New Orleans may serve America’s Best Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s, but Memphis takes credit for World Famous Fried Chicken at Gus’s. Between the two options, there’s no bad choice.
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Originally opened in nearby Mason, Tennessee by Napoleon and Maggie Vanderbilt back in 1953, Gus’s arrived in downtown Memphis 48 years later. Despite the 40-mile distance, the restaurant uses the same recipes for its spicy fried chicken, sweet baked beans and coleslaw.
Fun Fact
Vernon “Gus” Bonner was founder Napoleon Vanderbilt’s only son. When he and his wife took over the family business in 1984, he kept the recipes but changed the name.
We ordered a heaping plate of fried chicken plus sides of fries and mac & cheese during our visit. Served on Styrofoam plates, the chicken came with beans, coleslaw and white bread.
Somehow, we saved just enough room to share a slice of chocolate chess cake for dessert. After watching cake slices fly from the kitchen to pretty much every table in the restaurant, it seemed like the right thing to do.
Pro Tip
Expect to wait in line at Gus’s. It’s inevitable.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken has multiple Memphis locations. We ate at the downtown location at 310 S Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.
Dining and Cooking