Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles

Baltimore's Best Fried Chicken Restaurants

"Opened in 2023 in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood, this retro-inspired diner from Top Chef alum Jesse Sandlin is a tribute to two favorite things: fried chicken and Champagne, a pairing she says brings out the best in each—“Champagne and anything fried is classic, since the bubbles and creaminess go really well together and help balance the salinity of fried food.” The menu leans Southern-inspired comfort, with the main event a hand-drenched, fried bird served whole by the bucket, piled into sandwiches, or set over waffles. Sandlin, who trained under James Beard Award–winning chef Cindy Wolf, uses a meticulous two-step prep—pre-flouring in gluten-free rice flour and cornstarch, seasoning with salt, pepper, and cayenne, letting it hydrate, then dredging again before frying—for an exacting crunch with a bit of heat on the back end. It comes with biscuits, pickles, and honey butter, plus six housemade dipping sauces." - Katie Riley