Park’s Fried Chicken

Rating system:
5 stars — Must try. You’re really missing out if you don’t. I’m either a regular here, repeat patron, or would be if it wasn’t cost or distance prohibitive
4 stars — Highly recommended, but may have minor things that keep me from being a regular or from giving a higher rating
3 stars — Good most of the time but not great. Will only eat here if I have a particular craving, or am unable to eat at my 4 or 5 star choices
2 stars — Do not really like it but will only eat here if I have to (eating group overruled my veto)
1 star — Avoid. Save your money, time, and stomach
Went here with a group while visiting Baltimore for a conference. The Lexington Market is definitely an interesting place if you are from out of town. It is definitely a place that a lot of locals go to, with plenty of food options. Faidley’s Seafood is definitely a must-​try, but we wanted to check out some of the other places there as well. Park’s Fried Chicken had a lot of customers, so we decided to give it a whirl.
The chicken is relatively cheap and the pieces are quite large. I got the leg quarter with fries and it was pretty filling. The batter is not really seasoned, so definitely take them up on their offer to eat put salt/​pepper, or seasoned salt on your chicken. I’d recommend getting the hot sauce as well… While the chicken wasn’t nasty, I’ve definitely had a lot better. The chicken meat itself was very soft. And not in a good way. It basically falls apart like rotisserie chicken would, which is totally unexpected. This could have been a fluke. But it also didn’t have much flavor in the meat itself in addition to the batter. You really do need the seasoned salt and hot sauce to make it taste good.
While I wouldn’t say avoid this place, there are definitely other food choices at Lexington Market. And if you are from the South like me, chances are, you’ve had a lot better fried chicken wherever you’re from.

My husband and I came to lexington market on my birthday, we always just go straight to the oyster but this time we stopped by here to try the fried chicken.
The fried chicken was okay but the fried liver and gizzards were so good!
and even the order small was a lot, so we brought home almost half of our order and had it as late night snack, yummy!

Came because of the reviews.
Intrigued by the fried gizzards.
Nervous from the surroundings.
Disappointed by the taste.
Would not come back.

Maybe it’s just me, but this chicken was average at best. I make better fried chicken at home. I pushed thru the horrendous lines at Lexington and ordered 3 wings. The wings were very hairy, which made eating them very tedious. The flavor for me was nothing special and I absolutely hate the breading they use. It’s nowhere near as brown and crunchy as I’m used to. I tried it since it is a Baltimore staple, but in the future, I shall pass.

The place to go in Lexington Market to get your fried chicken, fries, and my favorite first choice fried chicken livers. Can’t beat the prices for the amount of food that you get. I eat these goodies with ketchup, hot sauce or both combined. The breast was kinda dry and did lack salt, but everyone can’t indulge in salt due to health reasons. As well the food was good I do wish they woulda doused my livers with a tad more ketchup and hot sauce. All around though I was satisfied and had leftovers to bring home.

Now I am picky about my chicken. And I’ve had it from all over the Midwest, South and East Coast. Parks’ Fried Chicken is ‘da bomb! Oh ya!
I bought one drumstick and tucked it away for later. When I finally sunk my teeth into it I’m pretty sure I said damn out loud. This really is GOOD fried chicken. Really really really good. The light, crispy, lightly seasoned breading and most meat were delightful. If I was a local I’d definitely stock up on this for picnics or Sunday dinners. I should have gotten more! And it’s cheap!
Just a note, if you’re not from the area, make sure to research Lexington Market so you have a good idea of what you’re getting into. This is downtown and not the safest or cleanest area. No one really bothered me, but I saw my share of cracked out people and felt uncomfortable a few times.

One of the best in the market, go to the Park’s in the back of the market. Chicken is always piping hot and they pile it up in the box. I love the fried livers, well-​seasoned (a touch salty). Make sure you have cash and just the right change or you’ll get a scolding.

Chicken at Park’s was great, and at a great price. Ready to go and very fresh immediately. The chicken was well cooked and crispy. Went to the stall in the lower part of the market and wasn’t disappointed. Looking forward to another Lexington Market visit soon.

Which parks chicken to eat at?!? Just in case you didn’t know, there are 2 Park’s chicken stands in the market…
My intuition guided me to the one with the crowd on front of it…
We got a small order of gizzards (which were not all that small by the way) and a pair of drumsticks. I found it amusing that they ask if you want hot sauce for your chicken and then put it on for you. I understand that we are in the ghetto but man do you think someone is really going to run off with your bottle of hot sauce? I suppose that it is plausible especially since it’s in Lexington Market.
The drumsticks were nice and juicy. the skin had a nice fiery (thanks to the hot sauce) crunch to it. It was decent but nothing to wow over. It’s a bit of an upgrade from supermarket and fast food chain chicken.
The gizzards were a little cold but still had a nice crunchy batter and the mat was a little chewy. I don’t think they brined the gizzards before they were fried. They were delicious nontheless…
The price point/​food ratio was good. The gizzards were a great deal for just under $ 3 we got a small Styrofoam box loaded to the brim. For a small gizzard order and a few chicken pieces set us back about $ 10.
Th food was good but not good enough to consider braving the market again.

Of all the various fried chicken stands in Lexington Market, this one seemed to have a decent crowd so I gave them a try.
I got an order of 4 spicy chicken wings which came with a side of either fried rice or potato wedges. I opted for the rice, which was too dry and not very good, but then again I didn’t expect rice to be this food stand’s strong suit. The wings themselves were hot, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Not dry at all like a previous reviewer experienced. Maybe he caught them on a bad day. You have the option of getting sauce put on the wings (hot or BBQ). My wings were lacking in the spice department so if that’s your thing I’d go for the hot sauce. For four bucks and change I thought it was a pretty good deal.

Fried chicken was really dry on the inside. I’m wondering how many days it was under the heat lamp.

I love them fried chickens. There are two stands labeled Park’s fried chicken. I hope I ate the legit one. IT had a bunch of people standing in front of it. The other one had the workers staring into space. The fried chicken wings were like an upgraded KFC but the chicken was injected with ooze. These are normal looking chickens with normal sized wings.

Koreans selling Fried Chicken, that’s old news… but Koreans making greens??? I’ve never heard of that… but man, they make really good greens and they use Chicken instead of hog feet! I didn’t even tough my chicken until the greens were all gone! So darn good.
The chicken was little greasy, but excellent, crispy and with the hot sauce made it even better. Next time I’m there, I’ll have to try other sides, but I’m a sucker for greens!

Tastes like your momma’s southern fried chicken. I don’t fry chicken so when I want a piece I go here. Also great for large crowds… use them often for church dinners and bus trips!

Did you know? Parks has fried chicken wings. 6 wings for 3 dollars.
Seeing a bunch of other koreans selling other groceries, I really thought Park’s was a korean owned place. However, its NOT. Southern, soul, all the wayyyyyy. I would definitely say one of the best fried chicken places I’ve ever eaten. The skin was crisp, well seasoned, and the meat was so juicy. I have to say though that the wings were somewhat small. Other that that, Parks is a great place to stop for lunch!

This is one of the better fried chicken and other fried misc chicken parts (except the fried chicken necks look kinda smallish here compared to the other stalls) in Lexington Market.
SX always asks if we can eat at Lexington Market for lunch when he stops by my workplace. He just loves fried chicken just a wee bit too much. That, and the massive lemonades and sweet teas served up here. I liked the livers and gizzards here, nicely seasoned, freshly fried and tender/​not too dry. The other joints in Lexington Market I find over fry the livers and gizzards, giving the livers a dry, chalky texture and the gizzards quite tough. The chicken wings and thighs were crisp and moist.
Make sure when you order, you promptly say if you want anything on it (ie: salt and pepper, hot sauce, ketchup, etc), otherwise they will get a bit grumpy at you.

Park’s has two stalls in the market — hit up the one «downhill» for extra entertainment from the ladies manning the counter. Be ready to order when they head your way, and gird your loins for a full on fried-​food assault.
If you’re a fan of the cheaper chicken bits, livers and gizzards are dirt-​cheap, and dosed with hot sauce and a side o’ collard greens are good eatin’, my man. Not into the squishy bits? Get chicken and a biscuit, some mac-​n-​cheese on the side, and grab a Coke from the deli stall. Just give into temptation and lapse into the carbo-​crash coma later while you baste in greasy fried-​chicken juice.
It’s cheap, cheap, cheap, filling, and a total slice o’ life. And that’s why Park’s Chicken totally rocks.

Where do I go downtown to score unapologetic fanny fattening fried chicken livers boldly busting out of a 3 compartment Styrofoam carryout box and sold for a dime a dozen?
Parks Fried Chicken in Lexington Market.
Specifically, I asked for a Large ($ 5.00) order crammed with over 26 – 30 tender, lightly crunchy & nicely seasoned livers. Ok, that’s more like $.16-$.19 a liver. Not quite a dime a dozen. Who’s quibbling?
But if your butt can’t handle the glut get a Small ($ 2.65) or Medium ($ 3.00) served in relatively equally busting foam carryout boxes.
The gregarious Wessside Balmer Grannies operating this stall aren’t shy about slathering on «lossa hossauce». They’ll goad you to add more. Drowning your livers gives a saucy bit of worthy Scoville scale piquancy for your pleasure.
Honestly, the livers only come in small or medium. The large was a special for Yours Truly since I show my grannies much love. I also enjoy the moist meat & crunchy skin of their 3 Wings & Roll ($ 3.00). Or with Potato Wedges ($ 4.00). Extra salt n’ pepper or ketchup if you so desire.
I’m a fan of this joint. It’s fast, friendly, filling, bustling with energy. With good, simply prepped, South of the Mason-​Dixon fried chicken parts munchies mixed with ye olde Lexington Market ’round the way ambiance.
This Wayward Son of Southwest Balmer was born & raised on this stuff.

Beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeeee flatlines the heart monitor if you injest the entire chicken box.
Two ladies aggressively hawk the deep fried fare to Lexington Market patrons. They’ll point and holla at prospects innocently walking by, and you best have your order ready if you succumb to the lady whose finger is stabbing you out of the crowd. The dude next to me mumbled that he’ll be back because he didn’t have enough money as he slinked away. Signs everywhere declare «cash only», and Park’s management needed to get involved to bankroll making change for a twenty.
Pretend you are making a healthy choice with the enormous juicy breast and a diet coke. Run with the locals and get hot sauce on everything The five year old loudly judged his first western fry with an «umm»! Take that bomb upstairs with a ton of napkins for the full effect of watching guys dance or stagger to the blues band playing downstairs.
Suck it up on the treadmill. You are eating fried chicken once a year, so it may as well be awesome.
Faidleys, Pollock Johnny’s, and the carved turkey stand are compelling market alternatives, but when in Rome.