Breast, Wing, Thigh- Oh My!

One thing Southerners take quite seriously-- other than the sweetness of the tea-- is their FRIED CHICKEN. Crispy breast portion or chicken tender? White meat or dark? Does boneless chicken even count?? Which part of the bird is the beak... err,... peak of perfection?

No matter how you slice, dice, or serve it, fried chicken is an experience, and one that Spartanburg does well. So we set out to find the best of the Burg's fried chicken offerings-- new concepts, family favorites, and Hub City icons alike.

Here's the top ten chicken joints in Spartanburg, (in alphabetical order of course, because their rated order is up to your taste buds to decide.)

Note: Chicken wings are a category all on their own, and this list features restaurants specifically of note for their fried chicken selections.

The Beacon Drive-In: (255 John B White Sr Blvd, Spartanburg)

This classic Spartanburg drive-in is nationally famous for many things-- chili cheese "a-plenty," onion rings piled high atop the burgers, the Beacon's commercially-sold sweet tea, legendary local J.C. Stroble,...

What you may not know is the delicious secret of The Beacon's fried chicken plates. Customize your favorite pieces, or opt for a family takeout box of eight or sixteen pieces. Be sure to grab a gallon of tea and a peach cobbler to go with it!

Charlene's Home Cooking: (1136 East Blackstock Rd, Moore)

Nothing says, "Cooking from the Heart," like some Southern-style Soul Food, and Charlene's Home Cooking is the place to find it. Chalkboard specials-- ranging from fried chicken, to fried ribs, to oxtail-- are updated on Charlene's facebook page, varying by season and local availability.

Since 2013, this soul food favorite has wowed with both delicious Southern staples and hospitality. “This is more than just a restaurant or business to us. It’s a ministry,” says Charlene. “You could come in with nothing, and we’d hope to do something to make your day better." Read more on Charlene Davis' eatery here.

Duncan Family Restaurant: (159 West Main St, Duncan)

Duncan Family Restaurant is the definition of small town country cooking. In addition to their daily meat & three plates-- including Southern fried chicken and boneless fried chicken breast-- check out the daily specials, updated on their Facebook page. You might wait a hot minute for your chicken, but for good reason; it's fried fresh to order.

Flavorshack Hot Chicken & Ribs: (2144 East Main St, Duncan)

Nashville hot chicken? Chicken pot pie?! Chicken and waffles?!? (Need we say more?)Flavorshack is bringing the heat to Duncan, with everything from hot chicken sandwiches, to hickory smoked ribs, to crispy chicken tenders the size of your hand.

Pro-tip: Pair your hot chicken with a strawberry lemonade or margarita, and finish it off with a housemade pudding.

Flock Shop: (970 South Pine St, Spartanburg)

WHAT THE FLOCK?! Flock Shop is part of Hub City Hospitality, the team behind Willy Taco and Fr8yard. Enjoy their dry-brined, buttermilk, hot chicken in sandwich form, slathered in your sauce of choice, chopped over salad, covered in gravy and egg for brunch, or even suspended above a Bloody Mary cocktail-- (yes, they went there.) And don't forget the sides! In true Southern fashion, pair your fried chicken with pimento cheese mac&cheese, collard greens, smoked bacon and goat cheese grits, and more.

You can't truly experience EAT DRINK FLOCK SHOP without a drink in-hand. In addition to their draft cocktails and craft beer selection, find an exclusive collaboration brew with Rockers Brewing Co on tap. Every Rail Trail Pale Ale (5.3%abv, dry-hopped American pale) sold donates to enhancing the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail-- the urban trail that Flock Shop is located on, which features rental B-Cycles, the Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park, a Panthers Play60 playground, fitness equipment, the Rail Tail Dog Park, and more.

Hub City Chicken & More: (451 East Henry St, Spartanburg)

Hub City Chicken might be one of downtown Spartanburg's best kept secrets. This local favorite has a quirky, country exterior, with some of the most delicious fried chicken served inside. Even better: There's a drive-thru! Don't forget the sweet tea and sweet potato crunch.

Pro-tip: Order the Chicken Pot Pie. Trust us. This pot pie is made fresh daily, with flaky pastry crust, and WILL sell out.

Lake Bowen Fish Camp: (8580 SC-9, Inman)

Whether you've spent an afternoon on the lake, or admired boats from afar, end the day with a tray of fried chicken and fish, piled high. Known locally as simply "the Fish Camp," this Inman mainstay has been serving up their fried classics since 1979. While fish is their "cornbread and butter," to say, don't sleep on Lake Bowen's fried chicken and chicken livers! They also make a mean chicken stew.

Mustard Seed BBQ & Country Cooking: (2000 SJ Workman Hwy, Woodruff)

Is any Soul Food restaurant complete without fried chicken? Mustard Seed offers up crispy chicken, BBQ, and all the fixin's, served buffet-style in Woodruff.

Wade's Restaurant: (1000 North Pine St, Spartanburg)

Spartanburg natives may know Wade's from Sunday meat & three lunches, from Wade's original South Pine Street location, or even from their clever vegetable pun billboards. This Spartanburg family classic has been serving up their Southern plates since 1947, famous for their yeast rolls and Wade's Famous Fried Chicken!

"When you're hungry for homemade,... Eat at Wade's."

Woodward's Cafe: (1928-2005)

While Woodward's Cafe is sadly no longer in business at 438 Stevens St, the legend of its fried chicken lives on STRONG in the minds and bellies of Spartanburg residents. We'd be remiss to not acknowledge this historic favorite, which was nominated for Southern Living's best fried chicken in Spartanburg.

Woodward's was known for its homestyle dining, with everything on the menu made from scratch. The 1928 cafe was one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the City of Spartanburg, and closed in 2005 after a kitchen grease fire.

“It was quite interesting how people would come there to eat and enjoy just being there - no matter what race they were,” said James Talley, former Spartanburg mayor. Whitmire [Woodward's second generation owner] “had something that drew people together where they weren’t concerned about blacks and whites eating together or sitting together,” he said. Read more of Robert Woodward, Charles "Spot" Whitmire, and Woodward's Cafe's legacies here.

And there you have it, the top ten highest rated fried chicken spots in Spartanburg! Check out these local eateries, and show some small business love.

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Do you have memory of Spartanburg restaurants past to share? InTheBurg wants to hear from you! Send us an email at idea@intheburg864.com.