Kentucky might be hailed as *the* fried chicken capital of the country (Corbin *is* the Birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken, after all), but Ohio certainly holds its own in terms of this all-American favorite. All across the Buckeye State, you'll find an array of places poultry fans flock to when a craving for crispy, finger-lickin' fried chicken strikes; these are longstanding local favorites that give the 'ole Colonel a run for his money and serve the best fried chicken in Ohio. Case in point: five fan-favorites that are considered the best fried chicken restaurants in Ohio.
1. Hitching Post Kellogg - World's Best Fried Chicken
This restaurant boasts itself as the "world's best fried chicken" -- and locals agree. The chicken is perfectly seasoned and served with oodles of gravy, and it's so popular that folks can order a 100-piece bucket to share. Now we're talking.
2. Schoolhouse Restaurant
Forget the "best fried chicken in Ohio" -- this might well be the best fried chicken in the entire world! I'm not exaggerating, either. I was first introduced to the Schoolhouse's fried chicken as a kid, and between the crispy drumsticks, creamy mashed potatoes, and honey-topped cornbread (all available in unlimited quantities and served on each table's Lazy Susan), the Schoolhouse Restaurant is, for me, the standard by which all other fried chicken is measured.
3. Hopocan Gardens
A longstanding local favorite, Hopocan Gardens in Barberton, Ohio, has been serving up some of the best fried chicken in the country since 1942. The secret? A killed fried chicken recipe that ALWAYS arrives hot and perfectly crispy... and a special spicy wing sauce that takes the whole experience to sizzling heights!
4. Miller's Chicken
Athens is a college town, so the culinary competition here is stiff. You'll find delicious pizzerias and sandwich shops, taquerias and coffee shops, but Miller's Chicken might just top them all. Unassuming yet impossibly charming, Miller's does one thing and does it well: crispy, crunchy, authentic signature fried chicken.
5. Village Inn Chicken
Barberton seems to have the Buckeye State fried chicken market cornered, with Hopocan Gardens (#3), White House Chicken, *and* Village Inn Chicken all within town limits. Each one is worth writing home about, but folks can't get enough of the ridiculously juicy chicken from Village Inn. Paired with homestyle sides, you've got the makings of a memorable meal!
Tell us: where do you go when a fried chicken craving strikes in Ohio? Have you visited any of the best fried chicken restaurants in Ohio before? If your favorite restaurant didn't make the list, please nominate it and tell us what makes it something to cluck about. If you're looking for more great Ohio food, hop in the car and go on this road trip to visit some scrumptious restaurants:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/restaurant-road-trip-oh/
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