Some towns wait years for the right fried chicken place, and Upper Montclair finally got one. A small counter spot opened its doors recently, and locals started coming back again and again within weeks.
The team behind it already runs a popular burger shop in town, so expectations were high from day one. People now say it beats the big national chains, and some even claim it broke their old fast food habits for good.
The menu keeps things focused on chicken, homemade sides, and fair prices. Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and why so many neighbors are calling it the best fried chicken around.
A New Address on Bellevue Avenue
Every great chicken story needs a home base, and this one sits at 223 Bellevue Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043, in the United States. The spot is called Farmhouse Fried Chicken, and it serves the Upper Montclair neighborhood.
Listed as an American restaurant, it keeps the format simple. Guests order at the counter, grab their food, and get on with their day.
The concept is narrow on purpose. Fried chicken is the star, and almost everything else on the menu exists to support it.
That focus has paid off quickly. With a 4.7-star average across early feedback, the place has earned a strong local following in a short time.
Many people in town describe it as a long overdue addition to Upper Montclair. For years, the area lacked a dedicated, high quality fried chicken restaurant, and this counter filled that gap.
Bellevue Avenue is a busy local strip, which makes the location easy to fit into errands or a quick weeknight dinner plan. It is the kind of place neighbors mention to each other before they mention it online.
So the address is settled. The bigger question is who decided Upper Montclair needed this much chicken.
The Burger Crew Behind the Bird
Here is a fun twist: the people frying this chicken are better known for burgers. Farmhouse comes from the owners of Dan and Days Burgers, a familiar name in Montclair.
Fans of the burger shop showed up early, curious to see if the magic would carry over. For most of them, it did.
Diners often say the owners put real heart into the food. The menu feels like it was built with care, not copied from a corporate playbook.
The restaurant opened with a soft opening before its official grand opening. That period gave the team a chance to test recipes, fix small problems, and hear what guests wanted.
The owners have been open about that process. They have said they love the town and want to make dining here better for the community.
There is even a playful side effect for local families. Some regulars joke that the new chicken spot means fewer burger nights at home, which is a nice problem for one restaurant group to have.
A track record matters in a small town. People trusted the name, and the chicken gave them reasons to keep trusting it.
Bell and Evans at the Core
Ask the staff why the chicken stays so moist, and the answer is simple. Farmhouse uses Bell and Evans chicken.
That choice gets a lot of attention from diners. Some say they love knowing which brand they are eating, and the counter team happily explains it.
The results show up in nearly every comment about the place. The chicken is described as crispy, juicy, and not greasy.
Even people who rarely order fried chicken have come away won over. The balance of crunchy coating and tender meat is the main reason.
The three-piece meal is a common order. One popular combination is two thighs and a drumstick, which many say comes out fried just right.
Tenders are another favorite. Many guests call them some of the best they have had, and they are actually tender, which is not always true elsewhere.
Honest notes exist too. Early in the soft opening, one diner wanted more seasoning in the breading, and another wished their order was hotter.
Still, the overall verdict leans strongly positive. Quality starts with the bird, and this kitchen picked its supplier with intent.
Sandwich Showdown With the Big Chains
Bold claims fly around this menu, and the chicken sandwich collects the boldest. Some fans say it puts the most famous fast food chicken sandwich to shame.
The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich is a name that keeps coming up. Diners praise the balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
There is also a hot chicken sandwich on offer. Guests who ordered it describe it as a satisfying, well balanced option for a quick lunch.
The chain comparisons do not stop there. One local even joked that Farmhouse broke the spell of a major fried chicken chain, which now feels like a step down.
That is the heart of the article title. People are not just saying the food is good, they are saying it is better than the national options they grew up with.
House-made quality is part of the appeal. Guests notice that the food tastes freshly prepared rather than pulled from a freezer.
For first timers, the sandwich is an easy entry point. It is portable, filling, and a fair way to judge the kitchen in one order.
Fair warning, though. One sandwich may lead straight to a second visit.
Sides That Steal Some Spotlight
Chicken may get top billing, but the sides have their own fan club. Coleslaw and mac and cheese are the two most talked about.
The coleslaw wins praise for not being drowned in mayonnaise. Many call it solid and a good match for fried chicken.
Mac and cheese is described as creamy and flavorful, and containers come quite full. One early diner wanted it cheesier, so opinions vary a little.
Mashed potatoes also earn steady compliments. Guests call them delicious, and they pair well with a plate of tenders.
Then there are the waffle fries. People say they arrive hot and crispy, and they are a favorite add-on.
Regular french fries are available too. Families sometimes order both styles to keep everyone happy.
A buttermilk biscuit comes with certain meals, such as the three-piece meal with one side. Guests describe it as warm and tasty.
All of these sides are clearly made in house, according to the general feel of the comments. They taste like a kitchen that cares about the full plate.
Choosing just one side may be the hardest decision of the visit.
An Oak Counter and a Friendly Crew
Some details tell you a place was built with care. At Farmhouse, the Olmsted oak counter is one of them.
Guests have noticed it right away. It gives the small space a warm, homey look that fits the farmhouse name.
The overall environment gets frequent praise. People call it a great place to stop in, and some have returned many times already.
The staff stand out as well. Team members check on guests, ask how things are going, and take time to explain the menu.
Employees named Logan and Riley have been singled out for being attentive. Counter service has also been described as friendly, with food ready on time.
Even during the soft opening, the attention to service drew compliments. That early effort helped build trust with the neighborhood.
When something goes wrong, the owners respond. They have publicly apologized for mistakes and invited guests to email info@farmhousemontclair.com so they can make things right.
Small counter, big personality. The people behind it are clearly part of the draw.
Family Meals and Kid-Friendly Orders
Feeding a whole household on a Tuesday night is a challenge. Farmhouse makes it easier with family meals.
Families who tried one early on describe the chicken as delicious and nicely balanced. The sides round out the meal for a group.
Kids get options too. Chicken strips are a go-to for younger eaters, and they pair easily with fries.
Parents often order a mix. Think a hot honey sandwich for the adults, strips for the kids, and a few shared sides.
That flexibility makes the spot useful for many types of diners. Couples, solo lunch seekers, and busy families can all find something.
Delivery is available through DoorDash as well. Food arrives in good shape, though one guest noted a missing biscuit, which the owners apologized for.
Checking your bag before leaving is a smart habit anywhere. It takes two seconds and saves a biscuit-related letdown.
Many people say they cannot wait to share the place with relatives. That might be the clearest sign it works for families.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Notes
Planning ahead is simple here. Farmhouse opens at 12 PM every day of the week.
From Sunday through Thursday, it closes at 8:30 PM. On Friday and Saturday, it stays open later, until 9:30 PM.
That schedule makes it easy for lunch, an early dinner, or a weekend evening bite. Since it does not open in the morning, plan for afternoon or later.
Prices fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. Many guests call the prices fair for the quality on the plate.
Ordering happens at the counter, so there is no long sit-down routine. It suits quick meals and takeout runs.
For delivery fans, DoorDash is an option. Pickup lets you check your order before heading home.
More details are available on the website linked from the restaurant listing, which connects to the Dan and Days family of restaurants. Questions can also go to the team by email.
Friday and Saturday nights bring the extra hour. Use it wisely.
Worth the Trip to Upper Montclair
So, does the hype hold up? For most people who have tried it, the answer is a confident yes.
The chicken is crispy, juicy, and built on Bell and Evans quality. The sides are homemade, and the sandwich has fans who swear off the big chains.
Some call it the best fried chicken within a 25-mile radius. Others say it is the best they have ever had, period.
There have been a few early bumps. Seasoning and temperature got some notes during the soft opening, and a delivery order missed a biscuit.
The owners took that feedback seriously and kept improving. That kind of attention often marks a restaurant with staying power.
Price points stay friendly, and the hours fit real life. The staff make guests feel welcome at the counter.
For locals, it has quickly become a regular stop. For people driving in, it offers a strong reason to visit Upper Montclair.
Chains will always be around. But on Bellevue Avenue, a small counter is proving that neighborhood fried chicken can set the bar higher.
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