The top fried chicken in San Diego

Oh, fried chicken. It’s on the list of just about everyone’s biggest food vices and also the biggest sources of food-based joys. When cooked to perfection, it’s crispy on the outside, but melt-in-your-mouth juicy and tender on the inside, this is one of those meals that will never get old.

Crack Shack

One of the hottest spots to go and get your chicken fix these days is the crack shack. The recently opened San Diego restaurant with locations in Encinitas and Little Italy boasts plentiful options for your chicken needs. Try the coop deville sandwich, made with fried chicken, pickled fresno chiles, lime mayo, napa cabbage all on brioche bread. Or just grab an order of straight fried chicken served in 5 or 10 piece servings.

407 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas or 2266 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. crack-shack.com

Crispy Fried Chicken

This place is strictly business. Go if you’re looking for chicken strips, or just straight up crispy, fried chicken. While this joint does offer seafood varieties, stick with the chicken for the purposes of this here ode to chicken - and the fact that the chicken really is the best menu item.

4919 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon. crispyfriedchickensd.com

StreetCar Merchants of Fried Chicken, Doughnuts and Coffee

This cute coffee-meets-doughnut-meets-chicken shop makes a mean fried chicken and waffles that help quell that specific, savory sweetness desire. Don’t be fooled by the cuteness, they serve up Nashville-style chicken, Southern fried chicken and wings. You can even purchase a full fried bird here, if you want to.

4002 30th St., North Park or 811 Prospect St., La Jolla. streetcarmerchants.com

Hash House A Go-Go

The dish to order here, no doubt, is the Big O sage fried chicken and waffle tower. It’s made with two sage-fried chicken breasts, smoked bacon waffle, a hot maple reduction, fried leaks and two eggs. Fried chicken is appropriate at all times - even for breakfast.

3628 Fifth Ave., downtown. hashhouseagogo.com