Willie Mae's

A visit to the original Willie Mae’s in New Orleans can result in two-hour waits, which is longer than we’d wait for pretty much anything (Din Tai Fung, included). But after visiting their first West Coast location in Venice, it all makes sense: this is some truly spectacular fried chicken. Luckily, there aren’t long lines at this casual spot (yet), meaning it’s easy to get your hands on these golden wings, thighs, and tenders that arrive hot from the fryer. Each order is coated in a flaky crust that crackles and shatters the moment you bite in— the thin, slightly spicy crust seals in all the chicken juices, which end up running down your arms between bites. There’s also a long list of sides like gumbo, red beans, and candied yams, but they’re all secondary—this chicken will outshine anything it shares a plate with.