Found: A Meal at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

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Found: A Meal at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

I'm not sure what I can say about Gus's that hasn't already been said at this point? It's a simple but beloved place, and while it's now a national chain, the original location was in Mason, Tennessee about an hour from downtown Memphis.

The second location is on Second Street downtown, and you'll usually find a long line, so be prepared to wait. The theme of the restaurant is Fried Things. Gus's has a handful of appetizers aka crispy-fried vegetables, slaw, baked beans, fries, white bread, desserts, more sides, and the main event: fried chicken.

Gus's fried chicken is practically perfect. Under the crispy, greasy skin is tender, juicy meat that's got more than a hint of spice. Expect to use a huge stack of napkins. The chicken definitely worth the wait: the downtown location is almost always packed with hungry Memphians with greasy fingers.

David Meany

You can order Gus's chicken in all sorts of combinations. If you're alone, I recommend the two-piece white meat meal. If you're with someone else or a few someones, you can't go wrong with ordering an Eight-Piece Family Meal and washing it down with some of their ridiculously sweet tea or a 40-ounce beer.

I recommend the Champagne of Beers, a Miller High Life, as perfect pairing to the kick-y chicken.

Go There:

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

310 South Front Street
Memphis, Tenn. 38103

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marjorie5
Don't forget the WHITE BREAD!
January 22, 2010 2:47pm
Tom
southern fried chicken, white bread and SLAW... yummy... I miss MEMPHIS
January 22, 2010 3:01pm
Kmo
Mmmm...Gus's...now I'm hungry!
January 23, 2010 3:12pm
Reasons to Lov…
[...] around outside. A few nights ago, after killing the better part of an eight piece family meal at Gus’s with a friend, I took a long walk near the Mississippi [...]
September 15, 2010 3:53pm
Michael
Maybe I need to give Gus’s another chance. I see them on these lists all too much. I have nothing wonderful to say about the chicken I was served. The skin was tough and burnt, and my order alone was $16! No alcohol. I’m sticking w Popeyes.
September 16, 2020 7:21am
Holly Whitfield
Hi Michael, I've never had a bad experience, but I have heard that as Gus's food has been little less consistent recently, and it sounds like you went on an iffy day -- bummer! People always talk about Popeye's, but I've only had horrible experiences at that chain - food poisoning, wrong orders, inedible undercooked chicken. Just goes to show that fried chicken might be a tough one to pin down for consistency! On the other hand, I have always had delicious meals at Joe's Fried Chicken and Uncle Lou's, so if you want to support some other local establishments, they're worth a try!
September 16, 2020 9:51am
Covarrubias

I don't live in Memphis, but everyone has been sleeping on Gus' Fried Chicken.

When I first moved out, I got an apartment on the other side of the street from where they were building something. 6 months later, Gus' opened, and I had no idea what it was. It had a chicken sign on it so I was down.

My boyfriend and I walked over and tried the Chicken Tenders - sub Mac n Cheese and Seasoned Fries. Blew my mind. AND THEN HOT CHESS PIE WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM HAPPENED.

And then I would walk down there every other day and get the same thing. Boyfriend would get the Fried Okra, Coconut Pie, and the Sweet Tea in a cool cup.

I moved two hours away at the end of my lease, but I come back on my birthday every year to get an entire Chess Pie for myself. And obviously eat a ton of chicken; with the same boyfriend.

That's right, it's been 7 years and this kid has not proposed. 

But that's alright, because he usually drives. Love that man, and love Gus' Fried Chicken.

September 23, 2021 5:16pm
Gloria Lanier

Gus' s Fried Chicken, in the opinion of this 71 1/2 year old woman, the best tasting fried chicken in the world.

December 22, 2021 6:03pm
Marc Saraceno

     I stumbled Upon Gus's Wold Famous Chicken at the restaurant in Glendale.  My son and I had the chicken strips,  and we tried fried pickles.   There's at least 3 in the Los Angeles area,  downtown,  and Long Beach.  The restaurant is on Glenoaks in Glendale.   We tried the fried chicken wings, our last time.  Marco 

December 25, 2021 1:21am
Bob Yantosh

You're chicken is AWESOME!!! We live in fl & whenever traveling we make it a must stop at one of your locations.  Please consider central fl for a potential location 

January 1, 2022 2:10pm

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