Jordan EllisThere’s nothing quite like the sound of a heavy crunch, followed by steam rising from a perfectly seasoned piece of chicken.
If you’re hunting for the best fried chicken in Columbus, you’ll be happy to know that our city gives you plenty of strong contenders, from spicy Nashville-style tenders to glossy Korean wings.
I focused on places that actually deliver crispy skin, juicy meat, and enough personality to make the trip worth it. If you want a quick sandwich, a family-style feast, or a late-night heat challenge, these are the spots I would keep on your weekend list.
How much does fried chicken cost in Columbus?
A standard individual fried chicken meal or sandwich combo in Columbus typically costs between $8.50 and $12.00.
For those feeding a group, larger family-style feasts that include multiple sides generally range from $32.00 to $48.00.
| Meal Type | Average Price Range |
| Fast-Casual Sandwich or 3-Piece Tender | $8.50 – $12.00 |
| Premium Bone-In or Specialty Wing Combo | $14.00 – $19.00 |
| Family-Style Meals (8 to 12 Pieces with Sides) | $32.00 – $48.00 |
1. Dave’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://restaurants.daveshotchicken.com/
Address: 1828 North High St
Contact: (614) 999-9840
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 10:30 AM – 1:00 AM; Thursday-Saturday, 10:30 AM – 3:00 AM
Dave’s Hot Chicken makes sense if your group wants different levels of heat without arguing over one shared order.
I stopped by the High Street location to test the Reaper level, and the spice was genuinely serious. The draw is the custom heat scale, which runs from No Spice to Reaper, so one person can keep it mild while another goes all in.
The tenders come as sliders on white bread with pickles and Dave’s Sauce, and the late hours make it useful after a campus night out. They also offer Saucy Bites tossed with Mike’s Hot Honey or BBQ.
However, the menu is strictly limited to tenders and sliders. If you’re a fan of traditional bone-in pieces, you will have to look elsewhere, as they don’t offer them here.
Crispy crunchy chicken
Service is brusque and takes a while but the food is worth it. Chicken strips and sliders were really good. Crispy crunchy chicken, with the right amount of spice and salt, and was very juicy. The cauliflower nuggets were very good too.
- Bud Cisco | Google Review
Flavorful and satisfying
Dave’s Hot Chicken delivers on flavor. The chicken was hot, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. You can really taste the quality, and I love that you can choose your spice level depending on how bold you’re feeling. The portions are generous, and the fries paired perfectly with the chicken.
- Coretta | Google Review
2. CM Chicken – Columbus
Website: http://cmchickencolumbus.com/
Address: 1132 W Henderson Rd
Contact: (614) 914-6144
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Located on Henderson Road, CM Chicken offers a specialized style called “Tikkudak.”
The chicken is first fried and then charcoal-grilled, which adds a deep, smoky layer of flavor while reducing the overall oil. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy a meal without feeling weighed down by grease.
They’re also one of the most interesting restaurants in Columbus because they offer flavors you just can’t find at standard fast-food joints.
For instance, the Snowing Chicken is memorable because the sweet-and-savory cheese-onion powder clings to the pieces in the best way.
I particularly like that the menu also brings in Korean sides like pickled radish, curly fries, and gizzards, so the meal feels more complete.
Just be careful if you have allergies because they can’t guarantee the absence of nuts, shellfish, or sesame, so diners with strict allergies need to be careful.
It was just so delicious!
Best fried chicken I ever had. Everything was just spot on. We got red hot pepper snow chicken and it was just so delicious. We also tried garlic soy tikkudak, and I was really surprised with the amazing smoky flavour of Tikkudak. Service was great and fast.
- Aaditi Anjankar | Google Review
So crispy
I was craving some Korean chicken so visited with my siblings. We had fried chicken, garlic soy chicken, and Tteokboki. One of the best Tteokboki I have ever eaten. Chickens were so crispy and savory. All the staffs were very kind and generous. Definitely coming back again soon.
- Cupid Mommy | Google Review
3. The Eagle | Short North
Website: https://www.eaglerestaurant.com/
Address: 790 N. High Street
Contact: (614) 745-3397
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The Eagle feels like a more laid-back Southern dinner than a quick chicken stop, which is exactly why it works.
Their house-brined bird is the main draw, and you can order it by the quarter, half, or whole, depending on how hungry your table is. I love how the spicy honey on the side makes the crust pop without covering up the seasoning.
The sides feel just as intentional, especially the spoonbread with maple butter. If you’re comparing catering services in Columbus for a casual office spread, these flavors would travel well.
I’m just iffy about their operating hours. From Monday to Thursday, they don’t open until dinner service, so anyone craving fried chicken for a weekday lunch will have to look elsewhere.
Really good food
The fried chicken and sides were amazing. I was in the area and stopped here based on a few suggestions from a couple of buddies. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. Really good food and a laid-back atmosphere with multiple National Football League (NFL) games on.
- JoNo X | Google Review
The best fried chicken in the city
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus. The food is always consistent and the hospitality is always on point. From the management to the host, everyone is friendly. They create an experience that keeps us coming back time and time again. It’s the best fried chicken in the city.
- JAC Custom Homes and Consulting | Google Review
4. Overdose Hot Chicken
Website: http://overdosehotchicken.com/
Address: 3260 W. Broad St.
Contact: (614) 674-6058
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Overdose Hot Chicken is a good pick when you want a straightforward Nashville-style meal without wading through a giant menu.
I heard about them from a local fried chicken fan who eats there regularly, and the appeal is easy to understand. The focus stays on sandwiches, wings, and tenders, so each order feels built around heat, crunch, and generous portions.
You can choose your spice level, which helps if one person wants a serious burn while someone else needs something milder. The online ordering setup also makes pickup simple when you’re short on time.
I just wish that they had more variety of sauces. The heat levels are flexible, but the sauce lineup isn’t as broad as places that offer garlic parmesan, honey mustard, or other specialty flavors.
The best spot for fried chicken lovers
Overdose Chicken is hands down the best spot for fried chicken lovers. The food is always fresh, crispy, and packed with flavor. Their signature sauces take everything to the next level, and the portions are generous. The atmosphere is great, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend.
- Anas Samman | Google Review
Best fried chicken
This is legitimately the best food I’ve had in a long time. Best fried chicken, best service, and darn good people. I’ve been here four days in a row, and all of what’s in the pic is under 30.
- austin | Google Review
5. bb.q Chicken Olentangy Square
Website: https://bbqchicken.com/
Address: 878 Bethel Rd
Contact: (614) 429-3454
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
bb.q Chicken Olentangy Square is the spot I’d choose for Korean fried chicken that stays light and crisp.
Their method, developed through the brand’s Seoul training program, uses a lower frying temperature over a longer time. The result is a crunch that feels airy rather than heavy, which is a nice change from thicker American-style breading.
The sauce list is another strength, with Honey Garlic, Gangjeong, and Hot Mala giving you plenty of room to switch things up. They also serve Korean food sides like kimchi fried rice and Ddeok-Bokki.
The only issue is the last-call policy because they stop taking orders 30 minutes before closing. This isn’t a place to push your luck at the door.
Some of the best Korean fried chicken I’ve ever had
Love this place. Probably some of the best Korean fried chicken I’ve ever had. The staff is professional and friendly, the service is fast, and the place is super clean. It is a great spot when you want something crispy and flavorful.
- Shayla Cleveland | Google Review
The best fried chicken I have ever had
This was hands down the best fried chicken I have ever had. Sat in the parking lot, took the first bite, and never looked back. I ate the whole thing and wished for more. That was absolutely tasty, the flavors were just right, and the crunchiness was out of this world.
- Malo | Google Review
