Grossest chicken ever. Popeyes Chicken.
I had never eaten at Popeye's Chicken before, but everyone kept telling me how awesome it is, so today after doing a little shopping, we stopped and picked some up.
I honestly don't think I've ever tasted worse chicken in my entire life.
It was greasy, and had a nasty flavor to it that I can't even describe.
And the mashed potatoes and gravy.
Barf.
What the hell did they put in the gravy?
It was so gross.
I know they pride themselves on Cajun flavor, but I've had Cajun chicken before, and this stuff is just disgusting.
I do have to say though that their customer service was excellent.
They were quick, they didn't make any mistakes with our order, the staff was pleasant and courteous, and even offered us large cups of ice cold water because it was so hot out.
So the food sucks but the service was great.
Can't win 'em all.
Comments
I think it varies by location. I've been to some that are absolutely amazing, and some that are well, what you experienced tonight.
Posted by: Jade | April 10, 2008 12:02 AM
I'm thinking it must vary by location as well; I love all the Popeye's I've eaten at.
Posted by: Devilish Southern Belle | April 10, 2008 12:38 AM
Could be somebody doesn't change the oil often enough which caused the bad flavor. I dunno, I've heard good and bad things about them before, but I've never eaten there yet. I usually stick with KFC for the popcorn chicken and hot wings (that aren't hot but taste damn fine) and Churches' for the BIG pieces of chicken and their honey butter biscuits.
Posted by: Joana | April 10, 2008 2:22 AM
My hubby LOVES chicken, but Popeye's is the one place he totally doesn't like either! For pretty much the same reasons you stated. Although he says their biscuits are better...LOL
Posted by: Holly | April 10, 2008 6:35 AM
Oh and you do NOT even want to know what the kitchen back there looks like -- I work for a company that used to repair their equipment -- safes, cash registers and stuff and nothing came in that wasn't covered in grease, infested with roaches or WORSE -- had dead rats in them -- EEEWWWWW! I will NEVER eat at a Popeyes or Church's Fried Chicken EVER.
Posted by: Maggie | April 10, 2008 8:03 AM
I do agree Kat, totally depends on the location. About 10 years ago, I had some up in a suburb of Chicago..it was absolutely amazing. Fast Forward to 2/23/08 and we went to one downtown Chicago...omg. I could not stand the smell of it, the taste of it made me so sick. And I was totally disappointed.
Posted by: Christie | April 10, 2008 9:56 AM
If it's a franchise deal, it really does depend on the owner and management. I wouldn't put it past some manager to try to cut corners by not changing the cooking oil as often as they should. You can only strain and reuse cooking oil so many times before it's time to change it.
If there's a ban on transfats, as there is in a lot of places now, they have to use canola oil, which is more expensive, that could be why they don't change it so often. Also, it's a major pain in the ass to change oil, as well as clean out these fryolators. I know, I used to have to do it a lot.
As for it being overly greasy, my guess is that the oil wasn't hot enough. That'll do it every time. When I've made fried chicken at home, the recipes call for the oil to be something like 350-375 degrees F. When the oil is hot enough, the food should not soak up all that grease.
Either someone's not paying attention to the temperature setting, or the thermostats on the fryolators need some adjustment.
Not a place I would ever eat at again. Having working in restaurant kitchens, I tend to notice stuff like this even more than others do.
Posted by: Christine | April 10, 2008 10:13 AM
In the DC metro area it also varies by location we have 3 in the town I live in and two of them you couldn't pay me to eat at. The other one is great - well, except for the corn on the cob. They leave it sitting in water until someone orders it so it gets soggy and gross.
Posted by: Brandi | April 10, 2008 11:12 AM