Fyrebird

This Gardena chicken joint serves the kind of deep-fried wings that taste like they've been double-coated in flour to make them extra crispy. Our favorite flavor here is lemon pepper: the wings come slathered with citrus juice and a peppery dry rub that will alter the pH levels in your mouth (in a good way). The garlic parmesan chicken sandwich and bright red “Cali Heat” chicken tenders are fantastic, too. This casual, counter-service, strip mall spot has no indoor seating, but they do have a table-filled patio out back that's perfect for large groups. Sometimes, they even host Sunday comedy shows, with a menu of exclusive brunch specials like chicken and waffles.