Guy Fieri-Approved Restaurant Crowned Best Fried Chicken in Michigan

With legendary Michigan chicken institutions like Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, the Bavarian Inn, and Iva’s Chicken Dinners, earning the title of best fried chicken in the state is no small feat.

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According to Taste of Home, the top spot goes to a place that’s not only beloved by locals, but also officially Guy Fieri–approved. The Mayor of Flavortown himself rolled through back in 2017 to film an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Then in 2022, the restaurant got the call again—this time for Triple D Nation—cementing its status as a true Michigan chicken icon...

So who grabbed the crown? Eastside Fish Fry & Grill in Lansing.

The restaurant’s owner, Henry Meyer, has a story as memorable as the menu. Meyer is an ex-felon who found his passion for cooking while serving time. After getting a second chance, he made it his mission to pay that opportunity forward—today, he hires and trains non-violent felons looking for a fresh start.

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Taste of Home raves about Eastside’s fried chicken, which marinates in a secret spice dry rub for 48 hours before being fried to order. You can get it by the piece or by the bucket, in classic fried chicken form, wings, or tenders. They even serve fried chicken livers and gizzards for the true traditionalists.

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And the menu doesn’t stop there. Fresh fish options include perch, cod, whitefish, bluegill, and snapper. There are also burgers, steak, hot dogs, and fried shrimp—plus a couple of more adventurous picks like alligator and frog legs.

If you’ve somehow still got room, dessert brings pecan pie, cheesecake, and deep-fried Oreos.

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For DDD fans, the episode featuring Eastside Fish Fry & Grill, From Pied to Fried, is episode seven, season 27.