Scratch Cookery
30 Fountain Alley #150, San Jose, CA 95113, United States+1 408-601-0396
About This Place
Located in the heart of San Jose, Scratch Cookery is a standout chicken shop that boldly elevates comfort food to a crave-worthy experience. Specializing in Southern-inspired fried chicken with a modern twist, this eatery serves up a sizzling menu that’s sure to satisfy heat lovers and fried chicken aficionados alike.
The menu is a playground for bold flavors and satisfying textures. Their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches—available in various spice levels—are a jaw-dropping highlight, perfectly marrying the crunch of buttermilk fried chicken with the tang of comeback sauce and the crisp freshness of pickles. For those looking to dial down the fire but keep all the flavor, the Classic Chicken Sandwich with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayo on a toasted brioche bun provides a tender, juicy bite that feels both familiar and expertly crafted.
Fans of crunch and variety will appreciate the Chicken Nugs, which come crispy and tender, paired with a side of golden fries and a zingy comeback sauce for dipping. The Loaded Fries are another must-try, offering a hearty combination that complements the main dishes beautifully. For something a bit different, the Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich is an adventurous choice that brings a deliciously unique seafood twist to the chicken shop vibe. And for burger lovers, the perfectly smashed Double Cheeseburger with Fries delivers a rich, juicy experience balanced by fresh vegetables and classic burger spread.
Despite its modest size and casual atmosphere—reminiscent of a grab-and-go spot—Scratch Cookery manages to create an inviting space with some indoor seating and outdoor benches, making it a great casual stop for diners who want quick service without sacrificing flavor or quality. The vibe is laid-back, yet bustling, especially during peak times, emphasizing its popularity among locals looking for top-notch fried chicken in the Bay Area.
Customer experiences offer an authentic glimpse into what makes Scratch Cookery special. Suman Hazra raves about it being arguably the best fried chicken in all of San Jose, praising the ability to customize spice levels. However, a fair warning comes from Hasini Addanki, whose hilarious yet cautionary tale about the “Scorpion Pepper” spice level reminds spice seekers to know their limits! Anna Ng’s ordered combo of the Nashville Hot Chicken and Classic Chicken sandwiches paired with fries paints a vivid picture of generous portions and balanced flavors that satisfy both heat lovers and milder palates.
The spot also appeals to those who appreciate a little extra charm, as pampered customers like Hasini have noticed fun touches such as chicken plush toys available for purchase, adding a whimsical and memorable side note to their meals.
If you’re hunting for a deliciously spicy, crunchy, and soulful chicken experience amid San Jose’s diverse food scene, Scratch Cookery delivers with flair, flavor, and just the right kick to keep you coming back—just maybe skip the max spice level on your first visit!
Contact Information:
30 Fountain Alley #150, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Phone: +1 408-601-0396
Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-inHighlights
Fast servicePopular for
Lunch Dinner Solo diningAccessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seatingOfferings
Alcohol Beer Comfort food Quick biteDining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Table serviceAtmosphere
Casual TrendyCrowd
Family friendly Groups University studentsPlanning
Accepts reservationsPayments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cardsChildren
Good for kidsParking
Free parking lot Paid parking lot Paid street parkingOpening Hours
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Monday
11:30 AM - 08:00 PM -
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 08:00 PM -
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 08:00 PM -
Thursday
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM -
Friday
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM -
Saturday
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM -
Sunday
11:30 AM - 08:00 PM
Map & Directions
Visitor Reviews
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Hasini Addanki
1 month agoIt’s a great place, for sure. Good prices too, they even have this super cute chicken plush you can buy! Howevr I beg of anyone who goes there - if you are planning to get the max spice level, make sure u have a trip to the ER planned. Actually no. Just dont get it. Please. Had me and my friend on the floor gripping our stomachs after just two bites. Coming from someone who has a decently high spice tolerance - I couldn’t even get up off the floor. If you do end up getting it, please please PLEASE be sure that you can handle it, and not because you’re just excited to see how much spice you can handle. THIS IS YOUR WARNING.
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Eidmone Tagaca
1 month ago4.5/5 for the smash burger. One of the best that I’ve had. The balance between all the ingredients was phenomenal. Highly recommend, the only thing is that it gets sketchy at night.
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Suman Hazra
1 month agoThis place hands down has the best fried chicken in San Jose, if not in the bay area. Went on a Sunday for late lunch, and the place was packed. The restaurant itself is quite small and gives more takeaway vibes but they have some seats indoors and couple of other benches outdoor. They also have burgers on the menu, but I went there for the fried chicken. You can choose your spice level, and I chose a spice level four, which was just perfect for me. I got the meal with the fries which honestly was a mistake. The fries are below average and kind of floppy and soggy. But that is forgiven because the chicken sandwich was a revelation. I could not imagine White meat ever being so juicy. The marination process must be goated because it was literally dripping like a brisket. Also, it’s huge, and I was very full. It is not cheap though. Expect to pay around $20-$25 for a chicken sandwich with fries. It is extremely worth it, and I will definitely be back again.
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Pam Santos
2 month agoI was watching a guy from Instagram that went to this place and the food looked so good... I was thinking I really want to try this place...then I started getting ads while on Instagram and thought...hey...it must be a sign to get my butt down there...we parked a couple blocks away... they do have a parking lot right next to the place but $10 so we figured we would just walk a little...my guy had the chicken sandwich... he said it was so good but he could only eat half so he save the other half for lunch the next day... I had the spicy chicken sandwich #2... for me 2 was the perfect spice... so huge...so delicious... I ended up making three meals out of it we would definitely go back... I also want to try their chicken salad next time !!!
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Anna Ng
2 month agoWe ordered the # 1 on their menu which is ‘Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and Fries’ for $21.50. This comes with buttermilk chicken breast, tangy coleslaw, comeback sauce, pickles on a brioche bun. My fiancé chose level 3 for spice. I ordered the #2 which is the ‘Classic Chicken Sandwich and Fries’ for $20.50. This comes with buttermilk chicken breast, Mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a brioche bun. My thoughts: I was honestly skeptical on the chicken since it was breast but it was actually so flavorful, so crunchy and moist. Some places make it very dry and don’t know how to make a good fried chicken breast but this place knows how!!! The chicken is bigger than the bun which is also insane and rare to see! They definitely are not skimpy with their chicken! The fries are also so delicious! Love the fun moon shape. Overall, all staff members were so kind & friendly. It was our first time here and they helped us out when we had questions. I didn’t get to try it this time but I was told their cheeseburgers are also really delicious. I think also for the price, it’s definitely a good price for the amount of food you’re getting. Both my fiancé and I only ate about half of the sandwich and half the fries. So we definitely suggest this place as it’s good priced & great portions & delicious food!
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Gino Rea
3 month agoHands down the best fried chicken sandwich in San Jose! The chicken is always perfectly crispy and juicy, and you can choose from multiple spice levels—so there’s something for everyone. I usually stick with level #2, which has cayenne pepper on both sides—just the right kick without overpowering the flavor. And don’t miss the fries—they’re perfectly crispy and the ideal side to the sandwich.
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Angela Sato-Anderson
3 month agoScratch always comes through! It's worth figuring out parking. The Chicken Salad is spot on! Insane portions and the charred tomatoes are sooooo good! They also have pickled onions that are delish. Great job with consistency.
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Edna G
3 month agoWas on a burger hunt for smash burger style and found this place in downtown San Jose. My hubs happened to see it on TikTok, his favorite food hunts. We love how crispy and thin the patties are, the different heat flavors of their sauce and I love love their steak curly fries. Never had steak fries curled like that before. The fries are good with their dipping house sauce. We also tried their Grilled Cheese Nashville HOT chicken burgers which they are mainly known for. It's huge and good for two people. It's a huge piece of chicken breaded with crispy cheese. I still prefer their cheeseburgers better. I like their beers here, too. Not many seats outside or in but I see many get to go pick ups. Service is pretty good and usually food comes out fast but they will tell you if they are behind. The place is always busy and right next to a paid parking lot and stage theater. The neighborhood is sketchy as many bums are around. This is right next to a small bar as well. Kind of odd location for this popular burger place. I would try it still. I wish they offered onion rings. A little on the expensive prices though but I think it's worth it!
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