5 Great Southern Restaurants Outside the South

Minneapolis, Minnesota

In the land of lutefisk and lingonberries, Southern concepts have wilted like so many jasmine vines planted in an icy tundra. But at Revival, you will find some of the best fried chicken not just outside of the South, but in the country. Available in varying levels of heat, the hottest offering goes by “poultrygeist” because of its infused ghost pepper flavoring. The sides are not sidenotes either from johnny cakes to fried chicken livers and even a bowl of cornbread croutons. Genius. revivalfriedchicken.com

New York City

Despite its mildly inaccessible location in the Red Hook area of Brooklyn (The IKEA ferry service is a recommended method of reaching this destination.), hordes of locals and skeptical visitors alike flock to this urban smokehouse serving brisket, potato salad, pit baked beans, and Texas-style queso mac-and-cheese on half-baking sheets lined with butcher paper. hometownbarbque.com

Portland, Oregon

An “eighth-generation daughter” of Tupelo, Mississippi, Chef Laura Rhoman took the training she received from Scott Peacock, Steven Satterfield, and Martha Foose to Portland where she serves up genuine meat-and-three classics in an understated dining room dotted with twine-wrapped jar vases. muscadinepdx.com 

Chicago, Illinois

After being reluctantly coerced into eating at this Midwestern mashup of soul food staples on a recent trip to Chicago, one of our editors became a Parson’s proselytizer. Their fish sandwich pairs perfectly with the patio pasta salad (a mixture of elbow macaroni, aged cheddar cheese, peas, red onions, roasted garlic, parsley, and tomatoes) just like the unexpected combo of fried cheese curds with buttermilk dressing. parsonschickenandfish.com

Los Angeles, California

Hot chicken fever has spread across the country, but Howlin’ Ray’s brings the true-to-the-West Coast, In-and-Out-style ambiance to the Nashville export. It may just been one of the most Instagrammed sandwiches in L.A. right now. howlinrays.com