For all the fine restaurants that make their own fried chicken, there's still not one of them that can beat Houston fast-food icon Frenchy's. The Scott Street location is still the best. For some reason, the coating there just seems to be slightly more flavorful and crispy than the rest. The other locations are quite good, though and, thankfully — after years of shutting other locations down — Frenchy's is back on a rapid expansion track (mostly through franchising). There are now 29 locations in the greater Houston area, plus one in Beaumont. The hot, crunchy crust and perfectly moist chicken underneath are superb. To get the full experience, dirty rice, collard greens and red beans and rice are the must-have side orders.
READERS' CHOICE: Max's Wine Dive