Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Reviews

4.4

28 of 3,585 Restaurants in Austin


Reviews

I try not to eat fried chicken, but if I ever have to again, it'll be Gus's

By BernieDy |

Like I said in the title, I try to avoid fried chicken because it's horrible for you. But I will eat it once in a while. I have of course eaten KFC, and at a chain called Pioneer when I was in California. And I've had fried chicken from the grocery store on occasion. I tried Gus's for the first time recently, and it was easily the best of the bunch, but again, I'm not a fried chicken connoisseur, so take my recommendation here with the appropriate bias. The chicken is hot and spicy but while the spice has some heat, it isn't too hot. It's got a fantastic crunch when you eat it and the sides are good too. I made a little sandwich out of some of my chicken, the bread, and the coleslaw that comes with the basic platter and it was really good. The staff are all pretty friendly and we did see them observing covid measures, with servers wearing masks and the restaurant spacing out the tables. As if I needed to punish my body any more after that, we tried out the pecan pie. They serve it warm and it's good too, but it could not unseat Goode Company BBQ's pecan pie as my favorite. Sorry Gus, but take no shame in losing to the Brazos Bottom pie which I consider one of the world's finest. I'd still rather eat something else besides fried chicken, but if I had to, I'd choose Gus's.

Great restaurant with the BEST fried chicken!

By Stephanie D |

My friends and I had eaten at Gus's in Memphis so we knew we wanted to try the one in Austin and it did not disappoint. We were seated immediately and dang -- the food comes out SO fast and it is piping hot. Delicious fried chicken and the slaw and mac-n-cheese is wonderful. Stop by here when in town -- you will not be disappointed. Lastly, I noticed someone else mentioned parking was a problem. Not sure what they were talking about because there is a public parking deck right across the street and it was super easy to get in/out of!! :)

Delicious Fried Chicken in a Casual Setting.

By Jessica |

That’s some damn good fried chicken! Came highly recommended and did not disappoint. (Doesn’t take 1st place in my list, but it’s a close second!) The chicken is crispy, with a little heat. I had mac and cheese with it and it was just the way I like it - no fancy cheeses here. Just authentic home cookin’ washed down with some sweet tea. Yum!

Good crispy fried chicken

By FrancescaR1986 |

Excellent place, recommended for a quick meal or takeaway. The fried chicken with the slightly spicy breading is delicious. Informal but authentic location. Friendly, average service.

Best fried chicken

By Jemmy T |

Service is quick. Just like they say: you haven't eat fried chicken if you haven't try Gus's fried chicken.

<<<<< Wholy ! Moly ! Finger licking Good >>>>

By toto l |

I believed they have so many locations across the USA , ,the one in Long Beach CA .is excellent , ,and the menu close to same ,the chicken are crispy and not greasy ,dry ,,very moist ,we order the 12 piece with whole Jalapeno and Cole Slow , and fried okra , the restaurant decor feel like a run down coffee shop ,but good size for a restaurant ,it must be after lunch rush ,not that crowned at all ,staff is very friendly , ,I can honestly say "" It is finger licking Good "

Best Fried Chicken ever!

By Bob B |

We'd heard that this "chain" venue was nothing like your typical chain fodder .. and that was correct. Simply the best fried chicken we've ever had. Mac n Cheese was really nice as well. Tip: Unless you're starving or have a large appetite .. 2 pieces of breast should satisfy most folks. The ice cream is only $1 for a large scoop. The chicken had a beautiful crispy and very tasty coating.. zero grease .. mellow after kick. All for a very reasonable price. It's always a good sign when local folks are queuing to get in! Just try it .. you won't be disappointed.

Great chicken at a great price

By Sivan M |

There’s a parking garage right next to the place ($5 for me) and the restaurant was easy to spot. Gus’s offers regular or spicy chicken to which you choose between white or dark meat. They also offer okra, coleslaw, fries, greens as sides. Average price per person - $8-12

Tasty but I don't get the hype?

By Greg B |

Had a half chicken, slaw, potato salad, beans and mac n cheese. Everything was okay but nothing special. Good staff and atmosphere but nothing to make us come back.

Don’t understand all the great reviews.

By Mich7500 |

We chose this restaurant because my husband loves fried chicken. Unfortunately he doesn’t like spice. He found it too spicy. He was so disappointed! I enjoyed the spice but was disappointed that the breasts were dry and over cooked. The fries were not hot or even warm. We did takeout, but I tested a fry as soon as I got in the car. Another disappointment. The mac and cheese was delicious as was the pecan pie. Would not go back here for chicken! Probably wouldn’t go back in general.

Great chicken

By marcel_ned |

Great tasting chicken. Not greasy, nice crust and a bit spicy. Great coleslaw and beans. It's fun to read about the history of Gus's fried chicken, the son of the original owners and creators of this tasty chicken. It's a nice change after eating a lot of bbq and tacos!

Great chicken!

By CharlieMickKeith |

Awesome chicken and very friendly service. Chicken is always served hot and just the right amount of spice.

Middle Of the Line Please

By DevinProSea |

I've been here a couple of times before to pick up food for others, but I never decided to try it for myself. On a day off when I had nothing else to do, I finally decided to see what it was all about. As I entered the restaurant, it was bustling with customers and families, which is always a positive sign. The lively and welcoming atmosphere greeted me, and I noticed that everything was impeccably clean. When I approached the counter to order, the young lady assisting me was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I opted for chicken tenders, baked beans, Mac & cheese, and fried okra. The fried okra was hands down the best item I tried. It was incredibly fresh, not overly salty, and had an amazing crunchy texture, making it the perfect side dish. However, I didn't enjoy the other items as much. The baked beans had a good flavor but reminded me of canned beans. While the chicken was juicy, it lacked the desired crunch, and despite being labeled as spicy, it had no heat whatsoever. As for the Mac & cheese, it was my least favorite. Although the noodles were perfectly cooked, it had a distinct boxed macaroni taste. Adding a cheese crust on top and thickening the sauce slightly would enhance its flavor. Overall, my experience was decent, and I would consider returning. However, next time, I would choose the dine-in chicken and perhaps just the okra as a side, as the flavor profile didn't fully meet my expectations.

Gus Chicken Austin

By Raymond S |

I have had Gus’ Chicken in Little Rock and enjoyed it. Had to try it in Austin. Still very good where the fried chicken has just enough spice to give it a kicking flavor.

Da bomb!

By pjc62 |

My husband and I went here on a busy Saturday night. We got seated right away but it did take a while to get our food, although they brought our drinks out promptly. However, it was worth the wait! The chicken had a bit of spiciness to it,which I like and the meet was super tender and moist. I had the beans and greens and both were delicious. The beans had a bit of spiciness too. My husband had beans and fried okra. He’s usually not a big fan of beans but he liked them here. We were happy to see that they carried some beer from Austin Beerworks. I had a Blood Orange IPA. If I lived here in Austin I would be coming to Gus’s quite often.

Fantastic fried chicken

By scott v |

If you have never tried Gus's fried chicken, you really need to! Always great service. Nice canned beer selection. And of course, great fried chicken. Plates come with your choice of 2 sides.

Spicy Delicious Chicken

By Sharon V |

If you like spicy fried chicken, you’ll love this place but not many options if you don’t like spicy. We went for an early dinner/late lunch to avoid any line. Staff was fast, friendly and professional. Chicken was crispy and delicious. Fried okra, Mac and cheese and French fried were good too.

Chicken was very good!

By rc51cgy |

Was a bit skeptical but my wife wanted to try this place. I don't eat much fried or fast food anymore thus my skepticism that it would bother me. I WAS WRONG. This is not your typical over-breaded, heavy, greasy chicken. Not sure what or how they do their magic but the chicken was great, in texture, flavor and NOT greasy at all. I managed to finish my 2 piece dark order and it was so good, I ordered another 2 piece dark. Did not eat the bread though. Service was excellent from start to finish. Farily quiet, comfortable setting. Would highly recommend.

Gus Gabriel Culiat Fried Chicken Restaurant

By Gabriel Culiat |

Wow . Just wow. This establishment is amazing. The food is delicious and the service is top notch. I will definitely recommend them to family and friends

Great food, great price!

By HappyTummyHouston |

Great food, great price, good value, cute little joint downtown. Chicken was hot and crunchy tasty too. Loved the beans as well. Server Gary P was on the ball.

No Frills. Fried Chicken. Great Value.

By BackinthUK |

The rest of the family ordered the 3 tenders meal with beans and coleslaw and were very happy apart from both sides being a little too sweet. Shared a fried okra which went down a storm. I had the 1/2 chicken as I like the dark - but all pieces were excellent - they must brine first as the chicken was moist inside but still pulled off the bone leaving them clean. A good crispy batter. Really good staff. If I lived here, this would be a regular and really good value (it's better value then chicken tenders at most fast food places, and way larger and tastier.

Lives up to the name

By Dianne M. |

Great food. Friendly service. Awesome location. Very busy but a minimal wait. Stopped in while visiting Austin. Found paid parking right across the street. Try the Mac n cheese as a side (thank me later)

Gus got it all

By angel d |

When I enter the place you feel a fam vibe that's great feeling in the middle of Austin's downtown, I ask for the 3 piece white chiken whit beans and home made fries , for a mexican guy this chiken it's good whit the spicy and delicious , if your visiting Austin's down town take a break and have some gus fried chiken .

If you like Fried Chicken this is your place.

By Nailcutter |

Came here for dinner while in town for a tradeshow. Simple menu of either fried chicken or tenders hot and spicy. 2 sides came with each meal. Chicken was fresh and very good. Cole slaw was very good. Fries were fries. Prices cheap as a 2 breast dinner was $8.75. But then again you are eating off paper plates and plastic silverware!

Great food

By Kristie S |

Went there for lunch yesterday and the fried chicken is really good. The baked beans are also excellent. Our server was not very good, however and after waiting 40 minutes we had to ask for our food. The tables next to us got their food timely (different servers). But we didn’t let a bad server run us off - the food is quite good and I’d definitely go back!

Yummy for your tummy

By pammer22 |

Chicken was so good the waiter was great also. We started with the green tomatoes -delish. Also I must give accolades to the potato salad. One of the best I have ever had.

Best around

By Chris Szymanski |

Best chicken around. My favorite spot to go when I'm in town. It's always clean and the food is fresh, with fast service.

Amazing fried chicken!!!

By Vacation_Commander |

This was right across the street from our hotel, plus I have heard great things about it, so it was a no-brainer to try this place out. The fried chicken here is absolutely amazing. It has a bit of a spice to it which I happen to enjoy as well. All of the sides we tried were ok, the chicken is where this place shines, so don't go in expecting amazing baked beans or something. Service was good and our food came out quick as well. Overall, I loved the chicken here enough that I want to come back.

Spicy Fried Chicken at its best

By gayleglg32 |

The no frills, no table cloth, close dining quarters but great food restaurant within walking distance of the convention center. If you are a no frills diner this place will appeal to your palette. If you wish more atmosphere-do takeout and make your own picnic at the park or at your hotel the chicken is well worth your time and easy on your traveling budget! Be prepared it is spicy chicken not for the faint at heart-your lips will tingle after eating this dish!

Great as always

By Teaxasborn5 |

First time to eat at the Austin location but didn’t disappoint. Great food and good service. We always have to stop when in a town with this restaurant

Good Southern Fare

By DevWatson |

I stopped in to try the fried chicken. I started out with an order of fried okra - and it was good. I liked the little bit of hot & spicy heat on my 2 piece chicken plate. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Just fried chicken and sides

By Karen R |

Nothing fancy- paper plates and plastic utensils and cups and paper towels and paper napkins. Who needs anything else when you are serving chicken this good. The special today was 4 chicken legs plus cole slaw $6.99. Very affordable. Great service from happy people (a rarity these days) nothing fancy just good food .

The best chicken!

By LenaBean775 |

Only went here because Tripadvisor told me to! :) Apparently, all those people before us knew good chicken! Went here for lunch -- it was difficult to find a place to park. It was downtown and there were lots of walkers, motorized scooters, etc. BUT, we found a place and too Gus's we went! MMMMmmmm, mmmmmm -- delicious! The chicken tenders were fabulous as I had 2 teens that loved it! The dark meat was perfect and the potato salad and okra was too! The restaurant is dated and kinda makes one feel like we're back in the 80's but who cares, the food was phenomenal and the staff were fabulous. Will definitely revisit if I ever run across another Gus's!!

Exceeded my lofty fried chicken expectations

By Dan-P |

Came here from word of mouth. Chicken is seasoned very well and fried in peanut oil. It was terrific. Server was very friendly. Also had fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, and mac & cheese. Everything was good but the chicken and fried pickles stood out. Would come back again and recommend trying!

Wonderful and zesty!

By Roger B |

Stopped by for lunch after driving into Austin for weekend get away. Chicken was moist and flavorful with just the right kick. Mac & Cheese side was very good as well! Only downsize was limited parking options available:-(

Best fried chicken!

By dooby619 |

Wow!! Perfect spices! Fried chicken is the best where! Sides ( baked beans, potato salad and greens) were also great! Chicken is fried regularly and it shows!! Seevice was excellent and the place is clean, clean, clean!!! Make sure you go!

It's true!

By Mapamagician |

Yes, this fried chicken is awesome! Not greasy, really moist, and a satisfying mildly spicy crunch. A local told me this was really spicy, but it isn't really, maybe slightly hotter than the fast food spicy chicken...Mac & cheese is a good side and the beans are pretty decent too. And reasonably priced too!

Fried Chicken Heaven

By Mika Means |

Awesome food, friendly service, very busy but minimal wait. This was some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. We got the three wing dinner with macaroni, greens, and okra. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I would love for Houston to be blessed with a location but until then, I’ll be back.

Sullen and Un-Interested Waitress. Such a Shame

By BackinthUK |

I was here with the family last summer and had great fried chicken and was looking to experience it again. I arrived at the restaurant and was told to take any table along the wall, there were about 12 other people in the restaurant. This was on Thurs 19th Oct lunchtime. I waited for the waitress to come clean the table (dirty from previous guests) and take order. She appeared to be hiding in the kitchen, and eventually came my direction, I smiled at her expecting her to be coming to me, but instead stopped at the table next who asked for their bill, engaged in a conversation with them while waiting to pay. I was looking directly at her, ready to order and she looked at me, turned around and went to the kitchen. There were no other staff around. She stayed in the kitchen another 5 mins (now 15 mins since I entered and nothing), I saw her look around the kitchen door and waved at her, she looked and then went back into the kitchen. At this point I left. Never has a 6ft, 230lb guy been so invisible. The owner/management need to do something about this sullen individual, as I doubt I'll be back.

Third Location visited

By Stevos747 |

Third Location visited and food as usual excellent however the restaurant was Noisy and Limited Parking .

Great chicken with some zing

By W Lawrence P |

Stopped in last week while in town. Prompt service, great chicken, friendly staff. A little on the spicy side but moist and tender inside. Would highly recommend and looking forward to returning soon.

Fun, funky place with great fried chicken

By Mark S |

This is first & foremost, a fried chicken joint. Not sure what else is on the menu, but the fried chicken is great, the sides were excellent and the chess pie, it's a slice of heaven. The chicken is crispy and well seasoned with just enough spice to be called spicy but not hot. Service is fast & friendly, the wait staff adhere to the "Keep Austin Weird" vibe, and it's a cool place to just have a nice meal. Totally casual, from tie wearing office folks to construction workers from the road right outside, it's just dang good food.

Great Fried Chicken At Gus'

By badgerlaw2000 |

The chicken here is mildy spicy, but I eat alot of that and Mexican foods. Super juicy chicken with an very nice crust. never had fried green tomatoes, but it was awesome. Also had the coconut pie. Not what i was expecting but DELICIOUS, if you like coconut.

Just okay

By slrenner71 |

I would say as busy as this place was that I expected something else. I knew what to expect because I've been to the Gus's Chicken in Memphis but I felt like this location fell a bit short. The food was just okay but the chicken felt a bit overcooked in the coating was very hard. There was a way and it was packed but we didn't mind that part. Our server was excellent and super friendly which helped the experience. The side dishes we're a bit flavorless they just didn't have that southern taste to any of it. I'm happy they're super busy but it's just not for me. I've had better chicken elsewhere.

Not spicy or worth the hype

By audiodubliner |

Service was ok but food was not great. Fries were cold, chicken wasn’t spicy and beans were baked and sweet. Fried pickles and green tomatoes were ok. But overall just a lot of fried food and not very spicy. Would rather spend 110 bucks on 3 people somewhere else.

Very good fried chicken in Austin

By Richard K |

Not sure why it is “world famous,” but Gus’s fried chicken is very good. The coating was crispy and the chicken very moist. The coleslaw and beans were good but the portions small. Ive never had Chess pie before so I tried a slice. Very tasty. Kind of like a custard pie. Very good service as well

Absolutely Delicious!!!

By usnamom2001 |

This is a fun place to eat. Cute decor, friendly staff and really good chicken! We all enjoyed our meals completely. Really good cole slaw! A must visit when in the area.

Great Food

By Terry B |

I have heard of Gus's but never tried it. By was I missing out. The chicken was awesome. It has a spicy kick which suits my taste. I tried 3 sides. Potato salad, mac n cheese, and baked beans. All were as good as the best I have ever had anywhere. A must try when in the area. So good I got food to go to eat at the hotel later and went back the next day.

It’s good but it ain’t no Popeye’s!

By Robert M |

Cool little place. Servers were very attentive. We ate at 7pm so they had a lot of to go orders being prepared which shortened our wait for fresh chicken. The spice is just right for me but it does have a little heat. The fried okra was awesome. Seriously though, Popeyes has them beat on the crunch and spice but this chicken is good for a quick lunch or dinner.

Yummy!

By coopchang |

Loved the fried chicken with the perfect amount of spice and the fried green tomatoes! Excellent price and service too!

If you were on death row, this should be your last meal!

By MJC64 |

I love fried chicken. I found this place while attending a conference in Austin. I was drawn in by the sign and the fact that the place was really really busy. And did I mention that I love fried chicken?? Hmmmmmm. I lucked out, as there was one spot left at the counter. Now I was expecting to get my half chicken very quickly, like other countless chain restaurants. Not so here! The chicken is cooked to order. It arrived about 15 or so minutes later, an unexpectedly reddish orange and slightly darker than usual golden brown. There were sides, but who cares? I took my first bite into the wing, and knew right away that this was going to be the best I've ever eaten. There was so much hot juice, I almost burned my mouth. Seriously, a wing that juicy?? I was now preparing for greatness. The coating had that perfect crunch and the blend of spices were bold and rustic, yet not overpowering. It had a slight heat to it that made you want to devour and yet savor at the same time. The leg and thigh were next. They weren't greasy, my hands were not turning red, and the coating remained intact with every bite. Don't you just hate it when all the breading falls off after that first bite and sticks to the plate in a greasy mess?? What the hell were they doing back there to my chicken?? Finally, would it pass the breast test? There is nothing worse than a dried out breast and we have all experienced it! It was so moist that I had to check that it was really the breast and not another thigh. I was grunting, yes grunting, after every bite. World Famous? In my little world, the answer is a resounding YES! I'm now afraid that no other chicken will be able to compare. Who said life is fair? Thanks Gus!

Too much hype not much delivered

By Silke K |

This restaurant advertises as famous fried chicken. Not sure I would agree. I ordered the two piece chicken dinner,it was ok,a bit on the dry side and not much flavor. My friend ordered the two piece dark and had the same opinion. Not much to crow about. The staff is friendly and efficient so our visit wasn’t unpleasant.

Great food and service.

By Erica G |

Amazing food!!! Food was fresh and so good. Chicken was spicy as advertised and that’s the way I like it. The service was great!

Luke warm chicken

By C- |

Staff friendly and efficient, cleanliness not so much. Ordered the special chicken tenders with slaw and greens. Slaw was delicious. Chicken was lukewarm and seemed to old like it had been sitting around for a while. Dry. Over rated, over priced.

Excellent chicken

By bryancrawford54 |

This restaurant was situated just across the road from our hotel so decided to eat here because every time we walked past the restaurant was full. Our expectations were met when we were served the most amazing southern fried chicken. The restaurant was very busy but we only waited a few minutes for our meal after ordering. The staff were friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Nice chicken but check that all you ordered is there

By Steve B |

Got some takeout here. The ambience of the place seemed great, even when mostly empty in the mid-afternoon, and the cashier was very nice. The chicken tested lovely but they left out part of our order, which was annoying and spoiled our experience. Maybe check your bag contents before you leave

Good chicken poor service

By jme01 |

Chicken was great. Service not so much. Had to remind our server three times to get a beer. Almost missed our show it took so long. The baked beans were straight out of a can. Cole slaw, mac and cheese and potato salad were great. Go if you want good chicken and have plenty of time.

2 months later, still thinking of this chicken

By Bill M |

We ate lunch here and had a wonderful meal. The chicken and sides were amazing. I highly recommend eating here.

The holy grail of Fried Chicken

By Drewski0602 |

I like to think of myself as a fried chicken expert & Gus’s may just be the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. If you like fried chicken and if you like some spice you would be a fool not to put Gus’s on your itinerary, even if it’s a bit out of your way. Next time I’m in Austin I’ll be back!

Excellent Chicken, worth the wait!

By ORD-TGU |

While visiting Memphis, I was enlightened by the lifechanging experience of trying Gus's Chicken. When I found out that Austin had one too, I had to visit. Of course during Friday dinner there was a huge line, we waited 25 minutes, but it was worth the wait! Loved the spicy dark meat chicken. Friendly service too!

Great fried Chicken!

By Tracy P |

We stopped here while traveling on a trip. The menu is small and that’s a good thing. They do chicken and they do it right. We ordered and it seemed like before the waitress was gone for even a minute, she was back with our food. I mean FAST! The chicken was cooked to perfection with a nice crisp coating and juicy inside. It had a bit of a kick of spice that was just right. We added the macaroni and cheese which was the perfect compliment. Yum!! If there was one downside it would be the cheap bread slice. But really, who needs bread when everything else was so good?! Try Gus’. You won’t be sorry:)

Absolutely Fabulous

By Vic777_12 |

This place takes me back to when fried chicken, fried okra, and greens were staples on the table. You don't want to miss this place. It's history from Mason, TN when Na and Maggie created a spicy recipe that would stand the test of time, the eclectic Austin decor, and some of the best service I have ever seen. Go early (11-11:15am for lunch) otherwise the line will be out the door. But it will be worth it.

I don’t even like fried chicken and I couldn’t get enough of Gus’s

By May |

I came in at about 10:00 PM with my family and we were greeted and served patiently. Waitstaff was so nice. The chicken was SO GOOD- juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned. Our order came out quickly despite how full the restaurant was and the late hour. A must stop!

OMG it’s better the BBQ in Kansas City!

By John Su |

With all the talk about barbecue in Kansas City, you need to make sure you eat here otherwise you are truly missing out. We only had french fries and chicken. I will tell you that this chicken was better than the barbecue in Kansas City. The flavor in the crispy Of the fried chicken was superb. It was not greasy or oily like Popeyes. The chicken was not dried, and the batter that they use for frying the chicken was not all bready like KFC. I wish i bought another 24 piece for my family to eat but I live too many states away. Definitely a destination location!!!!

Tasty Chicken at the Right Price at Gus's

By ArtsyGalBaltimore |

Country style fast good fare. Perhaps not world famous, but a meal at Gus's is an Austin must. The chicken was actually golden crisp.

Gotta Go 2 Gus’s

By DannyD81 |

You know a place is good when you and your wife barely speak to each other after the food comes. The only thing she said to me after that point was “Thank God we came here”. That pretty much says it all.

Best fried chicken ever

By Kitty2009 |

The fried chicken is something special. The sides are good but nothing great! Will be going here every trip we take to Austin!

Worth a visit to this restaurant

By tina L |

The food was great. Old school atmosphere...we loved it. Friendly staff, very welcoming. We had the wing special, fried okra (awesome), potato salad (awesome) and mac and cheese.

So good

By AFinnamore |

Hot in temperature and spicy hot too. So good. I'm sorry I went on my last night in Austin since I didn't have time to make a second visit.

It’s True!

By ScottD58 |

World Famous is a pretty big claim but the gentleman sitting next to me were from England and they crave long for their annual trip to Austin so they can go to Gus’s! They bought T-shirts too. Hey and I have to agree with them it’s the best spicy fried chicken I can remember !

Some of the best fried chicken

By BayPro44 |

Some of the best fried chicken in town. Quick service and great local beer selection. Don’t forget to try the pies.

Did not meet high expectations

By Audrey N |

I was stoked to try their famous spicy fried chicken but was sadly let down. We ordered the Dark Piece 2 Chicken Combo with one side of Mac and cheese. Their “ hot and spicy chicken” was not so spicy. I couldn’t taste a hint of spice. The Mac and cheese tasted like school cafeteria food and the beans seemed as if they were canned. Despite that, the staff were friendly.

Oh my...this is so good!

By walterandcharlie |

Stumbled in to this place while wandering in the hellish heat looking for lunch. It was packed, but I didn’t have to wait long. Yes it is air conditioned, but even if it wasn’t it would have been worth the visit. This was bar none the best fried chicken I have ever had. Crispy. Hot. Spicy. Delicious. The sides were good as well, but it is all about the chicken.

Best fried okra ever and the chicken was fantastic

By Meander63827 |

We visited on Thursday evening about a half hour before closing. Service was fast and the food was so good. Our server was friendly and attentive. The restaurant was very clean.

Ummm Good Chicken

By WallyE56 |

I say I say they have some fine chicken here! Enjoyed the chicken, beans and slaw. Fast friendly service and great tasting food. Peter our Uber driver recommended. Well he nailed it, best Chicken in Austin🤔😀

Great foodie experience (traditional fried chicken)

By Chris H |

Delicious. We are brits spending summer in TX, USA with a keen interest in food - traditional specifically. Don’t hesitate if you want to experience traditional fried chicken, delicious! Service good also 👍

Great place

By Justin C |

First this is not the original Gus's. I live about 20 minutes from the original outside of Memphis,TN. So my standards were very high for this location. And they absolutely delivered and the food was amazing. The chicken had spice to it but wasnt too hot. The okra was a little bland and needed seasoning. The coleslaw was on point and help cool the mouth down after eating the chicken. The staff were amazing and the environment was great. Highly recommend this place for the fried chicken.

So Good 🍗

By Charles W |

Took a ride up to Austin to check this place out and so glad I did. Enjoyed every bite. Definitely a must go to if you can, but don't be surprised if you have a little wait, as this place does get packed. Good food, great view's, will most certainly be going back.

Disappointed due to inconsistency

By Kevin G |

We had been to the Gus’s in Memphis and it was phenomenal. So we expected the same here but chicken was inconsistent. My wife’s meal was great. She had the chicken with beans and coke sale and thought it was very good and gave it a 9 out of 10. I just had an order of chicken thighs but was very disappointed. Half of my thighs looked and tasted like they had been recooked at least once. The first piece I ate was one of the dried out/ recooked pieces and was terrible. The second piece was great and what I expected. Not sure what happened but can’t recommend this Gus’s like I did the one in Memphis

Great chicken!

By LuisDubon |

Excellent fried chicken! Gus's is no frills but quite tasty. You can actually order by chicken parts or by plates. Service is great. wine and beer only. Great potato salad and fries. Fried green tomatoes were very good. Worth a repeat! We did!

Really Good!

By BillyBob66 |

Really great southern fried spicy chicken. The sides are pretty good as well. The restaurant can get tight, crowded and noisy, so takeout might be your best option. If you do not like spicy, this isn't for you.

Liked it so much went back again

By Holks |

A work friend who lived in Memphis had raved about Gus's and I had never tried it, so when it was accross the road from my hotel I took the opportunity. Oh my gosh, out of this world! Juicy, well breaded and a touch spicy. My work collegue was not wrong!

Legit the best

By Nrozo |

Perfect spice! Juicy and tender! Falls of the bone. The potato salad and baked beans make the perfect combination.

Best Chicken in Hill Country!

By Thomas C |

By far some of the best chicken I’ve had here in Texas. The double fried batter makes the chicken extra crispy but still keeps the meat juicy and full of flavor. The Mac and cheese was a great pair with the coleslaw. This location had great service as well and would come back anytime. I would warn you though, if you’ve never had hot and spicy fried chicken, stay hydrated and drink milk when possible. Just remember what comes in has to come out!

Best fried chicken ever!!!

By Steven Gehret |

I’ve grown up on fried chicken and I can honestly say this is the best fried chicken ever. We were greeted by super friendly staff and our waiter was top notch. The fried chicken came out hot, crispy, and juicy. The side were on point. We had okra, Mac and cheese, greens, potato salad, baked beans, all delicious. If visiting Austin, Gus’s is a must.

no joke

By Thomas |

Excellent chicken, they say world famous, and I couldn't find a bad thing to say. Has a little spice and juicy is the only word to describe it. Truly superior to all of the fast-food chicken houses for the same price. No contest where you should get your chicken. Spend the fifty cents and get the sides you want with your chicken. the mac and cheese, slaw and beans were all excellent. Bottom less soft drink is nice even if my waistline didn't need it.

Great food but too noisy

By travelcouple07 |

Food was outstanding,but we are in our late 60s and couldn’t talk due to the noise level. The chicken was excellent. I can only eat chicken fried in peanut oil. This was peanut oil for sure. The cole slaw was really good.

Great Food

By Bellingrath |

Food and service were both great. Would definitely recommend as a must try on trip to Austin. Both chicken and sides were delicious.

Great Chicken! Fried to perfection!!

By Mike D |

Simply put... if you’re in Austin, go here to eat! Chicken was fried to perfection, sides are amazing an the service and staff are top notch! I almost wish i had another plate now just looking at my pic!!

1 bad waiter

By Cosmopolitan199864 |

We are from out of state. Seen the reviews and decided to try it. Was seated and waiter came and said he would be right back to take our order. NEVER CAME BACK. If he was so busy he should have asked someone else to take care of us. Waited 20 minutes more a waitress came and asked if we had been waited on. We said NO! What pissed me off was the waiter went to another table and took their order. So we got up and left. Shame on that waiter. 1 bad waiter makes it bad for everyone who waits tables.

Don’t miss this one in Austin !

By jj-howard60 |

Best meal we had since we got to Texas ! If you like fried chicken, this is a can’t miss place. Nothing fancy at all, just the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten !

This was the best fried chicken

By Mitch T |

This was the best fried chicken we’ve ever had, and we’ve eaten a lot of fried chicken. The skin is spicy but the meat is juicy. The sides, including baked beans and greens, were also good. And the prices are reasonable.

Come here for fried chicken!

By Sanjay S |

I was skeptical that fried chicken could that different from other places, but this place really surprised me. The sides we tasty too. The only thing I would change would be to put a family meal on the menu.

Superb Fried Chicken

By Kswany |

The chicken is just a little spicy but not overbearing. The choice of sides is all southern. Fried green tomatoes, okra, etc. However, the potato salad left a little to be desired. The cole slaw was great. The chicken has the seasoning baked or fried right into it keeping the meat moist.

Fried chicken goodness

By Nikki V |

Oh the world is a better place with Gus’s fried chicken. Every time I’m in Austin, without fail I’ll stop into Gus’s for that fried chicken goodness! The chicken is moist, packed with flavour, super crunchy crispy skin and generous portions. Sides are just as delish - the fried okra, mac ‘n’ cheese, coleslaw - all winners. Free refills on fountain soda as well. Staff are friendly full of Texan charm and hospitality. Even though there are multiple locations, Gus’s feels like a family owned joint, it’s homely and welcoming. And super cool. If you don’t like Gus’s fried chicken, we probably can’t be friends 😜

Amazing fried chicken in a casual atmosphere

By Larry Myles |

Amazing fried chicken in a casual atmosphere! Came with a bunch of college friends and we all agreed that we should come once a month for the good old times The chicken is fantastic. no frills. Vibe was too, prices were very reasonable.

Delicious Spicy Fried Chicken for less then $10 a plate

By Chanimal |

Gus is located 5 minutes walk from the Austin Convention Center. I was in town for a conference and was able to find this Gem as I saw many convention goer had their take out. The crisp coating of the fried chicken was very thin and the chicken was fresh, hot, and not greasy. The plates include baked beans, slaw (which I sub mac & cheese - delicious) and white bread and choice of two, three pieces or half chicken for less then $10. It was better then any spicy chicken that I had from Popeye , KFC , or Crown fried chicken that I have had for under $10. Please click helpful

Mixed Feelings

By questtraveler01 |

First, the chicken was good, we liked the dark meat a bit better than the white. Secondly, the baked beans were terrible. Out of a can-mushy-nothing even added to doctor them up. Come on...they should do way better than that. You don't have one famous thing and tank on the sides. The fries were average. And another thing happened - The menu clearly stated white wine or red. No brand, just white or red for $6.95. I ordered the white. It was a Coppola in a can. Fine, whatever. When the bill came it was listed at $9.00. I asked the server (who was actually friendly) why our bill said 9 for the wine, the menu clearly stated the price. She said, "oh - well it's $9.00 as if it was my issue & I should just accept it. I said, the menu is false advertising & I'm not paying 9. She said well I have no control over that - the price is on the door. WTH? the price is on the door?? who's looking at the damn door for wine prices? & why do I need to scan the door or walls for prices if there are menus on the table?? Fact: the server failed to tell me the adjusted price of the wine and acted like somehow I was the one who was at fault for misunderstanding the prices. She got the manager who took it off our bill, he apologized and told us the menus were not updated and they will be fixing them soon. ok, fine & I appreciated the manager righting this wrong. I wasn't expecting him to comp the wine. I had no issue paying the listed menu price. Shame on this server for doing this to me. When you make a mistake own it-don't push it on someone else.

Truly World Famous for a Reason

By Kathy M |

We just stumbled upon this place. We ordered our chicken pieces a la carte, and also ordered fries. It was all outstanding. The chicken pieces were large, the skin was crunchy and the meat moist. There was so much food we had to leave some of the fries behind. It is a very informal place but very good. People wait in line for tables -- they know it is worth the wait. Highly Recommend. Wish we could give this 6 stars.

Austin’s best!

By Bill B |

If you like fried chicken you need to go to Gus’s. If you don’t like fried chicken you need to go there and learn to live it! A very informal diner that was packed with Gus lovers. Best thing Austin has to call its own.

Delicious!

By ndegan |

Staying nearby, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken was on my radar. Advertised as a quick, delicious, cozy bite, I found the line (at noon) was out the door and down the block. Fortunately, there is a tree with shade - Austin is hot and Sunny! The line moved fairly quickly - others in line were in town for a conference - and it was a friendly group. The chicken (I got the two piece white meat (breast and wing) with cole slaw and baked beans was different and delicious.The crust on the chicken just out of the fryer was crunchy and hot with fire and with pepper! I don’t know how they did it but Gus’s World Famous Friend Chicken is great!

Great Choice for good fried chicken!

By leannp79 |

My girls and I were in downtown Austin and needed to find a place to eat. I did a quick search on Google and Gus's came up. We were close so we just went for it without even reading any reviews. We got there just in time. Only 1 group in front of us when we arrived and that quickly changed. With in 15 minutes there was a long line out the door. The chicken is great!! Great flavor, crispy, hot, and juicy. Mac & cheese was great too. French fries were just fries. Come for the chicken, not the side items. Atmosphere was casual and fun. Nothing fancy. Price was on point. I would come back here if ever back in downtown Austin.

Spicy and Crispy Fried Chicken!

By Jake H |

I love me some chicken and Gus’s is the perfect spot downtown for crispy and spicy fried chicken. The sides are pretty good (mac n cheese, baked beans, and fries) and it’s reasonably priced. It’s a smaller place so you may need to wait for a table. I keep going back because it is delicious. San Jacinto, the road right next to Gus’s was closed did contraction when I went so just a little more walking to get there. Check it out!!

Good Chicken…YES! Parking…Nahhhh!

By raymond j |

Chicken is awesome…. But absolutely no where to park. Drove around for over 20mins to finally park in the alley way next to dumpster.

Delicious

By mafischl |

If you love Southern fried chicken than Gus's is the place for you. It's certainly not fine dining but it is delicious. Try the collored greens too.

Crispy!

By Kimraem |

Fried chicken will entice me in almost every time. I was greeted warmly by staff, the person who waited on me was friendly and helpful. I ordered 2 chicken wings and one tender with honey mustard. I didn’t order any sides, the chicken filled me up as it was. It was super crispy but the chicken itself was not dry or rubbery as can happen with chicken. It was yummy!

I Wish I Could Give it More than Five Stars

By Ken M |

I was in Austin for almost a week and the best meal I had was at Gus's. The chicken was amazing and the staff so friendly you felt like you were with friends. It's located about a block from the Convention Center. The tables and chairs look kind of like they came from the 1960s kitchen and there is a counter reminiscent of that same era. In other words, it's nothing fancy but people line up out into the street every day for lunch...it's just that good. If you go to Austin, go to Gus's.

Great Chicken down to earth place!

By 2xVet |

Enjoyed lunch here for the first time. Was busy, but was seated promptly. Nice interior! If you are from the farm or country at all you will enjoy the place! Felt like a down home dinner. The lightning was made out of wagon/tractor rims with mason jars for lights. The service was fast and friendly. And the chicken was VERY tasty! And the sides were great. If your in the mood for chicken, especially fried chicken, then I would highly recommend you try it out! Would definitely go back!

BEST fried chicken!

By María Reynoso |

As a family trip to visit Austin we decided to go to the top places to eat and this was on our list! We loved the fried chicken so much we decided it was our favorite place to eat in the whole trip! We had to wait awhile but it only seems understandable as everyone wants to eat some yummy fried chicken. We loved it so much we had to try it for a second time before we left! 😋 Can’t wait to be back at Austin to eat it again... and possibly again!!!

Gus Fried Chicken

By Quest718475 |

Chicken was seasoned just right! Had some heat to it. Skin nice and crispy. Great selection of side dishes. A must eat in Austin.

Best fried chicken & service you will ever come across!!

By Emily |

We came to Gus’s after a long day of traveling, and we are so glad we did! The atmosphere is so cool, very relaxed place. It is a no-frills, kind of dive-y place and that’s why we loved it so much! Everyone was so kind and welcoming and treated us so well. We sat at the bar which was an awesome choice. Their chicken is hands-down the best fried chicken I have ever had (and i’ve had a lot of chicken in my days!). If you ever get a chance to go, then please do, you will not be disappointed!!

Great chicken and pecan pie

By hotweatherfan1 |

We visited this restaurant based on a recommendation from someone who used to live there . Luckily we arrived before the major lunch rush. We had 2 pieces of dark meat and 3 tenders with slaw and beans. All of it was very good, tender and moist. The waitress told us the pie offerings and we decided to try the pecan pie warmed up. It was a really good pecan pie (my favorite pie). One downside is that it is difficult to find parking.

The Chicken Whispered to Me…

By 652awsb |

I walked into Gus’s not just hungry, but spiritually void. Little did I know that within 20 minutes, I’d have a life-altering experience involving a piece of fried chicken that tasted like it had been personally blessed by a Southern grandma and a minor deity of spice. First bite? Crunchy. Audibly crunchy. Like ASMR levels of satisfaction. And then the heat hits—not aggressive, but persuasive. Like a cowboy in a salsa commercial saying, “Y’all ain’t ready,” and he’s right. I don’t know what sort of voodoo magic goes into their seasoning, but I swear that chicken winked at me. Was it the heat-induced hallucination or genuine poultry flirtation? We may never know. I ordered coleslaw on the side, thinking it would be a filler. WRONG. It was like a refreshing yin to the chicken’s spicy yang. And don’t even get me started on the chocolate chess pie. I blacked out for a second and when I came to, the plate was empty and I was smiling like I’d seen the face of fried dessert divinity. Ambience? Classic. Plastic red baskets. Mismatched hot sauce bottles. And music that sounds like it’s been waiting just for your awkward dance moves. 10/10. Would let this chicken ruin my diet, my self-control, and possibly my credit score again.

Crispy fried chicken

By TravelEatXplore |

3.5 stars. Staffs are really friendly and attentive. We got the 3 piece with 2 sides meal, but the waitress mentioned there is a special for 4 piece with 2 sides meal for the same priced. We got the special. The chicken came out hot, crispy and tender. We also got fried okras and I got root beer float. Price were reasonable.

Best thing I’ve eaten since I got to Austin Texas

By Ryan |

The fried chicken is delicious as were the sides that came with it. Baked beans coleslaw and I ordered a side of fried green tomatoes. They were also very good. My waitress was very sweet and very attentive to making sure I was okay.

Superb experience!

By Nastassia F |

Not going to lie- the best fried chicken I have ever had! The whole experience: from getting there to getting our food and beyond was amazing! Really fast service, great suggestions, and just hands down - the best food. When I am back in Austin, this will be the first place I will come back to!

Amazing food great service and very cool atmosphere. Great value.

By Mr .Hustle |

Very friendly staff. The best tasting friend Chicken I have tasted , Delicious and not crazy expensive My waiter Steven was friendly and really bent over backwards to explain the menu. Brought me things to try for free before I ordered. That was really service deserving a big tip ! Thanks Steven Food arrived hot and was very tasty. I liked the tenders and the breast. Slaw was very good. Pecan pie was delicious. If you are in Austin Texas. This is worth trying.

Very Yum

By ssriser23 |

I had heard this place had great chicken. It did not disappoint. Yummy tenders & very delicious sides. Would come here again.

Yum!

By Hopsing-NH |

Was so happy we stopped here for lunch. Great service and moist, delicious chicken. We had dark meat (thigh and leg) that had an amazing crunch to the batter. Just enough heat and great flavor. Our sides were Mac cheese, potato salad, bean and cole slaw. Mac cheese was not dry, nice and gooey. Tater salad was delicious, beans and cole slaw were fantastic. Drinks served in a plastic souvenir cup that you keep.

Great fried chicken. Spicy

By Tim B |

Great fried chicken. Spicy but not burn your face hot. Coleslaw is fantastic, creamy, great side with the chicken. Will return

Great fried chicken

By brad s |

Went there for lunch, busy and full as is usual I’d expect. Fried chicken was great. Very hot, like fresh out of the fryer hot. Seasoning was great. I had Mac and cheese and greens as my sides. All very good. Slice of chess pie was nice dessert. Cool place. Staff was very friendly. Overall great lunch!

A must try if you like fried chicken. This is the best!

By Pitzapie |

So good! Hot, fresh, fast and delicious! The chicken is spicy, but not too spicy and the coleslaw is some of the best I’ve had. Highly recommend. I can’t wait to go back ❤️

Spiced just right

By Dina C |

The fried chicken has a nice kick and lots of spice to it as do the baked beans. Neither were expected but both were appreciated.

Loved it

By Andrew R |

Staff were super, really friendly and hospitable. The fired chicken is the best I've ever tasted. I'd tell people to give it a go. especially if visiting.

World famous fries chicken!!

By AG70IT |

Great fried chicken, very tasty coleslaw in a cozy environment, plasticit fork and knife, cardboard plates

It’s own thing

By ElvisAndrus |

The chicken was both spicier and more lightly breaded than what you would normally get, at least that where I normally have been fed chicken myself. I had a special which gave me beans and coleslaw which were also good. The server was very friendly and even had a smile on her face before she gave the bill and asked me “well, did we live up to the hype?” I was sick that was her favourite part of the job. Very playing with paper plates and plastic cutlery but I’m thetic place does not take itself too seriously. Service was very quick. But I was there a bit early on a weekday so there was no rush.

Great Chicken

By Sean S |

Good spicy fried chicken, sat at the counter and staff were friendly and good for recommendations for a first timer

Pretty good fried cluck cluck

By hockeyaw19 |

In expensive, well cooked and flavorful fried chicken. Walked in on a Monday night and ordered two pieces of white chicken to go and it was ready in about 5 minutes. It was crispy, just the right amount of spice and juicy. Only improvement would be including some cutlery with the to go stuff - but I probably should have asked for some instead of assuming it would be included. cost about 10 bucks

AMAZING CHICKEN!!!

By The World is My Oyster |

By far the best fried chicken I've ever had! We opted to share the family 8 pieces pack that came with Cole slaw and bread. Chicken was crispy, juicy, and just spiced up perfectly! The green fried tomatoes and fried okra were awesome sides that complemented our meal. A little bit of a wait, but 100% worth it!

Worth going twice!!!

By Manuelq57 |

I seldom visit the same restaurant twice in the same trip but Gus' was worth it. First this is not a fancy restaurant by any stretch of the imagination. Simple, no frills, suggesting that its fame comes from the quality of the food and not the hype. Ordering is easy. You decide how many pieces of chicken you want and the fixings and that is about it. When you bite into that tender, juicy and flavorful chicken you realize that they do know chicken. I enjoyed every bite of what I ordered. Even if you are not into chicken, this is one experience you must not let pass.

Delicious

By kkm68 |

Really enjoyed the fried chicken and chicken tenders. Good beans and fried okra too. Very busy. Long line but we were seated quickly.

Almost as good as my great grandmas!

By sunfunrelaxSanDiego |

Lucky for us no wait! And it was delicious! Beer ice cold too! Server on point! Batter had a little spice, coleslaw fresh and the baked beans flavorful. Good bang for the buck!

Too Greasy

By Carey S. |

Chicken was very greasy and service subpar. Guy who took my order seemed distracted and when I got my order he didn’t give me my tea and the okra was missing. Chicken had a good taste but was so greasy.

Tender + Crisp + Spicy Chicken -- yes!

By Elizabeth K |

Yesterday, I was obsessing over the new Popeye's Chicken Sandwich (haven't had), but knew that I was heading to Austin for a conference at the JW Marriott (down the street from Gus's). So, yes, fried chicken for lunch! It did not disappoint. A local IPA to start, with fried pickles (they make theirs out of spears, which is much, much better than fried pickle chips). I switched things up with a leg and a breast (was tempted to have chicken tenders because I like chicken tenders, but the waiter said it misses the spice and the skin). With baked beans, slaw and white bread. The chicken was amazingly tender, crisp and spicy. While Popeye's is still mighty good, Gus's has them beat. We got there before noon, so the line wasn't even there yet.

Delicious chicken -good value

By Lucy_lu07 |

We came in here for lunch whilst wondering around Austin. We had been to the one in Memphis on a recommendation so we knew what we were getting. The chicken is yummy and the sides are nice too. Our server was very attentive and friendly. My only complaint is there is a lot of plastic wastage here.

Delicious, made to order fried chicken

By Trina D |

We were craving lunch after leaving the Texas State Capitol building so we decided on Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken near our hotel. We were immediately sat at a table and we ordered water and a root beer float. We decided on a 2 piece dark meat plate with slaw and fried okra. We also got a 2 piece white meat snack. The food is made fresh to order so our chicken was piping hot when it reached us. We asked for additional ketchup and a small side of ranch dressing. It hit the spot. No matter where we go, Gus's fried chicken is consistently delicious. We were satisfied with our meal and the service from our server, Jen.

Wow this chicken is good.

By Adam M |

I am no chicken connoisseur, but I do travel a lot and eat at all levels of restaurants all the time. This chicken caught me off guard it was so good. Believe the hype. I didn’t realize this was a chain (there are 30 of them around the US), but it definitely didn’t feel like it. The menu was super basic, so they can focus on what they do best. Great service too. No question I would come back here, in a heartbeat.

Best Mac and cheese!

By Alisha |

The chicken is great. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll definitely be back for the chicken, but I’m a sides kind of gal and the Mac and cheese and fries spoke to me on a spiritual level. We went as a group of 12, but they were able to seat us during lunchtime relatively easily and had no issues with splitting our checks. The chicken was fresh with really great breading. This group of 12 was silent as we soaked in the amazingness of the chicken. Can’t wait to go back!!

Impressed by staff

By T76NewOrleansu |

We stayed at the hotel across the street and wanted to grab a quick bite . We were very pleasantly surprised how fast the food came out . It was super delicious . We had to stop in the next day! Both Maddie our server and the Draper behind the register, welcomed us back with such genuine enthusiasm. Made our day! Thank you both for such incredible service . Definitely recommended if you like fried chicken and true southern hospitality!

I love fried chicken again.

By M3DLSANG23 |

Haven’t had good chicken since I lived in New Orleans. Wholly moly! This is hands down the best fried chicken I have every had in my life.

Mighty Chicken!

By Jim A |

We came here for lunch on a weekday afternoon, and it did not disappoint! I had the three-piece white and she had the tenders and they were simply excellent. Slightly spicy and very juicy. The sides of Mac 'n Cheese, Greens and Cole Slaw were all excellent as well. Our server Aaron was at the top of his game, and this was a perfect lunch. We highly recommend!

Great Spicy chicken

By richard b |

My wife and i went to Gus's Famous Fried Chicken for lunch on Friday. The place was packed, and now I know why. We have finally found a great place to have fried chicken here in Austin. We had been disappointed with the local "Texas" fried chicken chain restaurants, which deliver crunchy moist tasteless fried chicken. We ordered both the white and dark fried chicken plates which come with slaw and baked beans, and added extra sides of fried okra and green tomatoes. The chicken was crunchy spicy and juicy, what more could you ask for. The okra and green tomatoes were above par also. Needless to say we will be making the trip downtown to get the chicken again

CHICKEN!

By Johnny Trekkie |

Crispy, juicy, spicy, delicious, and cheap fried chicken! Its CHEAP AF! If you really hate spicy, this is not the place for you. I'm not a spicy foodie, but I happily indulged in this not too spicy fried chicken. And its cheap! Did I already said that? For less than $10, you can get yourself a nice fried chicken plate. The sides were all good too...if you were me, I would definitely want the mac n cheese and the collard greens for my sides. The okra is a good choice too. I would also spend an extra $3 for a splice of sweet potato pie. So good...and so cheap!!! Friendly and slow service...there can be a wait to get table, and after you order that can be a wait for your food, over 30 minutes in my case. But for the price, and the fact that I had no other Monday night plans, it was well worth it. SO CHEAP!!! Also, you don't have to travel to Austin to eat here...this is a chain. Which I didn't realize until later.

Really good chicken!

By Jessica C |

Small place, so make sure you get there early if you’re trying to eat early! We went around 730, had a table of six and was seated in about 5 minutes. Quick service if you’re not there peak hours! I enjoyed the two piece dark meal. It was amazing. The chicken was fried perfectly, not over-breaded. The meat was so juicy and hot. Would 100% go here again.

Great chicken

By lucycan |

First time here. Went for dinner with a friend. We both had the tenders which were excellent with just a bit of spice. Fries were great. No BBQ on the premise. Honey mustard or ranch. Thats it. Slaw was decent.

Sooooo Good

By havingfuntraveling |

Went with family four of us. , 2 orders of 2 chicken breast and a wing. Also side of okra. Okra was very good . Chicken, cole slaw, and beans, absolutely amazing. Chicken has amazing seasoning with a mild kick. Wish there was one in Tampa. Service also excellent. Have fun

I’d highly recommend this old school Chicken institute in Austin

By K_Traveler |

Tasty fried chicken and sides in downtown Austin well worth visiting while in town. Deep fried chicken with Mac and Cheese and Cole saw was really good

Stopped in for dinner

By Dennis G |

Our hotel was across the street and i saw this place had a line almost every night. Decided to try it on our last evening. Service was good. Chicken was good, but I am partial to Popeyes! High point was the fried pickles. They were by far the best we ever had. Cut in spears, crunchy on the outside and not mushy inside... you must try them... I'd go back and wait in line, just for those pickles

My first time -

By Karen N |

This was some great chicken - had to wait but worth it. Close quarters so you get to visit with folks around you.

Could offer healthier options.

By Dive Diva |

I was disappointed healthier sides were not offered. All the appetizers were fried. Coleslaw was the closest thing to a green salad. The chicken was good, the okra was good as were the fried pickle Spears. The wait staff is attentive and friendly. It's a busy place that simply needs to consider some healthier options for sides.

really bad service, cold fries, bad tea, chicken ok. not so super wonderful

By tomuchtravel |

waited 50 minutes for one piece of chicken. fries arrived later and were stone cold. tea was sad, hey this is texas and the worst iced tea on the planet. EH not so great not sure why everyone raves. it is convenient to downtown

Great lunch stop for fried chicken

By Tom M |

OK, in visiting Austin for a conference and walking to the convention center every day I would pass Gus's. Any place that has fried chicken and says world famous, i figured I got to try it. I was not disappointed! Dinner type feel in side, so I was a little nervous. But the menu is pretty much only chicken. So I got a 3 piece with beans, slaw and fries. It was delicious. Not one complaint at all, service was fast and friendly. I would definitely stop back for lunch if I am in the mood for chicken. They did get busy durning lunch but no lines really formed while I was there. Enjoy!

nothing interesting

By Maciej M |

just normal fried chicken. not bad, not good. bland in taste, kfc is better. you can totally skip it.

The Chicken Was Finger-Licking Good!

By Susan E |

This was great fried chicken! Although, be cautioned that it is fried in peanut oil so if you have food allergies to peanuts, this won't be the place for you. I was here for a conference and saw the reviews so thought I would try it out. However, when I got there, the place was mobbed. I decided not to wait for a seat but to do take out. It was unclear about how people were getting their names on the list. When I went to the take out side of the register, I placed my order and was told that it would be 20 minutes. That turned out to be 45 minutes. There are seats at a counter but that was also unclear if you could just sit there. But, the food more than made up for the wait.

Finger Lickn Good

By jeeper4fun |

This was right across the street from our hotel. We found ourselves eating here a couple of times. Great food and fast to the table. Servers were great and beers were cold. Chicken was making me do the chicken dance on the way our the door.

Excellent spicy fried chicken, no question. Looking to splurge? Indulge in Dom Perignon champagne

By ImmerWandern |

Discovered this gem of a fried chicken establishment when attending a conference at the JW Marriott; Gus’s was just 1 block away to the east. It was pretty full for mid-week, and the take-out business looked very brisk. The decor is basic with white ceiling tiles, checkered table cloths and an exposed cement floor. No matter, the ambiance was not the main draw: the chicken was. After placing one’s order the chicken takes a little while to get to the table, about 12 minutes the first time and over 15 the second. Yes, I came back for more; after I had finished my first meal I knew I had to come back. There was a wide variety of permutations or combinations of options when ordering the chicken; while individual pieces could be ordered this was by far the most expensive way to go. For a solo diner a 2-piece or 3-piece plate was best, then deciding on white or dark meat. One could choose wings alone for the plate; the plate came with sides, of course. The spicy crunchy crust was done just right and the meat was hot and juicy, never dried out. It was a true pleasure eating this fried chicken. I liked the baked beans and mac-‘n-cheese sides. For dessert I had a root beer float one day and the chocolate chess pie on the other. They had a fair selection of beer as well as red or white wine. I had heard that they offered champagne - Dom Perignon at $300/bottle - and it was there on the menu. My server confirmed it was available and they might sell 1 bottle a month. I did not know then that it was one of a chain but I know now to be sure to dine at Gus’s again be it in Austin or at one of the other 14 locations. I know Austin dining defaults to barbecue but definitely dine at Gus’s too. You won’t regret it.

Oh My!!!

By Joey29615 |

Fried Chicken is one of my favorite dishes and the chicken here was AWESOME. I ordered the 3 Piece Tender Plate and was told they were having a special and selling the 4 Piece Plate at the 3 Piece price...so I took the 4. The coating was crispy and perfectly seasoned. The chicken hot & moist!!! I had the honey mustard dip which was excellent. I chose slaw & potato salad as sides. The slaw was fine, tastes like the kind from the deli. The potato salad was good and tasted a bit more homemade. The CHICKEN is definatley the star of the plate!!!

Best fried chicken in Austin

By Julie Shackleford |

I love ordering Gus's for lunch, it's the best comfort food and always comes out really quickly! The chicken is really crispy and has a lot of flavor, must try if visiting austin

Quick order ahead at lunchtime

By RagsKP94 |

I ordered online and carried out at lunch on a Friday. It was ready in 10 minutes. The batter was mildly spicy and very crispy. Beans were good, maybe a little sweet. Seasoned fries were delicious.

I really wanted to love it

By Kathryn A |

The chicken here is spicy and comes out piping hot. We ordered okra and fried green tomatoes with our meal and they were hot and delicious. I really don't see what all the rave is about this place though.

Awesome

By alrayyan10 |

Great friend chicken, tried it twice during my stay in Austin The fries and closlow salad are great too .

Too hot for me

By marmie1a |

Chicken was too spicy. I am sensitive to heat and I couldn’t eat it. Cole slaw was good. Fried green tomatoes and okra were also good. Kind of a hole in the wall restaurant. I cannot recommend to others.

Not as good as I expected

By Laura B |

After reading all the wonderful reviews, I expected much better than we got. My husband and I both ordered the special which was 4 chicken tenders with 2 sides. I expected hot juicy chicken after reading the reviews. What we got was dry, tough, overcooked chicken. The sides were alright but we would never return. So disappointed.

More fame than it deserves

By patricia spagnuolo martineli |

Good Chicken, dried and tasty. But nothing from another world. Not worth the huge queue. I ⁇ 't come back and stay in line to eat the fried chicken. If you didn't have a queue and a vacant table, you could even eat again, but it's a restaurant with more fame than really something different. But good!

Positive surprise

By Mattias L |

Not a fan if fried chicken as such since I think that there are a lot of fat added to it. Just ate it once from a big more well known chain, but in the UK. However Guses really delivered! Paper plates, plastic forks, beer cold from the can. They are not putting effort on the fancy thing but the chicken and beans were great! On a work trip and most likely try it again when returning to Austin.