The 2 Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz doesn't do a lot of things halfway, and fried chicken sandwiches are apparently no exception. We found two spots — completely different styles, completely different vibes — that both deserve to be on your regular rotation.
Mad Yolks — The Mad Chick
Mad Yolks is doing an Asian-style fried chicken sandwich that earns its reputation on texture alone. Thick, crunchy batter, serious crunch on every bite. The Mad Chick is their flagship and it's exactly what it sounds like — no gimmicks, just a fried chicken sandwich built right.
We made it our own: add the spam, add the bacon. If Mad Yolks has spam on the menu, you use the spam. That's the rule.
📍 1411 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (flagship) · 830 41st Ave (second location)
Sun–Thu 8am–3pm · Fri–Sat 8am–4pm · Open 7 days
Chubbs — Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich
Chubbs lives inside After Hours on Chestnut Street and they are not playing around. A thick fried chicken thigh, dipped in hot oil, hit with their secret spicy spice blend. Get the habanero mayo. This is not a suggestion. Fair warning though — this one is for the spicy fans. If you have a low heat tolerance, order something else. If you don't, order two.
📍 766 Chestnut St, Santa Cruz (inside After Hours)
Tue–Sat 5–9pm