A certain fast-food fried chicken sandwich has been making waves, only to be whisked away from us in an untimely manner when it was sold out. (For the uninitiated, the Louisiana-based fried chicken chain Popeye’s, which has just one Seattle location in White Center, released its new chicken sandwich two weeks ago, sparking a frenzy on social media and drawing lengthy lines.) While you wait for its return, fear not: Seattle has plenty of other fried chicken sandwich options, which we’ve compiled for you here below.
Burgermaster
Roll up to the local drive-in burger chain to order the “Chickenmaster,” a quarter-pound chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted bun—and make it crispy.
Various locations
Li’l Woody’s
Available only at the Capitol Hill location, the local burger joint’s fried chicken sandwich features buttermilk-fried chicken breast, tomato, and lettuce on a bun. Add cheese and bacon for a buck each if you so desire.
Capitol Hill
Ma’ono
The Stranger‘s former food critic Bethany Jean Clement once wrote of Ma’ono’s Hawaiian-influenced fried chicken, “If it’s not the best fried chicken you’ve ever had, you’re a very lucky individual.” And the West Seattle restaurant, which also has counter-serve outposts tucked away inside the Capitol Hill and University Village locations of Rachel’s Ginger Beer, really delivers on its fried chicken sandwich, which comes with fried chicken breast (ranging in spice levels from “naked” to “XXX hot”), kewpie mayo, crisp iceberg lettuce, and sweet, tangy pickled daikon, all piled on a soft King’s Hawaiian bun.
Capitol Hill, University District, and West Seattle
Mammoth
The ominous-sounding “Predator” pairs a fried chicken leg with pork belly, along with Swiss, arugula, roasted red peppers, and caper aioli—proceed at your own risk.
Eastlake
Shake Shack
The New York-based fast-casual chain does chicken sandwiches, too: Their “Chick’n Shack” is comprised of crispy battered chicken breast with lettuce, pickles, and buttermilk herb mayo.
South Lake Union
Sisters and Brothers
Not for the faint of heart or the spice-averse, this Southern spot’s Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich served on white bread with bread-and-butter pickles recently received the seal of approval from the Mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri himself when it made an appearance on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Georgetown
Skillet
Longtime comfort food favorite Skillet’s fried chicken sammy is made with a fennel-crusted fried chicken thigh, kale, and pickled and charred jalapeño aioli on a potato roll. Bacon is optional.
Various locations
Slab Sandwiches and Pie
The underrated lunch spot Slab’s fried chicken sandwich, which started as a weekly special but earned a permanent spot because of its popularity, heats up with house-made ghost pepper ranch dressing, complemented by cabbage slaw and smoked pickles.
Capitol Hill
Sunset Fried Chicken
Monica Dimas’s fried chicken sandwich shop inside Queer/Bar offers a classic sandwich (the “OG”) with dill pickles, cabbage slaw, and mayo on a Franz toasted bun. Other variations include the Picante, a spicy version with pickled jalapeños and chili mayo, and the GT, a tribute to General Tso’s with sweet and spicy sauce, fresh daikon pickles, cilantro, and mayo.
Capitol Hill
Tat’s Delicatessen
Among other sandwich offerings, Pioneer Square’s beloved East Coast-style deli slings hearty, hunger-slaying crispy chicken subs (available plain or with buffalo sauce) and crispy chicken bacon ranch subs.
Pioneer Square
Uneeda Burger
They might be more known for their burgers, but the Fremont neighborhood favorite also serves two chicken sandwiches: the New York-inspired Upstate, with buffalo-style chicken, Frank’s red hot sauce, romaine lettuce, pickled onions, and blue cheese sauce, and the Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, with crispy chipotle chicken, chipotle mayo, jack cheese, bacon, romaine lettuce, red onion, and tomato.
Fremont
Wandering Goose
Go for a homey Southern experience with this restaurant’s Aunt Annie’s (fried chicken, house mustard, pickles, and honey) and Sawmill (fried chicken and sawmill gravy with cheese) sandwiches, both housed within flaky, buttery biscuits. For something a little different, try the Fried Chicken Po’ Boy, with fried chicken, tomato, lettuce, pickles, French remoulade, and pepper jelly on a banh mi.
Capitol Hill
