Readers: Which place makes your favorite fried chicken in and around Tacoma?
Ah, fried chicken. It seems like it’s everywhere nowadays, whether it’s in tender form, between two buns, served with waffles or alongside jos.
Lots of places in and around Tacoma have some form of fried chicken on the menu, so it’s nearly impossible to list them all. That’s why we want to hear from you, readers.
Where do you find the best fried chicken in the Tacoma area? It could be an unassuming food truck or a local grocery store.
In the poll at the bottom of the article, you can vote for one of the spots we included below or tell us a spot we missed.
Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles
- 3709 S. G St., Tacoma
- 253-201-1550
- buddyschickenandwaffles.com
What started as an uber-popular ghost kitchen in 2021 has expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant (with plans to open another) and a roving food truck. The chicken tenders come in original or Hot AF, and the waffles come in varieties like Southern Cornbread, Strawberry Shortcake, Cookies & Cream and Fruity Pebbles. Chicken and waffles combos start at $16. You can get a side of fries, too, or a chicken sandwich.
The Chicken Supply
- 4328 6th Ave., Tacoma (at Beer Star)
- 206-257-4460
- thechickensupply.com
This food truck on Sixth Ave., with a brick and mortar location in Seattle, specializes in Filipino-style fried chicken, which is double fried for extra crispiness. You can order wings, drums, thighs or bites in regular or spicy, with sides like coconut collard greens and loaded fries. Single pieces of chicken range from $4.25 to $9.25, while sides are in the $5-10 range. Sauces include banana ketchup and Tinian chili hot sauce. Note that the Chicken Supply only accepts walk-up orders, no pre-orders.
Han’s Place Tavern
- 6405 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma
- 253-474-6503
- hanssplacetavern.com
This longtime Tacoma tavern serves up chicken and jos that recently got love from TNT’s own Kristine Sherred. A half chicken and jos goes for $16, while chicken wings, thighs, drummies and middles are in the $9.50-$13 range. Jos are also available in chunks, rather than the classic potato wedges.
Pacific Southern
- 3832 S. Pine St, Tacoma
- 253-474-9898
- pacificsouthernwa.com
This spot in South Tacoma specializes in Southern comfort food. For appetizers, wings come in “wingette” or jumbo sizes, along with fried chicken gizzards. The lunch menu includes a fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy for $16.95, and for dinner, there’s a buttermilk fried chicken meal and chicken and waffles, which both go for $25.95.
Southern Kitchen
- 1716 6th Ave, Tacoma
- 253-627-4282
- southernkitchen-tacoma.com
This soul food restaurant on Sixth Avenue has quite a few types of fried chicken. Gloria’s Southern Fried Chicken Plate comes with two pieces of chicken and two sides for $20.95, but upgrade to the “feast” option for four pieces (a breast, leg, wing and thigh) for $25.95. Southern Kitchen also offers a chicken wing dinner in original or barbecue, a fried chicken sandwich and The 253 Special, which comes with tenders and fries.
Anglea’s Restaurant
- 7511 Portland Ave. E., Tacoma
- 253-531-9329
- facebook.com/AngleasRestaurant
This longtime Midland diner is known for its chicken and jos. A four-piece meal will run you $20.99, while a 15 piece is $48.99. Most weeks, there’s a chicken-and-jo special — 10 piece chicken, 20 jos, rolls and special sauce for $25. Along with chicken and jos, there are chicken tenders and wings in original or barbecue. Fried chicken and spaghetti is also a frequent combination at Anglea’s.
Go Philly
- 1524 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
- 253-572-3000
- gophillycheesesteaks.com
This local cheesesteak spot, with another location in Lakewood, also pumps out quite a few different types of chicken wings, which can be fried upon request. Flavors include hot, mild, lemon pepper, mango habanero or spicy Korean BBQ. A six-piece jump wings meal starts at $9.50, while a 20-piece is $27.99. You can also get a two-, three-, or four-piece chicken tender meal, all for under $20.
KKO KKO Place
- 11113 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood
- 253-584-1865
- kkokkoplace.com
You can satisfy your late-night Korean fried chicken craving at this casual spot in Lakewood, which is also a TNT Diner favorite. The fried chicken comes in variations like plain, spicy, pineapple, honey garlic, teriyaki and more, with small sizes starting at $14.99. You can also grab some fried chicken wings, feet and gizzards, ranging from $14.99 to $18.99. KKO KKO Place stays open until midnight on weekdays and 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
