The 9 Best Fried Chicken Spots in Calgary Where You’ll Want to Finish a Bucket in One Sitting
One of my closest friends used to make the most delicious fried chicken in the city. I would often look forward to his dinner invites to taste that crunchy, juicy goodness.
But a few years ago, he accepted a job that required him to move to a different province. Although I’m very happy for him, I still wish I could come over for a plate of his cooking every now and then.
So for a time, whenever I started craving chicken, I went to different fried chicken restaurants in the hope that I would find something just as good. Lucky for me, the city is home to a ton of great dining spots, so it wasn’t too hard to discover new favorites.
Below, I’ve listed all the best fried chicken joints in the city that had me coming back for seconds (and thirds, and fourths, too!).
1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
– Media credit: popeyesca
Address: 1304 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 244 4882
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 4:00 AM
Must-order: Blackened Deluxe Chicken Sandwich
At this point, I don’t think Popeyes needs much of an introduction. With so many locations worldwide and several just in Calgary alone, every chicken lover is likely already familiar with this fried chicken chain.
They’re best known for family-sized portions that people often order for takeout. It’s a great choice for casual meals since no one can seem to say no to their chicken, even young, picky eaters.
However, I prefer going for the more adventurous items on their menu, like their delicious Blackened Deluxe Chicken Sandwich. This is a blackened fillet, served in a brioche bun with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles.
Even though it’s considered fast food, I’ve never been let down by the quality of the tender chicken meat inside very crispy skin. And for more flavor, I opt for the spicy Cajun spread instead of just classic mayo.
| Pro tip: A Popeyes meal isn’t complete without any sides. If you ask regulars, they’ll tell you that the best choices would be their onion rings or Cajun fries. |
2. Cluck N Cleaver Chicken Beltline
– Media credit: cluckncleaver
Address: 1511 14 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 266 2067
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: Crispy Fried Chicken
Cluck N Cleaver Chicken Beltline is proudly owned by 2 sisters with insane cooking skills. In case you’re not convinced, one of them was even the winner of Top Chef Canada.
Their goal was to use their world-class talent to elevate something as classic as fried chicken.
One taste of their Crispy Fried Chicken and you’ll agree that they were successful. There’s an amazing mix of spices and seasonings that’s present in every juicy bite.
And that’s not all. Their homemade gravy is so good that I could easily slurp it up like soup.
Oh, and did I mention this restaurant is halal? Seriously, this place should be on your radar if it still isn’t by now.
| Pro tip: Get the Cluck N Cleaver app for a unique and exclusive discount. On your 11th meal, they’ll give you a coupon code with a discount equal to the average of your last 10 orders. |
3. Church’s Texas Chicken
– Media credit: churchschickencanada
Address: 125 Sage Vly Cmn NW
Contact details: +1 587 350 2456
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: 2 Pc Chicken Combo with Honey-Butter Biscuits
Since 1952, people have been going to Church’s Texas Chicken for their bold Southern flavors. Today, they have multiple locations in 25 countries worldwide, including Canada.
It’s not hard to guess why people love this place so much. From the moment you enter, you’ll be welcomed by the mouthwatering smell of fried chicken.
Remember to be patient, though. They always serve their food fresh off the fryer and piping hot.
When you bite in, you’ll hear and taste the crunchy skin first before you get to the juicy meat. It’s even better that their huge chicken sizes let you relive the experience over and over again.
And since you’re in a Texas-style eatery, don’t forget to get one of their addictive honey butter biscuits. It’s soft and has the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
| Pro tip: Spicy food enthusiasts are sure to love Church’s Texas Chicken’s Jalapeno Bombers. It has a crunchy exterior and a combination of soft cheese and jalapeno bits inside. |
4. Model Milk
– Media credit: modelmilk
Address: 308 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 265 7343
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Must-order: MM Hot Honey Fried Chicken
Any fried chicken fan is missing out if they haven’t had Model Milk’s signature chicken yet. This restaurant provides an upscale and elevated take on the beloved dish.
Trust me when I say that all diets are out the window when you dine here. The chefs don’t hold back with using premium ingredients at all.
They serve their chicken with delicious buttermilk waffles and a healthy amount of coleslaw. Each component is prepared and cooked perfectly, with the chicken being so tender that it falls off the bone.
The skin is satisfyingly crispy, too. Plus, it has a spicy kick to it that’ll have you immediately reaching for another bite.
Expect to bring home some leftovers. The staff aren’t kidding when they say that their portions are large.
| Pro tip: Depending on the size of your group, you can reserve 1 of 3 spaces inside Model Milk for a private event. Their world-class staff will provide you and your guests with excellent food and top-notch service. |
5. Nim’s Fried Chicken
– Media credit: nimsfriedchicken
Address: 4604 37 Street SW #10
Contact details: +1 587 893 6855
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Must-order: Nim’s Classic Combo
Even though Nim’s Fried Chicken is essentially just a little hole in the wall, it’s still pretty well-known among Calgarians.
This place only offers takeout, but there’s plenty of street parking for you to choose from. This is actually where most locals sneak a few bites from their order before going home.
I don’t blame them; the smell of Nim’s Classic Combo is too irresistible. This is a Nashville-style chicken sandwich served within buttery brioche buns.
Those who have never had Nim’s chicken before are often shocked by the large meat-to-bun ratio. They don’t expect the amount of heat in the chicken, either. But don’t worry, it’s not spicy enough that it hurts the tongue.
The comeback sauce is what seals the deal, though. It’s flavorful, savory, and just the right amount of tangy to balance the heat.
| Pro tip: The location for Nim’s Fried Chicken is so small that it only offers takeout. If you don’t feel like waiting too long, it’s recommended to call beforehand and order for pick-up while you’re still on the way. |
6. Chicken On The Way
– Media credit: eatingmyfeelingsinyeg
Address: 1443 Kensington Rd NW
Contact details: +1 403 283 5545
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:30 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Must-order: Specialty Fried Chicken
Chicken On The Way is a Calgary staple that’s been around for more than 50 years.
If you’re a local, you probably grew up eating here. They have several locations across the city, so they’re easily accessible.
Over the years, their specialty has remained the same, but it never gets old. Most of the regulars get 4 pieces of moist chicken, with crunchy and well-seasoned skin. What’s even better is that you can order your preferred chicken part.
Don’t forget to get some of their yummy sides as well. Fries are a classic option, but their corn fritters are also amazing with honey.
| Pro tip: Celebrate your birthday with Chicken On The Way. Just show your ID as proof, and they’ll give you a birthday snack pack for free. This comes with 2 delicious pieces of chicken, a corn fritter, and some fries. |
7. Birdie
– Media credit: bnmyyc
Address: 920 Northmount Dr NW Unit 7
Contact details: +1 403 255 8293
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Tandoori Fried Chicken Sandwich
Birdie’s menu takes inspiration from all over the world. They offer a huge variety of chicken sandwiches that can satisfy every craving.
Although their regulars strongly suggest trying different flavors each time, the Tandoori Chicken Sandwich is still their bestseller. It has a spicy, tangy, and smoky taste that people can’t seem to stay away from for too long.
Also, it’s a must to get one of their milkshakes as a drink. Their Biscoff Milkshake is perfect to wash everything down when your mouth starts burning from all the spice.
| Pro tip: Birdie offers the cutest way to pass the time inside the restaurant. Diners are welcome to play mini golf while waiting for their orders. |
8. Seoul Fried Chicken
– Media credit: seoulfriedchicken
Address: 2100 4 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 453 0822
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Garlic Soy Fried Chicken
Seoul Fried Chicken is quite new to the city, but many Calgarians are already calling it their favorite Korean fried chicken spot.
It’s obvious why, though. Just one look at their chicken and you’ll be able to tell that it’s been fully coated with whatever sauce, glaze, or powder was used to season it. The result is a very crunchy and tasty skin that’s already good on its own.
My go-to flavor is their Garlic Soy. It’s slightly sweet and very garlicky, so make sure you don’t schedule any meetings after. You also have the option to make it spicy if you want.
And since you’re in a Korean place, it would be wrong not to get kimchi. They ferment batches for over a month so their kimchi is always flavorful and perfectly spicy.
| Pro tip: The seating area inside Seoul Fried Chicken is somewhat small, so it can feel crowded when it gets busy. It’s much better to eat on their outdoor patio, where you can enjoy fresh air and a nice breeze. |
9. Chicko Chicken
– Media credit: chicko_alberta
Address: 9650 Harvest Hills Blvd N #925
Contact details: +1 403 452 4763
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Must-order: Half & Half
Chicko Chicken is the ideal Korean fried chicken restaurant for indecisive diners. There are plenty of delicious flavors to choose from, but you won’t be forced to commit to just one.
Instead, most of their customers go for their Half & Half option. This means you can choose two flavor options for every order.
Personally, I think the best flavor combo is their Cheese Snow and Padak Padak. The Cheese Snow is sweet and a little bit salty, while their Padak Padak is tangy and has a strong green onion flavor.
Just keep in mind that their chicken is made fresh, so their wait times tend to be longer than other places. Believe me, though, it’s worth it.
| Pro tip: Flavor isn’t the only thing you can choose for your Half & Half order. You can also get the best of both worlds by opting to have half your order boneless while the other half bone-in. |