Take a Bite Out of the Sacramento Fried Chicken Trail

Portland has a Beer Trail. Kentucky has a Bourbon Trail. Wisconsin has a Cheese Trail. Here in Sacramento, we have a Fried Chicken Trail. While Sacramento is more commonly known for its shade canopy (City of Trees), locally grown food (America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital), and flowering shrubs (Camellia City), it’s also making a name for itself when it comes to breaded, deep-fried poultry.

Sacramento’s Fried Chicken Trail is a collection of a dozen-plus restaurants specializing in all forms of the indulgent comfort food. From traditional, all-American buckets to Nashville-style sandwiches and Asian-inspired bites, there are plenty of options for fried chicken in and around Sacramento. Best of all, if you download a pass from Visit Sacramento, you can collect prizes when you check-in at one of the participating restaurants!

Following are some of the chicken shops featured in Sacramento’s Fried Chicken Trail. In addition to the following, other restaurants on the trail include Cafeteria 15L, Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co., Iron Horse Tavern, Public House Downtown, Solomon’s and Tiger.

Skip’s Fish & Chicken | Multiple Locations

Photo courtesy Skip’s Fish & Chicken

With locations in Natomas, Arden Arcade and the Fruitridge/Broadway area of south Sacramento, you don’t have to go far to find a Skip’s. You can build your own basket with tenders, wings, chicken bites and more, or try a chicken po’boy or hot chicken sandwich.

Nash & Proper | Downtown & Elk Grove

Photo courtesy Nash & Proper

If you’re looking for Nashville-style chicken, head to Downtown Sacramento or Elk Grove. Having started as a food truck, Nash & Proper now has two storefronts where they serve their hot chicken alongside the classic fixin’s like white bread and pickles, or on a buttered bun with fuego sauce.

Hawk’s Public House | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy Hawk’s Provisions & Public House

Need to feed the whole crew but looking for something a bit more refined than the colonel? Hawk’s Provisions and Public House in East Sacramento has the solution! Monday nights, they offer a bucket of buttermilk fried chicken, complete with mac & cheese and slaw. Craving fried chicken on a non-Monday? They also have a fried chicken sandwich available during lunch.

Kiki’s Chicken Place | Multiple Locations

Photo courtesy Kiki’s

With stores throughout the greater Sacramento area, including West Sacramento, Roseville and Folsom, there’s sure to be a Kiki’s near you. They specialize in chicken tenders, wings and boneless wings, served alongside your choice of sauce, which includes Buffalo, spicy sweet chili, mango habanero and barbecue. You can also order fries or tots topped with chicken!

Bawk! | Midtown

Photo courtesy Bawk!

This jovial chicken shop/bar in Midtown Sacramento is owned by the same folks who run Urban Roots (which means, of course, you can get their namesake craft beers). They have a variety of fried chicken options, including a bucket of fried chicken, chicken and waffle, hot honey-dipped chicken and chicken sandwiches. They also have a range of dipping sauces, including remoulade and Urban Roots BBQ.

Origami Asian Grill | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy Origami

Located in East Sacramento, Origami is known for its elevated comfort food with influences from Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, including ramen and rice bowls. But its fried chicken has a bit of a cult following, as it’s tossed in a spicy-sweet sauce made from maple, Szechuan peppercorn, orange and rosemary.

Shangri-la | Fair Oaks

Photo courtesy Shangri-la

This sunny hangout in Fair Oaks has a vibe reminiscent of a Palm Springs resort, with outdoor games and an expansive patio dotted with tropical greenery. The menu features global and American classics, including fried chicken with chili honey glaze and a black pepper biscuit.

Go Off Road

Mom & Pop Chicken Shop | El Dorado Hills & Cameron Park

Photo courtesy Mom and Pop Chicken Shop

Although not officially on the Chicken Trail, this chicken shop is a solid bet for those in El Dorado Hills or Cameron Park. They specialize in organic buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches, with traditional toppings such as pimento cheese and Buffalo sauce. But they also have several creative options as well, including the Fluffernutter, which has bacon, peanut butter and marshmallow fluff!