There are few things more comforting than a perfectly fried piece of chicken served up as a sandwich and brought directly to your face for consumption. The fried chicken sandwich has long been a staple at restaurants serving up pub food, comfort food or anything resembling it. But everyone has their variations. Let us help find the perfect fried chicken sandwich for you with the Ultimate Guide To Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Portland, Maine.
Shay’s Grill Pub
Shay’s Grill Pub in Monument Square continues to be a place locals don’t want tourists to find out about. Why? Because the drinks are good and food can be even better. That includes their chicken sandwich offerings. Shay’s has a sweet and spicy chicken sandwich that is mouthwatering. It features a deep fried chicken breast slathered in sweet and spicy sauce, with bacon, cheddar and a side of ranch for dipping. They also rotate some specialty fried chicken sandwiches. You won’t be disappointed.
Wilson County Barbecue
Located on Hanover Street in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood, Wilson County Barbecue specializes in North Carolina-style barbecue deliciousness. Don’t deprive yourself of baby back ribs or pulled pork unless you’re in the mood for a fried chicken sandwich because they’ve got a doozy. Their sandwich features a hearty southern-fried chicken breast with jalapeño mayo and pickles between a butter toasted bun. Pair that with some collard greens or mac n’ cheese and life may never be the same again.
Great Lost Bear
If you’ve never been to the Great Lost Bear, their menu can be a little overwhelming at first glance. So if you’re crazy for chicken sandwiches, skip down to the part that says THE BIRD IS THE WORD. Any one of GLB’s chicken sandwiches will make you happy but the mother and child reunion remains a local favorite. Prepare yourself for a colossal fried chicken sandwich featuring bacon, American cheese and an egg. Good luck finishing it in one sitting.
Black Cow Burgers
Sure, Black Cow is known for their burgers but they’ve messed around and discovered a fantastic fried chicken sandwich recipe too. Black Cow creates a house-made chicken patty and tops it with lettuce, onion, pickle, American cheese and crystal hot sauce mayonnaise. It’s the grown up version of what you ate as a kid.
Po’ Boys & Pickles
One of the best sandwich shops in Portland, Po’ Boys & Pickles has a lot of different menu options for those looking for some Louisiana taste. Don’t sleep on their two chicken sandwiches though. On one hand, you’ve got their Dirty Bird, a perfect blend of roasted chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato and roasted garlic mayo. But there’s also their fried chicken cutlet, another expertly executed po’ boy featuring fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, mayo and honey mustard. Get a side of fries and call it a day.
Kuno
You may recognize Kuno from their signature food truck but they’ve got a brick-and-mortar home now too. Kuno’s menu might be small but it is awfully mighty. Amongst the stir fry, pad Thai and wonton on the menu, you’ll find a fried chicken sandwich. It’s loaded up nicely with asian slaws, chili mayo and served on a brioche bun. It may sound so simple but that may just be the secret at Kuno.
HiFi Donuts
Not many donut shops find themselves in a list all about fried chicken sandwiches but HiFi has been secretly slinging one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in town for awhile now. When you walk in to HiFi, it’s easy to be blown away by their impressive donut display. Their low-key lunch menu is filled with goodness, including their Peri Peri fried chicken sandwich topped with lettuce, tomato and peri peri mayo. Save the donut for later.
Crispy Gai
In just a short time, Crispy Gai has already become a standard for fried chicken lovers. While their Hat Yai fried chicken has sent people to the moon and back, there’s something of a secret menu item on their take-out lunch menu. A fried chicken sandwich served up three ways. Standard, spicy or hot. Try one or all three and make sure to post it on social media or nobody will believe you.
Gritty’s
Gritty’s is Portland’s Original Brewpub and some of their menu items have held strong for years because people just can’t let them go. That includes the Gritty’s chicken stacker, a delicious combination of a fried chicken cutlet, bacon, cheese, honey mustard all served between two pieces of garlic bread. No, you won’t get skinny eating this but yes, it taste damn delicious.
Hot Suppa
The lunch portion of Hot Suppa’s tasty menu isn’t going to blow your socks off but the execution of the items on it might. That includes their fried chicken sandwich, which is covered in jalapeño slaw and Sriracha mayo. Sounds simple but just wait until you take a bite.
