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A picture of fried chicken wings and boneless thighs at Jojo
Fried chicken wings and jojos at Jojo
Nick Woo/EPDX

10 Chicken-and-Jojo Champs in Portland

Where to find the iconic fried duo around the city

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Fried chicken wings and jojos at Jojo
| Nick Woo/EPDX

Sure, Portland might be known for its food carts, craft beer scene, and coffee culture, but the city has never been famous for a singular foodstuff. While Philadelphia might be synonymous with cheesesteaks and Chicago is blessed (or cursed, depending on perspective) with deep-dish pies, the only food that comes close to being arguably iconic in Portland is chicken and jojos.

For the uninitiated, jojos are what happens when a russet potato gets cut into thick wedges, seasoned and battered like a chicken-fried steak, and traditionally, given some time in a pressure fryer — a.k.a. a “broaster.” The concept wasn’t invented here, but calling potatoes jojos — and serving them with ranch for dipping — is a regional quirk.

Chicken and jojos are a convenience store staple, and supermarket chains like Fred Meyer and Safeway often have decent deli case versions. But for the destination spots, this map is the place to start. For those who care more about chicken than jojos, check out the dedicated fried chicken map. This map isn’t ranked; it’s organized geographically.

A number of Portland restaurants have resumed onsite service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID update page. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Alberta Market

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Sometimes referred to as Jack’s Chicken, it’s no secret that this corner market is legendary for its fried wings. And if one thing is certain, where there’s wings, there’s often also jojos. The action is at the heated food case up front, which is a glorious blur of golden corn dogs, egg rolls, and usually a few trays of chicken by the piece and potato wedges to be eaten with plenty of ranch and hot sauce. Takeout is available.

Cullen's Corner

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Like Alberta Market — and less than a mile west on the same street — Cullen’s Corner is also a convenience store with a strong fried chicken and jojos game. Fair warning: if hitting this spot during off-peak hours, the heated food case might be woefully bare. With most of the hot food, including corn dogs and taquitos, priced at less than $3 a pop, this makes sense. Takeout is available. 

Hour Glass Pub & Eatery

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Chicken and jojos tend to be best enjoyed in their natural habitat, the dive bar. Plowing through a basket of deep-fried delights while lazing at home hits different than devouring the same meal perched on a barstool with a jukebox playing; however, Hour Glass’ burnished wings and jojos aren’t a poor substitute. Takeout is available (but ordering by phone is hit or miss).

Big's Chicken

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With locations on both sides of the greater Portland area, Big’s Chicken is known for its smoked Alabama-style chicken with “white gold” barbecue sauce, a tangy mayo-based condiment. Both spots also fry chicken thighs and jojos; one noteworthy menu development are the plates of jojos and shredded smoked chicken, smothered in creole gravy, and garnished with green onion, cotija, and white gold sauce. Big’s Chicken is open for takeout and delivery.

Big’s chicken and jojos
Nick Woo/EPDX

Mad Greek Deli

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This popular deli is a Burnside street institution that’s not just known for gyros and souvlaki but also one of the city’s best jojo examples that aren’t called jojos. Fried potato wedges here go by “Greek fries” and are dressed up with Mediterranean seasonings like oregano; instead of being served with ranch, Mad Greek serves its Greek fries with omega sauce, a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, feta, and dill. The deli is open for takeout, and on the westside, delivery is available from a new Hillsboro food cart.

Sadie Mae's

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Up until 2018, this video poker bar near Mall 205 shared the same ownership as Reel M Inn, the inner southeast dive, famous for its fried chicken. Supposedly, Sadie Mae’s uses the same recipe, and there’s no question the chicken is well-seasoned with ultra-crackly skin. The massive jojos are so thickly cut, eating a wedge is practically like snacking on a whole baked potato. Takeout and delivery are available.

Plate of jojos and fried chicken
Plate of Sadie Mae’s jojos and fried chicken
Krista Garcia/EPDX

Chicken and Guns

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With wood-fired whole birds and dips like chimichurri and habanero carrot sauce, this Hawthorne food cart doesn’t exactly do traditional chicken and jojos. But the “guns” in question, crispy potatoes, seasoned with lemon and sea salt, and served with pickled onions and creamy Peruvian aji sauce, are a welcome alternative to the usual. The cart is open for takeout and delivery.

chicken wings and “guns”
Brooke Jackson-Glidden/EPDX

Reel M Inn

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When people in Portland think about their favorite spot for chicken and jojos, often the first name out of their mouth is the Reel’s. Back in the Great Before, people would wait hours in the tchotchke-lined walls is iconic dive bar, which is beloved by Southern celebrity chefs, Texan restaurant owners, and Midwestern bartenders alike. The big secret: Reel M Inn refrigerates its chicken in its dredge for a few hours, which seasons the chicken and helps the skin adhere to the meat. Call ahead to order day-of, or text (503) 701-3812 to pre-order.

Jojo Food Truck

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Powell Boulevard’s Jojo Food Truck blasted onto the scene in 2019 with its delightfully unhinged social media presence and Instagram bait like Flamin’ Hot chicken sandwiches. But purists are also rewarded with simply seasoned fried chicken and jojos, served with ranch or jojo sauce (a mix of Duke’s mayonnaise and Heinz ketchup). Takeout and delivery are available.

Three customers wait at the bright-blue food truck Jojo, standing among orange cones on the pavement. They stand feet apart from each other, waiting for free fried chicken sandwiches.
Jojo food truck
Molly J. Smith/EPDX

Cider Mill & Fryer Tuck Chicken

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Hillsdale’s Cider Mill Lounge also houses Fryer Tuck Chicken, a legendary source of chicken and jojos. As elsewhere, jojos here go by another name, “spuds,” an inadequate moniker for these hefty fried potato wedges. Diners can choose from full dinners with chicken, spuds, and a choice of sides or the snack box meals, with chicken by the piece, spuds, and ranch dip. Fryer Tuck is open for takeout and delivery.

Alberta Market

Sometimes referred to as Jack’s Chicken, it’s no secret that this corner market is legendary for its fried wings. And if one thing is certain, where there’s wings, there’s often also jojos. The action is at the heated food case up front, which is a glorious blur of golden corn dogs, egg rolls, and usually a few trays of chicken by the piece and potato wedges to be eaten with plenty of ranch and hot sauce. Takeout is available.

Cullen's Corner

Like Alberta Market — and less than a mile west on the same street — Cullen’s Corner is also a convenience store with a strong fried chicken and jojos game. Fair warning: if hitting this spot during off-peak hours, the heated food case might be woefully bare. With most of the hot food, including corn dogs and taquitos, priced at less than $3 a pop, this makes sense. Takeout is available. 

Hour Glass Pub & Eatery

Chicken and jojos tend to be best enjoyed in their natural habitat, the dive bar. Plowing through a basket of deep-fried delights while lazing at home hits different than devouring the same meal perched on a barstool with a jukebox playing; however, Hour Glass’ burnished wings and jojos aren’t a poor substitute. Takeout is available (but ordering by phone is hit or miss).

Big's Chicken

With locations on both sides of the greater Portland area, Big’s Chicken is known for its smoked Alabama-style chicken with “white gold” barbecue sauce, a tangy mayo-based condiment. Both spots also fry chicken thighs and jojos; one noteworthy menu development are the plates of jojos and shredded smoked chicken, smothered in creole gravy, and garnished with green onion, cotija, and white gold sauce. Big’s Chicken is open for takeout and delivery.

Big’s chicken and jojos
Nick Woo/EPDX

Mad Greek Deli

This popular deli is a Burnside street institution that’s not just known for gyros and souvlaki but also one of the city’s best jojo examples that aren’t called jojos. Fried potato wedges here go by “Greek fries” and are dressed up with Mediterranean seasonings like oregano; instead of being served with ranch, Mad Greek serves its Greek fries with omega sauce, a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, feta, and dill. The deli is open for takeout, and on the westside, delivery is available from a new Hillsboro food cart.

Sadie Mae's

Up until 2018, this video poker bar near Mall 205 shared the same ownership as Reel M Inn, the inner southeast dive, famous for its fried chicken. Supposedly, Sadie Mae’s uses the same recipe, and there’s no question the chicken is well-seasoned with ultra-crackly skin. The massive jojos are so thickly cut, eating a wedge is practically like snacking on a whole baked potato. Takeout and delivery are available.

Plate of jojos and fried chicken
Plate of Sadie Mae’s jojos and fried chicken
Krista Garcia/EPDX

Chicken and Guns

With wood-fired whole birds and dips like chimichurri and habanero carrot sauce, this Hawthorne food cart doesn’t exactly do traditional chicken and jojos. But the “guns” in question, crispy potatoes, seasoned with lemon and sea salt, and served with pickled onions and creamy Peruvian aji sauce, are a welcome alternative to the usual. The cart is open for takeout and delivery.

chicken wings and “guns”
Brooke Jackson-Glidden/EPDX

Reel M Inn

When people in Portland think about their favorite spot for chicken and jojos, often the first name out of their mouth is the Reel’s. Back in the Great Before, people would wait hours in the tchotchke-lined walls is iconic dive bar, which is beloved by Southern celebrity chefs, Texan restaurant owners, and Midwestern bartenders alike. The big secret: Reel M Inn refrigerates its chicken in its dredge for a few hours, which seasons the chicken and helps the skin adhere to the meat. Call ahead to order day-of, or text (503) 701-3812 to pre-order.

Jojo Food Truck

Powell Boulevard’s Jojo Food Truck blasted onto the scene in 2019 with its delightfully unhinged social media presence and Instagram bait like Flamin’ Hot chicken sandwiches. But purists are also rewarded with simply seasoned fried chicken and jojos, served with ranch or jojo sauce (a mix of Duke’s mayonnaise and Heinz ketchup). Takeout and delivery are available.

Three customers wait at the bright-blue food truck Jojo, standing among orange cones on the pavement. They stand feet apart from each other, waiting for free fried chicken sandwiches.
Jojo food truck
Molly J. Smith/EPDX

Cider Mill & Fryer Tuck Chicken

Hillsdale’s Cider Mill Lounge also houses Fryer Tuck Chicken, a legendary source of chicken and jojos. As elsewhere, jojos here go by another name, “spuds,” an inadequate moniker for these hefty fried potato wedges. Diners can choose from full dinners with chicken, spuds, and a choice of sides or the snack box meals, with chicken by the piece, spuds, and ranch dip. Fryer Tuck is open for takeout and delivery.

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