A State-by-State Guide to America's Favorite Fried Chicken

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© Rowdy Rooster

New York: Rowdy Rooster

New York is a melting pot of cuisines, so it’s fitting that its fried chicken darling is anything but traditional. Rowdy Rooster, a trendy spot in NYC’s East Village, brings the bold flavors of Indian street food to the fried chicken scene. This small shop specializes in Indian-spiced fried chicken, drawing inspiration from regional favorites: think North India’s chili-and-garlic chicken pakoras, East India’s tangy chili chicken, and South India’s fiery Chicken 65. You can choose your spice level (mild, medium, or lava hot if you dare). The marquee item is the Big Rowdy Sandwich, which packs a crispy fried chicken thigh into a soft potato bun and piles on the flavor – it’s topped with pickled onions, cooling garlic yogurt sauce, and zesty mint chutney. It’s a messy, delicious explosion of textures and spices that has quickly earned cult status among foodies. Rowdy Rooster’s menu is relatively small, but every item is thoughtfully crafted and bursting with the vibrant herbs and spices of India. In a city where you can get any kind of food, this little chicken joint managed to create something fresh and exciting – and in doing so, became one of New York’s favorite new fried chicken spots.