America’s Best Fried Chicken Is Filipino—Again
July 22, 2025
At this point, Chickenjoy doesn’t need an introduction.
The crispy, golden fried chicken from Jollibee—known for its sweet, savory flavor and cult following—has once again beaten out America’s biggest fried chicken brands to claim the top spot in USA Today's 10 Best Fast Food Fried Chicken list. For the second year in a row, Jollibee outranked fan-favorites like Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and KFC.
Because for many, Chickenjoy has always been more than just fried chicken.
It’s Filipino flavor wrapped in crispy skin, deep-fried with nostalgia, and often served with rice and gravy. For millions of Filipinos around the world, it's a taste that carries memory, comfort, and home.
A bee outflies the birds
This year’s USA Today Readers’ Choice poll, voted on by thousands of Americans, confirms just how far Jollibee has come. Since opening its first U.S. store in Daly City, California in 1998, the Filipino fast food chain has expanded to over 90 locations across North America, drawing long lines and loyal fans wherever it lands.
The top 5 winners in the 2024 list were:
- Jollibee
- Pollo Campero
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
- Church’s Texas Chicken
- Guthrie’s Chicken
Meanwhile, major U.S. brands KFC (#8), Chick-fil-A (#9), and Popeyes (#10) found themselves edged out by regional favorites and, at the very top, a Filipino juggernaut.
Jollibee’s staying power lies in its flavor profile: unapologetically Filipino. Where most American fast food chicken leans heavily into salt and spice, Chickenjoy balances crisp texture with a subtle sweetness and umami depth that speaks to Filipino culinary tradition.
The joy that travels
For Filipinos abroad, Jollibee often carries deep emotional resonance. It's not uncommon to see long lines at openings across the U.S., Canada, or even the U.K.—many waiting not just for a meal, but for a connection to home.
The brand’s growing international presence has helped introduce Filipino cuisine to wider audiences, often starting with Chickenjoy as a gateway.
No comments:
Post a Comment