Our top 5
Mobile’s best hot dogs: Our Top 5
Mojeaux’s rising: Veteran chef blends Cajun, soul food, fine-dining influences
A unique partnership landed this restaurant on a prime Alabama beach