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THEN AND NOW: How one of Houston’s most popular fried chicken restaurants came to be

Plus, more places to indulge your craving for the crispy southern classic -- fried chicken!

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” -- it’s a crispy, crunchy, southern classic -- fried chicken. We can’t talk about fried chicken in this city without going to Frenchy’s Chicken -- which didn’t get its start as a chicken restaurant.

  • Watch “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC and KPRC 2+

Frenchy’s

3919 Scott St. | Houston (Plus multiple additional locations)

The family-owned spot on Scott Street has been a neighborhood go-to since 1969. That’s where Chef Chris Shepherd gets a real treat when he sits down to learn the story behind the restaurant from family matriarch Sallie Cruezot.

Chris Shepherd sits down with Frenchy's matriarch Sallie Cruezot (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Mrs. Cruezot shares how Frenchy’s Chicken actually started as a po-boy shop, but quickly switched to fried chicken when customers when crazy for it. To this day, the breading recipe remains a closely guarded secret.

Chris Shepherd shares his picks for what to order at Frenchy's (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

La Lucha

1801 N Shepherd Dr. | Houston

After Frenchy’s, Chris heads to La Lucha where most meals begin with oysters and end with fried chicken.

The fried chicken at La Lucha is among the best in town (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

The chicken here is done the classic way, but the sauces are not! Chris tries their crispy chicken with a dollop of their signature oyster mayonnaise.

Chris Shepherd shares his picks for what to order at La Lucha (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Barbecue Inn

116 W Crosstimbers St. | Houston

Finally, Chris recommends a hidden gem that’s been turning out some of the city’s best fried chicken since 1946, but you would never know it from the name. The fried chicken at Barbecue Inn has a crunch you have to hear to believe.


More “Eat Like a Local” restaurants featured in this episode

Here are more great restaurants to try when you're craving fried chicken. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.


Season 2 of “Eat Like a Local”


About the Authors
Dawn Campbell headshot

Sports mom, amateur nature photographer, and regional Emmy award-winning television producer

Field producer by day. Cruise director by night to a busy, foodie, outdoorsy family, which includes two sports loving boys and one craft beer loving husband.

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