There are plenty of different ways to celebrate summer, from attending concerts and big festivals, or taking a do-it-yourself course of action, with a barbeque or picnic accompanied by your friends and family. Of course, for a picnic, you're going to need some ready-to-eat American goodies, and what could be more representative of our country than fried chicken? Besides maybe hot dogs, hamburgers and deep-fried Twinkies, few things represent our obsession with wonderfully fatty foods as the artery-clogging poultry. Luckily, the South Sound happens to have many different options to fulfill your fried chicken cravings and feed your family for your picnic.

1) Southern Kitchen: This one almost goes without saying. Southern Kitchen, located on 6th Ave. smack in-between the Hilltop and Stadium District neighborhoods, has become a classic Tacoma restaurant, famous for their comfort food. This includes, of course, fried chicken, but if someone in your group prefers a bit more variety, there's plenty of other options (even vegetarian!) that would make any Southerner proud. They do allow take-out, so make a quick stop here, and maybe drive down to nearby Wright Park to eat your feast. Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat, 8 a.m.-7 p.m Sunday, 1716 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4282

2) Pacific Southern: This joint is nearly brand new, just opening last year in the Tacoma Mall area. So far, it's already become a favorite of many in the South Tacoma region, and it's easy to see why. Reasonable prices for massive portions of delicious Southern food? Can't go wrong with that. Like Southern Kitchen, it also offers take-out, so sticking it in your picnic basket is very easy. Just make sure you and your family can eat the gigantic amounts of chicken and fixings! Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun-Wed, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs-Sat, 3832 S. Pine St., Tacoma, 253.474.9898

3) King Solomon's Reef: King Solomon's has become legendary in downtown Olympia for its quirky/dive-y atmosphere, but hidden in all that hubbub, people tend to forget the reason why it gained popularity in the first place: the food is fantastic. One of their specialties is the fried chicken, and given the slim pickings for Southern food in Olympia, it's an easy call to make. Fair warning: the restaurant's charm is its griminess, so if you're the type that prefers venues to be sparkly-clean, this one might not be for you. If you don't mind a little grit, then you'll be treated to some of the best chicken in Thurston County. Open 8 a.m.-3 a.m. daily, 212 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.742.3199

4) Jim Bob's Chuck Wagon: Jim Bob's might lean a bit more towards barbeque than fried chicken, but they still know what they're doing when it comes to their deep-fried poultry. The two owners have been making barbeque and comfort food since the ‘60s, and you can taste their experience with every bite. Don't be fooled by its strip-mall-Mecca location in Lacey, Jim Bob's is the real deal. Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun-Thurs, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat, 4011 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, 360.491.5090

5) Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chick-Fil-A: Look, I know it's not trendy to say KFC and/or Chick-Fil-A has some of the top fried chicken. What, does McDonalds make the best burgers, too? But let's be real, folks: when you need crazy-inexpensive and fast chicken, you're hitting up KFC or Chick-Fil-A. You might feel a bit guilty afterwards, but you still do it regardless. And few things represent America today than a bucket of greasy drumsticks with the Colonel's face plastered on the side, or one of the many takes on chicken at Chick-Fil-A. Embrace what you know is true, Tacoma: Both are an American treasure, and eating it on the 4th is your patriotic duty. God bless the seven herbs and spices. Most open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., located all over the place