Chicken Place

Had not been here for about 20 years. The chicken was very good and may be the best in southern Indiana. The German fries were fantastic as was the home made bread and what looked like and tasted like home canned green beans. What wasn’t so great was the booth seats which needed new springs twenty years ago. Be prepared for an all evening dining event. The kitchen is very slow and 2 out of 3 wait staff seriously need a course on how to do the job. I felt sorry for the retirement age waitress that was trying to keep it all going.

3 stars as a local family-​owned restaurant, would be higher if the chicken we had wasn’t so disappointing. As other reviews have said, for the place being such a hole in the wall I would have expected to not have to wait 30 minutes before ordering my food. Walked in (just me and hubby) and were not greeted, so we sat down at the table by the door that was empty. Got there early in the evening so it was not during a rush but they must’ve been anticipating being slower than that.. . understaffed? Ordered and I totally understand as I’m a longtime restaurant employee that sometimes things happen. Got fried chicken and it was edible enough though too dry and was overcooked. I ordered the dark meat because I like my chicken nice and juicy inside crunchy skin; sadly, this was not the case with mine. As other Unilocalers mentioned, the pace of my meal flow was seriously too long of a wait, though I enjoyed my salad before my meal and I liked the ranch. I like Grandy’s fried chicken a whole lot better and I don’t have to wait that long. German fries, however, were oh-​so-​yum! The underdog reigned supreme! Could’ve had a whole plate of German fries only and been satisfied. Hot wings were okay and average, nothing spectacular and I think there may be a place or 2 just down the road with way better wings. I may not return again but, if I do, now I know what to expect.

I have been eating here for two decades and my husband has for over three decades. I am sad to say tonight was the worst experience. The food was the same quality yet cold. The service was beyond horrible. We arrived at 5pm with open tables, but we’re told there were reservations. An hour and half later we were seated. We sat for another 20 minutes before drink orders were taken. Our table was told reservations are taken care of first. The waitress couldn’t seem to handle multiple task at one time. We watched as plates were brought to other tables one at a time. Not a single table (and we were there over 3 hours) received an entire meal all at once. One of the diners in our party of 5 was given ice cold potatoes. When she asked for warm ones she was told those just came off the stove. Drinks never refilled. Waitress was down right rude. I am sad to see this gem of a place tarnished by poor ownership and incompetent service staff. Someone rescue this beloved place.

As so many say, I reckon it’s the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. Great German potato salad to complement it. Friendly and efficient service. A special place that is worth a trip.

My 80+ year old mother and her friend were there a few weeks ago on a Saturday night and were disappointed. The chicken was very hard but the inside of one leg was undone. I didn’t know that was possible. The german potato salad was soggy and lacking any flavor. The only thing they could eat was the salad. They covered their plates with their napkin, paid the bill and left. A waste of money for two senior citizens.

I’ve been to the Chicken Place before but I didn’t have nearly the experience as the previous reviewers, however my experience was probably harshly skewed by the fact that we had to wait nearly an hour for our food! Pretty sure they had to go slaughter and dress the chicken out back prior to frying it! Not only that, but the waitress didn’t come to us to address the lengthy wait in any way, shape or form. She just ignored us for an hour until the food came out and then said «sorry for the wait» like it was no big deal. By the time we got our food we were so annoyed that I don’t even remember how it tasted. I’m sure the chicken is fantastic but I really have no recollection! I will make it a point to bookmark the place so that I’ll remember to try it again the next time I’m craving fried chicken, which isn’t too often since it’s on every wedding/​wake/​fair menu in the area.
I’ll be back Chicken Place, I’ll be back!

Every year, my family spends Thanksgiving in Jasper, IN – and one of the things that makes the trip even more special is an early dinner at the Chicken Place! We like to get there right when it opens at 3:30pm and spend an hour+ enjoying quite possibly the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.
The chicken is unbelievably moist, crisp and flavorful. I’ll get a ½ chicken order blended with a breast, wing, drum and thigh. Comes with 2 sides (love the German potato salad and real potato French fries) all for under $ 14. I can’t eat it all… but order extra to bring home ’cause I only get this little piece of heaven-​on-​a-​bone once a year!
They also serve ice cold beer in a glass the size of a fish bowl. Call it a «schooner». 20oz. The black and tan (Guinness ‘n Bass) in particular pairs well with anything served here :-)
Great place to bring the kids!

Reviewer Eric P is right on the money. That’s the perfect day. Actually any day that ends at the Chicken Place is a perfect day. I’m a Southerner by birth so I take my Fried Chicken seriously, and so does this place. It’s always crowded so try to get here early. And expect a bit of a wait because they fry their chicken the correct way (in an iron skillet rather than a deep fryer). As Alton Brown says your patience will be rewarded because the chicken is moist, flavorful, and crispy in all the right places. You’ll chortle the next time you pass by a KFC. The ambience is homey. Meals are accompanied with tasty local bread. And you can order your chicken a multitude of ways white, ½ dark etc. Even a la carte. I love an appendage meal (legs and wings). Livers and gizzards are even available if that’s your thing. 5 clucks for the Chicken Place.

So, here’s a perfect summer day:
Early morning rise and drive to Holiday World. Rides in the morning, water park from 11 – 5 with multiple trips around the lazy river.
After drying off and getting the water out of your ears, heading to Ireland, Indiana to dine at the Chicken place. Ordering a ½ chicken, german potato salad, and a schooner of beer.
The fried chicken is expertly cooked and flavorful from (I think) being brined. It’s so juicy that my breast piece, one of two, had a puddle forming underneath after one bite.
I saw this place on roadfood and a couple other places, but definitely a required stop if rolling through S. Indiana.