Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Phoenix: Authentic Southern Comfort Food

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Introduce

For Arizona residents craving an authentic taste of the South, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken in Downtown Phoenix offers a culinary experience that truly lives up to its 'World Famous' name. Located on Van Buren Street, this establishment has perfected the art of Southern-style spicy fried chicken, distinguishing itself with a fresh, hand-battered bird that is crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside, cooked to perfection in peanut oil. It is a full-service restaurant that combines the laid-back charm of Southern dining with a trendy, casual atmosphere ideal for locals, tourists, and groups.

Gus's is recognized as a purveyor of 'Comfort food' and a 'local specialty' with roots dating back over 60 years to Mason, Tennessee. The recipe for the chicken is a closely guarded family secret—a spicy blend that provides a perfect 'kick' without overwhelming the flavor. This restaurant is a haven for those seeking a fulfilling lunch or dinner, whether you’re enjoying a solo dining experience or a meal out with friends or family. The consistent quality and attention to service ensure a pleasant experience, with staff often highlighted for being friendly and attentive, contributing to the welcoming environment.

The dining experience is complemented by a menu of classic Southern sides, many of which are made in-house daily. These sides, such as the slightly sweet baked beans and creamy coleslaw, are traditionally prepared to perfectly balance the spicy notes of the famous chicken. The combination of mouthwatering chicken and comforting sides makes Gus's a must-visit destination for true food enthusiasts in the Valley.

Location and Accessibility in Downtown Phoenix

Conveniently situated in a high-traffic area of Downtown Phoenix, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is easy to find and access. The restaurant's full address is: 341 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA.

Accessibility is a key feature of the Phoenix location, ensuring that all community members can enjoy the world-famous offerings. The establishment provides comprehensive options for mobility:

Parking: Guests benefit from both a Free parking lot and Free street parking, which is a major advantage for downtown dining.
Wheelchair Accessibility: The venue is fully equipped with a Wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, a Wheelchair accessible restroom, and comfortable Wheelchair accessible seating.

This focus on ease of access reinforces its status as a welcoming spot for all of Arizona’s diverse population.

Services Offered

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is structured to accommodate modern dining habits, offering a variety of ways to enjoy their signature dishes, from a full-service meal to a quick grab-and-go order.

Dine-in: Enjoy the full experience in the casual, cozy, and trendy setting, with full Table service.
Takeout / Curbside Pickup: Meals can be easily ordered and picked up, perfect for those on a tight schedule or heading home after a long day.
Delivery: The restaurant offers convenient Delivery options, including No-contact delivery, allowing Arizona customers to enjoy the comfort food in their own homes.
Dining Options: Seating is available for both Lunch and Dinner, as well as for Dessert.

Features and Menu Highlights

The menu at Gus's is focused but potent, built around the quality of their main star—the chicken—and supported by a range of quintessential Southern sides and desserts.

Signature Fried Chicken: The core offering, known for its 'spicy fried chicken' flavor, with pieces available a la carte (e.g., Breast ($5.10), Thigh ($4.45), Leg ($3.80), Wing ($3.80)) or as part of convenient Plates (e.g., 2 Piece Dark Plate ($12.65), Half Chicken Plate ($20.25)).
Award-Winning Sides: Highly-praised side dishes that perfectly complement the spice, including the 'award-winning' Mac & Cheese ($4.15), Potato Salad ($4.15) (made with fresh-cut potatoes), Baked Beans ($3.50) (contains pork), Slaw ($3.50), and Collard Greens ($4.15).
Must-Try Starters: A selection of Southern starters that make a great small plate or quick bite, such as Fried Okra ($8.25), Fried Pickles ($8.55), and Fried Green Tomatoes ($8.55).
Great Dessert Selection: Finish the meal with a classic Southern pie, available by the slice or whole, including Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Chess Pie, and Chocolate Chess Pie (Slice: $4.45).
Full Beverage Menu: The restaurant features a Bar onsite, offering a Great beer selection, Wine, and Alcohol, alongside non-alcoholic staples like Iced Sweet Tea ($3.20) and Lemonade ($3.20).
Family and Crowd Amenities: Gus's is Good for kids, providing High chairs and a Kids' menu, and is popular with Groups, Locals, and Tourists. The service is consistently Fast service.

Contact Information

For placing orders or for general inquiries about dining at the Downtown Phoenix location, you may use the following contact details:

Address: 341 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA
Phone: (602) 601-4901
Mobile Phone: +1 602-601-4901

What is Worth Choosing Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken?

For those in the Arizona community searching for an exceptional comfort meal, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is an unparalleled choice. What sets this restaurant apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and tradition. The chicken is guaranteed to be fresh, never frozen, hand-battered, and fried to achieve that perfect signature crunch and internal moisture, as evidenced by customer reviews noting how the 'breast was just as juicy as the thigh.' This attention to detail ensures a consistently high-quality meal every time.

Beyond the main dish, Gus's provides a complete Southern dining experience. The full-service dining in a cozy, yet trendy setting is ideal for a relaxed meal. The extensive drink and dessert menu—featuring great beer and delicious homemade pies—offers excellent ways to both complement and conclude your meal. Finally, the convenience of the Downtown Phoenix location, coupled with the rarity of free parking in the area and robust accessibility options, solidifies Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken as a premier destination for satisfying your craving for authentic, world-class spicy Southern comfort food in the heart of Arizona. Whether you are grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for dinner, the experience is designed to be nothing but pleasant.

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Menu

Beverages
Iced Unsweet Tea $3.20
Try our unsweet tea
IBC Root Beer $3.20
Iced Sweet Tea $3.20
Try our sweet tea
Orange Fanta $3.20
Iced Arnold Palmer $3.20
Both your favorites in one drink! Lemonade and fresh brewed iced tea.
Coke $3.20
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that america loves.
Dr. Pepper $3.20
Diet Coke $3.20
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
Sprite $3.20
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
Lemonade $3.20
Bottled Water $3.20

Dessert
Chocolate Chess Pie (Whole) $21.55
Our house made chocolate chess pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich chocolate custard like mixture. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Sweet Potato Pie (Whole) $21.55
Our house made sweet potato pie is made with a buttery, flaky crust and filling that loaded a smooth mixture of sweet potato and spices, for a slightly sweet and spicy flavor that perfect for any occasion.
Chess Pie (Slice) $4.45
Our house made chess pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich custard like mixture. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Should be topped with rich vanilla ice cream for added deliciousness.
Vanilla Ice Cream $2.55
1 Scoop of original vanilla ice cream. Delicious on its own or even more amazing combined with a slice of one of our home-made pies! Perfect treat!
Coconut Chess Pie (Slice) $4.45
Our house made coconut pie is a delicious dessert consisting of a flaky pie crust filled with a coconut infused custard. Serve at room temperature or chilled. It's the perfect treat for coconut lovers and anyone with a sweet tooth. Top with some vanilla ice cream for the highest yum factor.
Sweet Potato Pie (Slice) $4.45
Our house made sweet potato pie is made with a buttery, flaky crust and filling loaded with a smooth mixture of sweet potato and spices, resulting in a slightly sweet and spicy flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.
Pecan Pie (Whole) $21.55
Our house made pecan pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust and filling loaded with caramelized pecans that results in a gooey decadent filling leaving you wanting more.
Chess Pie (Whole) $21.55
Our house made chess pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich custard like mixture. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
IBC Root Beer Float $5.75
Made with IBC root beer, this American classic from your childhood is sure to hit the spot! The combination of sweet and spicy root beer with the smooth creamy vanilla ice-cream is a match made in heaven.
Chocolate Chess Pie (Slice) $4.45
Our house made chocolate chess pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich chocolate custard like mixture. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Should be topped with rich vanilla ice cream for added deliciousness.
Coconut Chess Pie (Whole) $21.55
Our house made coconut pie is a delicious dessert consisting of a flaky pie crust filled with a coconut infused custard. It’s the perfect treat for coconut lovers and anyone with a sweet tooth.
Pecan Pie (Slice) $4.45
Our house made pecan pie consists of a buttery, flaky crust and filling loaded with caramelized pecans that results in a gooey decadent filling leaving you wanting more.

Snacks
2 Piece Dark Snack $8.25
Our two-piece dark snack includes a thigh and leg, perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection in peanut oil. Served with 2 pieces of white bread.
20 Piece Snack $61.05
Just the chicken. Our fried chicken 20-piece snack is perfect for satisfying your hunger! Made with a mix of our tender white & dark meat, coated in a crispy, golden crust, and fried in peanut oil.
12 Piece Snack $40.90
Just the chicken. Our 12-piece snack is perfect for satisfying your hunger! Made with a mix of our tender white & dark meat, coated in a crispy, golden crust, and fried in peanut oil.
2 Piece White Snack $8.55
Our two-piece white snack includes breast and wing, perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection in peanut oil. Served with 2 pieces of white bread
16 Piece Snack $51.60
Just the chicken. Our fried chicken 16-piece snack is perfect for satisfying your hunger! Made with a mix of our tender white & dark meat, coated in a crispy, golden crust, and fried in peanut oil.
8 Piece Snack $27.00
Just the chicken. Our 8-piece snack is perfect for satisfying your hunger! Made with a mix of our tender white & dark meat, coated in a crispy, golden crust, and fried in peanut oil

Plates
3 Piece Wing Plate $15.20
Our 3 Piece Wing Plate features three hand-battered, made to order chicken wings, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, coleslaw, and white bread.
2 Piece White Plate $13.95
Our 2 Piece White Plate features a hand-battered, made to order breast and wing, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and white bread.
4 Piece Tender Plate $17.75
For those looking for a lower level of spice, our 4 Piece Tender Plate features four juicy chicken tenders, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, coleslaw, and white bread.
3 Piece Tender Plate $15.20
For those looking for a lower level of spice, our three-piece tender plate features three juicy chicken tenders, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, coleslaw, and white bread.
3 Piece White Plate $17.75
Our 3 Piece White Plate features hand-battered, made to order breasts (2) and a wing, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and white bread.
2 Piece Dark Plate $12.65
Our 2 Piece Dark Plate features a hand-battered, made to order thigh and leg, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and white bread.
Half Chicken Plate $20.25
When you just can’t decide on your favorite piece of chicken, order them all. Our Half Chicken Plate includes a breast, wing, thigh, and leg all hand-battered and made to order. Served with our savory baked beans, coleslaw, and white bread.
3 Piece Dark Plate $15.20
Our 3 Piece Dark Plate features hand-battered, made to order thighs (2) and a leg, cooked to perfection in peanut oil and served with our savory baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and white bread.

Sides
Seasoned Fries $8.25
Our seasoned fries are a great side dish for any meal. Cooked when ordered to ensure fresh and hot, these fries are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Mac & Cheese $4.15
Our award-winning mac and cheese is a must try for any fan of comfort food. Traditional macaroni baked in a thick, creamy cheese guarantees to coat every noodle. Just for fun, we top it with a little extra melted cheese.
Collard Greens $4.15
Our collard greens are a delicious and savory side dish. Slowly cooked with bacon and a blend of spices.
Slaw $3.50
We start with fresh cabbage and carrots that we cut in-house every day. Lightly coated with a sweet mayonnaise sauce, our cool, crisp slaw offers the perfect contrast and complements our fried chicken.
Potato Salad $4.15
We start by cutting fresh potatoes every day. This mayonnaise-based potato salad is a true Southern staple not to be missed. Our potato salad is a great side dish for any meal, but it’s particularly delicious when paired with our fried chicken.
Fried Okra $8.25
Our fried okra is a crispy and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements our juicy fried chicken. Our okra is lightly battered and fried to crisp perfection, resulting in a dish that's both crunchy and tender.
Baked Beans $3.50
Our baked beans are a beloved side dish that perfectly complements our fried chicken. Slowly cooked to perfection using a traditional recipe that's been passed down through generations of Southern cooks. *CONTAINS PORK *

Lto Specials
Chicken Sandwich $11.00
The juicy chicken thigh is complemented by a delightful combination of tangy pickles and creamy mayo Prepared with love and attention to detail, this chicken sandwich is a tantalizing treat. (Sand. Only)
Chicken Sandwich Combo $14.40
The juicy chicken thigh is complimented by a delightful combination of tangy pickles, and creamy mayo. Prepared with love and attention to detail, this chicken sandwich is a tantalizing treat.
Corn Nuggets $8.55
A golden, crispy bite bursting with flavor. Each nugget features sweet whole kernel corn, blended into a rich, creamy filling and coated in a perfectly crunchy batter. Served with cool, tangy ranch for the perfect sweet and savory combo in every dip worthy bite!

A La Carte
Bread $0.20
A classic slice of white bread , for soaking up all the delicious juices.
Honey $1.00
Add some sweet honey to your chicken
Pickle Slices $0.25
2 oz cup of our tangy and delicious pickle slices
Jalapeno $0.50
Try our jalapeno
Tender. $3.80
Our fried chicken tender is a delicious option for those who prefer a little less spice. Our tenders are juicy, crispy, and cooked to perfection.
Leg $3.80
We start with the freshest, hand-trimmed, and battered bird. The result is mouthwatering chicken legs that are crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. Easy to eat on the go!
Hot Sauce $0.00
Ranch $0.65
Try our ranch.
Honey Mustard $0.65
Try our honey mustard.
Ketchup $0.00
Breast. $5.10
We start with the freshest, hand-trimmed, and battered bird. Our chicken is in a batter verses a breading which seals in the juices and seasonings. The result is mouthwatering chicken breasts that are crispy, juicy, and flavorful.
Thigh. $4.45
We dredge the chicken on our super-secret signature batter and fry it to crispy perfection in hot peanut oil. The result is a mouthwatering thigh that is crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside.
Wing $3.80
Each bite is a perfect balance of savory and salty flavors, with a satisfying crunch that gives way to tender and succulent meat.

Starters
Fried Okra $8.25
Bite sized pieces of okra, coated in a cornmeal breading and fried until golden brown and crispy. Served with a side of creamy ranch dressing. A true southern staple.
Fried Green Tomatoes $8.55
Thick slices of green tomato, fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside, while remaining tender on the inside. Served with a side of creamy ranch dressing to perfectly complement the tart flavor of the tomatoes.
Fried Pickles $8.55
Our fried pickle spears are coated in a crispy batter and fried to perfection. Served with a side of creamy ranch dressing, Perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a snack, this combination is a crowd pleaser that will leave you wanting more!

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great dessert
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Quiet
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Locals
Tourists

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Photos

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Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Location

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Arizona Maricopa County Phoenix Central City West Van Buren Street

341 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 865 user reviews.

mac and cheesebaked beansgreensfried okrapotato saladfried picklesfried green tomatoespecan piesweet potato piechocolate chess pie

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

This place was a pleasant treat. If your in a rush a recommend ordering ahead and taking it Togo, but if you have the time to sit each and chat your experience will be nothing but pleasant. The waitress are nice and the food is oh so good. I got a fried chicken breast and thigh and the breast was just as juicy as the thigh!
October 14 · Christopher Whelan
The last time I ate at a Gus's was in Long Beach, CA. Today with John & Tyrell as the best ever open kitchen crew and Estehpanie up front, it was as good as that LB Gus's. I miss them so it was a very terrific dinner. I asked if the other restaurants were the same ownership, and John said "yes and they're great". I've been around restaurant industry & business many years and my opinion of the owners is the same: nobody was rushed into bringing out undercooked chicken or sloppy service: the plating was great. As was the coleslaw. My pleasure finding your restaurant
October 06 · Qoolix LLC
Rule #1 always he the Green Fried Tomatoes. #2 The Fried chicken is awesome! Great flavor! #3 macaroni and slaw. If you like a sweeter potato salad go for it. I am not a fan. I have been here many many times and always get consistent food and service.
October 12 · Dan S.
The fried green tomatoes were the best I’ve ever tasted!Gus’s is a very well hidden Gem in Phoenix AZ. I didn’t realize this wasn’t a smoke shop until I saw people actually walk out into the parking lot with bags of food. I was thoroughly impressed at the menu offering meatless bites. The Chicken looked and smelled amazing. I didn’t have any chicken but I appreciated everything I did taste and the waiters were kind and attentive to your needs in a very busy but welcoming environment. 10/10
April 11 · D
The chicken was crunchy tasteful but to salty. It is good will come back but it is not the best. I dropped a full star because the version behind the bar was eating chips with his hands and touching his phone for the five minutes I was waiting for my order without washing his hands. I was ready to cancel my order but I noticed that everyone in the kitchen was wearing gloves and were super clean. And the male that was not washing his hands did not touch my food. Manager: look at your cameras around 2 pm so you can see that he was eating (cross contamination) his chips Doritos without washing his hands and getting close to all other food
June 07 · Darlene Landgrave