Social distancing, and restrictions on dining over the past few months has caused us to seek other ways to find comfort. Without exchanging hugs with friends or enjoying nights in your favorite restaurant filled to the brim with laughter, we’ve had to take alternative routes for when days turn sour ... like fried chicken. 

Though embracing your best friend may not be quite the same as taking the first bite out of a steaming wing of goodness, this ultimate comfort food tells you everything is going to be okay the second you start devouring it at home. Here are six of our favorite spots to get a mouth full of comfort for takeout. (Just a tip, after trying these selections, your best friend doesn’t need to know which you prefer.)

AKO Chicken

This fried chicken food truck is unlike any other, offering Filipino-style Halal chicken sandwiches and tenders inspired by Nashville’s infamous hot chicken. Pick your spice level from “No heat!” all the way up to “It Burns!” and let them top it with a signature coleslaw and black garlic sauce. You can place a pick-up order by calling 832-808-4298 to avoid an in-person wait, or visit them 4–9 p.m. Thurs–Sun, or 4–9:30 p.m. Fri–Sat.

Chick’nCone

Ice cream isn’t the only thing you’ll enjoy in a cone this summer. This one-of-a-kind fried chicken joint, now open at 1919 N. Shepherd Dr. in the Heights, puts a fun spin on the classic chicken and waffles by serving poultry in hand-rolled, fresh waffle cones. Chick’nCone pairs its crispy fried chicken with a variety of sauces ranging from Cinna-Maple, for those looking for sweetness, to Peri-Peri, the popular South African chili sauce that packs a delicious punch. Pair your cone with zesty cajun fries and you have a match made in heaven. If you join its Text Club by texting “HTX” to 33222, you could have a $20 Chick’nCone gift card in your hands. 

Jus’ Mac

This staple, known for being Houston’s first and only restaurant dedicated to macaroni and cheese, is also known for fried chicken, making for an epic comfort food pairing. You can go for wings that come in a whopping 14 flavors, or choose from its chicken-mac combos like chicken parm, chicken and waffle, tikka fried masala, or Buffalo chicken, which puts the chicken on a bed of cheesy goodness. You can visit its location in The Heights, where you pick up your order through a drive-thru window, or at its Montrose location offering takeout.

Korny Vibes

Looking for a healthier alternative, a plant-based paradise, or a chance to trick your friends? This local comfort food cafe offers fully vegan fried “chickn.” You can devour Buffalo or BBQ “Wyngz,” a VFC box filled with its special fried “chickn” paired with classics like mashed potatoes and fried okra, or its “Chickn&Mac Bowl” topped with ranch and sauces of your choice.

La Lucha

This Houston gem from chef/restaurateur Ford Fry is inspired by the infamous San Jacinto Inn known for its Gulf oysters and chicken dinners. Fry’s recipe, known for its fresh crispy and tender balance, can be ordered as a half or whole bird served beside fresh-baked biscuits, pickles, and a wide selection of sauces. To complement La Lucha’s classic fried chicken, pair yours with the restaurant’s crab-boiled corn, honey butter yeast rolls, or fries with smoked oyster mayo (and maybe a build-your-own soft serve or cocktail if you’re feeling fancy).

SeoulSide Wings

This fried chicken food truck brings you straight to South Korea with unique flavors and sides that you won’t find anywhere else. Its signature batter is double-fried Korean style, and you can douse your wings in one of its signature sauces like salty-sweet soy garlic or fiery hotbokki. Round out your order with kimchi fries, furikake rice, or Sac Sac (a Korean fruit juice). Open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tues–Sat, you can usually find SeoulSide Wings at 1418 Gessner Rd. However, keep your eye on its calendar to see when they’ll be pulling up to your favorite local bars and breweries.