Fried Chicken Festival returns to New Orleans in October with new flavors

Happening Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 on the New Orleans Lakefront, the festival will return for it’s ninth year with over 40 restaurants participating and showing off their best fried chicken dishes.

Returning this year are past FCF award winners including Bonafried, Chicken’s Kitchen, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Southerns and The NOLA Chuckwagon. All listed restaurants have earned titles of:

• “Best Fried Chicken”
• “Best Use of Chicken in a Dish”
• “Best Chicken Sandwich”
• “People’s Choice Award”

Festival organizers say FCF 2025 will also have some new contenders bringing new flavors, including Korean-style bao with Thai NOLA, Nashville hot, Southern buttermilk classics and Caribbean-spiced with Brennan’s Restaurant and Biscuits and Buns.

Officials say the new flavors will “offer guests a flavorful journey around the world.”

“Each year, we challenge ourselves to raise the bar — and this year’s food lineup is no exception. From nationally recognized names to hometown favorites, we’re bringing the heat with new chefs and styles that celebrate fried chicken in all its forms. With hundreds of delicious dishes and bold flavors to choose from, I’d recommend coming out early and ready to feast!” said FCF Associate Producer Tina Dixon, curator of the festival’s food program. 

In 2024, the Fried Chicken Festival also earned sixth in the nation for the “Best Specialty Food Festival.”

For more information and to buy tickets to the festival, visit the Fried Chicken Festival website.

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