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Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken
Master Critic Review
Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken
8.4
Culver City institution since 2005 serving distinctive kettle-fried chicken in 100% peanut oil, producing a crackling, non-greasy crust with subtle honey notes. Their fresh-battered chicken pairs with made-from-scratch biscuits and premium local honey, drawing consistent crowds to this downtown location.
Must-Try Dishes:
3-Piece Fried Chicken, Chicken & Waffles, Blueberry Hotcakes
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Kettle-fried technique creates unique crackling crust without typical greasiness
Who should go: Southern comfort food lovers seeking LA Magazine's Best Fried Chicken
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid weekend crowds and long waits
What to order: 3-piece dark meat combo, fresh biscuits with honey, blueberry hotcakes
Insider tip: Whole fried chicken available Thursdays and Fridays only, limited quantities
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free municipal lot behind restaurant (2hr limit), street parking usually available on side streets, lot fills up 12-1pm weekdays
Dress code: Ultra casual - gym clothes and flip-flops totally fine, this is counter-service comfort food
Noise level: Lively but manageable - can hold conversation easily, family-friendly atmosphere with ambient chatter
Weekend wait: 20-30 min order wait typical Fri-Sun 5-7pm, seating is find-your-own so no host wait
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min order wait, quick turnover, best time is 2-4pm between rushes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - biscuits, sides (mac & cheese, coleslaw, beans), and blueberry hotcakes available
Vegan options: Very limited - coleslaw and beans only viable options, not a strong choice for vegans
Gluten-free options: Challenging - chicken is battered so not GF, some sides work but cross-contamination risk in shared fryer
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual 2nd or 3rd date - counter service and communal vibe keeps it low-pressure, but messy finger food and fluorescent lighting aren't romantic. Perfect if you both love unpretentious comfort food.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's counter-service with find-your-own seating. Arrive before noon or after 1:30pm on weekdays to guarantee a table, weekends are tighter but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly - high chairs available, simple menu kids love, fast service, and casual atmosphere where noise isn't an issue. Blueberry hotcakes are a hit with the under-10 crowd.
How does it compare to Howlin' Ray's? Completely different styles - Honey's does classic Southern kettle-fried (crispy, not spicy), while Howlin' is Nashville hot chicken. Come here for traditional comfort, not heat or hype.
Is the wait worth it on weekends? Yes if you're already in Culver City - 20-30 min for legitimately excellent fried chicken is reasonable. But don't drive across town just for it; weekday visits are smarter.
Can I order ahead for pickup? Yes - call ahead orders available and recommended for groups or whole chickens (Thu-Fri only). Saves 15-20 min of waiting in line during peak times.
Best For
Better for: Superior non-greasy crust from kettle-frying technique, made-from-scratch biscuits, and local honey pairings beat chain competitors. More approachable and consistent than Howlin' Ray's marathon waits, better quality than Roscoe's for pure chicken execution.
Skip if: You want Nashville hot chicken (go to Howlin' Ray's), need extensive vegetarian options, prefer full table service, or are seeking an elevated/date-night atmosphere. Also skip if you have peanut allergies - everything fried in 100% peanut oil.