Let's talk grocery store fried chicken: Which ones soar to delicious heights, and which
fall flat?
Here's the worst and the best grocery store fried chicken if you're looking for finger-lickin'
goodness in a convenient package.
One look at Walmart's page for its deli hot fried chicken, and you know something doesn't
check out.
Some of the chicken's bad reviews talk about asking for a refund because the chicken tasted
and smelled like burnt grease, whereas other reviews talked about the deli not following
food safety guidelines and the chicken being too hard.
Facebook posters echo this sentiment, with a stomach-churning twist.
A quick search brings up several unsettling photos depicting undercooked, reddish chicken,
even some with feathers still on it.
"That's disgusting, man."
When it comes to fried chicken, we expect it to be moist on the inside, crispy on the
outside, and above all, safe to eat.
Unfortunately, Walmart fails to deliver on all these fronts.
Customers call the chicken a waste of money — over-fried, dry, and lacking in flavor.
One reviewer even calls Walmart's fried chicken potentially dangerous, saying it should have
a "surgeon general warning."
Ultimately, Walmart's fried chicken leaves a lot to be desired and avoided in both taste
and safety.
Food 4 Less is known for its affordable prices, so you'd expect a decent chicken, even if
it's not going to be 5 stars.
However, this place completely fails to meet even the most basic expectations when it comes
to its chicken offerings.
A shocking video has circulated online showing maggots discovered inside fried chicken purchased
from the store.
The video was further commented on in a Reddit thread, where users discussed how worms, maggots,
and other unsavory surprises can inhabit improperly cleaned fried chicken, and how Food 4 Less
is no exception to that rule considering how commonly it happens there.
Redditors united in their disgust, vowing to never eat supermarket chicken again.
Alluding to the unfortunate "extra" presence of maggots in the chicken, one wry commenter
remarked,
"Food 4 Less — the less you pay, the more you get."
Unfortunately, the dismal reputation of Food 4 Less' fried chicken continues on Yelp, where
one reviewer reported finding pre-eaten wings left lying around.
Not only does the product fail to meet basic clean standards, but the disregard for food
safety is blatant.
As one Facebook review commented,
"Apparently Pick 'n Saves new motto is 'Let it sit until it sells!'"
That sentiment definitely applies to their fried chicken.
In fact, Pick 'n Save has a reputation for having the worst fried chicken in town.
One Facebook poster purchased their fried chicken, bit into it, and it was completely
raw.
"It's still raw!
No, no!"
Temperature is important when it comes to frying chicken to perfection, and Pick 'n
Save isn't cutting it.
Posters on Reddit concur, saying that Pick 'n Save's chicken is a constant hit or miss.
You might get lucky and show up on a day where the chicken is slightly better, but it still
falls short.
It seems that Pick 'n Save's fried chicken is an afterthought — a rushed, poorly executed
product that only exists to fill a space on its deli counter.
For anyone seeking a delicious, crave-worthy fried chicken experience, Pick 'n Save is
just not it.
You don't need a feather to tell you you're eating real chicken, but for one unfortunate
diner, Target's fried chicken left them with an unsavory surprise.
It's no secret that Target shouldn't really be your go-to destination for "fresh" items,
and its fried chicken is no exception.
Target's reputation for quality and sanitation is far from stellar, as evidenced by an incident
shared on Facebook when someone found a leftover Band-Aid stuck to one of the fried chicken
deli containers.
When it comes to fried chicken, texture and taste are everything.
Unfortunately, Target falls flat on both accounts.
Reviewers say the chicken is often dry and lacking in any discernible flavor.
It's like the poultry underwent an identity crisis, unsure whether it wanted to be moist
or taste like anything at all.
The breading feels lackluster and uninspired, as bland as the chicken underneath.
It's no wonder many people regard Target as an untrustworthy source for "fresh" items
— including fried chicken.
Beware what lies beneath the crispy exterior of Acme's fried chicken, because you're headed
for disappointment.
Acme's fried chicken, once regarded as a tempting treat, has been reduced to a pitiful shadow
of its former glory.
Over the years, Acme's fried chicken has undergone a transformation, much to the dismay of its
loyal customers.
Once synonymous with quality, it's become synonymous with disappointment, and that's
noticeable in its reviews on the Acme website.
What awaits you is a pretty sad excuse for fried chicken.
Acme's fried chicken isn't the best thing to eat if you're looking to feel good.
In fact, it gave one Redditor headaches every time they'd eat it.
"Quiet!
Mom has a headache!"
Acme's fried chicken is also notorious for being overcooked and bone-dry.
The breading, once a thin, crispy layer, clings to the meat like a wet towel.
One reviewer said,
"Some of the meat was like chewing on leather."
Basically, Acme's fried chicken pales in comparison to its grocery store and fast food counterparts.
While Heinen's offers a bevy of tantalizing options in its bakery and deli, its fried
chicken is a far cry from the excellence that other grocery stores have achieved.
While it's unfair to say Heinen's has the worst fried chicken, it falls short when compared
to any of the "best" contenders on the list.
According to Cleveland.com, Heinen's fried chicken was pretty bland and dry both in terms
of breading and actual flavor.
The seasoning leaves much to be desired.
The chicken lacks any distinctive flavor that makes it stand out from other options.
It feels as though the chefs are more concerned with the visual appeal of the chicken rather
than the flavor.
Finally, the price point of Heinen's fried chicken is a major downside.
While other contenders on the list offer budget-friendly options, Heinen's comes with a hefty price
tag.
While this may be because they source the chicken from an Amish farm, the value for
money is simply lacking, making it a poor choice for anyone looking for a satisfying,
affordable fried chicken experience.
But do not despair, fried chicken fans.
Not all grocery store fried chicken is bad fried chicken.
Nestled in the heart of Texas, there's one grocery store that's truly mastered the art
of fried chicken: Brookshire Brothers.
The secret to its success as "The Best Fried Chicken In Town" is its dedication to being
wholesome.
At Brookshire Brothers, frozen chicken has no place on the menu.
It serves only the freshest poultry, meticulously hand-breaded, marinated, and cooked in-house
each day.
"Oh, honey, I wish I had those legs!"
But the allure of Brookshire Brothers' fried chicken extends beyond its exceptional taste.
When you buy a basket or a bucket of chicken, you're not just treating yourself — you're
actively supporting local businesses.
Andrew Dansby of the Houston Chronicle described Brookshire's chicken as having "restorative
powers."
In fact, the author was so captivated that they devoured an entire 4-piece meal and couldn't
resist going back for a 20-piece.
So, what's the story behind Brookshire Brothers' fried chicken?
It's all rooted in the kitchen of Granny Brookshire back in 1921.
Granny's chicken continues to inspire passionate devotion.
Social media users say it even beats popular chains like Popeyes and Church's thanks to
its crispy breading and flavorful seasonings.
Safeway is a name that exudes safety and comfort, but when it comes to fried chicken, it's all
about satisfying flavor, crispy texture, and juicy meat.
Luckily, Safeway has more than just a comforting name; it delivers mouth-watering fried chicken.
In fact, according to a recent Insider article, Safeway's fried chicken beat out the competition
from two other grocery stores.
The reason for the hype?
As Chelsea Davis from Insider explained, Safeway's chicken, while not necessarily appealing to
look at, came out on top for several reasons.
One, the meat was moist beyond compare.
Despite the batter being a bit thin, the flavor profile of the meat itself won out against
its crispier and "prettier" competitors.
The author was so impressed that she declared Safeway as her sole grocery store pick for
fried chicken from that moment on.
Safeway's website also boasts rave reviews about its fried chicken.
The reviews praise the perfectly seasoned, never-too-salty chicken, and its great value
for money.
And over on social media, the praise keeps coming.
One Redditor called it the best they've ever had.
When it comes down to it, the combination of safety, comfort, and flavor makes Safeway's
fried chicken stand out from the flock.
When it comes to lip-lickin' chicken, Winn-Dixie is the place to be.
Winn-Dixie takes pride in serving fresh, never frozen fried chicken, and the quality speaks
for itself.
Like Brookshire Brothers, Winn-Dixie has earned a reputation for exceptional fried chicken.
While there are a few who say the Winn-Dixie's chicken can be hit or miss, it still doesn't
even come close to the ordeal that Pick 'n Save puts customers through.
The positive feedback doesn't stop at social media.
On Tripadvisor, posters can't stop raving about Winn-Dixie's fried chicken, describing
it as nothing short of delicious.
The crispy, golden-brown exterior and the tender, juicy meat make it a go-to spot for
top-notch fried chicken.
Winn-Dixie's commitment to freshness and attention to detail are what make its fried chicken
stand out from the rest.
Convenience stores and grocery chains have been serving fried chicken for a while now,
but Ralphs stands out above the rest.
If you're looking for fried chicken that can rival even the best Southern establishments,
Ralphs is the place to be.
Don't believe us?
Ask the experts.
In a Los Angeles Times article that spotlighted what chefs were really enjoying in Los Angeles,
Ralphs fried chicken was among the top picks, with Teresa Montano of Otono saying,
"One thing that has always been a guilty pleasure is the fried chicken at Ralphs."
So, what makes Ralphs fried chicken so special?
The texture is the perfect mix of crispy and moist.
The crispy but not too thick breading comes together with tender and juicy chicken that
is unrivaled in convenience stores and grocery chains.
The seasoning is also absolutely on point, providing a burst of flavor that makes it
virtually impossible to stop at just one piece.
With so much love and attention put into every piece of fried chicken, it's no wonder customers
can't get enough.
When a Tripadvisor reviewer titles their review: "The best — at everything," expectations
run high.
Fortunately for Dave's Supermarket, this accolade extends to fried chicken.
In fact, in a taste test conducted by Cleveland.com, Dave's Supermarket came out on top as the
best-tasting fried chicken option among eight other grocery store contenders.
With such acclaim, it's clear that Dave's Supermarket is the source for fried chicken
excellence.
What sets Dave's Supermarket's fried chicken apart from the rest?
It all starts with its commitment to quality.
Each piece of fried chicken is made with care, ensuring that customers are met with a meaty,
hefty bite of chicken.
But it's not just the heft that makes Dave's Supermarket's fried chicken shine.
Its secret seasoning is also spot-on.
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or feeding a hungry crowd, Dave's Supermarket
has you covered.
With their efficient service and affordable prices, enjoying Dave's Supermarket's incredible
fried chicken is a breeze.
When it comes to grocery store fried chicken, there's one contender that stands head and
shoulders above the rest — Publix.
With its perfect balance of flavor and texture, Publix fried chicken has achieved an almost
cult-like following among foodies and fans alike.
One of the standout features of Publix's fried chicken is its crispy golden exterior.
The breading is light and airy, providing a satisfying crunch with each bite.
The chicken underneath is moist and flavorful, and each flavorful bite is a delight for the
palate.
"My friend, that is some excellent fried chicken."
The popularity of Publix in general is a testament to its excellence, and its fried chicken is
no exception.
From social media buzz to rave reviews online, Publix fried chicken has become a highly sought-after
item for foodies across the country.
One thing that stands out is Publix's commitment to consistency.
You won't find feathers, undercooked meat, or anything of the like in Publix fried chicken.
It's always double-hand breaded and is considered a staple item at all Publix locations.