Okay, so I’ve been meaning to check out Nick’s in Costa Mesa for a while now. I kept hearing about their fried chicken, and you guys know I’m a sucker for good fried chicken. So, I finally made it happen. Here’s how it went down:

Getting There and First Impressions
First off, I drove over there, which in Costa Mesa can be a little hectic, depending on the time of day. I went around lunchtime, and I have to admit, finding parking took me a minute. I circled the block a couple of times, then I spotted a spot a little ways down the street, and I grabbed it.
Once I got inside, I noticed the place has this cool, kind of upscale vibe, but it’s still pretty chill. It’s not super fancy, but it’s definitely nicer than your average diner. Lots of wood, you know, that classic California look. I saw they had a bar area too, but I headed straight for a table.
Ordering and The Food
The menu had a bunch of stuff that looked good, but I knew I was there for the fried chicken. I asked the waiter about it, and he totally confirmed it was a popular choice. So, I went with that, and I decided to get some mashed potatoes and gravy on the side, ’cause, why not? I also ordered an iced tea to wash it all down.
- Fried Chicken: This is what I came for!
- Mashed Potatoes & Gravy: Gotta have a classic side.
- Iced Tea: My go-to drink.
While I waited, I soaked up the atmosphere. There were a bunch of people there, families, couples, some folks who looked like they were on their lunch break. The place had a good buzz.
The food arrived, and man, it looked amazing. The fried chicken was golden brown and crispy, just how I like it. I took a bite, and yep, it was good. Really good. Juicy, flavorful, the whole deal. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the gravy was rich. Honestly, I devoured the whole thing.

Final Thoughts
After I finished eating, I sat there for a bit, just kind of letting it all settle. I was full, happy, and definitely satisfied. I paid my bill, and the service was pretty good throughout, so I left a decent tip.
Overall, I’d totally recommend Nick’s in Costa Mesa. The fried chicken lived up to the hype, and the whole experience was just really pleasant. If you’re in the area and looking for some solid comfort food in a nice setting, definitely give it a shot. I’m already thinking about going back and maybe trying something else on the menu, but that fried chicken is gonna be hard to beat!