- Daniel Boone Country
- Bourbon, Horses & History
- Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon & Boone
- Northern Kentucky River Region
From the original KFC to soul food joints to fine dining, sink your teeth into some of the best fried chicken in America.
The famous recipe that launched the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire began back in 1930 at Col. Harland Sanders' original restaurant in Corbin, and eventually put Kentucky on the map as the place for fried chicken. But that legacy extends far beyond the Colonel; long before you could get red-and-white buckets of KFC just about anywhere, Kentucky’s homegrown cooks had their own prized recipes. The World Chicken Festival – held every September in London, Kentucky – features live music, family fun and all the crispy-fried fowl you can eat.
Buckle up for this crunchy, juicy road trip to the best fried chicken spots in Kentucky. Whether you like it mild or spicy, white meat or dark, served in buckets or on fine china, there’s a chicken joint for you. Just be sure to ask for extra napkins!
Explore the Fried Chicken Trail
Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum
688 U S Hwy 25 W
Corbin, KY 40701
Beaumont Inn
638 Beaumont Inn Dr.
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Blue Isle Home-Style Restaurant and Bar
410 Boone Avenue
Winchester, KY 40391
Local Feed
214 S Water St
Georgetown, KY 40324
Claudia Sanders Dinner House
3202 Shelbyville Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
Shirley Mae's Cafe
802 South Clay Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Wallace Station Deli
3854 Old Frankfort Pike
Versailles, KY 40347
Merrick Inn
1074 Merrick Dr
Lexington, KY 40502
Greyhound Tavern
2500 Dixie Highway
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
Chicken King
639 E. Broadway St
Louisville, KY 40202
Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro
2217 Steier Lane
Louisville, KY 40218
Harland Sanders Café And Museum, Corbin
The biggest name in fried chicken began at a humble service station in Corbin with a single dining table for travelers. Before long, Harland Sanders expanded to this restaurant, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Even if you’ve eaten Kentucky Fried Chicken all your life, visiting the place where it all began is a true Bluegrass “bucket” list item.
Beaumont Inn, Harrodsburg
In the heart of Horse Country, the James Beard Award-winning Beaumont Inn is one of the most elegant and historic restaurants in Kentucky. Their famous Yellow-Legged Fried Chicken has been passed down (and perfected) through five generations of the Dedman family. The Beaumont Inn is also an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon TrailⓇ, making it even more of a must-stop.
Blue Isle Home-Style Restaurant and Bar, Winchester
You can go to Blue Isle for lunch or dinner any day of the week, but bring a big appetite for their much-loved Sunday Buffet – piled high with everything from fried chicken to country ham to all the fixings, including mashed potatoes, greens and macaroni and cheese.
Local Feed, Georgetown
Local Feed is tucked in an 1890s ice house, right across the street from the spring where Elijah Craig reportedly pulled water to first make bourbon. But despite all that history, this trendy Georgetown eatery puts a contemporary spin on scratch-made Southern classics – from chili-maple chicken and waffles to skillet cornbread with sorghum butter.
Claudia Sanders Dinner House, Shelbyville
As Colonel Harland Sanders was building his chicken empire, his wife, Claudia, opened this elegant restaurant, which specializes in Southern recipes ranging from Kentucky ham and biscuits to BLTs—and, of course, finger-lickin’ fried chicken. Stop by for lunch or family-style dinner, and take home Mrs. Sanders’ cookbook to recreate her best-loved dishes at home.
Shirley Mae's Café, Louisville
“Like coming home to dinner” is how Shirley Mae’s Café describes the experience at this welcoming soul food institution in Louisville. Presided over by Chef Shirley Mae herself for more than 30 years, the café uses only fresh ingredients – nothing canned or frozen here – for its Southern staples, like chitterlings, barbecued ribs, pan-fried chicken wings and a variety of decadent desserts.
Wallace Station Deli, Versailles
Fans of "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives," here's another one for your list: Guy Fieri raved about the Big Brown Burger at Wallace Station Deli so much that he gave it a coveted spot on his all time top five. But in-the-know Kentuckians flock here on Mondays for the weekly Fried Chicken Dinner, sizzled to perfection by renowned chef and restaurateur Ouita Michel.
Merrick Inn, Lexington
There’s a whole lotta history at the Merrick Inn, which was built before the Civil War and for generations served as the manor house for one of Lexington’s most celebrated horse farms. The food offerings are just as classic, including the famous fried chicken and appetizers like fried green tomatoes and beer cheese.
Greyhound Tavern, Fort Mitchell
Northern Kentucky’s most award-winning restaurant has perfected a few things over the years, and the menu is stuffed with traditional Bluegrass favorites. Stop by on Mondays and Tuesdays for family-style fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw and biscuits.
Chicken King, Louisville
One of Louisville’s favorite fried chicken spots (some even say the best in town), this no-frills restaurant offers chicken boxes, dinners and wings at super-affordable prices. And if you need a little break from the fried variety, Chicken King also serves delicious baked Jamaican Jerk, Herb-Roasted and BBQ chicken.
Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro, Louisville
Don’t be surprised – or discouraged – if you see a line at Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro. This popular soul food spot draws big crowds for its famous fried chicken and wings, and we think it’s worth the wait. Diners also rave about the sides, especially the sweet potato casserole.
