Walking into Original Chicken ‘n Ribs on an early Tuesday afternoon, the first thing that hit me wasn’t just the smell of crispy, golden fried chicken — it was the sense of history. The small carry-out spot on Beatties Ford Road has been serving Charlotte for over 70 years , and judging by the stream of customers waiting for their orders, it’s clear this place is still a staple.
After our readers voted it the best fried chicken in the city , I had to see for myself what makes this spot stand out. Was it the crunch? The seasoning? The nostalgia? I was about to find out.
When my order came out, the first thing I noticed was the sheer amount of food in front of me — fried chicken, ribs, mac and cheese, fries, fried okra, hushpuppies and collards. Everything was steaming hot, and the smell alone was overwhelming in the best way possible. The rich aroma of seasoned fried chicken mixed with the smoky scent of ribs and buttery hushpuppies had my stomach grumbling before I even picked up a fork.
My first reaction? Wow. And not just because I hadn’t eaten yet. This was the kind of meal that made you pause for a second, just to take it all in…