There has been a fried chicken renaissance in Miami. What started primarily on the West Coast has recently spread across the country. The fried chicken sandwich has become a staple in this generation’s palate, offering everything from the perfect blend of Nashville hot to sweet and savory Korean fried birds. In the 305, various cultures offer a wide range of flavors, each catering to a unique clientele. Here are the top five restaurants to visit in Miami.
The cashier stand and menu at Bro’s Hot Chicken. (Daniel Torres/Caplin News)
Bro’s Hot Chicken
936 SW 67th Ave.
Miami, FL 33144
(786) 307-3159
Chicken sandwich price: $10.95
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.;
Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.;
Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Bro’s Hot Chicken is a small, standalone location off SW 67th Avenue and Eighth Street. While serving real Nashville-style hot chicken, they add a distinct Miami flavor to the art, music, and ambiance. Customers can choose from six levels of heat: no spice, mild, medium, hot, extra-hot and fuego (a waiver is required for the latter). There is clever artwork of celebrities illustrated with chicken features – including Heat forward Jimmy Butler with a fiery beak and rapper Cardi B signing the fuego challenge waiver. All were drawn by a tattoo artist.
Outside of LeChick restaurant (Alejandro Rosero/Caplin News)
LeChick
310 NW 24th St.
Miami, FL 33127
(786) 216-7086
Chicken sandwich price: $18
Hours: Monday – Thursday 12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.;
Friday 12 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.;
Saturday 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.;
Sunday 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Founded in 2015 by lifelong friends Coco Coig and Jorge Sanchez from Madrid, who had no prior restaurant experience, LeChick is a prime example of immigrants achieving the American dream. Located in the heart of Wynwood, it offers a more upscale environment than most of the fried chicken world. The restaurant aims to provide great customer service and an inviting atmosphere. For $18, their “Fried Chicken Bun” features crispy buttermilk fried chicken with butter lettuce, house pickles, homemade ranch, and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun.
Inside of the Wynwood Eatery where K-poppin’ is located (Alejandro Rosero/Caplin News)
K-Poppin Korean Fried Chicken
1900 NE Miami Ct.
Miami, FL 33132
(786) 791-7999
Chicken sandwich price: $17.66
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.;
Saturday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.;
Tuesday Closed
The Wynwood Eatery features K-Poppin Korean Fried Chicken, offering a sweet and savory take on the traditional chicken sandwich rather than the usual Nashville hot style. Each sandwich includes coleslaw and pickles on a brioche bun. The difference is in the sauce options: the “Wynwood” is served with spicy mayo, the “Edgewater” with soy garlic, and the “Midtown” with Korean BBQ sauce.
House of Birds + Drop Biscuits
3415 Pan American Dr.
Miami, FL 33133
Chicken sandwich price: $12.99
Hours: Monday – Wednesday Closed; Thursday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.;
Friday 4 p.m. – 3 a.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. – 3 a.m.;
Sunday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
House of Birds + Drop Biscuits stands out. It is one of several small food stands located inside the cocktail lounge Regatta Grove venue. Chef Kenny Gilbert, who has 20 years of experience in the industry, has traveled the world, staging in some of the top restaurants in Japan, Spain, France and the Caribbean. For $12.99, customers can choose from six variations of Chef Kenny Gilbert’s chicken sandwich, all served with a jalapeño cheddar drop biscuit. The New Classic, Country Boy, The Local, Flavor Bomb in the 305, The Caribbean 2.0, and The Pan American Drive.
Michy’s Chicken Shack
200 East Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33131
Chicken sandwich price: $16
Hours: Monday – Friday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday Closed
Located in a food hall in the heart of Wynwood, Michy’s chicken sandwich is the creation of Miami native Chef Michelle Bernstein. Her concept is to bring the most “delectable” selection of fried chicken available to her hometown. Chef Bernstein wanted to reflect her community in her food and create comfort food that is affordable and satisfying. The Classic is brined, then fried with buttermilk, topped with lettuce, house pickles, aioli, brioche roll, and chicken gravy.