Barberton, Ohio, has a fried chicken style so specific that people around Akron simply call it Barberton chicken. It is fried in lard, coated in a simple breading, and served with a set lineup: fresh-cut fries, vinegar-based coleslaw, and a tomato-and-rice hot sauce that surprises first-timers.
The tradition traces back to Serbian immigrant families who opened chicken houses in the area in the 1930s, and a handful of those spots are still frying today. If you have never tried it, the five restaurants below are the places to start, each with its own reason to make the trip.
1. Belgrade Gardens, Barberton, OH
Ask anyone in Summit County where Barberton chicken started, and the answer usually points to this address on East State Street. Belgrade Gardens has been serving chicken dinners in a farmhouse setting since 1933, which makes it the original stop on any chicken tour of the area.
The meal sticks to the classic formula. Crunchy, well-seasoned chicken arrives with fries, vinegar-based coleslaw, and the signature hot sauce, and fans of dark meat will be happy to know back pieces are on the menu.
Feeding a crowd is easy here, with orders like 24 legs and two large fries available. The menu also reaches past chicken with cabbage rolls and dumplings, plus whipped potatoes and rice pilaf on the side.
Plan around the schedule. The restaurant is closed Monday, open noon to 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 11:30 AM to 7 PM on Sunday, with reservations accepted and a kids’ menu for younger diners.
2. Hopocan Gardens, Norton, OH
First, the name. It is pronounced Hope-o-can, and once you have ordered here a few times, it rolls right off the tongue.
Hopocan Gardens is one of the long-running chicken houses that keeps the Barberton tradition going just over the line in Norton. The chicken comes out lightly crispy and juicy, backed by fresh-cut fries and the hot sauce that defines the style.
I like this stop for its flexible menu. You can go big with a half chicken and three sides or an all-legs dinner, or keep it simple with homemade chicken noodle soup or a fish sandwich, and an old-fashioned root beer in a bottle rounds things out nicely.
Hours are generous, running 11 AM to 9 PM every day. Reservations are accepted, and curbside pickup is available when you want the chicken at home.
3. Willey’s White House Chicken (Barberton), Barberton, OH
A white house on 31st Street SW has become a local landmark for one simple reason: it is full of chicken. Willey’s White House Chicken operates out of a converted home, and the building is a big part of its charm.
Meals come family-style, with crispy chicken, hot rice sauce, and coleslaw passed around the table. The white meat tenders are especially large, so they are a smart pick for anyone who prefers boneless.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu, and there is outdoor seating where dogs are allowed. Free Wi-Fi and a TV-friendly setting make it an easy spot to catch a game.
Reservations are not taken, so walk in anytime between 11 AM and 9 PM, seven days a week.
4. Village Inn Chicken, Norton, OH
Patience pays off at Village Inn Chicken. Dinners are cooked to order and often take around 20 minutes, so this is a place for a relaxed meal, not a quick lunch break.
That wait leads to fresh, hot chicken served in big portions with crisp fresh-cut fries, rice, and the area’s famous hot sauce. Its reputation for the hot sauce alone makes it a strong pick for anyone curious about that side.
The restaurant ranks among the traditional chicken houses that helped make the Barberton name known, and it is now run by a new family carrying the tradition forward. Other American standards are on the menu too.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 7 PM on Sunday. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Monday and Friday evenings.
5. Whitehouse Chicken, Uniontown, OH
Live closer to Canton than Barberton? Whitehouse Chicken in Uniontown brings the style south along Massillon Road, so you do not have to travel far for it.
The setup is built for takeout and delivery rather than sit-down dining. You get the full Barberton lineup of chicken, fries, coleslaw, and hot sauce, with chicken that comes out crispy and not too greasy.
The kitchen is clean and the staff are friendly, which matters when you are grabbing dinner for the whole family. Free parking makes pickup simple.
Check the hours before heading out. Monday runs 4 to 8 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 4 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 8 PM.
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