Albuquerque, NMFried Chicken

Golden Pride has fried chicken in Albuquerque since 1973 across a handful of local locations, including the Lomas Boulevard NE spot near UNM. Gil Garduno praised its thick golden coating that seals in the juices for a moist bird, and noted the crust lacks the greasiness of the chain purveyors. Order the fried chicken, and get past the coating to the juicy meat underneath.

Chile Chicken Nashville Hot Chicken on Eubank Boulevard NE is Albuquerque's first Nashville-style hot chicken, with six heat levels from none on up. Gil Garduno rated it Very Good, and his mother called it the best fried chicken in Albuquerque. He singled out the chicken and waffles, crispy golden skin against a syrup-doused waffle. Order the hot chicken sandwich at a heat level you can handle, or the chicken and waffle.

Frank's Famous Chicken & Waffles on Washington Street SE comes from Frank Willis, a former UNM Lobos basketball player who chased the Los Angeles soul food he missed. Gil Garduno rated it Excellent and wrote you will not find better chicken in Albuquerque, recommending the eight chicken tenders and two waffles, with thick fries battered like the chicken. The kitchen recovered from a 2020 fire and reopened in 2021. Order the tenders and waffles, and add a plate of wings.

K Style Kitchen on Winter Haven Road NW makes Korean fried chicken that Gil Garduno rated Excellent, double-fried for a crust he calls crispier and virtually grease-free next to American fried chicken. Kim Seo took over in 2026 and kept the original recipes. Order the Korean fried chicken, add the wings or tenders with a sauce, and a side of the kimchi pancake.