Top 10: Fried Chicken Burgers in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
Burgers are big business at the moment and we aren’t taking about the beef variety. We’ve eaten our way through baps, condiments and all the chicken to bring you London’s best fried chicken burgers. Dig in, London:
What: Buttermilk fried chicken bap including coleslaw and Korean hot sauce
Why: Spit and Roast know their birds – butter milk chicken to be precise. They’ve decked out a stainless steel catering van with spits and fryers and have become a popular fixture at KERB street markets. KFC have nothing on these guys. Put down that sad bargain bucket and tuck into their buttermilk chicken bap. Free range Suffolk chicken marinated in buttermilk and then deep fried in their secret Louisiana style coating. We don’t know what they put in it and to be honest, we don’t care – it tastes good and that’s all you need to know.
Where: Locations here
What: Bunker buster burger – panko battered chicken thigh, shredded iceberg, pickled red onion, smokey sambal mayo and sticky napalm sauce (£8)
Why: Wingman Chicken have got a very good thing going on. They knock up some pretty impressive Korean style fried chicken – dig into wings, tacos and burgers. You name it, they’re frying it. The chaps are also know for their Asian street food dishes. We’re talking about miso grilled aubergine steamed buns, token salads and wasabi slaw. Come here for the main event, their bunker buster burger. Bite into the burger and you’re greeted with a crunchy panko batter, a gutsy napalm sauce that’s just the right amount of hot and pickled red onions for an extra zing.
Where: The Rose and Crown, 71-73 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2SG
What: Dale Cooper – buttermilk fried chicken, lettuce, homemade pickles and garlic lemon thai basil sauce.
Why: Broadway Market is teeming with excellent street food, but it’s Butchies that gets our vote. The chaps at Butchies don’t mess about when it comes to deep-fried chicken burgers. At Butchies, you don’t get served some measly piece of chicken, but a hefty piece of fried chicken that is battered to absolute perfection. Wait for it, because it gets so much better – they use brioche rolls that they coat in butter before toasting them. Slap on some homemade sauces and stuff it full of salad and you’ve got one very sexy fried chicken burger.
Where: 83 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
What: Korean fried thigh, gochujang mayo, chilli vinegar and crunchy slaw (£11)
Why: When there’s chick in the name, you know you’re going to be served a mighty fine fried chicken burger. Carl Clarke is the man behind Chick n Sours and has curated a menu that concentrates on two things: chicken and sours, obviously. The chicken used is sourced from Pilmoore Grange Farm in Yorkshire and is free-range and herb fed – the chicken is then brined in buttermilk and cooked in British rapeseed oil. There are so many flavours going on in this naughty bap, but it’s the chicken that is the real star of the show. The batter is light, spiced and absolutely delicious, one bite and you’ll be hooked.
Where: 390 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA
What: Blazing Saddle – fired butter chicken, chipotle sauce and slaw (£10.95)
Why: Chooks’ mission is a simple one: to express the perfect union of marinating and grilling the best chicken for great prices for their customers. Mission complete, they’ve absolutely nailed it. They serve buttermilk fried chicken using a closely guarded secret family recipe, served the right way – no frills, no fuss just fantastic chicken that is juicy, tender and well worthy of the hype. Get stuck in a order one of their whole chicken family trays – 1/2 grilled chicken, 1/2 buttermilk chicken, dirty rice, slaw, onion rings and beans. It’s the best of both worlds and it’s exceptionally tasty.
Where: 43 Muswell Hill Broadway, London N10 3HA
What: Yum Jungle Thai spiced fried chicken burger – Panko breadcrumbed chicken thigh, Asian slaw and srirachu mayo.
Why: Yum Jungle know a thing or two about fried chicken. This Thai inspired street food stall is big on flavours, creating foodie delights that certainly pack a punch. Come here for their popcorn prawn burger with Thai herb mayo or the sublime Thai spiced fried chicken wings. The main event here is, you’ve guessed it, the Thai spiced fried chicken burger. The chicken is marinated in a heavenly combination of soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice and chilli. Simple ingredients that taste so blooming good when mixed together. Order the jungle fries that are dusted in cayenne pepper and served with srirachu mayo and you’ve got a meal fit for a king.
Where: Locations here
Photo Credit: Instagram
What: Chicken Burger – fried chicken, guacamole, sriracha, chipotle and a fried egg (£7.50)
Why: Neil Rankin, Head Chef of the Smokehouse, has done something really rather wonderful with Bad Egg. The restaurant serves eggs, but they’re done really, really well. Alongside a shed ton of dishes served with fried eggs, they also create some mean chicken wings, salads and French toast. Eggs and guacamole are a match made in heaven – stick in some fried chicken smoothered in sriracha and you’ve got one fantastic bap. The perfect place if you’re in the mood for Brinner – they serve all the eggy and chicken goodness until 11pm!
Where: City Point 1, Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9AW
What: Fried chicken thigh with crispy bacon mayo, chopped lettuce and avocado (£7)
Why: Joe’s Southern Kitchen brings the authentic American taste of the South to London diners. Not a place you’d take a first date, but a great place to go with friends as it’s all about getting your fingers dirty and your face sticky. Think Southern fried chicken, 8 hour slow roast short ribs and pulled pork buns. No fried chicken list worth its buttermilk coating would fail to include Joe’s Southern Kitchen. Stick with their classic fried chicken bap or order their coq of the week bun that changes regularly – anything goes with this chicken burger.
Where: Covent Garden and Kentish Town
What: ‘Hot chic’ chicken burger – marinated buttermilk fried chicken, spicy slaw, pickled cucumber, lettuce and garlic sauce (£8.50)
Why: There’s not a lot to say about Patty & Bun that hasn’t already been said. Their burgers are fantastic, the service is super and the staff are friendly. Burgers with a slice of good conversation and a smile? We’ll take that. It’s comfort food at its very best. The menu is small and concise, with 6 burgers on the menu. If you fancy a change from your regular beef burger (although, their Jose Jose chilli burger is something special) opt for the hot chic chicken burger. Pair spicy slaw with pickled cucumber and garlic sauce and you have a partnership that even Tinder would approve of.
Where: 22/23 Liverpool St, London EC2M 7PD
What: Fried chicken sandwich (£10)
Why: Foxlow is a friendly neighbour restaurant that everyone wishes they had on their doorstep. They focus on three things; incredible meat, great cocktails and a wine list made up of wines by passionate producers. Best of all, there’s no prices here that are going to break the bank. Their fried chicken sandwich is worth travelling across town for, it’s a belter of a sandwich that doesn’t contain half the condiment cupboard, but still tastes divine.
Where: Locations here
