Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Went to see my college kid for spring break and lo and behold, found this spot just minutes away from his apartment.. I live in Austin and only had Gus's during F1 at COTA.. a couple of small pieces and I was hooked! The chicken was just as I remembered.. crispy on the outside and tender/juicy on the inside.. the fried okra and greens were delicious.. everyone enjoyed their meals.. our server was nice and attentive.. would definitely come back for more..

The catfish was great, the fried chicken was great. The baked beans, tasted like bushes baked beans, the fries were well seasoned, the fried okra was good, Mac and cheese had good flavor but the flavor but not quite a true southern Mac n Cheese. I definitely recommend this place to eat, the service was spectacular, not true soul food but definitely worth a try.

I give 5 stars, but if I could give more, I would. They have gone above and beyond to serve us. They were so nice and kind, it was lovely. It was good service and amazing people here. And the food is amazing, piping hot and loaded with lots of flavor. Will definitely put Gus's as one of my favorite places to eat in San Marcos. Plus... the tea is Texas Sweet just the way we love it!

I have tried Gus's before in Austin but first time in San Marcos. It's delicious and fresh, and the sides were amazing, too. It takes a while to get the chicken, but you know it's made to order, and it's totally worth the wait. The chicken is amazing, and the Mac and Cheese is out of this world. Service was also top-notch. They often check on us to see if we need refills or anything else.

Emily was a great waitress. Gave us a replacement piece cause we had a very small piece. She is awesome and very pleasant and attentive. Chicken was 🔥. Sooooo good and sooooo fresh. Love this place

The food was excellent! The chicken was juicy but not greasy and very flavorful. My son said the mac and cheese was the best-world class! Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and helpful. We can't wait to go back!

Stopped by Gus’s World Famous Chicken recently and had a fairly decent experience. The vibe of the restaurant was nice clean, well-kept, and had a comfortable, casual feel to it. I ordered the 3 wings with mac & cheese and greens. The chicken was definitely the highlight crispy, flavorful, and had a nice spicy kick that gave it some character. The sides, though, left me wanting more. They weren’t bad, just seemed to be missing something hard to put my finger on it, but they lacked the flavor or heartiness I was hoping for. Overall, the food was alright. Not amazing, but not terrible either. I’d possibly come back to give it another shot and see if a different combo leaves a better impression.

I came to San Marcos for Spring Vacay and ended up finding one of the BEST Fried Chicken spots in the South... In the span of 21 days, I chose to eat at Gus' 4 times... Yep... each time I have the 4 wings special with various side combinations... Slaw and Okra, Okra and Mac n Cheese, Potato salad and Beans, and Greens and Mac n Cheese, all good.. My favorite is the Fried okra n Mac n cheese combo with a pepper... Chicken ALWAYS hot n fresh cause it's cooked to order... Pies are an added bonus... Coconut Chess is my favorite but the Chocolate was surprisingly very good!!! STEVEN is the ABSOLUTE BESTIE❤️🦋💯

Truly world famous - this fried chicken is some of the best you'll ever have! The refreshing sweet tea, the perfectly crispy fried okra, creamy mac and cheese, and juiciest fried chicken...chef's kiss. I've been to Gus's 2x now and it always hits the spot! Recommend bone-in for maximum flavor, but the chicken tendies are tasty, too! Seat yourself, casual service, great food. QUICK FACTS: - Parking? Yes, open lot shared with neighboring restaurants. - Reservations? No, just walk right in. At peak hours there may be a little bit of a wait. - Takeout? Yes, you can order to go. FOOD RATINGS: - Fried pickle spears (5/5): Not pictured, but so good. I love pickle spears vs. chips. The breading was solid and stayed on nicely, and the ranch dressing was delicious. - Fried chicken (5/5): I went for the dark meat and it was perfection! Crispy, spicy skin and juicy meat. You can order a jalapeño and some honey for it also. But it's good just as-is! - Fried okra (5/5): Some of the best fried okra! Perfectly crispy and salted well. Generous portion. You can upgrade your sides for $0.50 ea. (original plate sides are baked beans and coleslaw). - Mac and cheese (4/5): Yummy mac and cheese. Pretty creamy and cheesy and decent flavor. My favorite side next to the okra!

Spicy fried chicken. We went as a large group, and the service was good, just some of the food was too done or undercooked. Most of the family was satisfied. We kinda took over the place, cause it was like 20 of us. We've been to the one in San Antonio, and it was a good experience. I really loved the chicken. This place is very accommodating to the customers. I really enjoy going here, but I won't go as a big party. Plenty of parking, indoor and outdoor seating. Beer and desserts.

For my first visit to Gus's Fried Chicken in San Marcos, I went with the catfish and a chicken combo so I could sample a little bit of everything--and it did not disappoint. The catfish was perfectly seasoned and flaky, while the fried chicken delivered that signature crispy, spicy crunch Gus's is known for. I also loved that you can order chicken by the piece, which is perfect if you just want a taste or want to mix and match. Add in the creamy mac & cheese and crispy fried okra, and it was the ultimate Southern comfort plate. Fast, friendly service sealed the deal--Gus's is easily a five-star experience.

Service crew is amazing and so nice. The food was was good and we would definitely go there again.

I am honestly addicted to Gus's fried chicken. I hate okra but I eat theirs like it's candy. The food here is always fantastic! Everyone is so friendly. I think I've been here 4 times in the last few months and honestly I wanted to come back more, lol. Don't pass on Gus's!

This review is ONLY about the newest offering - catfish. THIS for $4? Absolutely not ... Either lower the price ($1 is appropriate) and/or ensure customers know they will be getting a fish *strip* not fillet & up the quantity to at least 3 strips.

Ordered take out by phone, arrived, food not ready. Waited near counter. When our order was ready, they didn't let me know so it sat and got cold. When I arrived o paid and gave my name so they knew I was there and it wasn't that crowded. Won't go back. Too many other options

Picked up my first to go order from Gus's and it was good! I've finally found our local fried chicken restaurant when I don't feel like cooking. The order was hot and ready when we arrived. We tried a little in the car and it was fresh and good! We got the 8 piece snack and you get to choose your pieces. We added the fried okra and fried green tomatoes. The chicken was moist and seasoned well. The green tomatoes were good. I'd like a little more seasoning but lord the crunch. The fried okra was ok. I had a few with stems. The inside was bright and the employees were friendly. This is my go to for chicken in the future.

Again, the food was fresh, hot, flavorful with excellent customer service. Or waiter (with the twisted mustache) was fun, friendly and fast. It's hard to believe (and I shouldn't say this, because they run out wayyyy too fast) but the sweet potato pie is freaking good!

Incredible service from our young server and of course the food was delicious. That coleslaw is hauntingly superb- I can't find a dupe recipe anywhere.

I didn't know Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken opened in San Marcos as well so when I saw that, of course I had visit. I love the crispy skin of the chicken. The mac n cheese is a good side but I go for the chicken every time! Go check it out!!

Robert & Dave were so friendly The chicken was so juicy. Best fried chicken in Texas.

After a coworker recommended Gus's Fried Chicken, we decided to try it after a trade show to avoid the standard buffet dinner. The establishment is very clean and has a fresh, modern vibe. We were greeted warmly upon entering and were able to choose our own seating, which was a nice touch. Our waiter was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. I ordered a Coke, and my dining companion opted for a half sweet tea, half lemonade mix. For the meal, I went with the 2-piece white plate, which came with baked beans and coleslaw, while my coworker chose the 4-leg dinner special with fried okra and beans. Both meals were priced at $12 each, which we found reasonable. The chicken was served piping hot, with a wonderfully crispy exterior and moist, flavorful meat. The portion sizes were impressive--I couldn't finish my meal, and the breast and wing were especially large. The chicken had a great flavor, with just enough spice to leave a little heat without being overwhelming. Both the beans and slaw had a nice balance of flavors and paired well with the meal. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be returning to Gus's. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for some delicious fried chicken!

The wait is over! Been wanting to try Gus's since they rolled into town. It was worth the wait. We split the 4 piece chicken tenders with fries and macaroni & cheese as sides. The tenders were HUGE; mildly spicy and lightly breaded. The fries were well seasoned and the Mac&Cheese, very cheesy and also well seasoned. Gus's will replace Raising Cane's as my go to chicken tender destination.

First time trying the San Marcos location and it did not disappoint! I had never tried the catfish before so they threw in a little piece with my chicken so I could try it out! Love the 2 piece dark plate it's the perfect meal

Everything lived up to its name as the world's finest fried chicken. The sides do not disappoint either, everything was well seasoned, even the sweet tea was really good. I highly recommend this place. My only complaint was the chicken was overcooked, but still worth it.

Absolute chicken nirvana! Spotlessly clean, incredible servers, ample parking, and the best chicken this side of the Mississippi River. We have been to many Gus's and this is the closest one to the Memphis location in taste and friendliness. It is slap your mama good!!! I would also add- for those complaining about the price; you get what you pay for... the quality is absolutely worth every penny and more.

Great food and great service. Little bit of a wait on the chicken, but it was fresh and juicy. Sides were on point, we had the baked beans, greens, coleslaw (my favorite) and potato salad. It was super quiet as we were the only people there. Staff was very attentive. 10 out of 10 would recommend!!

Love this place actually. But this last time it seemed the chicken and the okra was cooked in really hot oil or it was left in too long. I mean, I still ate it but just seemed overcooked. Maybe because it was the special? But I'll still go back.

Wanted to check out the Gus's out in San Marcos. We normally go to the one in Austin but wanted to try out this one. Absolutely delicious. I got the three piece white with a side of coleslaw and okra. Everything was fresh and super tasty. The chicken was juicy and just the right amount of spice. The okra had just the right golden brown outer layer and the coleslaw was on point. There is plenty of seating, plenty of parking, many windows to look out from and not feel enclosed. The staff were welcoming and loved our waiter. He was very helpful and friendly. I have to say that this location provided us better tasting food than the one in Austin. It seemed fresher, and tastier, and loved the extra space for seating. I would have given it a five but it was a bit warm in there so it was a little uncomfortable. I know it's summer but just felt warmer inside than what I would have liked. The food is soooo good though. If you are looking for some great tasting fried chicken come out to Gus's out in San Marcos

Fried green tomatoes were amazing but be cautious, they will burn your mouth. Fried chicken was cooked prefect with a side of mac&cheese hit the spot. Couldn't finish the piece of coconut pie because I was go full. Lastly, Mel was very hospitable and kept the ice tea flowing. She seemed to be super stoked working there which is nice coming from California.

Had a chance to check out the new Gus's in San Marcos this afternoon. I'm happy to announce that the issues that plagued my first visit have been rectified. The food was ON POINT just as it is at every other Gus's around the country. I even visited the Gus's in New Orleans when I was in town two weeks ago for a conference, just to make sure I wasn't trippin. The food there was awesome and the food today in San Marcos was as well. They had a four wing, two sides special (seen here) this Sunday afternoon. So good. If you haven't tried Gus's in San Marcos yet? RUN don't walk. It'll be some of the best fried chicken you've ever had in your life

Listen here.. somebody's momma made this food with all the love in her heart. somebody better tell auntie how much i love her and appreciate her because this is the best dang food i've had since moving to san marcos. that mac n cheese remind me of the church ladies that had the recipe passed down through generations. i usually hate cole slaw, but GOOD LORD, i couldn't shovel this cole slaw into my mouth fast enough. the chicken... good lord... the chicken. the JUICIEST, CRISPIEST, most INCREDIBLE flavor. i bit into this chicken and shed a tear. this is the kinda food you know is gonna have you in a coma after you finish. i even had this delivered and it was so crispy and fresh. god bless the people cooking this food. i think i might even love you.

The staff was courteous, restaurant was clean, and the food had great flavor. I'm someone who doesn't do well with spice at all and enjoyed the food. That said if you are a fan of hot food this may not be for you. All in all good experience

Chicken is mid and the pricing at this place is ridiculous. Terrible specials. This has to be a joke for the price.

I went at 11:15 on a Tuesday morning and there were already a few tables taken. A guy up at the front yelled across the restaurant asking if I was dining in or taking out. I replied that I'd be staying and he told me to sit wherever I'd like. The tables have a plastic red and white or blue and white checkered table cloth with the menu propped up between the napkin holder and the hot sauces. A server (John?) came up and explained how the chicken is spicy (he said 7/10...personally, I think it was about a 3/10). I asked for a water and gave him my order. He asked me to wait about 15 minutes, but I think I got my food in about 7. The chicken has a beautifully light breading that has an almost tempura like crunch and is seasoned so nicely. The meat was juicy and cooked to perfection. The mac n cheese was...good...but nothing to write about here. The Cole slaw follows suit. I ate it all and I thought I was still hungry at the end, but really, it was enough. I put a picture of the plate with my hand for reference. It wasn't until I got home that I realized they charged me for the cup of water, a mystery charge of 75 cents next to the chicken thigh (part of the plate) and 50 cents for the mac and cheese substitution (I knew about that already because John told me). This is good fried chicken but on the higher end of reasonably priced with hidden charges. I don't know if I will eat here again but maybe next time in San Marcos if I'm really craving chicken and I want to spend $5 more than most other lunch places.

Angeline was welcoming and made the whole experience and anticipation even better! So happy to see as an Austin transplant into the best kept secret of a town -SMTX

Gus's is terrific! Memphis, Ft.Worth & Sanmo- I've been to these, and there are other locations! Their homestyle, family recipe just can't be compared; except to grandma's. Our server was friendly, prompt and allowed us time to visit. If you haven't had their chicken this new location in San Marcos is worth the effort.

Steven my server was great! Food was great! Always a good meal at Gus's! Fast and friendly service,

The best fried chicken I have ever had!! We also had coselaw, potato salad and the Mac n cheese so those bring as good as they were was a plus. Coconut pie dessert to seal the win. All in all a great experience venue was clean and service was friendly too. Please visit you won't be disappointed!

Gus Chicken is hands down best chicken on the planet. This location is brand new. Very clean. Service was great. Chicken is not premade. Delicious sides too.

Consistently amazing comfort food with great service and a good vibe. Robert is an attentive server with the right amount of wit and humor. He filled my water many times and kept a watchful eye for empty plates. Highly recommend Gus's to any hungry San Martian.

Having eaten fried chicken all my life, including homemade in bacon grease, this was some of the best. Thanks to David and Luke for great service.

We went in on a Saturday afternoon and they were fairly busy. The atmosphere was welcoming and the staff were super friendly. Food was delicious and hot, and the tea was fresh and amazing! I recommend the Chocolate Chess Pie. AND they have FRIED PICKLE SPEARS! You can't find spears at many places (everyone has chips) and they are sooooo good!!! Definitely recommend!

I have been having lunch at Gus's every Tuesday for the past several weeks, and every single visit has been excellent! My usual server is Steve, who is outstanding-he not only greets me by name every time I visit but he also has managed to remember a few items that I usually get! And he STILL offers a few suggestions I might enjoy. And David the manager is a very friendly and courteous manager who always stops over at my table to make sure I'm getting taken care of. Keep up the awesome work y'all!

Overall food was alright the sides were good but the chicken is definitely not the world's famous fried chicken maybe if it was crispier and y'all had spicy tenders

Friendly staff and great munchies! Nice, casual environment too, with convenient location. Go getcha some Gus's Fried Chicken!

Great service , spectacular food ! The potato salad was so cold and creamy with a tang of sweetness that really offset the spicy chicken . The Mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy , pasta not at all soggy . The chicken ... my gosh the chicken !! So fresh and juicy and crispy !!

Emily was the best! Gave us options and explained everything perfectly! Great first experience!

This is the best fried chicken I've ever ever had. The pieces were huge and perfectly seasoned. Our server Robert L was the best.

Jakobi took care of us! Outstanding service from him. Food was delicious. Thanks guys!

The food is always Delicious and the staff is always happy. I really enjoy the atmosphere and the upbeat vibe.

Jakobi was great! Will be coming back, the service was phenomenal and the chicken was fresh!

Food was fresh and hot. Juice and tender. Friendly service. Clean and fresh ambience

Amazingly good. Service was excellent and the food tasted even better. I've been to the Austin location and was so excited that San Marcos finally got one. Happily will continue to spend my money on future orders here!

I usually have lunch on Saturday because I love the special. But I was in SM on a Tuesday so decided to have lunch. Emily was my server. She is very sweet and made sure I had everything I needed. Also met the manager, Dave. He too was very nice and made sure I was happy with my meal. I give Gus's 5 stars. It is the best fried chicken! Looking forward to my next meal at Gus's.

Great service. Spicy and flavorful. Not 5 because it was a bit dry and not as juicy as I like. Still, is worth trying .

Awesome hot fried chicken. Thank you for coming to town. Soooo good. I also love the mac and cheese and greens

The chicken was amazing but the prices not so much. The sides were ok and the service was ok. Might go again one day.