The Best Spots in Sydney to Get a Next-Level Fried Chicken Burger

Eat your way through the city's best crispy, crunchy fried chook burgs.
Dominic Gruenewald
August 08, 2019

The Best Spots in Sydney to Get a Next-Level Fried Chicken Burger

Eat your way through the city's best crispy, crunchy fried chook burgs.

It's hard to beat a burger for low-key indulgence — and what better filling to go for than crispy, crunchy and juicy fried chicken? Whether you prefer Southern-style, Korean or karaage, there's something about the decadent beauty of the fried chicken burger that immediately satisfies cravings.

Scouring countless pubs, bars and burger joints, we laboured night and day to determine our favourites — okay, we just ate lots of burgers. Then we compiled a killer list of some of Sydney's best spots to hit up for the ultimate fried chicken burger experience.

  • 5

    There’s no denying it, this spot takes its chicken very seriously — and it shows. Its chicken undergoes a four-step process: a spiced brine, a 24-hour coolroom air dry, followed by cooking the meat twice to ensure a crunchy buttermilk exterior and a tender, juicy filling. It’s hard to know where to begin with a selection of proper chicken sandwiches, but we settled for the Big Kahuna ($15), which showcases grilled pineapple, bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce atop one of the epic buttermilk chicken pieces (you can add a double stack for $6). Sides include sweet potato waffle fries with chilli aioli to complete the indulgent experience.

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  • 4

    For the uninitiated, Manly’s Peanut Butter Jelly is more of an experience than a venue. An eclectic array of street art from local and international artists adorns the walls of the five separate areas that make up the venue. Featuring everything from a casual bar area and outdoor seating to a private dining room, there’s a spot for whatever vibe you’re after.

    The Hot Bird burger ($22) takes centre stage here, featuring buttermilk fried chicken thigh, pickled jalapeños and smoked chipotle cream — you can also throw on another fried chicken thigh for an extra $5. It pairs well with the house Jelly Belly Lager, thus completing the indulgent experience that is a visit to Peanut Butter Jelly.

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  • 3

    Enmore’s Wish Bone lays claim to ‘the best fried chicken in Sydney’. We might not be ready to make such a bold statement but it’s definitely a top candidate. With a diverse range of inspirations, award-winning chef George Lewellyn and Naomi Hart’s venue takes its name from the wishbone suspension used to hold up the tables, with, of course, a nod to the speciality: fried chicken.

    The husband and wife team (formerly behind much-loved Enmore joint, Hartsyard) have turned their focus exclusively to fried chicken, which they offer up alongside a wide array of sides including mac ‘n’ cheese, North American biscuits and gravy and a Japanese-inspired spin on poutine to round out the menu. A variety of chicken burgers are available, but the classic, The Birdy Sando, features fried chicken, lettuce, cheese, pickles and hot sauce on a potato bun. We suggest pairing it with a ‘Hey Y’all’ Southern-style hard iced tea for the full experience.

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  • 2

    Situated at the south end of King Street in Newtown, this heritage-listed watering hole has long been a favourite spot for locals. Revamped by the Reilly Group (the team behind Marrickville’s The Henson) in mid-2016, this working-class boozer has maintained its old-school charm, with a few smart touches to keep things relevant. The food is straightforward pub grub but done properly. And the chicken burger ($19) here is worth a visit alone. It features fried chicken, iceberg lettuce and chipotle mayo, with the option of adding streaky bacon for $3 (yes, please). Drop in on a Monday for the $20 burger and beer deal, plus pints at schooner prices.

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  • 1

    Simple, straightforward decor and a decadent array of burgers on the menu — alongside American-inspired desserts such as deep fried Oreos — this Concord establishment’s team definitely knows a thing or two about kicking it up a notch. The lines out the door can attest to this. Happy Ending Burgers keep their focus tight and simple, and let the food do the talking — juicy burgers and, of course, the all-important fried chicken. We opted for the Nashville Hot’n’Heavy ($15); with a spicy buttermilk fried chicken thigh fillet, pickles, cheese and buttermilk-mayo slaw this indulgent beast packs a real punch. Pair it with some deep fried pakora onions ($5), if you can fit them in. If this has your mouth watering already, it’s all available via Menulog.

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Image: Alana Dimou.

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