5 Rockford Spots For Fried Chicken Now That KFC Is Gone

There is almost no other food that delivers joy like a plate of crispy, golden-brown fried chicken. Discover the best places around Rockford, Illinois to satisfy your cravings for the world's greatest comfort food.

It’s the end of an era. Your childhood dreams—crispy, golden, and 11-herbs-and-spices-flavored—have been deep-fried to oblivion.

The beacon of hope for many taste buds, KFC, has closed all its Rockford area locations.

How are you supposed to cope?

Therapy? Nah, that’s what a bucket of extra crispy was for. I guess you'll have to settle for “real” food now. But can any other chicken really match the Colonel’s finger-lickin’ magic?

What's The Best Fried Chicken You Ever Had?

1. My Grandma Rosa
2. My Mom

All other fried chicken comes after those two.

Whether you seek crispy, golden-brown perfection or succulent, tender bites, I've curated a list of the 5 spots that will more than fill that 'greasy-fingered' hole in your soul.

I do have a favorite spot on this list, but they are in no particular order. A couple of these recommendations come from people whose tastebuds seek the same kind of joy I do, and that was helpful, as I now have a couple of places to eat MORE fried chicken.

5 Rockford Spots For Fried Chicken Now That KFC Is Gone

1. Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken

I have not had the pleasure of eating Krispy Krunchy in Loves Park (8080 Forest Hills Rd) yet. I'm told that the crispy cajun coating mixed with how juicy the chicken is will send you straight to Heaven.

2. Gray's IGA

If you're at an event and the luncheon menu says it's the Genuine Broaster Chicken you get at Gray's IGA in Rockford, you better not walk, you should run to get yourself a plate.

If you can't wait to get some, Gray's IGA in Rockford is located at 1630 N. Alpine Rd.

3. KBQ Korean Barbeque

We all have a place we go to often and we keep telling ourselves that next time we'll try something different and we end up ordering that same menu item we love. KBQ in Loves Park (6332 E. Riverside Blvd) is that place and their fried chicken is that good!

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4. Mr. C's Family Restaurant

Mr. C's has certainly reached an iconic-like standing in Rockford, especially when it comes to burgers. I asked my Rockford-native wife what comes to mind when I say, "Mr. C's", and she said, "Big ass burgers!" 

We know of the legendary burgers but not the fried chicken. Trusted tastebuds say "Don't sleep on Mr. C's fried chicken.

5. Pizza Ranch

You know the saying about how a great meal is made even better by the person you're eating with, it applies to my memories of Pizza Ranch in Roscoe.

My oldest daughter loved eating their pizza and I could not get enough of their fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

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What's your favorite place for the world's best comfort food?

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