Willie Mae’s Scotch House

The service was good.
The chicken was really greasy and slimy. I didn’t eat it at all. I was a little disappointed. The food network really hyped this place up. However my red beans and rice was excellent. (The best part of the meal)

If fried chicken is the king of all food (which it is), then this is where the Kings palace resides! I tend to stay away from places that get too much exposure may be overhyped, as they often result in disappointment, but this By far the best chicken in America, bar none! Yes there will be a line wrapped around the building, no you should not turn away. It moves faster than you think and you will have been externally greatful for waiting it out. Forget all the other menu items, even the sides (they are ok), just go for the chicken. Crispy, juicy goodness. Every piece of chicken I have after this will have me wishing it was willie mae’s. I am forever spoiled…

The food is amazing. Had the fried chicken and butter beans so worth the 2 mile walk I took to get there. There was a line when I got there, but still only waited about ten minutes. They have the nicest staff, great food I’m extremely happy with my experience here!

So I am a huge fried chicken fan… apparently even before my conscious memory according to the accounts of relatives. Always seeking the best joints while traveling I have tasted many of the birds that make the various lists. From Ca to Tx to Georgia and Tennessee… I’ve had lots.
All I can say is this really is the best. Batter is perfect, light, spicy, unrivaled.

I was expecting a long wait according to the photos; But after finishing my kayak tour on the bayou yo girl was starvvvinggggg!
We came here on a Monday afternoon around 3pm. No line! SCORE!
However, getting seated took a while even though there were roughly 5 tables empty. I noticed there were only 2 servers for the place at the time. poor things. I cant imagine how they manage to handle a full house of people.
Not sure if i was just really hungry but their sweet tea was bomb diggity.
+ Fried chicken — 3 Pieces of dark meat (extra $$ for white meat) — sides not included
I’m from San Francisco and i’ve never had fried chicken like this back home. amazing chicken and nothing fancy either, how y’all do it?! the batter is light and super crispy, seasoned perfectly and oooozing with flavor.
so good my boyfriend ordered 12 pieces to take on the plane ride home, LOL! even cold the chicken is bomb. Thats when you know you got yourself some good chicken

Oh mah gah.
So I’m guilty of not reading these reviews as clearly and me and my little Chinese self with my 2 other little Chinese girlfriends decided to take the street car to the closest stop. We surely did not fit into the neighborhood and stuck out like a sore thumb while walking down to Willie Mae’s (but didn’t encounter any problems). I suggest taking a cab here (our bartender the night before did tell us to stay alert if we’re walking alone).
Anyways, Willie Mae’s. Everything they said was true. We had less than an hour before we had to go to the airport and we HAD to get some of this but unfortunately had to get it to-​go. The wait was actually not too bad though the restaurant was small and reminicent of a little house. Service was friendly and understanding when we told them alas, we had to do take-​out instead of enjoying a platter at the restaurant. They still sat us while we waited for our order.
The butterbeans was like no other. I don’t like beans at all and these beans made me a believer. They were huge, plump, and drowned in a rich savory gravy. Our other side was fried okra which wasn’t as memorable but still of the 3 places I’ve had fried okra, this one is the best. The fried chicken was probably the best fried chicken I’ve ever had the honor to taste. Moist, melty dark chicken meat [we ordered dark– get it!] wrapped in a perfectly seasoned and crispy skin. I could have stayed there forever. I was gobbling that baby down in the airport like I haven’t eaten in days.
It’s definitely out of the way and not at all close to the French Quarters but 110% worth the visit!

We walked here from Bourbon St, and it wasn’t a bad walk. We had to wait on a line on MLK day around 2 – 3 PM.
Fried Chicken — 3 pieces with a side — $ 11
You can try mac & cheese and green beans for the same cost! Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. She was great! The food took a bit longer than expected, but it was worth it. The chicken was crispy, delicious, and not too oily. Yum.

Yes, it’s off the beaten path. Yes, there will be a line to get in. Yes, you will wait for what seems like eternity as your mouth waters and you can’t imagine anything but stuffing your face. And YES, this is the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. Food Network seems to agree, too.
Growing up in Southern Virginia, I’ve had my fair share of fried chicken, but this takes the cake. Get the regular order (not the tenders!!): so succulent, crispy skin. There must be something in the batter, I guess, because I’ve never had such an immediately delicious bite of chicken in my life. Add the cornbread and baked beans and you will be 1 happy camper, I guarantee it.
Plus, some of the best service in town! The wait staff genuinely seems happy to be there (and who wouldn’t!). If it’s nice out, I recommend walking to save on cab fare. It’s not actually that far from the French Q.
*Be sure to read up on the history of Willie Mae’s too. Fascinating.

Wow! I totally get why this place was recognized with a James Beard award. The fried chicken was amazing. It was definitely worth the cab ride. And I couldn’t have asked for better service.
Since this is located in a somewhat remote and largely residential area, I suggest you make sure you have the number for a cab to come pick you up because there are none to be found outside. The waiter was nice and called one for us. It’s also weird that a lot of drivers don’t seem to know where this place is.

Me and girlfriend decided to visit this place because our Airbnb was nearby and it was supposed to serve one of the best fried chickens in the country. The joint is located right next to a school and had very modest exterior and interiors.
We both ordered the 3 piece fried chicken entrée with a side of butter pecans with rice. The service was quick and the staff was friendly. With the order of a entrée, we can pick a side for free, and sides ranges for $ 0.50 for a roll to $ 9 for a order of 3 piece chicken, so it probably makes sense to always pick a more expensive side.
The butter beans with rice was delicious, very flavorful and the rice was also great. The fried chicken was definitely the highlight, never have I ever had juicier fried chicken in my life, the outside was ridiculously crispy, and the inside was insanely moist and juicy, definitely the best fried chicken I have ever had!

Oh my! I think this place absolutely corrupted me. In my head there is just no way possible that any other place that could ever top how insanely delicious the fried chicken here was. Willi Mae’s has now left me to dream of going back to NOLA for this every time I have a mad craving for fried chicken.
I read about the crazy lines on Unilocal and was nervous about it heading over. We came in at around 2 pm on a weekday and lo and behold… NO LINE AT ALL! Already off to a great start. The fried chicken here is literally so good. The skin is so thin, but so crispy. The inside is so juicy. I usually don’t eat all the skin of fried chicken but I ate every crumb off of this. It’s just that good.
If you’re heading to NOLA and looking for something to eat… you MUST MUST come here!

Glorious fried chicken.
I have had my fair share of fried chicken recently (in Bangkok when everyone else got fruit after lunch I got myself some fried chicken street food style), but this place is the real deal. A thin and crispy exterior that cracks and crunches delectably when you bit into it, unbelievably soft and juicy chicken meat all seasoned to perfection. Okay, the skin got a tad bit salty toward the end but that’s like really splitting hairs.
The butter bean was also a glorious choice of sides – swimming in some delicious soupiness with a tiny bit of heat. Yum yum yum.
The fried okra was good but breaded a bit heavily. The mashed potatoes were solid.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would go again.
Also, we went around 2:30 and waited for 20ish minutes. By 3/3:30 there was no wait.

Was it worth standing for an hour outside in the pouring rain? Absolutely. Even as we left the restaurant and felt my coronary artery walls closing in, my taste buds did not regret the lingering aftermath of perfectly fried batter. This is fried chicken at its finest. While other fried chicken restaraunt-​wannabes rely on infusing flavor in the batter, Willie-Mae’s somehow penetrates the flavor throughout the entire chicken so even the meat feels like it had some butter soaked into it.
The baked chicken was perhaps even better but less recognized. I hate to compare it to rotisserie chicken but if you could make the perfect rotisserie chicken, this is it. The texture was soft and divine with an subtle herb and seasoning aftertaste.
The butter beans and peas in mac and cheese were delicious. We finished it all and kind of wished we didn’t. I wished I saved that extra room for more baked chicken!

So… this place has been on my list for yearrrrrs. Finally made time to go. Why did I wait so long?
Now, know this — the neighborhood may intimidate those unfamiliar with NOLA. You’ll be fine. You’ll most likely be waiting in a line outside for a table to open up inside. You’ll be fine. The service is authentic (understand that to mean it could come off as abrupt). Yes, you’ll be fine.
Now that expectations are understood, prepare for badass fried chicken. Comes 3pc to a plate with a side dish. Piping hot, moist inside, crispy crust and all dark meat — unless you request white meat for an upcharge. They have great brewed iced tea (rare for a lot of New Orleans eateries). Side dishes consist of mac&chz, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, fried okra, fries, red beans, butter beans, etc. They also have chicken tenders and smothered veal. Small menu but why mess with perfection.
This restaurant is off the beaten path, in Treme section of town; and there is a lot of nearby free parking. Our waitress was fantastic and made great conversation with us & the kids. If you frequent NOLA, the food prices in the tourist parts are high… not here, this is budget friendly. This place is hugely popular among locals and tourists — so be patient while you wait. Be sure you stay mindful of the hours of operation — they close at 5pm daily. Enjoy!
(Why not 5 stars… okra and sweet potato fries were cold, and all plates come with a side of English peas — that nasty pea juice contaminated my mac&chz). I know…1^st world problems. But damn, I had to listen to wife complain about cold fried okra when she’d been craving it all week. Sorry Willie!

WOW — just WOW! Best Fried Chicken in the U.S. I would definitely agree with that.
I am beyond happy that I finally got to eat here. I have been to New Orleans more times than I can count over the years, and on a recent visit with a friend, this was at the top of our restaurant list (neither of us had eaten here before).
Thought we would have to wait in line for at least 30 minutes, but when we got there, NO LINE. Talk about good timing! We walked in and only had to wait about five minutes before we were seated. The service was really good, someone came to our table with a minute of sitting down and got our drink order. And if I’m eating fried chicken, I’m drinking sweet tea. YUM!
I know they have other things on the menu besides fried chicken, but I didn’t even look at that. I came for the chicken! We both got the three piece entrée and a side of mac and cheese. I also ordered the corn bread, just to make sure I got more carbs in my meal… :). Seriously, forget the dieting when you come to New Orleans. Why bother?
My mouth was watering waiting for that chicken, and I was so excited when the server brought our food. The chicken was really hot, but I didn’t care, I dove right in. It was so tender and juicy, and the outside was just perfectly seasoned, crispy and had the right amount of heat. There was definitely a kick, and that just added to the incredible flavor. God I love good fried chicken, and this was so DAMN GOOD.
My friend thought the chicken was too greasy, and yes, it’s greasy, but that doesn’t take away from the incredible flavor. They know how to do fried chicken here, and they didn’t get a James Beard award for nothing.
Regarding the sides — the mac and cheese was so creamy and cheesy, it was again, so damn good. Just like what I grew up with. I ate every bite. And the cornbread… I love cornbread, and this was probably the best cornbread muffin I had ever eaten. I like my cornbread a little sweet and moist, and it didn’t disappoint. I only ordered one, but we got two, and I was asking my friend if she was going to finish hers… yes, I know, I was being a little piggy that day. But I didn’t care.
Overall just a great experience. If you like fried chicken and southern food in general, go here. Not easy to find, but worth the cab ride. And bring cash. They prefer you pay in cash, so just remember that before you go.
Thank you Willie Mae’s — I cannot wait to go back!

I don’t know if this is literally THE best fried chicken in the US, no contest, but it is DAMN. GOOD.
That skin is SO CRISPY. So seasoned with a nice little kick. The chicken is juicy, even the breast. It’s a little salty, but I mean… You don’t eat fried chicken because you want to keep your cardiovascular system in good health.
We got butter beans and red beans as our sides to our chickens, and they were both sooo good. We preferred the butter beans. They were buttery and tasted like yummy chicken broth. Good stuff.
So legit. No fancy sous vide systems in that kitchen. No $ 24 per 3pc sides a la carte $ 5 each. Our meal was like $ 30 and we left completely satisfied.
Almost wanted to come here again. Definitely worth visiting!

SO BOMB!
I got the America’s Best Fried Chicken. It comes with three pieces of chicken and your choice of any side. I opted to go with the mac n cheese and also ordered cornbread. The chicken was hands down the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. so crispy and juicy on the inside. & so flavorful! I could not get over how amazing it was! I also go the sweet tea which was so refreshing. The perfect pair to go along with my meal. So glad I got to try the place when I was in town. Definitely a must when coming to NOLA! :)

Best $ 20 I’ve ever spent! I had America’s best fried chicken. I wouldn’t say they are the best, but they definitely made the top 10. The cornbread muffins were ok, it would be better if they are more cohesive. The pleasant surprise was the seasoned green beans with gravy and rice. I just ordered it to make myself feel better with some veggies. They were so soft and the spices was just right. The food came a little later than usual and our waitress gave us free sweet potato fries. They were the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had!
We came when they are open on a Monday. I think if you come by 11:30am on a weekday, you shouldn’t have to wait for a table.
Staff are super friendly. And I love the humble décor, makes me feels like home.

Pointers:
If youre in NOLA, come here.
Get there beofore 12 PM even during the week. (prepare to be outsie at least 15 mins waiting)
Come Hungry
Get Mac N Cheese as a side
Service can be a hit or miss, but the servers are so damn nice

If President Obama would shut this place down to dine privately with his family for 10K, you bet their chicken is damn good! I don’t think I would shell out that much but I’ll go as far as claiming this to be the best I’ve had to date. Willie Mae’s has set the standard so high, I won’t be able to eat «fruh» chicken the same way again.
Crisp to a golden perfection on the outside with a batter so light it doesn’t mask the very juicy and flavorful meat underneath it. We all went for the 3PC CHICKEN meal ($ 11) with a choice of all dark meat and one side. Options for more pieces of chicken in a meal are available, as well as more sides including extra pieces of chicken if you want more. I thought that meal was going to be too much for one person but I was mistaken 15 minutes later with only bones left on my plate.
For the sides which don’t have the size of one (they don’t mess around with their portions!), the clear winner for me between the RED BEANS and the BUTTER BEANS is the latter. Both are served with a scoop of rice but the butter beans was scrumptiously rich, with a tad of sweetness that paired nicely with the savory chicken. Southern food at its best! My partner in crime loves his red beans so he was really stoked about it. Oh and their CORNBREAD is not to be missed. I was smart enough to get these as an additional side dish (3 muffins for $ 2.25). They were heavenly!
Now, don’t let the beat-​up look from the outside fool you though. It was once a house (still looks like one) but is now home of America’s best «fruh» chicken. We came on a Monday when they opened at 10am. First customers of the day, yep that’s us. But shortly after getting seated, the house was packed. Plan wisely! They close shop at 5PM since Tremé isn’t really the best of neighborhoods. But hey, their chicken is to die for!

Le meilleur «Fried Chicken» (poulet frie) des États-​Unis ! Il me parait toujours difficile, voir stupide de déclarer: «Le meilleur…» Mais vraiment ce n’est pas (que) moi qui l’affirme. Journaux, web et plus important locaux le savent et le montrent.
Vous né serez pas déçu, c’est une certitude.