Virginia knows fried chicken. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Tidewater coast, locals have been perfecting crispy, golden chicken for generations. While fancy restaurants get all the attention, some of the state’s best fried chicken hides in plain sight at hometown buffets where regulars line up for seconds. These six spots serve the kind of chicken that turns first-time visitors into lifelong fans.
1. Michie Tavern (Charlottesville)
Step back in time at this colonial treasure sitting just below Monticello. Since opening its doors centuries ago, Michie Tavern has been feeding travelers with hearty Southern fare that tastes like history on a plate.
The daily buffet centers around skillet-fried chicken that’s been the star attraction for decades. Alongside it, you’ll find stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, and fluffy biscuits that complete the authentic 18th-century dining experience. Heritage cooking meets unwavering consistency here.
Lunch service runs every day, but double-check the midday hours before making the trip. Regulars know the chicken is always the headliner worth coming back for again and again.
2. Wood Grill Buffet (Charlottesville)
Walk into this Charlottesville favorite and you’ll see why the buffet stretches as far as the eye can see. But seasoned diners don’t waste time browsing—they head straight for the fried chicken station like they’re on a mission…