Best fried chicken in the Tacoma area? Here’s what TNT readers had to say
There are lots of places to score some fried chicken in Tacoma, whether it’s served with waffles, jos or just as is.
The News Tribune recently asked readers to vote for their favorite fried chicken in the area, whether it be from a fast food joint, a diner or a grocery store.
Two spots are tied for first, and another made the list via write-in votes. Here are the results.
1. Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles (tie)
- 3709 S. G St., Tacoma
- 253-201-1550
- buddyschickenandwaffles.com
- Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday
You can access these well-seasoned chicken tenders and waffles at the brick-and-mortar Buddy’s in Lincoln District or via Buddy’s food truck, which roams around greater Pierce County. The chicken comes in original or Hot AF, and waffle varieties include Strawberry Shortcake, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Southern Cornbread. Two massive tenders with a waffle starts at $16. Chicken also comes between two buns or alongside seasoned fries. Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles is also set to open a second brick-and-mortar location this year.
1. Anglea’s Restaurant (tie)
- 7511 Portland Ave. E., Tacoma
- 253-531-9329
- facebook.com/AngleasRestaurant
- Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
This diner in Midland has been around for nearly 80 years, known for its chicken and jos and homemade sweet treats. A four-piece chicken and jos meal is $20.99, going all the way up to a 15-piece for $48.99. The poultry is broken down in house and served with a special sour cream-based sauce. Along with fried chicken and jos, fried chicken and spaghetti is a frequent special at Anglea’s. If neither of those is your thing, Anglea’s also makes chicken wings and a chicken strip basket.
3. Hans’s Place Tavern
- 6405 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
- 253-474-6503
- hanssplacetavern.com
- Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Readers agree with TNT Diner’s Kristine Sherred that Hans’s is the place to go for some chicken and jos. The dive bar has been serving up the regional meal since the 1940s. A half chicken and jos goes for $16, while other parts of the chicken, like drummies, wings, tenders and thighs, are in the $9.50 to $13 range. Along with the classic potato wedge jos, you can order potato chunks or fries.
4. 2121 Pub & Grill
- 2121 112th St. E., No. 3729, Tacoma
- 253-536-2100
- 2121pub.com
- Open 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
This Midland pub was not included in the TNT’s original list, but readers pledged their love for this tavern via write-in votes. The chicken and jos here are $21.99, but you can also get drums, wings and gizzards. 2121 Tavern also serves chicken strips and a crispy chicken sandwich.
5. Southern Kitchen
- 1716 6th Ave., Tacoma
- 253-627-4282
- southernkitchen-tacoma.com
- Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
This spot on Sixth Ave specializes in Southern comfort food, and that includes fried chicken. Gloria’s Southern Fried Chicken Feast comes with a breast, wing, thigh and leg plus two sides for $25.95, while the Chicken Wing Dinner comes with four fried chicken wings in original or BBQ for $21.95. If you’re looking for heat, the fried chicken sandwich comes in original or spicy and goes for $14.95.
6. The Chicken Supply
- 4328 6th Ave., Tacoma (at Beer Star)
- 206-257-4460
- thechickensupply.com
- Open 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, closed Sunday through Tuesday
This food truck arrived in Tacoma just last year, expanding from its original brick-and-mortar location in Seattle. The Filipino-style fried chicken is double fried in a gluten-free breading after being brined with ginger, lemon, garlic and other tasty components. A single wing goes for $4.50, and drums and thighs are available. You also can get a box of chicken “bites” for $15. Sides include house pickles, coconut collard greens and loaded fries with a lemon soy aioli. Note that The Chicken Supply only accepts walk-up orders, no pre-orders.
7. KKO KKO
- 11113 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood
- 253-584-1865
- kkokkoplace.com
- Open 4 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday through Tuesday
This late-night spot specializes in Korean fried chicken in over a dozen varieties. That includes the sweet-and-spicy special chicken, orange chicken, chicken feet, fried chicken gizzard and honey-garlic chicken. Most fried chicken meals start at $14.99 for a small and $25.99 for a large.
Along with the restaurants mentioned on The News Tribune’s original list, readers showed love for the fried chicken at Saar’s Super Saver Foods, Winco, Krispy Krunchy Chicken and Ezell’s Chicken.
