South Carolina Fried Chicken Spot Named the Best in the State

Crispy, flavorful fried chicken is certainly a South Carolina favorite. That said, it's not surprising that we have lots of great places to get fried chicken in this state. Now, one South Carolina fried chicken spot has been named the best in the state. This place is known for their incredible chicken, so I'm not shocked to see it named No. 1.

The food experts at Yelp.com have put together a feature on the best places to get fried chicken in the country. "What better way to celebrate summer than with some of the best comfort food around?" they ask. "We're talking about the mouth-watering, crunchy, and full of flavor... fried chicken." As for their methodology, this tally consists of the best fried chicken in every state according to "Yelp Elites." They picked out businesses in the "chicken shop" category on Yelp and looked for places with a lot of five-star Elite reviews. Also, this list only consisted of businesses in the United States, and Yelp included only one business per state where data was available. Each restaurant on the tally was marked open on Yelp on June 25, 2024, and also had a passing health score as of June 25, 2024, which is very important.

So, which South Carolina fried chicken spot is the best in the state and one of the best in America? Yelp picks Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack in Greenville. Reviewer Nik B. states, "The fried tender w the honey sweet glaze and the bone in chicken thighs were delicious. Perfectly cooked chicken at a decent price." That sounds like some delicious South Carolina fried chicken. When it comes to North Carolina, Yelp says it's Slappy's Chicken in Winston-Salem, N.C. One reviewer, Pree N., says, "This is a hometown hidden gem that's perfect for literally any day of the week. I've been coming to get their version of comfort food since I was in grad school several years ago and since they've reopened last year, I have been pleasantly surprised to see they have not missed a beat." Another reviewer, Melanie L., writes, "Slappy's is quickly becoming my favorite place to go for fried chicken. It's quick to order and receive your food. The sides taste like comfort food. There's a good amount of seating inside and outside after the remodel." I'm glad to see these area fried chicken spots getting so much love. Keep reading below for some food items to skip while you're out to eat, by the way.

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

When encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.