7 South Carolina Fried Chicken Places So Good They Should Be Famous

South Carolina knows fried chicken like nobody’s business. From small-town diners to roadside stands, the Palmetto State serves up some of the crispiest, juiciest chicken you’ll ever taste. While some chicken joints get all the national attention, these seven local favorites fly under the radar despite their mouthwatering offerings. Get ready for a finger-licking tour of South Carolina’s hidden fried chicken treasures!

1. Carolina’s Chicken and More – Gaffney

Family recipes and small-town charm make this Gaffney gem a local legend.

The crispy exterior gives way to tender, juicy meat seasoned with a secret blend that locals swear contains at least twelve different spices. Weekend lines stretch out the door, but nobody minds the wait. The chicken comes out piping hot, accompanied by homestyle sides like creamy mac and cheese and collard greens cooked with hamhocks.

What sets them apart is their signature honey-butter drizzle – a sweet finishing touch that perfectly complements the savory, peppery crust. Many regulars make the drive from Charlotte just for their Sunday chicken dinner special.

2. Southern Chicken – Surfside Beach

Beachgoers stumble upon this coastal treasure by accident, then return deliberately time after time. Unlike typical beach fare, Southern Chicken offers fried chicken that’s pressure-cooked before frying, creating an incredibly moist interior while maintaining that essential crunch.

The cheerful blue building houses a no-frills operation where the focus remains squarely on quality. Their chicken strips deserve special mention – hand-cut from breast meat, buttermilk-soaked, and double-dredged in seasoned flour. Grandma Dot’s original recipes still guide the kitchen today, including her famous sweet tea that’s the perfect partner to their spicy chicken option. A true taste of Southern hospitality just steps from the Atlantic.

3. Little Howie’s – Aiken

Hidden in historic Aiken, this unassuming joint has been serving heavenly fried chicken since 1978. The original Howie (now in his 80s) still supervises the kitchen three days a week, ensuring every piece meets his exacting standards. Their signature move? Brining the chicken for 24 hours before it meets the fryer. The result is incredibly flavorful meat that stays juicy under a crackling, pepper-flecked crust.

Don’t miss their legendary biscuits – pillowy clouds of buttery goodness that come free with every chicken plate. Cash only, and worth every penny.

4. Yogi Bear’s Honey Fried Chicken – Hartsville

Cartoonish name, serious chicken skills. This quirky Hartsville establishment has been frying up crispy goodness since 1972, with a honey-infused batter that creates a subtly sweet, impossibly crunchy coating. The retro drive-thru still features the original menu board, where whole family meals come in picnic baskets complete with checkered napkins.

Their signature honey-dipped chicken pairs wonderfully with hushpuppies and tangy slaw. Current owner Mike Johnson bought the place after eating there every Friday for 15 years. He hasn’t changed a single recipe. The honey-butter rolls alone are worth the drive – pillowy soft inside with a sticky-sweet glaze that locals dream about between visits.

5. Bernie’s Chicken – Columbia

“Hot chicken before it was trendy!” proclaims the hand-painted sign at Bernie’s, a Columbia institution where three generations of spice lovers have tested their limits. Their chicken comes in five heat levels, from mild to the infamous “Carolina Reaper” that requires signing a waiver. The tiny kitchen produces big flavors, with each piece fried to order and tossed in Bernie’s signature spice mix.

Cool down with their homemade buttermilk ranch and sweet pickles, made fresh daily. University students pack the place during late-night hours when Bernie’s famous “Midnight Special” – three pieces with two sides for $8.99 – saves many hungry scholars from dormitory vending machines. The walls showcase decades of photos featuring satisfied (and sometimes teary-eyed) customers.

6. Miss Ann’s Fried Chicken – Greenwood

Miss Ann herself, now 91, still sits near the register most days, greeting customers who’ve been coming for decades. Her chicken recipe came from her grandmother, who sold it from her back porch during the Depression. The golden-brown crust shatters satisfyingly with each bite, revealing perfectly seasoned meat underneath. The secret lies in the cast iron skillets – some over 80 years old – that impart a distinctive flavor impossible to replicate in modern fryers.

Everything here is made from scratch, including the pepper vinegar sauce that locals drizzle liberally over their chicken. The modest dining room fills with multigenerational families every Sunday after church, continuing a tradition that spans nearly seven decades.

7. The Chicken Basket – Anderson

Gas station chicken shouldn’t be this good. Located inside an unassuming fuel stop on Highway 81, The Chicken Basket surprises everyone who takes a chance on their unbelievable fried chicken. The owners, Korean immigrants who moved to Anderson in 1992, created a unique fusion by marinating traditional Southern fried chicken in Korean spices before coating it in their signature crunchy batter. The result is utterly addictive – familiar yet excitingly different.

Truckers spread the word up and down the Eastern Seaboard about this hidden gem. Don’t miss their kimchi coleslaw and sweet potato biscuits that perfectly complement the main attraction. Pro tip: call ahead during lunch rush, as they frequently sell out by 1 PM.