Question: On a 1-10 (10 being the most) How spicy?
I’d say a 3, I like spicy and can handle a lot spicier, however, some people will find it too spicy.
1 Like
Been to the one in Austin.
To me it was like Popeye’s with a bit more spice.
Couldn’t taste that the chicken was hormone-free, humanely raised, sun-bathed daily, and sexually uninhabited.
4 Likes
I was kind of surprised by this claim as well. I figured they would hang their hat on being old school Southern fried chicken. Not that those two can’t mix but at their price point I am surprised.
Just wait for the fried turducken. Then it’ll be inhabited…
4 Likes
Decided to try this. Seems So Cal’s getting a bunch of things opening in waves. Mesquite Taco places. Fried Chicken places and more.
Gus’s Fried Chicken seems to be a “world famous” (from their website) export originating from Mason, Tennessee. Unlike some of the other Fried Chicken specialists recently, this is a well-established operation, with 15 locations in 9 states, and franchises for sale to expand.
Talking with their manager, Gus’s fried bird is not the same thing as “Nashville Hot Chicken” (ala Howlin’ Ray’s), but it’s a gentle heat. Also unlike Howlin’ Ray’s or other spots, there is no option: Gus’s only serves Spicy Fried Chicken (no Non-Spicy option).
Their parking situation is kind of tough: Located on the corner of Crenshaw and Pico, their back parking lot (only a few spaces) are all reserved for Take-Out Orders Only. Crenshaw itself has no immediate street parking right next to the store (and it’s a busy intersection).
Potato Salad:
This tastes pretty mediocre. It’s overly sweet(!), not very creamy and tastes a bit mass-produced. A far cry from the awesome freshly made Potato Salad at Howlin’ Rays and Wexler’s. I wouldn’t order this again.
Mac & Cheese:
This tasted pretty straightforward. A standard semi-cheesy, semi-creamy Mac & Cheese. Not as good as the fragrant Nacho Mac & Cheese at Howlin’ Ray’s. But it’s not bad.
Collard Greens:
This was just too sweet (kind of off-putting). It tasted like a pretty generic / mass-produced version of Collard Greens. Definitely not as good as Flossie’s variety of Greens back in the day (they had 3 - 4 different choices and they were all better than this).
Fried Chicken (Wing, Breast, Thigh, Leg):
Their menu claims they use “natural, hormone-free chicken” fried in Peanut Oil. Then again, mega producers like Foster Farms use the same claim, so they could just as well be using something like that. I couldn’t taste the difference (unlike at Howlin’ Ray’s or even Honeybird, where the Chicken really does taste brighter, fresher).
Starting with their Fried Chicken Breast, the batter is very thin. It doesn’t have the awesome crunch or crispiness of Howlin’ Ray’s (not even close). After having tried all 4 sections, my friend and I both agreed with @ipsedixit: It’s like a better version of fast food Fried Chicken. Although maybe more like Pioneer Chicken than Popeyes (except for the spiciness).
The Chicken itself is still moist (thankfully), not overcooked.
The Fried Chicken Wing is a touch overcooked.
Their Fried Chicken Thigh and Leg are juicy, but all the pieces are bit too salty.
And as noted earlier, all of their Fried Chicken is served Spicy Only. There is no option to have Non-Spicy Fried Chicken.
The spice level feels like about a “Level 3 Medium” from Howlin’ Ray’s except nowhere near as nuanced. This just tastes like a lot of Cayenne Pepper for an immediate, light burn that goes away quickly when you stop, but you feel it when you eat it.
Lastly, after the meal we both felt like the meal was really greasy and heavy. None of my friends I’ve taken to Howlin’ Ray’s feels like that (nor when we used to hit up Flossie’s).
Their Baked Beans are overly sweet, and very much like the stereotypical “Baked Beans” you find in a bunch of places.
Their Slaw is also not very noteworthy. Very standard, watery mayonnaise like dressing.
Gus’s Fried Chicken feels like a spot to hit up if you can’t get to the awesome, handcrafted goodness of Howlin’ Ray’s Fried Chicken, but you just want something to scratch that itch. It’s nowhere near as compelling, interesting, nor as crispy / crunchy, nor as nuanced as Howlin’ Ray’s.
I’d definitely get Gus’s before having to resort to national fast food Fried Chicken. It’s tasty, but the seasonings and overall experience don’t make me crave it the way I used to crave Flossie’s (when they were good), or Howlin’ Ray’s.
Gus’s Fried Chicken
1262 Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Tel: (323) 402-0232
8 Likes
How does this compare to the Krispy krunchy?
Please enlighten me. 
[quote=“tailbacku, post:3, topic:3587”]
Is everyone jumping off the poke bandwagon and eating fried chicken now?
[/quote] Actually, I was a little worried for restaurateurs who put all their eggs in the Poke basket. But, also surprised by the Fried Chicken resurgence. It’s L.A.! We’re supposed to be health conscious. Maybe Poke is a delicious item on a restaurant menu. But as a whole concept, it is definitely not taking off.
The “hormone free” testament is a con. It’s illegal to add hormones to any chicken in the U.S.
2 Likes
Go on! We can always count on @Chowseeker1999 to break it down. The diversity of the places you go still amazes me though.
For these old school type joints, the sides have always been generic. Usually nobody cares. They are not actual soul food spots. Their star attraction will be fried chicken or BBQ. But in this case it appears the star attraction falls short!
Good question. Krispy Krunchy is, per the name, much crunchier and has a much thicker batter than Gus’s. The Krispy that I tried at the Fox Hills Mall had potential but was too salty (like way over-salted). 
So in that respect Gus’s is less salty, but still more than the more handcrafted places like Howlin’ Ray’s and Honeybird and Birdies.
Thanks for taking another one for the team Chowseeker. Considering I haven’t had the chance to make it to Howlin’ Ray’s yet Gus’s is definitely not at the top of the list.
Have you had Honey’s Kettle before? Is Gus’s in the same stratosphere in terms of the fried chicken?
Honey Kettle is very hit and miss, more times than not for me, it’s a miss. Also, it’s way overcooked, dry as the Sahara desert. And those prices…
Hi @js76wisco,
I’d agree with @Luluthemagnificent: Honey’s Kettle has been hit or miss for me as well.
When they were good, no, Gus’s isn’t like that. I’d say Jim Dandy’s is much better when they are on their game as well.
[quote=“Ns1, post:25, topic:3587”]
There’s no less than 5 poke places within 5 miles of me.
[/quote] I started a Poke thread. If you have time mosey on over.
Mr. Modesty
Had gus’ chicken today. Got the two piece dark outside was crunchy but not overly battered with a little spice (not spicy but more just flavor) and juicy and moist on the inside. Definitely delicious but a tad pricey, 6.20for two pieces drum and thigh.
Didn’t bother with the sides as others have said they’re meh. Got the worst piece of wonder bread I’ve ever tasted it was stale and hard,
Alex, What is “The description of a one-star love hotel in Mogadishu”?..