Where are the best fried chicken places in Columbia?

Garden&Gun magazine has canvassed the South to find the source of the best fried chicken in every state, from the Carolinas to Texas, Florida to Washington, D.C.

The Charleston-based magazine relied on chefs, travel writers and regular contributors to compile the list — breaking it down into locally owned restaurants, and national and regional chains.

In Columbia, Bernie’s on Bluff Road and Zesto of West Columbia beat all others — winning high praise from Matt & Ted Lee (The Lee Bros. cookbook authors) and Elliott Moss (of Asheville’s Buxton Hall Barbecue).

The Lees say that Bernie’s fried chicken is “A must whenever we’re in Columbia — or just passing by, even. It’s way worth the detour from I-26.”

Moss tells readers to eat Zesto’s fried chicken “with lots of hot sauce and a cheeseburger on the side.”

What do you think? Find the complete list at gardenandgun.com