If you like fried chicken, you have to add Gus's to your list. It's a chain based out of Memphis, but dang that's some of the best fired chicken I've ever eaten and I like fried chicken.

Where at

2nd Ave South downtown Birmingham.

You know, I was born and raised in Memphis...lived there until college and summers until I graduated college. And yet, I didn't eat Gus's until I was in my early 30's. I don't really catch myself craving chicken, in general, very often. But if you're craving chicken, it's good stuff.

went to the original gus's a few times with a friend from up that way and boy howdy!!!! plate of chicken, half loaf of light bread and a quart of Bud for Sunday lunch!!!

Sure looks good

I have been looking for a way to get my cholesterol under control. May have to try some Gus's first!

I'll have to check that out my next time through Bham.

The chicken I thought was good. The sides were disappointing to me.

I would agree with that. I still love Hattie B's and Eugenes too.

As I understand the story, Gus' fried chicken was in Mason, TN. It was named by playboy magazine (early 90's, I think) as one of the top ten places to eat before you die. As I remember, there were only 3 or 4 on that list in the U.S., the rest were international.

Ole Gus had an explosion in business. Then one day, his chicken shack in little ole Mason, TN burnt to the ground.

6 months later, he rented a place in downtown Memphis and opened up. Just west of Beale, near Earnestine and Hazels, I believe. Place was busy. They'd run out of chicken some nights. I remember first time I went in there, the girl behind the counter asked if I wanted something to drink. I'm looking at their menu on a "Coca-cola" sign. I said yeah, give me a coke. She says, "Honey, all we have is tea and malt liquor." Dead pan stare. Malt liquor it is.

Anyhoo- rumor always was that Gus' had so much fame from that playboy article that he'd burnt down his original shack in an insurance scam to get the place downtown opened up. Not sure of the truth. Guess his business plan is working out well.

I'm kind craving a 40 of mickey's now.

Hear Gus's is some count. I don't eat chicken though.

Better than Hattie B’s?

I've eaten at the original Gus's a couple of times and its very good but my favorite fried chicken other than my own is Big Chik in LaGrange Georgia. I CRAVE Big Chik and its been too many years since I've had any. This thread has me thinking I may need to make a trip soon.

GUS'S STORY

of course they're not gonna tell you the "real" story, but here's the history behind gus's.

we had a couple of guys in our duck camp for a few years that were from lagrange and they raved about big chik and how good it was!

I've never had hattie's chicken (other than in the MS Delta Double Quick stores which doesn't do it a lick of justice, I have no doubt) but those I've known to have both say that they are different, yet equally good!

YES! Gus's is great...haven't been back to the original location in years though. Had a college friend that lived outside of Memphis and he took me there back before it burned down in 2001 or so. I've eaten at the downtown Memphis location many times and it is just pure goodness...been a while since I've been there too. One in downtown Birmingham is great too, but not the same as the original....which is typical for any place.

Give me Gus's chicken with Hattie B's macaroni and cheese with pimentos...adn some good Sunbeam white bread and some sweet tea....call it a freaking day!

I approve of 2/3rds of this message. Onc eyou cook me up some good chicken then hopefully can go full 3/3 approval Big Chick is really good.

Fried chicken is my Cheeseburger option B

GOOD fried chicken is actually a very underappreciated test of one's culinary skills. Fried chicken, rice beans and gravy is what I want as my last supper.

Good fried chicken requires seasonings and good oil. GREAT fried chicken requires LOVE!...and a lil bit of sumpin sumpin.

Great fried chicken should be fresh, never frozen bird. It should be juicy without being greasy and a light crispy crust. It takes skill.