Popeyes on Hilton Head is closed. Here are 6 local restaurants to try instead
When it comes to fried chicken, everyone’s favorite is a little — or a lot — different.
Those who prefer their fried chicken spicy and passed through a drive-thru window may be missing the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, which closed on Hilton Head Island in early January.
The restaurant at 15 Park Lane was the only Popeyes in Beaufort County and had been open a little more than five years. The franchise owner would not comment about specific reasons the restaurant closed, and calls and emails to corporate owner Restaurant Brands International went unanswered.
Bojangles and KFC both have locations in Bluffton, but to help fill the void left by the closure of the fast-food chain on Hilton Head, we turned to online review sites with the goal of finding some local options.
We can’t say which is the best fried chicken for everyone’s taste buds and this list isn’t comprehensive, but here are some restaurants worth trying.
Ruby Lee’s South
Ruby Lee’s at 19 Dunnagans Alley gets high marks for atmosphere and live music from online reviewers in spite of an entertainment fee added to their bills. The menu includes fried chicken and waffles with hot pepper syrup and collard greens ($19.95), or diners can choose the two different fried chicken plates with sides like collards, cole slaw, fries and others ($22.92 or $19.95). Call 843-785-7825.
Here’s one reviewer who had a great meal, according to Trip Advisor:
“This was our first time - the entertainment was really good. Our food was really good - we had the 3 piece fried chicken with 2 sides. So yummy!”
Annie O’s Kitchen
Pop into Annie O’s, located at 124 Arrow Road, for a $15 Southern-fried chicken lunch plate, complete with your choice of sides. Or drop by in the evening for some Nashville hot chicken with a side, salad and biscuit for $18. Call 843-341-2664.
According to one reviewer on Yelp:
“I have no clue who Annie O is, but I thank her for making our Hilton Head trip tastier. I know it must be shocking to see a 5-star rating for a restaurant in a trendy vacation spot, but this place really hit me in all the right places (OW!).”
One Hot Mama’s American Grill
One Hot Mama’s fried chicken is smoked over a hickory fire, dipped in buttermilk and breaded before it goes into the fryer — special treatment that undoubtedly helped get the meal on Food Network’s “Extra Mile.” Includes two sides for $17.29. Located in Reilley’s Plaza on 7A-1 Greenwood Drive. Call 843-682-6262.
One Google reviewer said he could not wait to come back:
“Mama’s Smoked Fried Chicken was an absolute delight and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found out this was one order. It is the crispiest fried chicken I’ve come across while still preserving the fluffiest meat underneath.”
Chow Daddy’s
Chow Daddy’s features fried chicken in several dishes, but the one that caught our eye was the smoked fried chicken bowl, a boneless, skinless breast served with sriracha aioli, fresh slaw and basmati rice for $17. It’s available at the restaurant located at 14-B Executive Park Road (call 843-842-2469) or at the Pickup Pop-up on Lighthouse Road in Sea Pines (call 843-671-2469). Bonus for those dining in Bluffton: It’s on the Chow Daddy’s menu there, too.
Here’s how a reviewer on Trip Advisor described it:
“The fried chicken bowl was recommended by my waitress, and although I prefer fish when I’m in HH, I decided to go with the recommendation. This was excellent. Moist on the inside, crispy on the outside with a light spicy sauce.”
A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant
A Lowcountry Backyard, on 32 Palmetto Bay Road, serves up the “Bischick” — marinated chicken breast, breaded and fried, topped with gravy and paired with a biscuit. Comes with your choice of a side dish for $14.95. Call 843-785-9273.
The Bischick is popular with Google reviewers:
“I got the Bischick. Fried chicken on a biscuit covered with gravy. It was so delicious and filling!”
“We love it every time we come to town. The Bischick is as good as it gets. What’s not to love about a giant piece of fried chicken on a biscuit covered with gravy.”
Palmetto Dunes General Store
The Palmetto Dunes General Store at 1 Trent Jones Lane in Palmetto Dunes calls its secret recipe for fried chicken “world famous.” We’re not sure about that, but it’s certainly the place to stop if you want to pick up a great lunch and some extra supplies too. Call: 843-842-2507.
Here’s what a reviewer on Yelp had to say:
“Sounds strange that a general store would have decent food, but the back corner of this busy little store serves out tasty breakfasts and the best fried chicken on the island. Go on a bike ride and grab something to eat here or a coffee, soda, freeze drink. The entrance is lined with people eating on the porch watching tennis and bikers.”
Editor’s note: After publication, readers reached out with their recommendations for other places to consider for fried chicken on Hilton Head. Roy’s Place on Office Park Road serves a fried chicken lunch on Mondays, and the Plantation Station on Lighthouse Road in Sea Pines has meals to go.
This story was originally published January 22, 2021 at 4:45 AM.
