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Crispy guide to 10 fried chicken spots that’ll have you shakin’ your tailfeather

Crispy guide to 10 fried chicken spots that’ll have you shakin’ your tailfeather

Jul 7, 20203 min read

When it comes to simple foods, few have the appeal of fried chicken. Even celebrity chefs proudly profess their love for Popeyes.

And these are their own recipes, some now Broaster chicken like you’d find at doughnut shops.

Asian Sofrito

2530 N. First Ave.

Soup, fried rice, tostones, and fried chicken at Asian Sofrito (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Soup, fried rice, tostones, and fried chicken at Asian Sofrito (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Asian Sofrito, as you would expect, is not a southern restaurant. But they have flavorful, crunchy fried chicken. Their recipe is secret, but garlic and oregano in a lengthy marinade might have to do with it.

For more information, call (520) 207-5701. Keep up with Asian Sofrito on Facebook.

Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

1801 N. Stone Ave.

Fried chicken (Photo courtesy of Brother John's Beer, Bourbon & BBQ)
Fried chicken (Photo courtesy of Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ)

Brother John’s brines their half chicken in seasoned buttermilk for at least a couple of days, then fries it to order (give them 20 minutes). It’s served with mashed potatoes, pan gravy, and buttered green beans. Make sure to take advantage of their extensive beer and whiskey selection, too.

For more information, call (520) 867-6787 or visit brotherjohnsbbq.com.

Commoner & Co.

6960 E. Sunrise Dr.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B998ecmB_2z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A longstanding tradition, Commoner sells their fried chicken every Tuesday from 4 p.m. until it is sold out.

For more information, visit commonertucson.com.

The Drunken Chicken

429 N. Fourth Ave.

Chicken & Waffle with Bourbon Maple Syrup at the Drunken Chicken (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Chicken & Waffle with Bourbon Maple Syrup at the Drunken Chicken (Credit: Jackie Tran)

These are technically chicken strips, but they are excellent chicken strips. But please, Drunken Chicken, please add dark meat as an option.

For more information, visit thedrunkenchickenaz.com.

Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue

5250 E. 22nd St.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mu816lQ1q/

The fried chicken isn’t always on the menu, but make sure to grab some when it’s available on special.

For more information, call (520) 745-4746 or visit kenshardwoodbbq.com.

Lucky Wishbone

For a list of locations, click here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWigAjXHHk3/

With locations all over town and affordable quantities, it’s a party pleaser and pleasant picnic plus. You might as well pick up some shrimp and steak fingers too.

For more information, visit luckywishbone.com.

Saguaro Corners

3750 S. Old Spanish Trail

Saguaro Corners
Photo by C.J. Hamm

Nestled among the stately saguaro, this east Tucson icon features the PicNic Chicken. It’s bone-in dark meat with cheesy grits, porky greens, Cholula honey butter.

Keep up with Saguaro Corners on Facebook

Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse

4900 W. Ajo Hwy

Fried chicken at Tiny's Saloon & Steakhouse (Credit: Gloria Knott)
Fried chicken at Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse (Credit: Gloria Knott)

Tucked away west on Ajo Highway, Tiny’s is a hub of activity in the neighborhood. Though the burgers, steaks, and wings grab the attention, the fried chicken is a crispy contender as well.

Keep up with Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse on Facebook.

Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen

1655 S. Alvernon Way

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJ-BWUj0lY/

While the chicken sandwich is the star here, you can also order your conventional fried chicken as Southern Crispy Chicken on the menu.

Read our June 2020 article “Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen” now open on South Alvernon Way.

For more information, visit tossfriedchickenandramen.com.

Union Public House

4340 N. Campbell Ave.

Chicken & Waffle at Union Public House (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Chicken & Waffle at Union Public House (Credit: Jackie Tran)

The half-chicken in the Chicken & Waffle features satisfyingly crunch craggedy edges from the buttermilk brine mingling with the breading.

For more information, visit uniontucson.com.

Where’s your favorite fried chicken in town? Let us know in the comments.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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Tucson’s barbecue options range from food trucks to full-service dining rooms. Some focus on classic Texas-style plates with butcher paper and simple sides. Others experiment with fusion dishes that blend barbecue with Mexican and Southwestern flavors. This variety gives diners plenty of options, whether they want a quick lunch or a sit-down meal.

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It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. 

Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week.

Produced by Tucson Foodie 
Presented by @Visittucson 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonLAST CALL! It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week. Produced by Tucson Foodie Presented by @Visittucson #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucson
@Tortillaschiwas is currently in its soft opening at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory.

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Tortillas Chiwas is currently open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 pm with 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Photos by @tortillaschiwas 
Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews@Tortillaschiwas is currently in its soft opening at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory. Phoenix restaurateurs Armando Hernandez and chef Nadia Holguin, a James Beard-nominated duo originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, are behind the restaurant. Tortillas Chiwas is currently open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 pm with 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable. Photos by @tortillaschiwas Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews