Best fried chicken in North Carolina is at this restaurant, Yelp says. Why it’s No. 1

Photo bySavannah Beavers

A North Carolina restaurant serves fried chicken in a “spicy, savory” sauce — and fans can’t get enough.

So much so, the restaurant now ranks as the state’s No. 1 place to eat fried chicken.

Slappy’s Chicken in Winston-Salem topped the list from the review website Yelp. To determine the best fried chicken joint in each state, the website studied five-star reviews left over time from “Elite” users, those who are active on the platform.

The results were published July 1, days before the crunchy dish is celebrated on a wider scale. Though National Fried Chicken Day is July 6, Yelp users have raved about Slappy’s Chicken throughout the year.

What makes the fried chicken a fan favorite?

On Yelp, fans praised fried chicken they say was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Many craved the chicken with the Winston-Salem restaurant’s sauce, which has a kick to it.

The restaurant on Facebook said it serves “juicy fried chicken in a spicy, savory, homemade sauce with the right amount of heat and a little bit of sweet.” Those elements make the dish similar to Nashville’s famous hot chicken, The News & Observer reported in 2022.

“Slappy’s is one of the few places regularly serving dipped hot chicken, where crispy bone-in fried chicken is dipped in a tangy and spicy sauce, coating it in a deep red sheen, yet somehow keeping its crunch,” the report said.

In addition to the chicken, several Yelp users shared their love for side dishes ranging from collard greens to Cheez-It mac and cheese. Many also liked the customer service, helping the restaurant on West Acadia Avenue earn 4.6 of five stars.