What are the best restaurants for fried chicken in Okaloosa County? Here are 10 favorites
Here are 10 great places for fried chicken in Okaloosa County:
The Craft Bar
This gastropub with four locations along the Emerald Coast (soon to be five with the addition of a Pensacola location) “serves craft beer, hand crafted cocktails, and chef-inspired food, all with a focus on local and regional sources,” according to its website. The “Southern Style Fried Chicken,” soaked in buttermilk and house-seasoned, comes with mac and cheese and one side. The Sunday brunch menu includes chicken and waffles.
4424 Commons Drive East, Destin; (850) 460-7907; thecraftbarfl.com/destin; #39 Uptown Station, 99 Eglin Parkway, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 664-2548; thecraftbarfl.com/fort-walton-beach
Desi’s Downtown Restaurant
Named after owner Tim English’s daughter, Desi’s is a friendly, family run institution in downtown Crestview. The restaurant gets a lot of regulars who line up for the fried chicken, one of the most popular items on the menu, included in their lunch buffet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Also included are made-from-scratch sides like mashed potatoes and gravy and black-eyed peas, and desserts, which includes banana pudding and bread pudding.
197 N. Main St., Crestview; (850) 682-7477; facebook.com/desisdowntown/
Destin Chicken Co.
Founded by area locals Chris Hoffman and Adam Rossi, Destin Chicken Co. is located in the Destin Commons City Food Hall. It serves everything from traditional fried chicken sandwiches and hand cut nuggets to off-the-wall flavor explosions like the “Kaboomer” and Que-Tee, according to the founders. The “Beach Sandwich” is a crispy fried chicken breast on a brioche bun with pickles and ranch slaw. Try with one of their three options of plain, Cajun or truffle fries.
4237 Legendary Drive H100, Destin; (850) 296-7229; cityfoodhall.com/destinchickenco
Dixieland Chicken Co.
New Orleans native and restaurateur Jason Jaume recently reopened one of Dixieland Chicken Co.’s two new Fort Walton Beach locations. This popular spot will continue to feature authentic creole fried chicken and sides, specializing in flavors made from scratch. Menu highlights include fried chicken, chicken tenders and sandwiches, and chicken livers. Combos are served with a choice of two sides, a regular drink, and a moon pie. Available sides are red beans and rice, Cajun dirty rice, creole potato salad, gumbo, and more.
91 Beal Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach; dixielandchicken.com; https://www.facebook.com/dixielandchickenco
New location opening Aug. 1, 2023: 735 MLK Blvd., Fort Walton Beach
Website: dixielandchicken.com/
Harbor Docks
Order fried chicken with a view of Destin Harbor at Harbor Docks. This classic seafood restaurant has been serving fresh fish, shrimp and more since 1979 and has its own wholesale seafood market. On Tuesdays, the special is Miss Anne’s famous fried chicken and southern sides. The menu also features Thai food and sushi. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
538 Harbor Blvd, Destin; (850) 837-2506; harbordocks.com
Julie's Southern Joy Home Style Cooking
Owner Julie Dial has created an inviting comfort food spot that exudes southern charm, from the gracious staff to the home-like décor in cheery shades of lavender and aqua. Fried chicken is served as a special every Wednesday. Popular southern sides, such as collard greens and fried okra, are also available. Open for breakfast and lunch; choose the buffet or order from the menu.
258 NE Eglin Parkway, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 226-7881; https://www.facebook.com/juliessouthernjoy/
Safe dining: Six restaurants cited for high-priority violations; four ace state inspections
Mary’s Kitchen
Diners at Joe Ezell’s eatery can enjoy a helping of southern hospitality with their Southern Fried Chicken when it’s run as a special on Tuesdays. Mary’s Kitchen also serves catfish, country cooking and homemade desserts. BBQ is also a popular choice, and the scent fills the dining room of wooden walls and gingham-covered tables. Fried appetizers like fried pickles and fried green tomatoes are also menu choices.
99 Eglin Parkway NE, Suite 42, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 863-1141; facebook.com/MarysKitchenfortwaltonbeach/
McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin
With the original location in Pensacola, this popular Irish-themed tourist spot that sits across from HarborWalk Village features live entertainment, a brewery and a butcher shop. On Wednesdays, the fried chicken lunch special is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until they sell out) for $9.99. Hopkins Fried Chicken is served with “mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, collard greens and cornbread.” According to the online menu, “this is the recipe from the renowned Hopkins house (1949-2004) and was voted 'best fried chicken in America' by U.S.A. Today in 2000.”
33 US-98, Destin; (850) 650-0000; mcguiresirishpub.com
Party Fowl
With locations in the Nashville area and Destin, Party Fowl specializes in “Nashville Hot Chicken, local beer, Boozy Slushies, and Brunch,” as stated on the website. Depending on your choice of flavor intensity, the chicken can get, as the name suggests, hot. First, it’s breaded and fried, then dipped into a unique blend of spices ranging from a mild heat to “Poultrygeist,” which is a mix of “cayenne, pure habanero, ghost, scorpion, and Carolina reaper pepper.” Menu items include the "Nashville Hot" Half Bird, Hot Chicken and Beignets, and Hot Chicken Tacos.
4260 Legendary Drive, Destin; (850) 353-2678; partyfowl.com/us/fl/destin/4260-legendary-drive
Yard Birdz
The drive-through quickly fills up with customers at this popular Fort Walton Beach chicken joint. Favorites include chicken wings and chicken tenders, according to the website. The menu also features a Tenders Sandwich and sides such as fries, coleslaw and potato salad. Other menu items include fried shrimp, pork chops, and pulled pork.
540 Mary Esther Cut Off NW, Fort Walton Beach; (850) 301-9273; eatyardbirdz.com
Restaurant menus, information and operating hours are subject to change. Contact restaurants for more information.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Best restaurants for fried chicken in Okaloosa County
