Chatman's Chicken: Experience the Best Fried Chicken in San Antonio

This is not high-end chicken chain food. This is an old fashioned chicken Hideaway. Been tucked away here for years. Been coming here for years! If it's not in your area, find a way to cut through here LOL. If you're lucky, they'll still have some sweet potato pie. My personal favorite is the lemon pepper chicken. Also available in wings. But the classic flavor is also very good. And those beans and rice will knock you out. A little bit spicy, not for me, but the pepper dances beautifully with this little dish. Try to get the corn fritters as well. Just a whole bunch of yum here. And I think we were approached at least three times by people making sure that we were doing okay. Service with a smile is always a plus. Especially next to this chicken!

So I've passed this place a few times now & was wondering if it was "Chicago Style" Chicken place with the name and all. Much to my Surprise,it's NOT. They are from Dallas area & just have some solid "Soul Food" From the moment that I walked into the Joint & to the moment that I left. I was greeted with kindness & hospitality Great service with a kind smile & friendly demeanor. The Owners Son was Amazing along with the Helpful Staff Members. I had the Chicken Plate and it was Tasty,Juicy & Delicious ~ came with fries plus some kool-aid. I was very much impressed & enjoyed every single bite here. Nice and casual dining experience, nothing fancy-schmancey just some good grub for a decent price. Lots people eating plus having TOGO orders along with drive-thru process available. I had a Great Overall experience, I'd like to try something else, the next time that I roll into this place.

I’ve been to several restaurants from taco trucks to 5 star and this is the first restaurant where I actually felt welcomed. The staff was chill and the food was delectable. Please try the fried ribs. We had the fried chicken and chicken fried steak. I don’t think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. Even got a half gallon kool-aid to go. A wonderful experience that really left an impression on me. Definitely will make it a priority to return when I’m in the area.

Stopped by Chatman’s Chicken after leaving school around dinner time, and it couldn’t have been more convenient — only about 10 minutes away and exactly what I was craving . I had been thinking about this spot since my last visit a few weeks ago, and it did not disappoint. This time I ordered the 8-piece dark meat with Lemon Pepper, and hands down — they have this seasoning on lock . I’ll be honest, I’m usually not a Lemon Pepper fan because it’s often overdone or poorly balanced, but Chatman’s absolutely nailed it. Perfectly seasoned, flavorful, and cooked just right . I also grabbed the red beans and rice, and wow… it hits harder than a church choir on Sunday . Fresh, rich, and full of flavor — true comfort food done right. They were pretty busy when I stopped in, which says a lot about how good the food is. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and while I waited, one of the ladies even hooked me up with a red Kool-Aid . I’m not exaggerating when I say it brought back childhood memories — that Kool-Aid was the real deal. Overall, the quality of the food for the price is more than worth it. Great food, great service, and genuine hospitality. I couldn’t be more satisfied and will definitely be back . Still One of the Best in the City I hadn’t had Chatman’s in almost 18 years, and it was on my mind all week. I finally said, “Yeah… it’s time.” Told my Thai spouse, “You’re about to try one of the best fried chicken spots in San Antonio, hands down.” Called around 5:50 PM to place the order — the lady who answered was patient, kind, just good energy. We ordered: • 8 Piece Family Meal (plain) • Mac & Cheese • Mashed Potatoes w/ Brown Gravy • Jalapeño Bombers Here’s the part that blew me away: By the time we actually sat down to eat, four hours had passed — and the chicken was still crispy. No reheating. No air fryer tricks. Just real chicken cooked the right way. The flavor is that old-school, somebody-cares-in-the-kitchen kind of taste. Not rushed. Not commercial. Just heart. The place is a classic hole-in-the-wall, and honestly, that’s exactly how it should be. The staff were welcoming and genuine. It felt familiar, even after nearly two decades. Growing up on the East Side (Nolan & Cherry), I really don’t know how I missed this spot back then. If I had known, this would’ve been the #1 instead of Church’s or Popeyes, no question. And the price? About $29 for the family meal with sides in 2025. That alone is worth acknowledging. We’re definitely coming back — next time I’m grabbing the Lemon Pepper for sure. Much appreciation to everyone working here — the consistency, the care, the love in the food is real. Keep going. San Antonio needs places like this.

One of my favorite chicken places nearby me. They season their chicken perfectly and it always comes out crunchy and tender. I always get the chicken and waffles and would recommend it to anyone that decides to grab a bite here. The red beans and rice are very good too as sides. The staff is very friendly and inviting as well. Definitely gets a 5 star from me

My gosh!!! The fried chicken is the best my family & I have ever had! The chicken crust is so tasty, the texture is absolutely perfect & the meat is so juicy. The fries are perfectly salted & crispy, & the okra is delicious (I love this okra & I hate okra). The chicken tenders are the best around & super juicy. The loaded waffles were airy, perfectly crisp on the edges & dense/moist on the inside. The pork riblets were so delicious! Aside from the amazing mouth-watering food, the customer service is outstanding. Thank you to the staff at Chatman's chicken; y'all have gained new customers for life!

Love Mr Chatman he’s always so kind and friendly. The fried lemon pepper riblets are amazing. They are definitely a must have. Every thing was cooked fresh.

Food was delicious! Hospitality was better. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted.. I mentioned it was my first time there and the server offered a sample of their fried pork riblets.. Oh my gosh.. Crust was perfection.. The riblet was fall off the bone and juicy. The 2 pc spicy chicken was delectable. The corn fritters were very tasty. The potato salad was a bit sweet, but still had a good flavor. There was a constant stream of people walking in.. And not a stranger among them. The staff was sooo friendly with everyone. You felt like Norm! Haha.. Yeah, that ages me.. Go out and try it. You won't regret it.