Best Fried Chicken
"Worldwide chef David Chang seemed to have the city at his fingertips in September 2019. Majordomo was a big hit in far Chinatown, his Las Vegas restaurants were gearing up to open, and his fast-casual fried chicken outlet Fuku had just arrived to Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. While bigger plans were quickly delayed by the onset of the pandemic, it seems that Fuku is back and ready to conquer once again." - Farley Elliott
"With its plush potato roll and crunchy pickles, this Southern-style sandwich is the star at Fuku. It’s a reasonable buy at $8 and a solid deal with a drink and fries at $11. Order it as a “knockout” and the sandwich comes loaded with seasoned cabbage and a spicy mayo-like sauce." - Eater Staff
"David Chang’s highly anticipated fried chicken sandwich restaurant, Fuku, opens today at SocialEats food hall on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. The former Sumo Dog stall has been transformed into a sleek counter with a straightforward menu. There’s a spicy fried chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, and an off-menu cold fried chicken leg that’s as spicy as Howlin’ Ray’s hottest level. On the side are waffle fries, chili-garlic green beans, and horseradish snow peas. The Southern-style sandwich will likely be the star with its plush potato roll and crunchy pickles. It’s a reasonable buy at $8 and a solid deal with a drink and fries at $11. Order it as a “knockout” and the sandwich comes loaded with seasoned cabbage and a spicy mayo-like sauce. The tenders are good too, but the off-menu Rippin’ Hot cold fried chicken leg might steal the show with its seriously spicy profile. It’s a Santa Monica Fuku exclusive and only available by request, so put on the provided gloves and get ready to sweat. To drink, there’s a frozen strawberry lemonade, peach sweet tea, and yuzu lemonade. Fuku first opened in New York City’s East Village before expanding to three locations in the Big Apple, one in Boston, and other sports concession venues including the LA Coliseum. The fried chicken spot also popped up at Coachella the last few years to drum up social media buzz. Fuku is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 1315 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica." - Matthew Kang
"Fuku is part of SocialEats and sits within the greater Gallery Food Hall complex." - Farley Elliott
Chris Payne
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