Where to Get a Fried Chicken Sandwich in Downtown DSM

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! We’ve rounded up some of the best, yummiest, tastiest, most mouth-watering fried chicken sandwiches you couldn’t even dream up if you tried. And they are all located in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). What are you waiting for?

Put on your stretchiest pants, and let’s dig in! In no particular order...

Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Downtown Des Moines

1. Bubba

200 10th St., Des Moines
Can you even whisper about Southern comfort food without screaming FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH?! We think not. Bubba’s decadent Fried Chicken Sandwich is made with their house-made remoulade and bread-and-butter pickles, including LTO (of course!). Did we mention it’s served on a South Union brioche bun? As if it didn’t taste delicious enough. Upgrade to get it hot, honey hot or Big Willy Style with hot sauce, bacon and cheddar cheese. The sandwich is available on their lunch menu only, however give any of their other fried chicken entrees a go and you won’t be disappointed. (How can you go wrong with chicken and waffles slathered with whipped honey butter? You can’t.)
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2. Big Grove Brewery & Taproom

555 17th St., Des Moines
Two hands high for our Korean BBQ fans! You can get your fried chicken sandwich tossed in buffalo, 1939 BBQ, lemon pepper or ... drumroll please ... Korean BBQ. Gotta love a side of sweet potato fries, too.
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3. Zombie Burger

300 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Did you know any of their Goremet Bashed Burgers® can be swapped out for a fried chicken breast instead? Well now you do. Two of our faves are the Trailer Trash Zombie (topped with American cheese and all kinds of yummy fried goodies: fried pickle, chicken fried bacon, cheese curds and ranch dressing) or the good ole Poultrygeist (pictured below). Pro Tip: Do yourself a favor and order some Zombie sauce for dippin’, while you’re at it!
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4. Tupelo Honey

665 Grand Ave., Ste. 100, Des Moines
There are so many yummy fried chicken thingies on the menu here! Try the Sweet & Spicy Chicken with siracha honey. Or the Asheville Hot Chicken & Ranch Melt which includes spicy dusted fried chicken, white cheddar, house-made pickles and buttermilk ranch on grilled Texas toast. Or the Southern Chicken BLT with apple cider bacon, dijonnaise, lettuce and tomato on a potato bun. Or … maybe just order all three?
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5. Clyde’s Fine Diner

111 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 111, Des Moines
Come by for lunch and snag yourself a Hot Bird sandwich: fried chicken with Clyde’s Sichuan hot sauce, napa cabbage slaw plus a kimchi vinaigrette and KEWPIE mayonnaise. Excuse us while we nom-nom-nom...
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6. Vibes Kitchen & Bar

1303 Walnut St., Des Moines
Get your Nashville Hot fix! Vibes serves their hand-breaded deep fried chicken breast topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion, all on a brioche bun alongside a bed of crinkle cut fries. Craving something even spicier? Try the Mango Diablito. We’d recommend also ordering a tall glass of water.
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7. Iowa Taproom

215 E. 3rd St., #100, Des Moines
Take your pick here! There are several fried chicken sammies to choose from: Southern Fried Chicken, Buffalo Chicken Swiss, Honey Sriracha Chicken and the Roasted Anaheim Chicken Sandwich can be ordered fried, topped with Roma chili pepper sauce, roasted Anaheim peppers and jack cheese served over fresh spinach on a toasted ciabatta bun. Pro Tip: Everything tastes even better on the patio here!
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8. Railroad Bill’s

621 Des Moines St., Des Moines
This fried chicken sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato and pickles on a toasted bun. The special twist here? It comes topped with a maple cream sauce. You can also order it with bacon (and you should!).
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More Places for Fried Chicken in Downtown Des Moines

Looking for more? Take a peep at Gateway Market, Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern, Mullet’s, High Life Lounge and El Bait Shop, Buzzard Billy’s, Mulberry Street Tavern ... we could literally talk about fried chicken all day!

Find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation and additional suggestions for restaurants and other eateries. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.