Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Kansas City

ABOUT GUS’S FRIED CHICKEN –
FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER
In the early 1950s, Napoleon “Na” Bonner and his wife Maggie opened a little restaurant on the “Lower End” of the town square in downtown Mason, Tennessee. It was there that he invented his now-legendary fried chicken recipe in 1953. Now, after almost 60 years in business, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken is more of a tradition than a location.

The original location has spawned a chain of successful franchises. Whether you eat at the original family business out in Mason, Tennessee, or one of the franchises, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken has the style and attitude of an old-school, blues-infused southern eatery. Wait your turn, pay your money, stay out of the way, make yourself at home. Do your time, and your reward will be a spectacular specimen of southern fried chicken glory.

THE CHICKEN
The “Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken” recipe is a closely-guarded family secret. Once upon a time, Saveur Magazine asked Gus himself for the recipe. His response? “I ain’t telling!” And neither are his children. Gus’s chicken is a little different each time you try it. It’s got that handmade character – a little of this, a touch of that, a pinch of love, a dash of hot. Once in a while it’ll be so spicy the tears come. Usually, the heat is more gentle, like the touch of an old friend.

As Ed Levine wrote for Serious Eats, “Gus’s Chicken is still perfect, crisp golden-brown on the outside, moist and succulent on the inside, and salted and seasoned with just enough cayenne pepper to let you know it’s there.” Even on the spiciest days, once that signature flavor hits your tongue you know you must finish the crunchy, crispy skin and moist, tender meat. The tears will dry, the tongue will heal. But missing a minute of that soul food tradition? Now that would hurt.