Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits

Don’t ask why I would rate this place. I have been a fan of their chicken for years. It would be due to the spicy chicken and baskets w/​honey. Who can go wrong. Just found out they do monthly special… so make sure you check those out.

Can’t rate this place. I’m from the South n this place is not even in comparison with the Popeyes at home. It has no flavor at all. I will not be having anymore Popeyes until I get back to one heading home starting in Memphis and work my way down Hwy 61.

The chicken nuggets are the best ever. The biscuits are buttermilky and buttery. The fries are good when hot, like all fries. The other sides are just fair to rather pass. But what gives them the one star is service. Everytime I went they took 20 minutes to prepare my order and the girl there gives me attitude and smart ass remarks and gave me old fries one time on purpose. I watched her do it. After 3 rude incidents with the girl and the long waits, I don’t bother going anymore. Not worth putting me in a bad mood.

Ok, Blame me. I ordered Seafood at a chicken restaurant. But, the woman in the ads says it’s the best. Hooey. I ordered the ¼ pound shrimp and fish combo for $ 8.99. A small handful of tiny lukewarm popcorn shrimp and a small fish fillet — less than 2oz, I’d guess. Nothing like the bountiful plate of shrimp and two fish fillets in the display ad. I asked for extra tartar and the girl said I would have to go back in line (behind 8 people) and pay $.25. Forget it. If you want fast food shrimp or fish, for the same price you can get a quality product at Culvers.
Crappy food aside, the place was a mess. I understand at 12:30 they probably had a lunch rush but the floors were covered with food scraps and trash and many tables had not been wiped down. The Manager was walking around oblivious to the tables and floor and was concerned with washing fingerprints off the windows. Really makes me wonder how dirty the kitchen is.
While leaving, I attempted to assist a woman with a disability enter by opening the door. One half of the double doors was locked making it nearly impossible for someone in a wheel chair to enter or exit the building. I think this violates a City Fire code.
This place is a Drive By — not Drive Thru.

I know this is a high rating for a fast food chain, but I really like popeyes! I wish they are closer to my work place or where I live. Of course we go there for their fried chicken. They are by far the best, although I have heard of a place that recently open near West Towne that might give them a bang for their buck.
Being a typical fast food joint, the service you’d expect is also typical of fast food joints. All those times we were there I’d had friendly polite service. I was pretty lucky for that. We like our fried chicken spicy. We love the crispy breaded skin, and the juicy chicken, which is also tender and flavorful. I love popeyes fried chicken!
We haven’t had much luck with their sides though. Their fries and mashed potatoes are ok but we don’t usually order anything else after our first try. Their pricing for the regular menu is set high for fast food chains. Good thing is they almost always have one or more specials, we always go for that. You get so much more for your money that way =)
And now I don’t believe I just raved about fast food and fried chicken =)

With the recent demise of Melly Mel’s, I was on the prowl for a fried chicken option on Madison’s south side. Short of time, I decided to check out the Popeye’s on Fish Hatchery Road after glancing over Miss Joyce’s favorable review. While it won’t ever supplant Harold’s as my fave fried chicken joint, Popeye’s delivered a decent meal at a reasonable price.
I opted for the Blackened Chicken Box (chicken tenders, fries and a biscuit), which set me back a mere $ 3.99. I received nine tenders, with six being about the size of a quarter and three normal sized pieces. I enjoyed the seasoning, which supplied a hint of spiciness, but was not a fan of the overly chewy texture. While not freshly made, the fries offered a terrific exterior crunch and decent seasoning. The biscuit was small, salty and a little doughy — it could have used a condiment to spruce up the flavor.
Other observations and ramblings:
* The restaurant appears fairly well maintained with freshly painted walls. The tabletops were generally clean, but there was some debris on the floor. To the credit of the staff, they later came through the dining are and swept up the floors.
* The flat screen TV in the dining area beamed NFL Network programming to the patrons at a louder than usual volume level.
* The staff efficiently handled the steady stream of lunchtime customers. While the staff was not overly friendly, I felt they were courteous and kept wait times to a minimum.
* For completing their on-​line survey, Popeye’s offers a free two-​piece meal with a biscuit with the purchase of a soda.

Popeye’s is always legit. All you need to know is the 2-​piece dinner, spicy, dark meat, with either mashed potatoes or cajun fries. Way better than KFC, slightly better than Church’s. It’s particularly good after a few drinks.

Popeye’s really is the best fast food restaurant in Madison. They are surely better than 3 stars but I don’t give those out very easily.
Their chicken is typically served hot. While there have been times I’ve gotten take out from them and was given dry pieces of chicken, I have always been able to call of the GM (who’s been here since they first opened years ago), tell him my problem with my meal and would be ask to return to get a fresh batch without charge. They would even throw in extra biscuits for our troubles, however, I do not want to say that is the norm. This has only been a problem 2 – 3 times in my years of experiences dining with them.
Recently, they redecorated the interior. It looks fantastic. Very modern day feel that is inviting. Plenty of seating area, very clean including the bathrooms, and good young staff (from what I can tell). Because I am a very picky eater, I only order their chicken strips. I don’t like chicken with the skin and bone still attached. My strips are 100% white meat (bonus, don’t eat dark meat) and are extremely crispy. When you bite into them, you can hear the crunch! Whatever batter they use is excellent! Unlike their competitor who’s chicken is often very greasy and fatty, you can tell Popeye’s uses quality chicken and batter.
You’re offered a variety of side dishes such as their signature red beans and rice (be warned, it contains pork), mash potatoes and gravy (also has pork in the gravy), mac n cheese, cole slaw and seasoned fries. You also served a fresh warm biscuit. My goodness, their biscuits are so addicting! I have to contain myself whenever I dine at Popeyes because I could at a good 2 – 3 biscuits. There is not questions that they use a buttermilk dough. It makes the biscuits soft. They add butter on top of the biscuits once taken out of the oven. Perfection.
They stay busy which means, you’re going to get freshly made food since they must keep up with demand. I love this place. Also, Tuesday’s is half price chicken! Dark meat only (bummer).

I don’t know what happened to my previous review but here’s a snippet:
Service — hit or miss but in and out.
Food Quality — I order wraps and seafood so they have to be made to order which is fine by me. Same franchise flavor.
Cost: Popeye’s has always been overpriced and I’m a hometown girl — mean Al Copeland and I share the same hometown (he invented Popeye’s) so I lean towards Church’s Chicken for flavor and price. Alas, no Church’s here and closest is 100 miles away. DEALS ARE MAINTAINED AT THIS LOCATION THAT WOULD NEVER EVER EXIST IN THE SOUTH. HENCE: ½ chicken on Tuesday and Saturday — they would close the doors at home.
Décor: Jazzy and duplicated correctly. Makes me miss NOLA.
Drive-​Thru & Lot: pretty clean. Snow removal could be better.
Could have been a 4 star but all in all it’s a solid 3.5.
Sides are worthwhile from the flour battered onion rings to the biscuits.
They don’t serve breakfast at this location.
Hankering for catfish but don’t want to cook it … the pieces here are sufficient but BEWARE they are cut New England style.