Located within Marie’s, the St. Johns tavern with Blue Velvet vibes, owner William Travis III stacks a fried chicken thigh on a mayo-slathered bun with Dub’s sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion. This pure-and-simple fried chicken sandwich remains a favorite in the St. Johns neighborhood.

Since opening last year, Maya Lovelace’s casual Southern spot Yonder has been slinging North Carolina-style fried chicken in three styles: dusted with a special blend of spices, dipped in a tangy vinegar-based sauce, and medium-spiced hot. Regardless of style, the chicken comes out hot and crispy in a buttermilk bun and adorned with bread and butter pickles and either comforting American or sharp pimento cheese.

Located in the Barley Pod on NE Halsey, Flew the Coop is a food cart specializing in Southern-fried white meat chicken sandwiches prepared in a five different styles, including sweet and saucy Korean fried chicken and Nashville hot. The heat level on the Nashville chicken won’t blow away any spice lovers, but the balance of creamy, toothsome coleslaw on crispy buttermilk breading satisfies, especially enjoyed within the intimate tables of Baerlic Brewing.

Available as a lunch special on Tuesdays, the savory, peppery fried chicken sandwich at Laurelhurst Market’s butcher counter is topped with pickles, thinly sliced red onions and thinly shredded, refreshing lettuce. A soft potato bun and a bit of tangy spiciness from Frank’s Hot Sauce combines with pre-fried buttermilk thighs, which results in a cold chicken sandwich that is ultra comforting and holds up as a to go order.

As the most reviewed Portland restaurant on Yelp, Screen Door is well known for both its Southern cuisine and its especially long brunch lines. The East Burnside spot’s iconic chicken and waffles are extremely popular, but the fried chicken sandwich holds its own as well. A very wide buttermilk-battered fried chicken breast comes out hot and crispy, topped with tangy pickles and crunchy coleslaw on a toasted bun. Dipping Meyer lemon ricotta fritters in lemon curd can’t hurt, either.

For the better part of ten years, Rick Gencarelli’s Lardo has been churning out massive sandwiches — first out of a food cart, and now at two counter service locations on each side of the river. Once known for serving cold leftovers-style fried chicken, this Nashville Hot chicken sandwich is taken a step closer to Hattie B’s, both spots serving out of the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Topped with savory bacon, tangy pickles, Duke’s mayonnaise, and drizzled with hot honey, this spicy, crispy crust goes well with a plate of dirty fries.

For years, Top Chef’s Doug Adams has had a well-documented history of bringing crispy, buttermilk fried chicken goodness to Portland, first at Imperial and now at fun-loving, Texas-meets-Oregon Bullard. With cayenne and toasted fennel, the breading has peppery and bright notes, and it is all balanced out with fresh red onion, lettuce, Duke’s mayo, sweet and spicy jalapeño jelly, and house-made dill pickles. While it comes with fries on the lunch menu, during weekend brunch, it might be considered a colossal error to not order the loaded hash browns.

Downtown food cart Poboyz is the place to be for traditional seafood po’boys and fried ribs, but the restaurant’s fried chicken sandwich is no slouch either. Battered hunk-like strips with pickles, remoulade, tomatoes, and lettuce come in a hoagie-style roll, well-seasoned and hearty. However, if the hot honey chicken is on the menu, that’s the move.

True to its name, Creepy’s — the SE Morrison bar with animatronics and beer sweaters — keeps Portland weird with several clown paintings and a John Quincy Adams portrait with randomly moving eyes. Among the highlights on the menu of this eclectic spot is the Hot Breast Sandwich, a piece of thinly-breaded, juicy, white-meat fried chicken with a hint of sweetness from coleslaw and spicy tanginess from hot honey sauce and pickles. Side of fries, slaw, or salad can be added for a couple bucks.

Before the man behind the little blue food truck on SE Powell started dominating Instagram with fun and satirical captions, Justin Hintze and his crew had been smoking and frying up crispy, flavorful chicken thighs for fun, inventive sandwiches. This has not changed. The spicy fried chicken sandwich is a marvel with a generous amount of potato salad piled on the chicken with crystal hot sauce, sambal mayo, shredded lettuce on a toasted butter roll. Specials like orange chicken can be found on Jojo’s very follow-able Instagram account.

Sellwood’s Reverend’s BBQ is probably most known for its namesake barbecue food. However, the fried chicken, which is smoked before frying, stands among some of its best menu items. Shredded iceberg, pepperoncini, and spicy mayo top a smoky, tender chicken thigh on a toasted sesame bun. Side options, like mac and cheese or collard greens, are included with the sandwich. While this place can get a little busy, it is a great place to watch a sporting event because there are television screens at nearly every angle.