Long-Awaited Fried Chicken Sandwich Joint How Crispy Opens on Georgia Avenue

Fried chicken sandwich restaurant How Crispy Express opens Monday, January 24, in Summerhill following multiple pandemic-related delays. The walk-up window and takeout joint is located next door to Wood’s Chapel BBQ and Junior’s Pizza on Georgia Avenue.

Part of the Benumkermi Hospitality Syndicate, owned by Ticonderoga Club’s Greg Best and Bart Sasso, chef William Silbernagel (The Bookhouse Pub, Argosy), and Atlanta architect Luke Wilkinson, How Crispy Express serves just five fried chicken sandwiches on its menu, including a classic chicken sandwich and a lemon pepper wet version, as well as chicken nuggets and Buffalo chicken dip. The restaurant eventually plans to offer beer and wine.

How Crispy Express

In addition to its walk-up window, rail seating is available at the front window inside and outside on the covered patio beside the building.

The group hopes to open a second, larger location of How Crispy by the end of 2022 along historic Hotel Row on Mitchell Street in downtown Atlanta. That location should feature more seating inside and serve an expanded menu of fried chicken dishes, including buckets of fried chicken.

Other new restaurants joining How Crispy Express this year on Georgia Avenue are Mexican restaurant D Boca N Boca from Helio Bernal and game bar Press Start, owned by chef Richard Tang. D Boca N Boca is expected to open within the next month in Summerhill.

In November, former One Flew South chef Duane Nutter and business partner Reginald “Reggie” Washington announced their plans to open a yet-named restaurant across the street from Little Bear on Georgia Avenue. Nutter and Washington also own Southern National restaurant in Mobile, Alabama. Their Summerhill restaurant could open this summer.

71 Georgia Avenue, Atlanta.

Open Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday hours expected in the coming weeks.

Public transit information: Accessible via MARTA bus #832. Closest MARTA rail station is Georgia State University on Piedmont Avenue in downtown Atlanta, approximately one mile from Georgia Avenue.

Disclaimer: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here. It is highly advised people wear masks indoors or when in crowded situations, regardless of vaccination status, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

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