Texans love their fried chicken with a passion that defies logic – and sometimes, taste buds too. Across the Lone Star State, certain chicken joints consistently earn terrible reviews yet somehow maintain devoted followings. These establishments might serve up disappointment alongside their drumsticks, but that doesn’t stop locals from coming back time after time.
1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
The orange-and-red signs beckon hungry Texans from highways statewide, despite Popeyes consistently ranking as Texas’ worst-rated chicken chain according to consumer maps. The chicken often arrives lukewarm after painfully long drive-thru waits that have become legendary.
Yet something about those spicy Cajun seasonings keeps drawing folks back. Maybe it’s the crispy, craggly crust or those oddly addictive biscuits that somehow manage to be simultaneously moist and desert-dry.
Employees regularly share horror stories about kitchen conditions, but when that chicken craving hits at 10 PM, principles fly out the window faster than you can say “mild or spicy?”
2. KFC
Colonel Sanders might be spinning in his grave. KFC has plummeted from fried chicken royalty to the embarrassing title of America’s worst-rated food chain, scoring a measly 2.89/5 on TripAdvisor reviews.
Texas locations frequently appear on “worst customer experiences” lists, with complaints about greasy, pale chicken that bears little resemblance to the glossy photos above the counter. The famous 11 herbs and spices now seem more myth than reality.
Still, when Sunday dinner rolls around, Texans inexplicably find themselves picking up those iconic red-striped buckets. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or perhaps just the convenience of drive-thru comfort food.
3. Church’s Texas Chicken
Born in San Antonio back in 1952, Church’s carries the state’s name proudly while collecting mediocre 2.5-star reviews nationwide. The chain that once represented Texas pride now struggles with consistency issues that would make a pitmaster weep.
Regulars complain about hit-or-miss quality – sometimes the chicken’s juicy perfection, other visits it’s a grease-soaked disappointment. The honey-butter biscuits remain the saving grace that keeps Texans coming back.
Despite fierce competition from newcomers, Church’s holds a special place in Texas hearts. Many customers grew up with these flavors and continue the tradition even when the chicken doesn’t live up to childhood memories.
4. Bush’s Chicken
Drive through central Texas and you’ll spot Bush’s distinctive yellow signs dotting small towns. This Texas-only chain averages a lukewarm 2.7/5 on Yelp, with reviewers using words like “slimy” and “gummy” to describe their chicken experiences.
Founded in Waco, Bush’s built its reputation on massive portions rather than culinary excellence. The sweet tea comes in gallon-sized containers that could hydrate a football team, while the chicken arrives in portions that would make a cardiologist nervous.
Local loyalty runs deep despite the mediocre ratings. When Texans crave no-frills, unpretentious chicken with a side of small-town charm, they’ll brave the inconsistent quality for a taste of home.
5. Golden Chick
Golden Chick originated in San Marcos back in 1967 but hasn’t exactly evolved with the times. Food critics consistently flag this chain for chicken that’s either bland enough to put taste buds to sleep or so greasy it could lubricate a tractor engine.
The sides tell a different story – those rolls could start a religion, and the fried okra maintains a cult following. Texans will endure subpar chicken just to get their hands on these legendary accompaniments.
With over 200 locations across the state, Golden Chick benefits from ubiquity rather than quality. When hunger strikes in small-town Texas, those familiar golden signs offer comfort, even if regret follows shortly after the last bite.
6. Grandy’s
Grandy’s stands as a relic of Texas fast-food history, with most locations now shuttered. The few remaining outposts cling to existence despite reviews that would make most restaurant owners change careers.
Old-timers remember when Grandy’s weekday buffet was the highlight of small-town dining. The chicken-fried steak overshadowed their actual fried chicken, which often arrived with a peculiar aftertaste that regulars simply accepted as part of the experience.
Nostalgia powers this chain’s survival more than culinary merit. When Texans spot one of the rare remaining Grandy’s, they’ll stop in – not for exceptional food, but to relive memories of family dinners from decades past.
7. Bojangles’
Bojangles’ made its Texas expansion with grand promises of Southern-style chicken that would revolutionize fast food. Reality fell spectacularly short of expectations. The dry, over-seasoned chicken arrives looking like it spent too long under heat lamps – because it usually has.
The biscuits earn grudging respect, but everything else ranges from forgettable to regrettable. Drive-thru orders frequently arrive with missing items, cold sides, or chicken that’s somehow simultaneously overcooked and undercooked.
Yet on Sunday mornings, Texans line up anyway. Something about those buttermilk biscuits and sweet tea creates a strange amnesia about previous disappointing visits, perpetuating a cycle of hope and letdown that defines the Bojangles’ experience.
