7 Secrets Behind Mothers Best Fried Chicken: Why Atlanta's Viral Hit Is EXPANDING In 2024

The search for truly "Damn Good Fried Chicken" often ends in a nostalgic memory, but in downtown Decatur, Georgia, it ends at a buzzing new restaurant named Mothers Best Fried Chicken. This spot is not just another Southern comfort food joint; it's a culinary phenomenon that has taken the Atlanta dining scene by storm since its late 2023 opening, quickly earning a spot on the AJC's list of best new metro Atlanta restaurants. The latest news, as of late 2024, confirms the hype is real: Mothers Best is currently undergoing a significant expansion, doubling its footprint to accommodate the lines of customers hungry for their signature crispy, brined chicken and "world famous" sides. This deep dive reveals the complete story, from the founders' inspiration drawn from childhood chain restaurants to the specific techniques that make their chicken a must-try. We'll explore the menu, the brand's rapid rise, and the fresh details on their expansion plans that cement their status as a permanent fixture in the South's competitive fried chicken landscape.

The Mothers Best Fried Chicken Brand Profile and History

The phenomenon known as Mothers Best Fried Chicken began not as a fine-dining concept, but as a beloved pop-up, a testament to the power of a simple, perfectly executed dish. The founders, Ean Camperlengo and Ross Winecoff, spent years perfecting their recipe before turning their dream into a permanent brick-and-mortar location.

• Co-Founders: Ean Camperlengo and Ross Winecoff
• Origin: Began as a highly popular fried chicken pop-up at locations like the SOS Tiki Bar and Sceptre Brewing in the Atlanta area.
• Brick-and-Mortar Opening Date: December 2023 (or late 2023)
• Location: Downtown Decatur, Georgia (in the former Calle Latina space)
• Brand Tagline: "Damn Good Fried Chicken Like Mom Used to Buy"
• Inspiration: The co-owners drew inspiration from the nostalgic, flavorful fried chicken they grew up eating at Southern food chains, aiming to elevate that classic taste.
• Current Status (Late 2024): Actively expanding their Decatur location, doubling the size of the dining room and adding a new bar area to handle the massive demand.
• Recognition: Named one of the 10 best new metro Atlanta restaurants by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) in early 2025 (referencing its late 2023/2024 success).

The concept is a tribute to the best of nostalgic Southern food, focusing on quality ingredients and precise cooking techniques to create a genuinely "damn good" piece of fried chicken. Their rapid success, which saw lines out the door almost immediately after opening, is a clear indicator that they hit a sweet spot between fast-food convenience and high-quality, comfort-driven flavor.

7 Reasons Mothers Best Fried Chicken is Atlanta's Must-Try Dish

The secret to Mothers Best’s viral success lies in a combination of meticulous preparation, a focused menu, and a deep understanding of what makes Southern comfort food truly great. It's more than just a recipe; it's a process.

1. The Crucial Brine and Spice Blend

Unlike many fast-food competitors, Mothers Best employs a technique of brining their chicken before it ever hits the fryer. This process is the foundational secret to their moist, tender meat. Brining allows the chicken to absorb moisture and seasoning deep into the muscle fibers, ensuring that even under a crackling-crisp crust, the meat remains juicy. The chicken is also heavily spiced, giving it a complex flavor profile that goes beyond simple salt and pepper, delivering a memorable warmth with every bite.

2. The Perfect "Crackling Crunch" Crust

The ultimate test of great fried chicken is the skin, and Mothers Best passes with flying colors. Reviews consistently highlight the "hot, crackling crunch" that defines the exterior. This texture is achieved through a perfected dredging and frying process that turns the coating into a sturdy, flavorful shell. It’s the kind of crust that holds up, whether you’re eating it fresh in the dining room or taking a bucket home.

3. "World Famous" Velvet Potatoes and Gravy

While the chicken is the star, the sides are essential to building topical authority and completing the Southern meal experience. Mothers Best’s side dishes are far from an afterthought. The "world famous" velvet potatoes and gravy are a signature item that draws almost as much praise as the chicken. The potatoes are whipped to a luxurious, velvety texture, and the gravy is rich, savory, and deep, often prepared with a beef stock base, setting it apart from standard chicken gravies.

4. The Focused, High-Quality Menu

The menu at Mothers Best is intentionally lean, a strategy that allows them to focus on perfecting their core offerings. The main items include:

• Bone-in Fried Chicken (Buckets available)
• Chicken Tenders
• The Fried Chicken Sandwich
• Frozen Fried Chicken (A unique offering for home reheating)

This focus on a few key items—especially the bone-in chicken—ensures consistency and quality, which is a hallmark of successful, high-volume restaurants.

5. The Strategic Downtown Decatur Expansion

The most current and compelling news is the restaurant's significant expansion in late 2024. The lines out the door, a common sight since opening, necessitated a larger space. The expansion plans include:

• Doubling the Footprint: Substantially increasing the restaurant’s overall size.
• More Seating: Adding more dining room seats to reduce wait times.
• A New Bar: Introducing a dedicated bar area, enhancing the dining experience and potentially offering new drink pairings.

This move confirms the brand's long-term viability and commitment to the Decatur community, transforming it from a tiny, popular spot into a major dining destination.

6. The Nostalgic, Comfort-Driven Vibe

The restaurant’s tagline, "Damn Good Fried Chicken Like Mom Used to Buy," perfectly encapsulates its intention. The dining experience is designed to be a throwback to classic, unpretentious Southern comfort food. The atmosphere is cozy and often described as a "shotgun space" crammed with character, making every visit feel intimate and nostalgic. This emotional connection to food is a powerful driver of repeat business and viral word-of-mouth.

7. Embracing the Pop-Up to Permanent Model

The founders' decision to refine their product as a pop-up before committing to a permanent location allowed them to stress-test their operation and build a dedicated fan base. This organic growth model ensured that by the time the Decatur doors opened, there was already an established demand and a proven, perfected recipe. This journey from pop-up to permanent fixture is a testament to the dedication of Ean Camperlengo and Ross Winecoff to their craft.

The Future of "Damn Good Fried Chicken"

Mothers Best Fried Chicken has successfully carved out a niche in the hyper-competitive Atlanta food scene by focusing on quality, tradition, and a perfect crunch. The 2024 expansion is not just a physical growth; it is a declaration that the demand for truly great, nostalgic Southern fried chicken is stronger than ever. The restaurant serves as a masterclass in modern comfort food: take a simple, beloved dish, perfect the technique (brining, spicing, and frying), and pair it with equally exceptional sides like the famous velvet potatoes. As the new, larger Mothers Best opens its doors, it will undoubtedly attract more food critics, tourists, and locals alike, solidifying its reputation as the gold standard for "damn good fried chicken" in the South. For any fried chicken enthusiast, a trip to Decatur, GA, is now a mandatory pilgrimage.