(Photo by Jacob Slabosz/The Daily Illini)
This story first appeared in The Daily Illini.
University students have plenty of food options scattered throughout Campustown — whatever the craving, it can be found nearby. If you’re looking for fried chicken, for instance, Campustown has plenty of spots for you.
A market research study by IBISWorld shows that the fried chicken fast food industry is on the rise. With chains including Wingstop, Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken, which opened in 2017, the savory treat is more accessible — and popular — than ever.
There are five options for fried chicken within walking distance from the Main Quad. The plethora of choices raises the question for the average fried chicken connoisseur: Which one is the best?
Restaurants dedicated to fried chicken:
Atomic Wings, bb.q Chicken, Wingstop, Raising Cane’s
If you are craving fried chicken but don’t know what type to get, these restaurants offer a variety of sauces and chicken styles. Except for Raising Cane’s, these establishments serve bone-in or boneless tenders or wings and a wide selection of seasonings.
Raising Cane’s lacks in the seasoning department. However, they make up for it with their famous “Cane’s Sauce” and crispy, buttery Texas toast. This makes them a good choice for a filling late-night meal.
For a classic wing experience, Atomic Wings and Wingstop will be your go-to. Atomic Wings opened its doors recently, and it has been busy ever since. Their broad menu, filled with flavors that excite the taste buds, will always make these wings great for game days.
Similar to Atomic Wings, Wingstop is a classic among chicken lovers. With great deals and good chicken, Wingstop is a solid choice that is always promising with their $20 meal deal and delectable seasonings.
For the best non-American wings, head to the other side of campus. bb.q Chicken, a Korean chicken place, is a block away from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. There is a wide selection of flavorings here as well. However, the simple flavoring of their original breading is a standout, making it so even unadventurous taste buds will enjoy the chicken without any bold flavors.
Tongue-tastic fried chicken from restaurants that serve other food too:
Royal BBQ, Kajiken, Teamoji
Many Campustown restaurants serve fried chicken, but they fly under the radar because the treat’s hidden in an overwhelmingly large menu.
While the fried chicken at Royal BBQ resides in the appetizer section, the wings pack the punch of an entree. The breading on its wings is understated, perfectly balancing sweetness with saltiness. Every bite greets a mouthful of juicy chicken with that satisfying ASMR crunch, making this chicken the best light-breaded chicken.
Even though Kajiken has a small chicken selection, the thin, tangy skin makes this menu item stand out from the other chicken options. With the chicken also being marinated, the depth of flavor in every bite makes this chicken the hidden fried chicken gem of Campustown.
Who can come up with a better pairing than bubble tea and fried chicken? Don’t underestimate the power of a tea cafe; these places can have some of the best fried chicken in the area. The salty crispiness of the chicken stands out, especially when paired with a sweet drink.
The best boba-fried chicken on campus is at Teamoji. They have even more parts of the chicken on their menu than the restaurants above. With the option to order anything from popcorn chicken to chicken thighs, this place doesn’t limit themselves to just wings. The chicken here is pretty simple, but it is the most solid out of other boba-chicken places in the area.
Off-Campus honorable mention:
Watson’s
The line that always wraps out the door proves that Watson’s has the best fried chicken outside of Campustown in Champaign-Urbana. The menu contains diverse sandwich options and entrees, which feature chicken served in different ways. Their use of seasoning is what sets Watson’s apart. The chicken bursts with flavor, and the kitchen delivers with impressive consistency.
This restaurant also features a handful of Southern sides. Pairing coleslaw or mac and cheese with fried chicken enhances the experience, something that is not common in the other restaurants in C-U.
The fried chicken community has many spaces to flourish, with crispy treats around every corner. Whether you are someone who prefers less breading or someone who wants their chicken loaded with sauce, finding a bite to satisfy that hunger will never be a problem in Campustown.