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We get it. Angelenos have a steady supply of pristine, seasonal produce at their disposal, but sometimes, it’s more satisfying to opt for comfort food that may not be local, organic, or sustainable, but still tastes damn good. It is with great appreciation for an evergreen comfort food classic that Food GPS presents 15 of the best fried chicken sandwiches in L.A.
The Hungry Cat [CLOSED]
This Santa Monica spinoff from David Lentz resides at the base of Channel Road, which spills into PCH and the wide beach. Walk past a hallway lined with baskets of shells, a raw bar decorated with a menacing diver’s helmet, and a giant tuna that hangs on the wall, to reach the dining room. Just once, ignore all the seafood options in favor of the Fried Chicken Sandwich ($15) featuring juicy thigh meat, pickled jalapeño, and a tangy, sweet slaw that incorporates cabbage and cucumber. The sandwich comes with crispy skin-on French fries that bathe in scalding rice oil before getting tossed with parsley. – JL
Michael Voltaggio’s more casual creative outlet showcases thoughtful, snack-sized sandwiches down the block from his ink. flagship. Cold-Fried Chicken ($5) consists of chicken thighs that his team cooks sous vide before they’re breaded, fried and chilled. A centrifuge helps to separate curd from tangy buttermilk, which joins ranch seasoning in a “cheese.” Hot sauce from Gindo’s Spice of Life adds some punch, completing a sandwich that comes on a chewy, ciabatta-like roll. – JL
MessHall Kitchen resides in the hills of Los Feliz and is complete with a natural juice bar, beautiful wooden tables, and fancy, outdoor fireplace. The Fried Chicken Sando ($15) is available during their fabulous weekend brunch. The heaping piece of fried chicken is served up with a mild honey mustard sauce, fresh spinach, bright and tasty pickles and a large side of thick, seasoned French fries. The chicken is great and the sandwich is even better. – TM
The Santa Monica Promenade is where you’ll find a delicious fried chicken sandwich specimen ($12). A juicy Jidori breast with a whole lot of fried is sandwiched betwixt a brioche bun. A hefty portion of spicy mayo coleslaw, pickles and tart apples accompany the chicken on the bun while a pickled, vegetable medley accompanies the sandwich on the plate. It’s big, it’s messy, but boy is it worth every bite. Extra bonuses about The Misfit: free salted chocolate chip cookies and a happy hour that starts impressively early (noon -7pm). – TM
Blog Comments
nomsnotbombs
June 21, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Josh, these are some pretty bougie sandwiches for that intro! Haha.
Food GPS
June 21, 2013 at 4:25 PM
nomsnotbombs, Inflation might be to blame, but it’s hard to find a good fried chicken sandwich these days for less than $10. I tried a bunch of other fried chicken sandwiches for research’s sake, some at lower price points, but none of them were up to standard when it came to quality. For example, there’s a spot inside a Highland Park grocery store called Monte 52 that only charges $5 for their fried chicken sandwich, and it’s pretty good if you’re already in the neighborhood, but not worth a special trip.