The fried chicken search was an exhausting one, but dozens of legs, breasts and thighs later, BYOB Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe is the where-have-you-been-all-my-meals winner. Skip the Southern-sweet sides and head straight for the meat of the matter: A shatteringly crisp and pleasingly salty crust coats tender and juicy chicken.

Ms. Tootsie's Soul Food Cafe | 1314 South Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-731-9045 | http://www.kevenparker.net