If you're looking for the best fried chicken in New Orleans, look no further than Willie Mae's Scotch House. Located in New Orleans' historic Treme neighborhood, this humble restaurant began as a bar, barbershop, and beauty salon in 1957. It has served soul food at its current location since the early 1970s.
In 2005, its proprietor, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton, was honored with a James Beard Award for "America's Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region."
A few years later, The Food Network and Travel Channel followed this accolade by naming Willie Mae's "America's best fried chicken."
During my March 2019 trip to New Orleans, I made it a point to stop by Willie Mae's for lunch. I arrived a few minutes after 10 a.m. on a Monday, and the neighborhood restaurant was already filling up.
So much for thinking fried chicken for breakfast was anything less than a terrific idea.
For $15, I got a three-piece order of Willie Mae's famous fried chicken plus my choice of side dish. I chose the red beans and rice traditionally eaten on Mondays in New Orleans.
When I asked the waitress how that custom came to be, she suggested the red beans and rice were leftovers from the weekend's cooking. I also ordered a side of French fries ($5) and a corn muffin (75 cents).
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When the plates arrived, I was surprised by the sheer size of the fried chicken breast. It was humongous!
I began stripping away meat with my bare hands, gobbling it up as fast as possible. The secret wet-batter recipe is distinctly spicy, a kick that sets it apart from any other fried chicken I've eaten.
As I continued to work through the white breast meat, I understood why Willie Mae's is known to offer the best fried chicken in New Orleans and was named the best in America.
The two wings were significantly smaller, so I didn't spend much time on them. The red kidney beans and rice, French fries, and corn muffins were fine.
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Willie Mae's atmosphere is notable for its mix of locals and tourists, all of whom share a love for tender, juicy fried chicken.
A portrait of the matriarch, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton, hangs in the front dining room. She passed away in 2015 at 99.
Her great-granddaughter, Kerry Seaton, now runs the restaurant with her husband. They're also responsible for opening a second location, Willie Mae's Grocery and Deli (7457 St. Charles Ave).
For more info on this award-winning restaurant serving Louisiana cuisine, check out williemaesnola.com (2401 St Ann St, New Orleans).
