Local Flavor

LOCAL FLAVOR CHICKEN SANDWICH BLITZ

The fried chicken sammie is having a moment in Charlotte, so our staff decided to find out how the city’s top restaurants spin this beloved sandwich. We ate them buttermilk-brined, battered and breaded, and smothered in sauce, and we enjoyed every bite. See four of our top picks below, and visit our website for the entire list

COMPILED BY STAFF

Billy D’s Fried Chicken Sandwich ($15)

HAYMAKER

“Heaping” is the word that comes to mind. Between the potato buns are heapings of celery-seed slaw, pickles, smoked white barbecue sauce, and a massive piece of fried chicken in this Chef William Dissen signature. It ts at the upscale Southern spot in Third Ward because of the freshfrom-the-farm ingredients that separate the sandwich from its fast-food cousins. The chicken comes from Joyce Farms in Winston-Salem. The sandwich comes with seasoned fries (which deserve inclusion on a fry-exclusive roundup), with pepper mash aioli. And yes, those come in heaps, too. 225 S. Poplar St.

The Beaut ($7)

BOSSY BEULAH’S

Veteran restaurateur Jim Noble’s 1,200-square foot chicken shack has counter seating as in a Wa e House. You can order your sammie bunless or add American cheese, and your customizable options end there. Each sandwich is made with the Noble family’s buttermilk fried chicken, which has just enough seasoning to enhance the chicken without stealing the show. It’s served on a toasted potato bun with housemade pickles and a swipe of Duke’s mayo. You can pair it with a classic North Carolina beverage like sweet tea or Cheerwine, but that’s it. This menu’s as straightforward as they come. 2200 Freedom Dr.

Israeli Hot Chicken Sandwich ($10.99)

YAFO KITCHEN

A chicken sandwich might not be top of mind when you visit a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant that’s known for healthy buildyour-own bowls. But executive chef Shai Fargian’s Israeli Hot Chicken Sandwich is worth changing up your lunch routine for. The chicken schnitzel, slathered in spicy red schug and topped with purple cabbage slaw, is an unexpected blend of spice and heat. We recommend the Greek yogurt mac and cheese as your side to cut some of the heat from the sandwich. And if you don’t want to feel like your mouth is on re, just tell the team behind the counter, and they’ll dial it back. Multiple locations

Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit ($13)

EIGHT + SAND KITCHEN

Eight + Sand’s Panko fried chicken sandwich is a top seller for good reason, but the Nashville hot chicken biscuit has a bit more pizzazz. It started as a seasonal dish but became so popular they made it a permanent menu item. The chicken is buttermilk-brined, panko-fried, and dripping in hot sauce, then topped with a thick slice of cheddar, a free-range fried egg, and pickles. It’s piled onto a house-made buttermilk biscuit, which may not be enough to contain the runny egg yolk. It’s also huge, so we recommend eating this one with a fork, knife, and plenty of napkins. 135 New Bern St., Ste. A