Want to add some historical eats to your next road trip to the shores of Lake Huron? Stop at this incredible hidden gem of a Michigan fried chicken spot. Located in Port Huron, Palm’s Krystal Bar & Grill/Chicken in the Rough has been serving up the original fried chicken basket since 1936 – and it’s one of the only two places in the country still serving what is considered to be the first fried chicken meal in the United States!

With a classic neon sign adorning the outside, this historic Port Huron restaurant is hard to miss. Palm's Krystal is just a short walk from the shores of Lake Huron, which looks right over the border into Canada.
Jacki Mick/Only In Your State
When you eat here, you'll truly be eating a piece of history. This restaurant serves the same chicken recipe that started the whole fried chicken fast food craze. (Yes, even before the red and white stripes of KFC entered the scene!)
Walking into this Port Huron bar and grill is like taking a step back in time. The well-maintained interior features red vinyl booths, a long padded bar, lots of nicknacks and art to look at, and, of course, more neon. It kind of feels like you're eating a meal at Arnold's from Happy Days.
Blue Swallow/TripAdvisor
The menu at Palm's Krystal Bar & Grill/Chicken in the Rough has a lot of variety to it, featuring things like salads, BBQ, steaks, and some delectable fish dishes including freshwater pike and pickerel meals. However, as I've said before, the chicken is the big star of this Port Huron restaurant.
The cocktails aren't to be slept on either. One of my favorite things to order when I visit is their Bloody Mary. Hot tip: if you're a pickle fan (like I am!), ask for yours with extra pickle juice. The bartenders at Palm's Krystal do it just right.
Emily Van Assche/Google Reviews
No matter which cocktail you choose, you're sure to be thrilled with it. The bartenders go out of their way to make every drink with care and add little special touches like these adorable fall leaf picks!
Now, I realize you probably didn't read this article for a history lesson, but the history of this bar and grill is pretty incredible. In 1936, The Osbornes were headed west to California. It was the Great Depression and things were not going, well, great. The couple had little more than their travel-friendly meal of fried chicken in a basket. Midway through the trip, the Osbornes hit a bump in the road, scattering their chicken everywhere, causing Mrs. Osborne to exclaim, "This really is chicken in the rough!" And with those words, a brand was born.
Palm's Krystal/Chicken in the Rough
They sold her wedding ring and started a modest business selling fried chicken and shoestring potatoes. Rounding out each meal was a side order of biscuits and honey. This simple meal started the first fast food franchise in the United States, at one point boasting 250 franchises, including one in South Africa. At the time of this writing, only two remain... and Palm's Krystal Bar & Restaurant in Port Huron is one of them.

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Does the chicken live up to the hype? I've been there on two separate occasions, nearly a year apart, and can confidently say yes. And I'll go one further and tell you this... it's not even the best item on the menu.
Gary Taube/Google Reviews
The basket at this Michigan fried chicken spot is served exactly as it was in 1936; fried chicken, shoestring potatoes, biscuit, and the ever-important honey. I found the chicken to be perfectly seasoned, crispy, and not greasy at all - it's obvious Palm's Krystal in Port Huron knows what it's doing.
This Michigan fried chicken joint serves a variety of different types of chicken, ensuring everyone gets exactly what they want out of a chicken dinner. I haven't been brave enough to try them yet, but so many reviewers rave about the Palm's Krystal's chicken livers and gizzards, that I might have to give them a shot next time I'm up there!
Linda Grosskopf/Google Reviews
The chicken and waffles is probably my favorite modern twist that this classic Port Huron eatery has on its menu. It's made with the same fried chicken that you'll get in the basket, or chicken tenders, if you don't like bones. The waffle is crispy and pillowy soft at the same time, making this meal both a textural and flavor wonderland.
That can be said for everything on the menu at this Michigan fried chicken restaurant. However, there is one item on the menu that shines brighter than all the rest in my eyes.
Kelly Perkins/Google Reviews
This might sound surprising, but my absolute favorite thing I've eaten both times I visited was mushroom soup. I don't know how Palm's Krystal does it, but this stuff is magical. It's chunky, creamy, savory, and always served piping hot. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Everything on the menu is cooked hot and fresh that day. All chicken dishes are cooked to order, so prepare to wait about 20 minutes for your "Chicken in the Rough".
Salty Kansan/Tripadvisor
There are so many fun and retro touches at Palm's Krystal Bar & Restaurant in Port Huron, Michigan. This hand-painted yellow sign beckons customers inside - it was, in fact, the thing that called me to it on my first visit.

You know it’s bound to be incredible when a restaurant has been serving the same recipe for almost 100 years. That’s what you’ll get with every basket of fried chicken at Palm’s Krystal Bar & Grill/Chicken in the Rough. I know I’ll return to this Michigan fried chicken spot for more mushroom soup and a basket next time I find myself rock hunting on one of Port Huron’s beaches. Might as well make a weekend of it with a stay at an 1875 Victorian Manor – keep the history going.

Do you know of any unique fried chicken spots? Tell us about them in the comments!

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Featured Addresses
Palms Krystal Bar & Grill/Chicken in the Rough, 1535 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060, USA