Restaurant Highlight Fried Chicken Sandwich Fried Chicken Comfort Food Guide Homepage Guide To Connecticut's Best Fried Chicken & Hot Chicken Sandwiches Carissa Duhamel March 17, 2024 Demand for fried and hot chicken sandwiches has spread across the country – and the state – like wildfire. The perfect accompaniment to an icy beer or fatty-sweet milkshake, these spicy, juicy, crispy handheld bites are equally delicious and addictive. Whether you have a penchant for a Nashville hot, buffalo sauce smothered, Sriracha drenched, or buttermilk classic version, Connecticut has a chicken spot to get your fix.Haven Hot Chicken – New Haven, Orange, Norwalk, North Haven, Storrs, and Middletown https://www.havenhotchicken.comHaven Hot Chicken brings Hot Chicken and “Not Chicken” to the area as one of the first fully dedicated Nashville-style Hot Chicken concepts in New England, serving the BEST Hot Chicken and “Not Chicken” you’ve ever had! Serving 100% certified Halal chicken with no growth hormones or antibiotics, and a “not chicken” vegetarian option (oven-roasted, double-fried cauliflower steak), heat levels range from no spice (country) to very spicy (Haven). Featured menu items include “THE Sandwich,” an epic and signature item featuring a Buttermilk-marinated boneless chicken breast (or not chicken), housemade creamy vinegar slaw, Brooklyn-made garlic-dill pickles and the signature Rob Sauce, all on a toasted potato bun, Tendie Trio (the perfect way to find your favorite heat level!), Chicken & Waffles and a Kid’s meal. Additional items include Haven’s famous Banana Pudding (each purchase supports Connecticut Foodshare), snack items, bowls (including the new Kale Salad Bowl), crispy French Fries, creamy Mac & Cheese and For the Whole Flock kits and family meal deals. To learn more about this crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy and delicious menu, or to order online for pick-up or delivery, visit havenhotchicken.com or @havenhotchicken on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook!Hot Murga – New Haven https://www.hotmurga.comHot Murga's Murga Masala Sandwich is inspired by Nashville Hot Chicken with a dash of vibrant Indian spices. This sandwich is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and slight umami flavors in every bite. It's prepared by using 100% halal-certified chicken breast seasoned with traditional Nashville Hot Chicken seasonings (dry/wet). Hot Murga’s chicken is marinated for at least 24 hours before getting fried to perfection. Once the chicken breast is fried, they dip it into their house-made robust tomato and cream-based tikka masala sauce. The Murga Masala chicken breast is placed over a soft and chewy potato roll which is layered with house-made vegan spiced ranch, coleslaw, and pickles. The sandwich is then finished with a drizzle of house-made mint chutney and pickled onions, covering it with the second potato roll on top to create a super tasty Indian Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich. Don't miss Hot Murga’s take on Indian Fried Hot Chicken!BIRDCODE Hot Chicken – West Hartford and Darien https://eatbirdcode.comDiscover BIRDCODE, the go-to place for Hot Chicken in Connecticut! It's all about scratch-made goodness, serving up sandwiches, tenders, and classic southern sides that set taste buds on fire. But it's not just about flavor—BIRDCODE is also all about community, supporting local business, promoting local artists, and committing to 100%-recyclable food packaging. With a focus on all-natural, fresh (never-frozen) chicken and responsibly sourced ingredients, it's more than a quick-serve restaurant; it's a neighborhood hotspot with heart. Guests can experience a new level of quality, service, and heat at BIRDCODE.Greer Southern Table – Norwalk https://www.greersoutherntable.comThere’s no denying us of our favorite comfort food wrapped in Southern hospitality - Greer’s Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken remains a menu fave at this spirited restaurant and bar spearheaded by restaurateur extraordinaire Greer “Peaches” Fredericks. Located in the emerging Wall Street district in Norwalk, Greer Southern Table sets the dinner table with high-brow low-country cuisine from pimento cheese with Ritz crackers and spicy crawfish dip, to shrimp n' grits, Cajun duck cassoulet, and bourbon laced drunken beef short ribs. And those desserts, such as wawa’s double banana pudding and house made warm maple glazed bacon speckled with bacon bits, have us as hello. But as the hashtag goes, #f_ckitgetthebucket! The secret to Greer’s buttermilk fried chicken remains under lock and key and they wouldn’t want it any other way, except with cornbread with honey butter, crunchy coleslaw, and creamy mac n cheese. Order it as a 4-piece supper or even an entire bucker to go. Greer’s Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken is always juicy and flavorful, with that consistent crispy crust. Garden Catering – New Haven, Old Greenwich, Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield, and Norwalk https://www.gardencatering.comCome for the cones and nugs, stay for the chicken sandwiches. Fairfield County staple Garden Catering has been beloved by residents of the Southern part of the state for over four decades, and for good reason. Their hand-cut, all-white breast meat chicken nuggets have a cult-like following, as do their fried mac and cheese bites, fried mashed potato 'cones,' and fries. Their fried chicken sandwiches continue their legacy of chicken excellence – choose from their OG crispy chicken breast sandwich, made with honey mustard, lettuce, and pickles on a toasted Martin's potato roll, or up the ante with their OG Heat. This 'hot AF' sandwich features crispy chicken breast smothered in Nashville hot sauce, spicy slaw, and pickles. Visit them in Old Greenwich, New Haven, Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield, or Norwalk.29 Markle – Bridgeporthttps://29marklect.com/Chef-led restaurant 29 Markle primarily utilizes produce from local farms to create innovative, delicious dishes like smoked fried chicken and fried black rice with crab. This is why it comes as no surprise their chicken handheld is stellar – visit their eclectically decorated dining room for a fried chicken sandwich topped with pickles, cabbage slaw, and a housemade sauce.bb.q Chicken – New Havenhttps://bbqchicken.comAfter a single bite of one of their hot, fried Korean-style chicken sandwiches, it's not difficult to see why bb.q has locations throughout the United States. Prepared using traditional methods, their chicken is hand-brushed and battered before fried and topped with sauces ranging from galbi, and gangjung, to 'secret spicy,' and 'Gangnam style.' Visit their CT location near Yale in New HavenBlack-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar – Hartfordhttps://www.blackeyedsallys.comBlack Eyed Sallys is well-known in the Hartford area for their excellent BBQ and Southern food. That's why their offering of a delicious, authentic Nashville hot chicken sandwich should come as no surprise. Made with spicy fried chicken, blue cheese dressing, shredded iceberg lettuce and half sour pickles, this sandwich is a menu staple.The Blue Duck – New Londonhttps://www.theblueducknl.comEnjoying a hot chicken sandwich on an oceanside patio with an icy cold beverage is one of life's simplest, greatest joys – and there's no better place to do that in Connecticut than the Blue Duck in New London. Visit them to enjoy their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich made with spicy fried chicken breast, coleslaw, garlic aioli, and pickles on a brioche bun paired perfectly for warm weather with their signature frozen 'Quack Pack' blended beverages.BONDA – Fairfieldhttps://www.bondarestaurant.com/We've had Nashville hot, we've topped fried chicken with buffalo sauce, but Sriracha-brined crispy breasts? That's a unique proposition. Bonda of Fairfield imparts their fried chicken with deliciously spicy flavor using this method before breading and frying to perfection.Buffalo Wild Wingswww.buffalowildwings.comThese wing experts also know a thing or two about the fried chicken sandwich with hand breaded chicken on a challah bun in classic, buffalo ranch (of course), “saucy” or Hot, served with hand cut fries. Butchers & Bakers – Farmingtonhttps://butchersandbakers.comFarmington's Butchers & Bakers consists of a team of talented fresh bread, roll and pastry makers and knowledgeable butchers – a combination made in heaven for a superior chicken sandwich. Order a fried chicken sandwich (hot or fried) from them made with a buttermilk brine, garlic aioli, and Mike's Hot Honey on a soft potato roll.Cafe Melba – Milfordhttps://www.instagram.com/cafemelbact/?hl=enIt's no surprise that chef Dan Kardos' newest restaurant, Cafe Melba, of Milford, serves a killer fried chicken sandwich. Visit to enjoy juicy Bell & Evans breast topped with pickles, pickled jalapeños, cheese, bacon, and house made ranch between Texas toast.Cheek's Chicken and Waffles – Manchester and Wallingfordhttps://cheekschicken.comCheeks Chicken and Waffles brings the Deep South's culinary prowess to Connecticut. With locations in Manchester and Wallingford, their CheekIN' Deluxe Lettuce and Tomato sandwich features crispy fried chicken optionally covered in their spicy sauce. Visit them in person at either of their locations or order online.Chicken Joe's – Cos Cobhttps://www.chickenjoescoscob.comThe self-acclaimed 'Home of the High School Special,' Chicken Joe's in Cos Cob has been serving cones, nuggets, mac bites, and fries since 1994. Their excellent fried chicken is delicious in the form of a sandwich – order in person or online to try.Coalhouse Pizza – Stamfordhttps://www.coalhousepizza.comCoalhouse Pizza in Stamford offers a fried chicken sandwich worthy of deviating from the menu item their restaurant is named after. Order their John Lee Hooker, a buttermilk chicken sandwich topped with pickles, coleslaw, and a hot sauce aioli.Craft Kitchen + Bar – Danburyhttps://www.craftdanbury.com/Craft Kitchen + Bar of Danbury offers a play on a spicy chicken sandwich. Order their Spicy Chicken Sandwich with bacon-onion jam, baby gem lettuce, tomato, and honey-sriracha sauce for a bite that hits every dimension of your tastebuds.Craftbird – West Hartford and Hartfordhttps://www.craftbirdct.comIf you've ever lived or worked in Hartford, you know Craftbird. This small but mighty food truck serves some of the best fried chicken in the state, and their sandwiches are no exception. Visit them at the Gastropark in West Hartford Wednesday through Sunday for their spicy-sweet Yardbird Sandwich made with perfectly fried, crispy chicken, pickles, and sriracha honey.Dockside Brewery – Milfordhttps://www.docksidebrewery.com/Dockside Brewery in Milford may be the only waterfront biergarten in the state where you can park your car or boat on their property to visit. Make a trip to their brewery not only for their house-made brews, but their Mutha Clucka – a sandwich made with sriracha buttermilk seasoned fried chicken breast, cheddar, smoked bacon, pickles, coleslaw, and hot or mild Nashville hot sauce served on brioche.Don Memo – Westporthttps://www.donmemowestport.comDon Memo offers an authentic Mexican version of a crispy chicken sandwich in their Milanesa de Pollo Cemita. You can enjoy this sandwich made with fried chicken, avocado, cotija, salsa verde, and cabbage on a sesame bread roll at their restaurant in Westport.Fowl Play Hot Chicken – Hartford and New Britainhttps://www.fowlplayct.comFowl Play claims to be Connecticut's 'first hot chicken experience' and offers heat levels for their fried, crispy sandwiches ranging from the heatless 'country,' to the ultra spicy, six fire signs-laden 'What the Cluck.' Visit them inside of the Parkville Market in Hartford or in New Britain to try their classic hot chicken sandwich with creamy coleslaw on a brioche bun, or innovations topped with mac & cheese.Fryborg – Trumbullhttps://www.fryborg.comFryborg's chicken sandwich is hand-dipped in buttermilk and seasoned flour, then fried until it's golden brown and crispy! Served on a buttery toasted potato roll.Harp & Dragon Pub – Norwichhttps://www.hndpub.comHarp & Dragon Pub of Norwich brings hot chicken to the eastern part of the state. Visit for their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich made with fried chicken breast, Nashville hot sauce, lettuce, mayonnaise, and sliced pickles on a brioche roll.Hen House BBQ – Southingtonhttp://www.henhousebbq.comSouthington's beloved Hen House BBQ has been serving freshly fried chicken sandwiches since 1988 to rave reviews from locals. Visit to try both mild and hot versions.Hops 44 – Storrshttps://www.hops44.comLooking for the best Nashville hot chicken in UConn country? Hops 44 may just be the one serving it. Visit them in Storrs for Southern-style crispy chicken tossed in their sweet and spicy Nashville hot sauce, dill pickles, and house-made ranch on a toasted brioche bun.Jefferson Fry Company – Cromwell, Canton, Hartford, Vernon, and Storrshttps://www.jeffersonfryco.comConnecticut franchise Jefferson Fry Co. serves delicious 'dirty' fries, burgers, and milkshakes at five locations across the state. What you may not know is that they also serve a killer hot chicken sandwich. Order their Husky Hot Chicken Sandwich made with crispy, tenderized, and brined chicken breast filet dunked in sweet, smoky, and spicy Husky Hot Sauce, topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles, and dressed with their secret sauce for a delectably spicy bite.Mikro Depot – Hamdenhttps://www.mikrodepot.com/Mikro has long been renowned in the New Haven area for their chef-driven New American menu. Their fried chicken sandwich made with Nashville hot honey, glazed buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, and lettuce on toasted brioche proudly lives up to their reputation.Monterey Chicken – New Havenhttps://www.montereychicken.comDedicated exclusively to delivering delicious chicken to Connecticut from their New Haven cloud kitchen at the ConnCAT Culinary Arts Academy Kitchen, Monterey Chicken offers four different styles of the bird fried to perfection. Order online or for curbside pickup to try their Mile’s Davis Monterey Hot sandwich made with buttermilk fried chicken, napa slaw, and sriracha mayo.Neils on Wheels – Greenwichhttps://neilsonwheelsfood.com/Food truck Neils on Wheels of Greenwich boasts five of the ‘best cluckin’ crispy buttermilk chicken sandwiches.’ Visit them on Glenville Road for their jalapeno and melted pepperjack-topped Hot Chick sandwich, or classic Nashville hot chicken topped with coleslaw and pickle slices on a grilled potato roll.NY Chicken & Biscuits – Hartfordhttps://www.yelp.com/biz/ny-chicken-and-biscuits-hartfordNY Chicken and Biscuits in Hartford is the kind of quick-service fried chicken spot that perfectly encapsulates the phrase, "if you know, you know." Their spicy chicken sandwich is made in a classic style. Visit them for extremely delicious late-night eats.Plan b Burger Bar – Glastonbury, Hartford, Milford, Simsbury, Southington, Springfield, and West Hartfordhttps://burgersbeerbourbon.comKnown first and foremost for their equally creative and delicious burgers, local chain Plan b has locations throughout the state. You may not know, however, that they also make a pretty incredible fried chicken sandwich. Visit them in Glastonbury, Hartford, Milford, Simsbury, Southington, Springfield, and West Hartford for their buttermilk fried chicken breast 'the Sando' and Buffalo chicken sandwiches.Raising Canes – Enfieldhttps://www.raisingcanes.com/Famous fried chicken franchise Raising Canes recently moved into Connecticut with a brand new Enfield location. Visit to order their fried chicken sandwich consisting of three chicken fingers, their signature 'Cane's Sauce,' and lettuce on a toasted bun.Rooster's Chicken and Waffles – Wethersfield, Middletown, Manchester, and New Britainhttps://www.roosterschickenandwaffles.comRooster's Chicken & Waffles' fried chicken sandwich selection is extensive. Visit them in Wethersfield, Middletown, Manchester, or New Britain for anything from the original crispy chicken sandwich topped simply with cheese, pickles, and your choice of sauce, to two fried chicken breasts served between two waffles – and just about anything in between.Sandra's Next Generation – New Havenhttps://www.sandrasnextgeneration.comOwner of Sandra's Next Generation, Sandra Pittman, studied her mother's cooking for years to create cooking as an act of love – and it shows. Visit her restaurant in New Haven for their impeccably made fried chicken sandwich.Sherkaan Indian Streetfood – New Havenwww.sherkaan.comSherkaan offers an incredibly crispy hot chicken sandwich made with chicken thigh pakora, green mango chutney, and Indian pickles, preferably eaten between sips from an icy Rupee lager.Soul Tasty – Stamfordhttps://www.soultastyct.comChefs Cheryl D. Rogers and Jean Gabriel Jr. offer food that 'feeds your soul' at their Stamford restaurant Soul Tasty. Their delicious fried chicken sandwich certainly does just that whether enjoyed simply delectably crispy or prepared hot in Nashville style.Southern Chicken & Waffles – Derbyhttps://thechickenwaffle.comSouthern-style restaurant the Chicken and Waffle of Derby stays true to a classic chicken sandwich made with lettuce, mayo, and pickle. Order spicy or simply fried.Swyft – Kenthttps://orehillandswyft.comSwyft is a destination in and of itself, but even more so for their Green Goddess Fried Chicken Sandwich. Crispy fried chicken is perfectly balanced against romesco, tomato, and mustard greens on a brioche bun served alongside fries. Make the drive up to their restaurant in Kent to try.Tasty Yolk – Stratford and Bridgeporthttps://thetastyyolk.comFrom the Crispy Mother Clucker to the Nashville Hot, The Tasty Yolk's storefront locations offer mother watering fried chicken sandwiches. All fried chicken sandwiches are available open to close. Check out more fried chicken options on their website. Undergrounds Record Cafe – Oakvillehttps://undergroundsrecordcafe.com/Sweet and spicy converge at Oakville’s Undergrounds Record Cafe in their Hot Honey Chicken sandwich. Enjoy bites of hot honey fried chicken breast, bread and butter pickles, mayo, and a housemade brioche bun between browsing their collection of soulful records. Walrus Alley – Westporthttps://www.walrusalley.com/walrus-alley-westport/Walrus Alley has been serving up their Fried Chicken Sandwich and Tennessee Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich for over a decade. This award-winning sandwich features a thick, buttermilk-brined chicken thigh fried with southern seasoning, topped with either house-chipotle aioli or tossed in their signature hot sauce. Walrus Outpost – Nod Hillhttps://www.walrusalley.com/walrus-outpost/Walrus Outpost is the newest edition to the Ridgefield restaurant scene, and is frying up the signature Walrus Alley Fried Chicken Sandwiches to-go. Easy online ordering makes the Walrus Outpost a great place to hit up to appease that fried chicken craving. The Whelk – Westporthttps://www.thewhelkwestport.comChef Bill Taibe offers some of Connecticut's best dishes, and his fried chicken sandwich for the Whelk in Westport does not deviate from that norm. Topped with creamy-tangy pimento cheese, b&b pickles, and a cabbage slaw, this fried chicken is a lunchtime must.Wing It On! – New Britain and Waterburyhttps://www.wingiton.comBest known for their chicken wings and numerous sauces and rubs, Wing It On! also makes a crave-worthy hot chicken sandwich. Their Classic Buffalo Chicken Sandwich is made with hand-breaded buttermilk chicken breasts and smothered in their buffalo sauce, served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Visit them at their Connecticut locations in New Britain, Stratford, and Waterbury.Wings Over – Storrs, Fairfield, Stratford, Middletown, West Hartford, Newington, and Bristolhttps://www.wingsover.comWings Over makes two highly crave-able fried chicken sandwiches – classic and buffalo. Visit them in Storrs, Fairfield, Stratford, Middletown, West Hartford, Newington, or Bristol or order online to try their hand-breaded chicken sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and their signature sauces.
