Dave’s Hot Chicken is in full-on expansion mode, having inked a deal for a new location up in North Hollywood. The bigger, brighter second outlet (the first is down on Western) is still teeming with fans who come through for that perfect Instagram shot to go along with their bright red, and rather spicy, tender sandwiches.

Street food sensation Lettuce Feast is out to conquer the seemingly impossible: make a meatless, all-vegan fried “chicken” that actually tastes good. So far the crew is keeping up with that promise, playing to endlessly long lines at pop-ups around the city. For those who want the full experience, opt for the spicy version.

With an accessible location in Downtown and a second in Atwater Village, Dune is one of those LA standbys that works for any mood. While its Middle Eastern platters are irresistible, hone in on the fried chicken shawarma that’s unexpected and wholly satisfying.

Chef Ernesto Uchimura’s Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich at Electric Owl in Hollywood is dangerously spicy, so be prepared to chug some water and use plenty of napkins to dab sauce stains gathering around that big smile.

There’s a lot to like with Banh Oui’s fried chicken sandwich, offered on a robust roll with Lebanese garlic spread, pickles, kale slaw, plenty of chiles, and a welcome smear of pate.

This behemoth of a chicken sandwich is a towering construction of audibly crispy and powerfully seasoned fried chicken, vinegary slaw, crunchy bread and butter pickles, and spicy mayo. It’s more than a little ironic that this chicken sandwich has become the most popular dish at Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo’s seafood restaurant.

Everyone has to wait in line for this behemoth, but it’s well worth it. The huge boneless breast is fried until it attains a crisp crust spiced with a combination of ghost, habanero and cayenne peppers. The spice is balanced by sliced pickles, slaw, a special “comeback sauce,” and a classic buttery bun.

There’s something special about the Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich at Preux & Proper, downtown’s New Orleans-inspired Southern restaurant. The chicken, massive and seasoned with all the right spices, comes topped with slaw and a buttered bun. House pickles are served on the side.  

Consider this fried chicken sandwich a love letter to Hong Kong. First comes a Jidori chicken cutlet, then a chili-garlic aioli and a Cantonese slaw, finally the whole thing is sandwiched between a hot, butter-toasted pineapple bun (bolo). This sandwich is seriously savory, a touch spicy, and just sweet enough to keep things interesting.

Settle into the Lil Chicky sandwich at this sunny West Adams spot. Hidden in between the milk bun and beneath the tempura-fried chicken breast is a minty slaw, pickled red onions, Kewpie mayonnaise, and a bit of labneh.

With its plush potato roll and crunchy pickles, this Southern-style sandwich is the star at Fuku. It’s a reasonable buy at $8 and a solid deal with a drink and fries at $11. Order it as a “knockout” and the sandwich comes loaded with seasoned cabbage and a spicy mayo-like sauce. 

The fried chicken sandwich at Venice cafe Great White is so popular, Bon Appetit named it the best version they ate all year. And for good reason: The chicken is dredged in rice flour, served with a tangy sweet onion mayo with champagne dressing, and offered with bibb lettuce on a sesame brioche bun. Not bad for a fried chicken sandwich worthy of national attention.

This neighborhood restaurant has a much more creative touch than one might expect for Gardena. The fried chicken sandwich is especially good, with a hunk of pepper-fried chicken breast coated in a crispy coat. Finished with honey mustard and crunchy green lettuce, it's enclosed in a perfect white bun.