Florida's Top Chicken Sandwich Earned Guy Fieri's Seal Of Approval

For Floridians craving killer fried poultry on a bun with all the fixings, there's no better place to go than Germain's Chicken Sandwiches. The Gainesville spot serves no-frill fare that's affordable and casual enough for anyone to enjoy, yet high-quality enough to impress the pros. For instance, Germain's is one of the 12 best Florida restaurants featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri.

The episode aired in May 2025 in season 39. Fieri had the pleasure of tasting The Good Feather, a sandwich with double-fried dark meat chicken, secret sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce, arugula, tomato, and house-made pickles on a brioche bun. It starts with a smoky, peppery, garlicky seasoning for the chicken, which is dry brined for a full day. The brined chicken is dredged in seasoned pizza flour and club soda, then fried twice for maximum crispness. The secret sauce features ingredients like gochujang, relish, mustard, and fish sauce, while the spicy garlic Parmesan sauce is full of fresh herbs and shaved cheese.

Fieri had rave reviews. "Juicy, saucy ... chicken is tender, the batter is crunchy," Fieri said after examining the sandwich's cross-section and taking a bite. "You needed the brininess of the pickle because there are so many big flavors in there. Love it, delicious," he added. "The buttermilk, Parmesan, and the crazy sauce are not competing," chimed Fieri's friend and owner of Big Lee's BBQ, Rashad Jones, who tasted it with him.

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Germain's Chicken Sandwiches was started by Haitian-born chefs and co-owners Widlyn Germain and Shelton Seraphin. Their chicken business began with pop-ups at their friend's coffee shop after closing time. After operating a food truck, they opened Germain's brick-and-mortar location. The owners aren't professionally trained, but that hasn't stopped Germain's from unofficially becoming the best chicken sandwich destination in the state of Florida.

The Good Feather is one of six chicken sandwiches on the menu, plus a tofu option. They cost $14 to $16 and can be customized with grilled chicken or gluten-free breading. They have toppings that make chicken sandwiches better, like hot honey and pickles, kimchi slaw, dill ranch, and bacon jam. The resto also sells wings, salad, fries, chicken tenders, ribs, and chicken birria egg rolls.

Locals love the food. "Undoubtedly ... the best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had ... Honey Bird was sweet and sticky ... The Good Feather won my heart. Additionally, the ranch fries every sandwich comes with?! Phenomenal," one Instagram user raved. "One of THE BEST foodie spots in Gainesville. Completely unassuming, super cute, and laid back but with food that, flavor-wise and quality-wise, belongs among the elite restaurants," wrote a Facebook user. "Easily the BEST chicken in town ... Stop by on the last Sunday of the month for their brunch specials," added another.