Drive-in spot serves the best ‘hole-in-the-wall’ fried chicken in KY, report says
A popular drive-in restaurant in Eastern Kentucky was recently named the commonwealth’s best “hole-in-the-wall” spot for fried chicken by online publication Cheapism.
Joe’s Drive-In Chicken in Isom was named Kentucky’s top spot in Cheapism’s March 27 article “Best Hole-in-the-Wall Spots for Fried Chicken in Every State.”
“Joes was started in 1966 by my grandfather Joe Pack. My parents owned the restaurant for many years,” owner Donna Sturgill Watts said in an April 21 Facebook message to the Herald-Leader.
Sturgill Watts has since taken ownership of the restaurant, which is drive-in style with outdoor seating available. While Joe’s is famous for its fried chicken, there are a variety of other menu options available, including made fresh daily coleslaw, mashed potatoes, green beans, baked beans, hot dogs, hamburgers and lots of other fried foods, Sturgill Watts said.
Cheapism highlighted Joe’s Drive-In Chicken’s “beautiful, orange-brown chicken and curly fries” and reported the restaurant has lots of regulars who dine there daily.
Kentucky is no stranger to famed fried chicken, and this isn’t the first time Joe’s has been ranked in a “best of” list either. Blog Her Kentucky named it the sixth best fried chicken place in the commonwealth in a 2015 article, while Lexington’s Merrick Inn took first place.
The Herald-Leader hasn’t yet confirmed pricing for Joe’s chicken offerings.
Wagner’s Village Inn took Indiana’s top spot in Cheapism’s list, while Miller’s Chicken took Ohio’s title.
Joe’s Drive-In Chicken is located at 85 Highway 7 South in Isom and is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
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