Onion City Chicken & Oyster
A top spot for incredibly fresh oysters and mind-blowing fried chicken with unique twists. Enjoy craft cocktails and comfort food sides.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Onion City Chicken & Oyster
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A top spot for incredibly fresh oysters and mind-blowing fried chicken with unique twists. Enjoy craft cocktails and comfort food sides.
Reservations Recommended
Visit during off-peak hours or make reservations as the restaurant can get busy.
Try The Spicy Pickles
Don't miss trying the spicy pickles that come with your meal for an extra flavor kick.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fresh Oysters & Lobster Rolls
Indulge in the freshest oysters and succulent lobster rolls, a true taste of the sea. The lobster roll is generously filled with tender lobster and savory butter.
Crispy Fried Chicken
Experience perfectly fried chicken with a unique twist, especially its tangy and flavorful tartar sauce. The "Rough Francis" sandwich is a standout.
Unique Comfort Food Sides
Savor comforting sides like cheddar-filled cheese beignets and a German-style potato salad with a pleasing tanginess.
Plans like a pro.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Visit during off-peak hours or make reservations as the restaurant can get busy.
Try The Spicy Pickles
Don't miss trying the spicy pickles that come with your meal for an extra flavor kick.
Lobster Roll Variations
If you love lobster rolls, try both the cold and hot buttered versions for a delightful experience.
Add Bacon to Greens
Consider adding house-made bacon to your collard greens for an enhanced flavor.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Visit during off-peak hours or make reservations as the restaurant can get busy.
Try The Spicy Pickles
Don't miss trying the spicy pickles that come with your meal for an extra flavor kick.
Lobster Roll Variations
If you love lobster rolls, try both the cold and hot buttered versions for a delightful experience.
Add Bacon to Greens
Consider adding house-made bacon to your collard greens for an enhanced flavor.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Onion City Chicken & Oyster is praised for its incredibly fresh oysters, perfectly crispy fried chicken, and delightful lobster rolls. The service is frequently highlighted as friendly and knowledgeable. While many rave about the unique tartar sauce and comforting sides like beignets, some diners have found certain dishes, like biscuits and chicken skin, to be bland or dry. A few also noted issues with service attentiveness and price for dipping sauces.
"Loved this spit we found by chance. Started our afternoon with a round of fresh oysters and we’re not disappointed! Then moved on to the lobster roll (over flowing with tender succulent lobster with just the right amount of savory butter) , a chicken sandwich (piled to the ceiling with flash fried chicken breast spiced with just enough heat), collard greens and salads. We toasted our excellent food choices with craft cocktails. Service was amazing and the atmosphere was perfect!"
Sher Long
"Great restaurant located downtown. Oysters and beignets are awesomely delicious!! Service was also great and the staff was friendly and informative about the restaurant menu and even town events currently happening. I will be back for oysters!! If your looking for a good local place, this is it..."
Robert Tennant
"The chicken was to die for- Mine could have been breaded better and less crispy, but the juicy Misty Knoll made up for it. Baked beans were amazing. We got honey butter, ranch, and the gochu mayo. They were $2 each. You would think a $34 chicken meal would come with a dipping sauce or two. Nope. The honey butter was hot honey. Nothing butter about it. The dill in the ranch was overpowering. We had to ask for butter for our biscuits three times and ranch twice- our server seemed a little sidetracked. He suggested using the hot honey instead of butter when we asked for butter. The potato salad says it has leeks and dijonaise, but there are ALSO pickled red onions which completely overpower the other flavors. I asked if there were onions, the server said no, but when it came- there were, so I sent that back. My boyfriend loved the hot honey wings! We will be back for another try. The server Marcelle came back while we were packing up our food and was questioning me on which things I was taking home AFTER bringing us boxes, (Are you taking that? OK, what about the beans, ranch?) He asked about wach item on my place which felt very awkward. I already told him I needed one to go box to put everything in. Of course I was taking it all. I was just relaxing before packing up my food, and he made us feel very rushed. Which was funny after barely checking in with us."
Alexia Voitle
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The fresh oysters and the crispy fried chicken, especially the 'Rough Francis' sandwich, are highly recommended. Don't miss the lobster rolls and comfort food sides like cheddar beignets.
Yes, it's a great lunch spot known for its delicious fried chicken sandwiches and other offerings. The atmosphere is cool and welcoming, even on hot days.
While the menu highlights chicken and oysters, they do offer comfort food sides that can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. It's best to inquire directly about specific options.
The restaurant is considered mid-range. While some items like oysters can be affordable during happy hour, main dishes like the chicken can be pricier.
It's recommended to make reservations, especially during peak hours, as the restaurant can get quite busy. Visiting during off-peak times is also an option.
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Restaurants in Burlington
Sister restaurant to Laura Wade and Aaron Josinsky's beloved Misery Loves Co. (now a market and takeout sandwich counter), this casual spot up the rotary serves up fried chicken in various forms—from honey-butter wings to whole birds. Comfort-food sides include collard greens that you can add house-made bacon to, a whole grilled onion, fluffy beignets filled with cheddar, and yes, there are oysters (options change daily).
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