Chicken Out in Atlanta: Where to Find Global Flavors Centered on Chicken

If you’re in Atlanta and searching for “Chicken Out” because you heard about a chicken-focused spot or want to explore international chicken dishes, you’re not alone. Atlantans love chicken in almost every form, and the city’s international cuisine scene gives you a lot of ways to “chicken out” in the best possible way—by trying something new.

Below is a practical guide to finding international chicken restaurants in Atlanta, how to navigate different neighborhoods, what styles to look for, and tips for making the most of your food adventures around the city.

What “Chicken Out” Typically Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, searching for “Chicken Out” usually falls into one of three buckets:

1. You heard the name “Chicken Out” and are looking for a specific restaurant.
2. You want international chicken dishes (like Peruvian rotisserie, Korean fried chicken, jerk chicken, tandoori, shawarma, etc.).
3. You’re exploring chicken-focused spots that feel different from standard fast food.

Atlanta doesn’t have one official, dominant chain called “Chicken Out” the way some cities might, but it does have a large mix of global cuisines where chicken is the star. For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, that’s actually an advantage—you can try dozens of styles from all over the world without leaving the metro area.

Where to Look for International Chicken in Atlanta

Certain areas of metro Atlanta are known for dense clusters of international restaurants, many of them with standout chicken dishes.

Buford Highway: The International Chicken Highway

Buford Highway is one of the best places in the Southeast for international dining. It runs through parts of Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville, and is lined with restaurants featuring:

• Korean fried chicken
• Chinese roasted and poached chicken dishes
• Vietnamese grilled chicken and chicken pho
• Mexican and Central American grilled and stewed chicken
• Latin American rotisserie chicken

Common landmarks and cross-streets:

• Around Plaza Fiesta (4166 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345)
• Near BuHi/Chamblee and Doraville MARTA Station

If you want to “chicken out” by trying something new, Buford Highway is often the first place Atlanta locals recommend.

Midtown and Downtown: Central and Visitor-Friendly

If you’re staying near Downtown, Midtown, or around Georgia Tech, you’ll find:

• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spots with chicken shawarma, chicken kebabs, and grilled chicken plates.
• Casual pan-Asian spots serving fried chicken wings, spicy stir-fried chicken, and curry-based chicken dishes.
• Hotel-adjacent restaurants that offer international chicken options on more general menus.

These areas are convenient if you’re visiting and don’t have a car, since you can often reach them by MARTA rail or short rideshares.

Decatur, Clarkston, and East Atlanta: Global Chicken on the East Side

On the east side, you’ll find a different mix of international chicken specialties:

• Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants with rich chicken stews.
• Caribbean restaurants with jerk chicken, brown stew chicken, and curry chicken.
• West African restaurants that often feature chicken in stews, jollof rice plates, and grilled options.

Clarkston and parts of Decatur are known for refugee and immigrant communities, which means a high concentration of authentic, family-run restaurants.

Popular International Chicken Styles You’ll See in Atlanta

When you’re browsing menus or searching online, it helps to know some common chicken styles that show up frequently in Atlanta’s international restaurants.

Latin American & Peruvian-Style Chicken

Atlanta has a strong scene for rotisserie chicken, especially:

• Peruvian-style pollo a la brasa – marinated, spit-roasted chicken, usually served with rice, fries, salads, and sauces like aji verde.
• General Latin American rotisserie – similar style, with regional spice variations.

These spots are often:

• Family-friendly
• Budget-conscious
• Set up for easy takeout or catering

Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken has become especially popular in metro Atlanta. Expect:

• Double-fried chicken with a crackly crust
• Sauces like soy-garlic, spicy gochujang, or honey butter
• Options like wings, drumsticks, or boneless bites

You’ll frequently find these in:

• Duluth, Suwanee, Doraville, and along Buford Highway
• Some Midtown and Westside locations

Caribbean Jerk and Island-Style Chicken

Jerk chicken and other island preparations are common in:

• Southwest Atlanta
• Decatur
• Parts of Stone Mountain and Clarkston

Look for:

• Jerk chicken (spicy, smoky, often grilled)
• Curry chicken
• Brown stew chicken
• Sides like rice and peas, cabbage, and fried plantains

Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi Chicken Dishes

Metro Atlanta’s South Asian restaurants, especially along Lawrenceville Highway, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, and parts of Decatur and Midtown, often feature:

• Tandoori chicken (marinated, cooked in a clay oven)
• Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala
• Chicken biryani
• Various curries (from mild to very spicy)

These are good options if you’re looking for rich, saucy dishes with rice or naan.

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean & North African Chicken

Across Atlanta you’ll find:

• Chicken shawarma (spit-roasted, shaved, often in wraps or plates)
• Chicken kebabs (skewered and grilled)
• Grilled herbed chicken plates with rice, salad, and hummus
• Occasional Moroccan or North African stews with chicken

These restaurants are common in:

• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Sandy Springs
• Alpharetta/Johns Creek

African, Southeast Asian, and Other Regional Styles

Some additional chicken-focused styles you can find around Atlanta:

• West African: grilled chicken, stewed chicken, jollof rice combos.
• Ethiopian: spicy chicken stews served with injera.
• Thai & Southeast Asian: basil chicken, curry chicken, grilled chicken skewers, and fried chicken rice plates.
• Chinese regional: crispy fried chicken, soy-braised chicken, and clay-pot chicken dishes.

Quick Reference: Popular Atlanta Areas for International Chicken

Here’s a simplified reference to help you choose where to go depending on what kind of “Chicken Out” experience you want.

How to Search for the Right “Chicken Out” Spot in Atlanta

If you’re not sure which restaurant someone meant by “Chicken Out,” focus on:

1. Search by Neighborhood + Style

Use combinations like:

• “Korean fried chicken near Doraville”
• “Peruvian chicken in Atlanta”
• “Jerk chicken Decatur”
• “Chicken shawarma Midtown Atlanta”

This usually surfaces chicken-focused international restaurants that fit the “Chicken Out” idea, even if the name doesn’t literally say “Chicken Out.”

2. Check for Takeout vs. Dine-In

A lot of international chicken restaurants in Atlanta are:

• Takeout and delivery–oriented
• Designed for quick counter service
• Busy at lunch, especially in office-heavy areas

If you want a sit-down experience, scan menus and photos for:

• Table service
• Larger dining rooms
• Reservations (if offered)

3. Use Transit and Landmarks

If you’re visiting or don’t drive, it helps to anchor plans around MARTA:

• Doraville Station (MARTA Gold Line) – short rides to much of Buford Highway.
• Midtown and Arts Center Stations – walkable access to many international options.
• Decatur Station – good for Eastside and some global options within walking distance.

Price, Portions, and What to Expect

While every restaurant is different, international chicken spots in Atlanta often share a few common traits:

• Portions
  Many serve generous portions, often enough for leftovers, especially:

  • Rotisserie chicken plates
  • Caribbean and Latin American combo plates
  • Korean fried chicken buckets

• Pricing
  You’ll generally find:

  • Affordable lunch specials on weekdays
  • Family meals (whole or half chickens with sides)

• Spice Levels
  Some traditions emphasize heat:

  • Jerk chicken
  • Certain Indian and Thai curries
  • Ethiopian and West African stews
    Staff can often recommend milder options if you’re unsure.

Dietary and Practical Considerations

When “chickening out” across international cuisines, consider:

• Halal options
  Many Middle Eastern, South Asian, and some African restaurants in Atlanta clearly mark halal chicken. If it matters to you, call ahead to confirm.

• Gluten or dairy concerns
  Sauces, marinades, and breaded coatings can contain gluten or dairy. If you have restrictions:

  • Ask about ingredients in marinades and sauces.
  • Opt for grilled or roasted rather than breaded when in doubt.

• Parking and Traffic

  • Busy corridors like Buford Highway and Duluth plazas can have crowded parking at peak times.
  • Inside the Perimeter (ITP), especially Midtown and Westside, paid parking or garages are more common.

Helpful Atlanta Resources if You Need More Guidance

If you want more structured help navigating restaurants:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line (commonly listed): (404) 521-6600
  They maintain general information about dining areas and neighborhoods, which can help if you’re visiting.

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  While not a restaurant guide, this office reflects how international Atlanta is, and many of the neighborhoods they spotlight overlap with global dining corridors.

How to “Chicken Out” Smartly in Atlanta

To turn your “Chicken Out” search into great meals around the city:

• Pick a corridor first, like Buford Highway, Midtown, Decatur, or Duluth.
• Decide on a style: fried, rotisserie, grilled, stewed, or sauced.
• Search by cuisine + area (e.g., “Peruvian chicken Buford Highway”).
• Check whether it’s takeout-focused or dine-in–friendly before you go.
• Be open to trying sauces and sides that you may not know yet—Atlanta’s international chicken spots are often best enjoyed as a full plate, not just the meat.

Handled this way, “Chicken Out” in Atlanta doesn’t mean backing away; it means diving into one of the city’s strongest food categories—global chicken dishes—neighborhood by neighborhood.