Maybe as a kid your mom fried up chicken for a picnic at the park or as a Sunday dinner. The best leaves the meat moist and juicy on the inside with a crispy batter fried, maybe even twice, to a perfect crunch.
In the Des Moines metro, diners have myriad options for fried chicken, whether at a restaurant specializing in Southern food, at a fast-casual stop for to-go orders, or even inside a liquor store. Fans of fried chicken can try Korean fried chicken with its double fried coating and dipping sauces, Nashville hot for a fiery five-alarm option, and even a fried chicken recipe just like grandma makes.
This guide to fried chicken in the greater Des Moines area offers a handful of places to try, not an entire Yellow Pages of options. Here’s a look at some of the finest fried chicken in the metro.
Americana
Head to the reliable Americana near Pappajohn Sculpture Park for lunch to order the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner with a basket of brined and seasoned tenders served with fries. Diners can make it a Nashville hot dish or order dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard or hoisin barbecue.
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Location: 1312 Locust St., Des Moines
Contact: 515-283-1312 or americanadsm.com
Basic Bird
Get your chicken fried twice with Korean fried chicken. Basic Bird in the Beaverdale neighborhood from chef Joe Tripp offers his rendition with a thin, crispy crust that can be sweet or spicy. Opt for sweet honey butter, spicy gochujang, or a combination of both to coat the chicken. Diners can also order a bone-in chicken or a sandwich on brioche bun.
Location: 2607 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Contact: basicbird.com
Another option: What Dak opened at 9250 University Ave. in West Des Moines with Korean fried chicken with soy garlic, spicy or sweet. Find it at whatdak.com.
More:Korean fried chicken, kimchi rice, honey butter fries and more arrive at the new Basic Bird in Beaverdale
Bubba
When in the South, order fried chicken. The Southern comfort food restaurant Bubba from Chris Diebel and Orchestrate Hospitality is all about fried chicken, served for lunch, dinner, or brunch. Bubba starts with certified organic chicken that’s brined in buttermilk, then breaded, seasoned and fried as it’s ordered. Order two or three pieces, or a half bird, and the delve into options such as hot, honey hot, or smothered in gravy. Order chicken and waffles for brunch or dinner, or a fried chicken sandwich at lunch. And pair any of these crispy options with fried green tomatoes or deviled eggs.
Location: 200 10th St., Des Moines
Contact: 515-257-4744 or bubbadsm.com
Charlotte’s Kitchen
Founders Michael Hanstad and Robert Doan opened their standalone fast-casual restaurant in Johnston in 2021. Hanstad said his maternal grandmother, Charlotte, taught him how to cook and inspired his restaurant. Charlotte’s Kitchen specializes in fried chicken sandwiches, but diners can order it as a wrap, too. Nashville hot is one options, while a crab Rangoon and weekly special are others. Add sides such as cheese curds, Brussels sprouts or mac and cheese for a full meal.
Location: 6150 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Contact: 515-859-6257 or charlotteskitchendsm.com
More:Chicken sandwich restaurant Charlotte's Kitchen is keeping grandmas center stage in new Johnston location
The Chicken
Orilla was once its own town, a hamlet, and now is a neighborhood in West Des Moines where diners can go for fried chicken at The Chicken. The restaurant offers Nashville Hot boneless fried chicken with fries and a biscuit, boneless chicken strips, or the Iowa hot boneless fried chicken tossed in a buttery seasoning blend. Diners can also order a broasted chicken dinner that can also be made with Nashville hot sauce for a sweat-worthy meal.
Location: 4221 S.E. Orilla Road, West Des Moines
Contact: 515-410-2520 or thechickenorilla.com
More:The Chicken, a new West Des Moines restaurant and bar, opens on Great Western bike trail
Chicken Heat
Back in 2021, Chicken Heat started as a food truck serving pain-inducing Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. Now it has a brick-and-mortar location in Des Moines for hot, hot, hot chicken. Diners can choose their sauce, from plain up to ghost pepper or Carolina reaper.
Location: 1101 Army Post Road, Des Moines
Contact: 515-318-3715 or chickenheat.com
The Chicken Shack
This chain out of Las Vegas offers fresh, never frozen, fried chicken entrees that use sauces and rubs ranging from garlic Parmesan and lemon pepper to hot chili garlic, Jamaican jerk and Asian sesame. Diners can order anything from chicken fries and wings or chicken fingers and sandwiches.
Location: 1501 E. Euclid Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-901-5985 or mychickenshack.com
High Life Lounge
Step back in time to a ’70s den decorated with wood paneling, low-slung ceilings, and vintage beer signs and order the broasted chicken at the High Life Lounge. The restaurant broasts its chicken in a pressure cooker to ensure each piece comes out with a juicy inside and crispy skin. Order combinations of white and dark meats, then pair your meal with mashed potatoes and gravy or broccoli.
Location: 200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines
Contact:thehighlifelounge.com
Iowa Machine Shed
It’s all about supper at the Iowa Machine Shed, which turns any meal into a feast. The Urbandale comfort food restaurants serves its classic fried chicken with four pieces dredged through “secret spices” and served with breads and family style fixins’. Order some mashed potatoes on the side for a country good treat.
Location: 11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Contact: 515-270-6818 or machineshed.com
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Head to West Des Moines for Cajun-spiced fried chicken from Krispy Krunchy Chicken inside the Super Quick Liquor Store. Order by the piece, in a chicken sandwich or as chicken tenders. Each features a mild Cajun marinade and custom breading.
Location: 1800 22nd St., West Des Moines
Contact: 515-601-2141 or https://www.krispykrunchy.com
Slim Chickens
Jeff Brands opened Arkansas-based fast-casual chain Slim Chickens in Ankeny with plans to open at least nine locations across Iowa. Order hand-breaded chicken tenders in wraps, salads, and even with waffles.
Location: 1730 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
Contact: 515-985-0555 or slimchickens.com
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her onFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram, or drop her a line atsstapleton@gannett.com.
