Don’t be fooled by the whimsical font and playground-inspired fitout: this small but busy spot just off The Parade is deadly serious. It’s a relative latecomer in the Korean fried chicken field, but intense quality control shoots it to the top of the list. Succulent morsels of chicken are coated with a secret blend of 12 ingredients and fried until they’re perfectly golden and crispy, and there are just 100 serves available daily. If you get in early enough, level up with one of six sauces including citrus mayo, fiery volcano or signature sweet and spicy garlic sauce (and try not to look too smug on your way out). 1/1 Margaret St, Norwood; kokko.com.au.

This inner west joint is a love letter to the classic corner chicken shops that chef Adam Swanson grew up with, but he’s made a few key changes that really elevate the offering. Everything down to the chicken salt is made in house with no preservatives or msg, and free-range birds are dry-aged for two days to get the skin extra crispy, then served with thick, crunchy chips and frothing milkshakes. Venture beyond the classics and you’ll find butterflied Portuguese chickens, impressive salads and a showstopping buttermilk fried chicken burger with provolone and chargrilled bacon. 438 Henley Beach Rd, Lockleys; facebook.com/people/Cheeky-Chook-Eats.

This gem of the inner south is renowned for moist, succulent Lilydale free-range chickens that are cooked slowly to retain maximum moisture. Standard charcoal chooks are joined by flavour-packed lemon and oregano birds marinated for several days using a family recipe, and the menu also includes gooey slabs of saganaki and crowd-pleasing yiros as a nod to owner Harry’s Greek heritage. That theme continues in the imported feta and olive oil that augment colourful salads made fresh every day and packed with local seasonal produce that might include peach, baby spinach and walnut or spelt with fresh pomegranate. 59 Duthy St, Unley; facebook.com/Funkysonduthy.

In daylight hours the takeaway joint out front keeps office workers happy with lunch specials like chicken hero rolls, but once the sun goes down it’s a different story. Step through the secret entrance that looks like a coolroom door and you’ll discover a seriously funky joint that resembles a 70s nightclub decked out with tiger print rugs and disco balls. Classic rotisserie chicken dinners get the full treatment with a pool of jus and sides including roast carrots, triple-cooked chips and béarnaise sauce. The menu is full of other nostalgic dishes like baked camembert, while the pumping bar dishes up appropriately garish cocktails until 2am on weekends, offering a tempting alternative to nearby Peel Street. 38 Currie St, Adelaide; extrachickensalt.com.au.

There’s a good reason the line stretches out the door of this Pirie Street mainstay at lunchtime every day. Whole birds (and sides of pork and beef) are roasted in the wood-fired ovens at Pizza e Mozzarella Bar down the road, then transported here in time for lunch along with half a dozen brightly coloured salads – think charred broccoli and kale with paprika and almonds or pearl couscous with roasted eggplant and zingy harissa. Fortunately, the line moves quickly thanks to the simple ordering process: just choose a protein, three salads and a dollop of smokey red or green sauce, then find a spot to sit down and enjoy your feast. 78 Pirie St, Adelaide; facebook.com/people/Chicken-Pig.