Fairfield, CA, with its sprawling farms and proximity to poultry country, should be a fried chicken paradise. But thanks to decades of chain restaurant dominance and – we suspect – an irrational fear of perfectly seasoned batter, finding truly exceptional chicken here has been surprisingly difficult. While we wait for the inevitable artisanal chicken revolution (imagine the crispy possibilities!), here are 8 spots currently serving the best bird in town.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
$ | (707) 437-4406 | WEBSITE
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is the ideal place to grab a quick bite while reminiscing back to when families could gather for a simple, satisfying meal without overthinking it. 2026, what a year. Once you tire of nostalgia, you can entertain yourself with some Louisiana-inspired fare like the chicken sandwich or mac and cheese. Everything’s solid, but we’ve had better – which is basically what we said after the last time we tried to find gluten-free options here.
Jollibee
$ | (707) 402-1030 | WEBSITE
With its cheerful red-and-yellow branding and surprisingly well-maintained outdoor seating, the award for the most inviting fast-food patio should probably go to Jollibee. Of course, the contrast against the typical strip-mall surroundings and similarly generic chain restaurants (do they all share the same blueprint?) helps as well. All of that comfort is, thankfully, also backed up by some consistently good fried chicken and authentic Filipino classics.
That includes a Peach Mango Pie that’s perfectly flaky, which we’d still order even if it was served at a cramped counter without those umbrella-shaded tables.
Chicken Express
$ | (707) 422-2310 | WEBSITE
Fairfield has its share of fast-food chains that all start to blur together after a while, the kind of places you visited back in high school. A lot has changed in town, with new developments popping up everywhere. But on a more positive note, Chicken Express is one of the few spots where you can still get genuinely fresh, homemade food without breaking the bank. That’s probably reason enough to swing by for some crispy tacos and a super chicken burrito.
Kiki’s Chicken
$ | (707) 584-6900 | WEBSITE
Kiki’s Chicken is only about one parking lot away from the main shopping plaza, and yet it feels like it’s a world apart (well, except for the families strolling by with shopping bags so close that you might be able to read the store logos). This modern chicken spot makes some of Fairfield’s biggest and best BBQ-style chicken wings to go with some outstanding crispy fries, and you can eat it all on clean tables that overlook what feels like a sunny California patio.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (707) 421-9631 | WEBSITE
Chick-fil-A is the fast-food cousin of the aforementioned sit-down chicken spots, only it’s not as polished on the inside, and it’s got a worse view of the parking lot. While those two things alone are probably enough for other places to end up in drive-thru despair, this Fairfield location just keeps dishing out $8 chicken deluxe sandwiches with a side of SunJoy. Admittedly, a little lemonade from time to time can help with patience.
KFC
$ | (707) 448-7141 | WEBSITE
Fairfield’s strip malls and parking lots are dotted with enough fast-food chains and drive-thrus to film a corporate monotony documentary. But KFC on this list is located in just such a spot that, not only does the experience not feel like a generic transaction of urban convenience, it appears downright pleasant.
The fried chicken menu is a little hit or miss, but get the $20 fill-up meal and – thanks to the clean dining area, friendly staff ensuring satisfaction, and views of well-maintained counters and families enjoying their baskets of fries, biscuits, and four pieces of chicken – you’ll have a good time.
Angry Chickz
$ | (707) 660-8205 | WEBSITE
You go to Angry Chickz first and foremost for the chicken, there’s no question about that. But when the chicken is legitimately delicious like it is here – a juicy slider with just the right kick even at the mild level – there’s no shame in that. And while there’s nothing to get too excited about on the simple but tasty menu, it’s perfectly fine for a place where what you really want to do is dig into some hot chicken and fries with that crazy sauce.
Split the combo #1 to keep yourself going while you ask for those fries extra crispy.
Sharkys Chicken And Fish
$ | (707) 514-7577 | WEBSITE
If Fairfield wanted a quintessential chicken shack, it would look a lot like Sharky’s, considering how perfectly it nails that hole-in-the-wall vibe. This is a takeout spot in an unassuming strip, so it doesn’t have to try too hard, and you might find your garlic noodles a bit overpriced. But, man – that food.
Eating here feels like you’ve discovered a hidden gem that’s been frying for decades, and there are few better places in town to grab a box meal, with those crispy catfish nuggets right in front of you and those juicy whole wings right next to you.