Lena RiveraSan Antonio is packed with great food, but nothing beats a perfectly seasoned piece of fried chicken. Finding that ideal comfort meal is often hard after a long day at work. We all want a dish with a crunchy outside and juicy meat.
To help you out, I looked all over the city for the very best spots. This guide explores the top places for mouthwatering chicken in San Antonio.
I want to make sure your next meal is truly spectacular. Let us look at these local favorites together.
How much does fried chicken cost in San Antonio?
Fried chicken in San Antonio costs anywhere from $5.00 – $12.00 for affordable fast-food combos to $13.00 – $20.00+ for elevated casual-dining plates.
| Dining Category | Average Price Range | Typical Meal Offerings |
| Budget & Fast Food | $5.00 – $12.00 | Individual combos, 2-3 piece meals, local grab-and-go boxes |
| Casual & Specialty | $13.00 – $20.00+ | Large specialty baskets, Nashville hot plates, sit-down country meals |
| Unique & Shareable | $20.00+ | Large Korean-style orders, family-sized catering packs |
1. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Website: https://gusfriedchicken.com/
Address: 812 S Alamo St, Suite 111
Contact: (210) 463-4038
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
If you’re looking for a meal with some serious Southern heat, we recommend heading over to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for a bite. This popular diner is known for its Memphis-style chicken, which has a spicy kick right in the batter.
They don’t use any heavy sauces. Instead, they rely on a deep flavor that really lingers.
You can also add some classic sides like fried green tomatoes or baked beans to your order.
The best part is that everything is fresh and never frozen.
The atmosphere here is also very relaxed, so it’s a great place to sit back and enjoy a meal.
Just note that the kitchen doesn’t offer a mild choice. The spice is in every piece, so it might be too much for kids.
Customer Reviews:
This place is phenomenal
I don’t often give 5 star reviews, but this place is phenomenal. The chicken couldn’t have been better and the sides were dynamite. The service was excellent and the desserts were fantastic. I think the Chess pie was better than the the chocolate Chess pie. I can’t wait to go back. Just good down home southern food.
- James Clements | Google Review
I can definitely say it does not disappoint
This was my first time trying Gus and I can definitely say it does not disappoint. Now I’m not a hot and spicy chicken eater but I can say I can definitely handle this chicken. There is a bit of spice but not overwhelming and doesn’t leave your mouth burning. The fries and Mac & Cheese was my absolute favorite I honestly could just order them by themselves and eat them without the chicken. The portions and prices are also very reasonable and the customer service was top tier.
- Nicole | Google Review
2. Dave’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://restaurants.daveshotchicken.com/
Address: 9602 Texas 151, Suite 108
Contact: (726) 208-5197
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Dealing with late-night hunger after a busy evening requires a place that is both quick and dependable. Dave’s Hot Chicken fits the bill perfectly with its customizable Nashville-style heat.
You have the freedom to choose from seven spice levels, ranging from completely mild to extremely hot. This makes it easy to find a flavor that matches your personal preference every time.
The staff works efficiently to get your order ready fast, which is great for people on the go.
Another benefit is that they use Halal-certified meat for all of their dishes.
Even with that, though, the menu structure remains highly restricted. Since the restaurant only serves tenders and sliders, purists looking for traditional bone-in legs or thighs will need to look elsewhere for their fix.
Customer Reviews:
Good Juicy chicken
Good Juicy chicken, customize it for your spice level, their fries are also different, think but very nice, their pickles are less sour, which I like, I like their Teas too, generally you don’t see them these kind of restaurants, but the main winer is their fried chicken with their signature souse, the restaurant is little noisy so I always try to sit outside but that’s not possible in summer, need to reduce the noise of the music a bit.
- Umesh Doiphode | Google Review
The chicken is always moist
Dave’s fried chicken is frickin’ amazing! I typically get a slider with the cheese fries. The chicken is always moist, the Dave’s sauce is great, and I love the coleslaw they put on the sandwich to give it an extra crunch. The employees at this location are also very polite and I’ve been to this location a lot.
- Christina George | Google Review
3. Fried Hard
Website: https://friedhard.square.site/
Address: 521 E Grayson St
Contact: (901) 598-7480
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Biting into a piece of chicken with a loud crackle is such a satisfying experience. Fried Hard uses a special cooking method to make sure the outside is extra crunchy while the meat stays very juicy.
We recently ordered some lemon pepper wings for delivery, and we were impressed that they stayed hot and crispy.
Besides great chicken, they offer a wonderful alternative menu with seasoned catfish plates.
If you’re organizing a party and have already found a local cake shop, their large wing orders would be a perfect addition for your guests.
Just keep in mind that they focus on takeout and delivery, so there is no traditional dining room.
Customer Reviews:
Each order is made with love here
This place is aptly named. 6 buffalo wings fried hard to crispy perfection, with sides of ranch and lemon pepper. I’m not sure if they are homemade (the sauces) but they give off that appearance and flavor. The staff seems like they love their jobs, and love to make chicken wings. Each order is made with love here.
- Anthony Medina | Google Review
These wings are on point!
These wings are on point! If you love crispy chicken wings with a lot of sauce, this is the place! The fries were fresh and seasoned to perfection. The carrots and celery are also tossed in your wing sauce. The kool-aid hit the spot and took me back to my childhood. I’ll be back soon.
- Ann Margaret Castaneda | Google Review
4. Richie’s Hot Chicken
Website: https://richieshotchickensatx.com/
Address: 11224 Huebner Road, Suite #206
Contact: (210)-891-8443 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Friday, Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sometimes, a simple chicken tender is not enough when you are craving a really indulgent comfort meal. Richie’s Hot Chicken fixes this by serving creative dishes like spicy chicken stuffed inside a gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
My friends and I shared their huge family catering package last weekend, and it was a total hit for our game night.
This restaurant is also very family-friendly, providing special kids’ meals with unseasoned options. Their dipping sauces match really well with the chickens too and aren’t too overpowering.
One small downside is that they close early in the workweek. Closing at nine in the evening from Sunday to Thursday limits your choices for a late-night snack after a long day.
Customer Reviews:
I loved that it had a kick
I ordered the level 5 spicy chicken & fries with macaroni and cheese & wow did it not disappoint. While it was on the saltier side, it was very tasty & when they said it was spicy, boy was it ACTUALLY spicy. I loved that it had a kick. I will definitely be trying them out again when I am in the area.
- Jimmy Holloway | Google Review
The chicken was very tender
The food was sooo yummy and fresh! The chicken was very tender and had the perfect amount of spice, fries were hot and crispy and the cheese sauce was so so great! Would come again!! Have to try the Mac and cheese!!
- Moriah Sosa | Google Review
5. Perfect Tender Hot Chicken
Website: http://perfecttender.com/
Address: 6565 Babcock Road, Suite #9
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Monday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Catching a big game is more fun when you have a vibrant environment and a menu that tastes great. Perfect Tender Hot Chicken brings together an energetic sports-viewing room and unique pairings like their maple-dusted chicken and waffles.
You can adjust the spice levels to make your meal perfectly suited to your personal taste. For those who want something smaller, snack wraps are a quick, easy option for a light bite.
The dining area is also filled with several screens to make sure you do not miss any of the action while hanging out with friends.
Just be aware that their menu focuses only on boneless cuts of meat. If you’re specifically searching for traditional bone-in pieces like thighs or breasts, you will not find them on this very specialized list.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect crisp and tenderness
From the giant cheese stick, fried pickles and chicken tenders, everything was amazing. It was definitely a perfect tender!! Perfect crisp and tenderness on the inside with some juicy flavor. The fries are seasoned to perfection and fresh. Our server Jasmine and all the staff were amazing and courteous. I’m definitely bringing all my friends and family here.
- Jasmine Reynolds | Google Review
Definitely my favorite spot to get fried chicken
Every time I eat here or order food from here it always comes out … Perfect ! Just as the name depicts lol. no it isn’t an exaggeration, regular customer ever since I tried them about 2 weeks after they opened up! Definitely recommend it’s definitely my favorite spot to get fried chicken in the town of San Antonio. Premium .really is the perfect tender.
- J P | Google Review
