Best locally owned independent fried chicken restaurant in Pomona where every piece and strip is made fresh daily, hand battered and fried to golden perfection. Served with homemade dinner rolls and other popular sides, we put love and care into every order. Come taste the difference!
Takeout eatery specializing in hearty portions of roast chicken in a basic storefront setting.
Pinhwa Su
This is the original Donahoo location and has been around for 80 years. The turnover is incredibly fast, so it’s the perfect spot if you need to get in and out quickly without sacrificing quality.
They use the same recipe for both their bone-in and boneless chicken, and while both are super flavorful and crispy, I personally liked the bone-in just a bit more. They have sauce available, but the chicken is so seasoned and crunchy that it’s honestly great without it. My favorite part might be the housemade bread though; they do a full 24-hour turnaround on it. They also have lots of side dish and boba drinks
… moreAnita Lam
This spot is everything you want in classic fried chicken. The chicken is thick and not overly coated or salty like some places. I liked their chicken strips, which weren’t oily at all. The rolls deserve their own shoutout. Seriously, I prefer these buns over any other chicken spot. I also tried the Thai tea and mashed potatoes with gravy, both of which were great as well.
They have an open kitchen, so you can watch all the action as your food comes together. That’s always a good sign, as you can literally see the care they have in prepping the food.
They don’t take phone orders, but it’s really not an issue. Service is super quick, parking is easy, and even when there’s a line, it moves fast.
… moreJ Aromin
This is a no frills famil.y chicken spot. Good fried chicken woth standard sides. The fries are steak fries sized. The chicken is nicely season and fresh to fry, however its not southern style where its brined overnight to couple days. Nevertheless it beats all the fast food chicken out there, this is a much better choice. You can also dictate the type of pieces you want. I ordered a three piece dark and got all thighs. The wonderful lady said no problem. What an excellent response!. Don’t sleep on this place. The locals been knowin’ all along!
… moreJward the Foodie
This place is one of the staples of Pomona. Expect crispy, juicy, and boldly seasoned fried chicken—whether you go for bone-in pieces or chicken strips, it’s a classic comfort-food vibe done well. Dinner rolls are a standout—generous, buttery, and reminiscent of homemade or school‑cafeteria favorites. Hearty sides and sauces, especially the buffalo. Fast, friendly service in a no‑fuss, grab‑and‑go setting.
A beloved institution—especially for locals with deep ties to Pomona.
… moreJustine Rosario
This isn’t just another chicken spot, it’s a piece of Southern California food history.
The chicken here is made using fresh chicken tenderloin, which explains how every piece stays incredibly juicy, tender, and flavorful. While people often compare Donahoo’s to Raising Cane’s, this truly stands on its own. It’s not trying to be anything trendy, it’s just consistently good.
The sides deserve their own moment. The homemade dinner rolls are soft, buttery, and perfect for soaking up everything. The steak fries are thick, crispy, and filling.
We also loved learning how strong they are with large orders and catering. They’re fast, organized, and clearly built to handle volume without sacrificing quality.
Just great food, real history, and a team that lets the product speak for itself. If you’re going to Donahoo’s, make sure you’re going to Donahoo’s Golden Chicken in Pomona, this location is the real deal.
… moreHonest Reviewer
The chicken was mediocre. Fries we amazing! Very crispy! Nothing to travel for. Canes has better chicken and canes has no flavor. Drink options are slim. Waited for about 20-30 minutes for my order only two 6 pieces meals. If I lived close I would go back to try the chicken on the bone but definitely not a travel to food spot!
… moreDaniel Silva
This is the best fried chicken anywhere! We love it. One area to improve would be to have online orders ready when the customer arrives. We had a large order we placed the day before and it wasn’t ready at the selected pick up time. We had to wait 20 minutes. Meanwhile, people that had walk in orders that arrived after us had their orders fill before ours.
… morePatrick Guerrero
Came for lunch. Mainly to see what the hype was about. While it can be a great comfort food for nostalgia and for people in the SGV and IE. This however did not live up to the hype of great chicken. The service was fast but the food was underwhelming. The batter was heavy and not in a good way. My bread tasted old. Maybe caught them on the wrong day.
… moreMakeba Guthrie
Ordered chicken strips online for Super Bowl. Came in and my food was ready in less than 5 minutes. Chicken was fresh, crispy and well seasoned!! Great customer service and they didn’t for get my sauces!! I will definitely be back.
… moreBenjamin Mealey
This is likely my favorite chicken joint in the US. The chicken is moist and flavorful, the buns (with injected butter) are amazing, and there’s not a bad thing to be had here. Strictly take out here, they don’t have a dining area. Don’t let that deter you, give this place a try!
… more