Where’s the best fried chicken on the MS Coast? We asked high school football coaches
Coaches gotta eat, too.
And they typically know a thing or two about it. During SMACM school football media days, we asked each coach present where they prefer to get their fried chicken.
Just like their offensive approaches, the coaches had varying preferences. Some prefer the popular chains, others the local shops in their town.
We compiled the list for you so you can eat like your school’s head coach as you gear up for the upcoming football season.
Popeye’s
Jeremy Turcotte, Bay High
John Feaster, Moss Point
Tim Lala, St. Stanislaus
Marc High, Gautier
Oscar Glasscock, St. Patrick
Cody Stogner, Picayune
Casey Gilbert, Vancleave defensive coordinator
Popeye’s was easily the most popular choice with a quarter of coaches from the Coast choosing the Louisiana establishment. It’s two-time state champion Stogner’s preferred chicken joint, but he’ll tell you his grandmother made the best fried chicken.
High also had a secondary option.
“You asking me, I’m going to go to Popeye’s with a side of red beans and rice,” High said. “For my mother-in-law, after church on Sunday, we’re going to go to Hartz Chicken.”
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Jacob Aycock, Stone
Katlan French, Biloxi
Eric Denmark, Resurrection
Denmark does not include chicken in his diet! But if he had to choose, he’d go to KFC.
Cajun’s Fabulous Fried Chicken
Jeff Stockstill, Pass Christian
“I’m right down the road from Cajun’s, that’s all I can ask for,” Pennock said. “That’s where you go. That’s the first thing I did when I moved (to Gulfport), everybody said go to Cajun’s if you want some fried chicken. I hit that thing up a couple times a week.”
Hartz Chicken
Jake Bramlett, Ocean Springs
Marc High, Gautier
Raisin’ Canes
Jay Beech, Poplarville
Piggly Wiggly
Sam Huff, East Central
“I grew up in Escatawpa, it’s not a very far drive from Hurley,” Huff said. “If I’m getting fried chicken, I’m going to Piggly Wiggly.”
Mother-in-law’s house
Lewis Sims, Pascagoula
“The best fried chicken in Jackson County is in my mother-in-law’s kitchen,” Sims said. “I had some last night with some homemade fried okra and some corn that was cut off the cob and creamed. Man, you talk about good.”
Dolly’s
Neil Lollar, Hancock
“You got to go to Dolly’s if you’re eating fried chicken in The Kill,” Lollar said. “I eat a lot of Raisin’ Canes, I’m not going to lie. But you go to Dolly’s if you’re going to eat fried chicken in Kiln.”
Cafe New Orleans
Josh Ladner, D’Iberville
Ms. Audrey’s Southern Kitchen
Quincy Patrick, West Harrison
Patrick is also a fan of Big Daddy’s Soul Food on Highway 49.
Half Shell
Ty Smith, St. Martin
Smith doesn’t eat much fried chicken. He is a big oyster guy, though.
Wildcat Korner
Michael King, Greene County
“They have a chicken bacon ranch sandwich there that is about as good as you can get it,” King said. “You can get it fried or you can get it grilled... They have some of the best fried chicken tenders that you can get in Leakesville.”
