Bill’s Chicken

Friendly service, good chicken, but they were out of fries. Really? How can a chicken place be out of fries? I guess people eat mashed potatoes with their fried chicken, but not me. This is an Altadena institution that was recommended to me by my foodie step-​brother. I tried it twice, and they do have good chicken, but I wasn’t sufficiently enamored to go back. My bar is high for good fried chicken, as I used to go to Ezell’s in Seattle, which is the most phenomenal fried chicken I’ve ever had.
Ambience is not their strong point, so it’s pretty much a take-​out place. Maybe call ahead to place an order /​check what they’re out of.

To be honest I LOVE Bills Chicken !! Hands down their chicken is way BETTER than roscoes Hahaa I think roscoes has dry chicken yuck

Their chicken is cooked perfectly. The skin is crispy, the meat is moist. but it’s bland. I had the mac and cheese, which needs some flavor and I had the cabbage. it’s grey, mushy and not much to like about it. Maybe it was an off day when I went, because the reviews rave about the sides. I was disappointed. The lady at the register was absolutely nice and the service was quick.

Not as tasty or as Crispy as the Original Bill’s was but still decent. I’d take Popeyes Spicy over Bills chicken any day. Biggest problem is they are always out of something. Sides, chicken, Jamaican patties… ALWAYS. So often times you end up settling for something u didn’t really want. Don’t get the candied yams, taste like they are straight out of the can.
Another major problem is hours. They are not always open during the hours listed. I’ve gone on multiple occasions during listed business hours only to find doors locked and business empty.

I fear for Bill’s Chicken.
Every time I’ve gone, the bathroom has an «out of order» sign up. Their debit machine isn’t working, and they’re out of half of the soda flavors in the machine. Now I’m probably talking out of my @ss but that sounds to me like a managerial or cashflow problem that could spell the end for this little restaurant.
That would be a damned shame, because everything I’ve eaten there has been GREAT. The chicken is fantastic. Beef ribs, maybe the best in the area. Mac & Cheese, cabbage, they’re on point. I really liked the little Jamaican Jerk Chicken turnovers. Multiple stops to Bill’s and I’ve been nothing less than satisfied with each meal.
So I sincerely hope they work out the kinks in operating a restaurant, as I’d hate to see food this good disappear.

My Asian friend was craving Soul food randomly and we made our way here.
Yes…random!
I was impressed with the service given to us, and the workers gave us samples of everything.
They have buffets on Fridays that are highly recommended that I want to check out.
The food was delicious and authentic.

I should’ve known better than to eat here. The place looked sketchy and unkept. I attached a diagnosis by the hospital I went to last night after eating here. If you read my picture closely, it’s a diagnosis of food poisoning. I don’t understand all the glowing reviews.

Not in the best area of town but we decided to «give it a try». Chicken was good. LIght on crust, not oily. Sides are good but not amazing or have a bonus on them. This is stuff you would have made at home and done it right. Personally I would have liked one of those lux versions of baked beans, potato salad, green beans, etc etc. I’d say this is pretty close to Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood. Better than Rosoe’s and KFC (they use too much batter). IMHO, broasted chicken at Chicken Box is a little better but that’s just me.

I saw this unassuming restaurant and I wasn’t sure if it was the place that I had bookmarked. The name sounds simple enough and Bill’s doesnt look too fancy, but it was easily one of the best values I’ve ever had.
I went on a Friday and me and a friend prompted to go with the buffet that they have on Fridays only. There wasn’t much of a selection, but what they did have was all tastastic. The fried chicken was unlimited, piping hot, and flavorful. The ox tail was juicy and well marinated. The jerk chicken had me feeling nothing like a jerk. The sides of rice, beans, and spicy cabbage were all delicious as well. There was also mac and cheese which was a little cold, but we came 15 minutes before they were closing. The buffet was $ 11 before tax I believe and for dinner this is an excellent price for the quality. The server dished out some of the ox tail juice over the rice. He knows what the fatties like.
We were the last people in the restaurant, other than the workers and their friends, and we were given 2 huge beef ribs. The meat fell right off the bones and there was a great flavorful sauce. The free ribs were a great capper for an excellent meal. I would definitely come here again to get the buffet again and fill myself up.
Go on a Friday, bring some cash (important), and get ready to grub so much you’ll want to slap yo mama.
Disclaimer: Do not really slap yo mama. You will regret it.

The first time I came they served me fresh fried chicken and fries. It was great. Best I ever had. The second they sold me only what was out of the case, as well as the third and fourth time. Now I understand if you’re 30 minutes to closing and you don’t want to restart the fryers but I came at 2 in the afternoon and they would only sell what was on the warming rack. I really like supporting small businesses but I can’t keep paying full price for leftovers. Might as well go to a grocery store and get fried chicken at the deli. Time to look for a new fried chicken place.

Whoever heard of giving 4 stars to a restaurant because of cabbage? Well, my friend and I both agreed we should. O U T S T A N D I N G, some of the best cabbage I’ve ever had, and almost as good as my mother’s. My friend and I lucked out going to Bill’s Chicken late in the afternoon because the steam table was getting low and as a result they ended up cooking the cabbage fresh in the back, and also the same for some of the chicken. Chicken has a light seasoned flour coating and, coming fresh out of the back kitchen’s hot grease, was burn-​your-​tongue-​hot and juicy, really great. The beef ribs, not cheap, were nicely flavored but didn’t have a lot of meat on them. As for the mac ‘n cheese … well, all I can say is, «Where’s the cheese?»!!! But bottom line, we’ve been back since for more of the chicken and cabbage, and one time my friend went JUST for the cabbage :)
What we’re excited about trying is their Jamaican Friday evening because the owner is authentic all the way and we’re guessing it’s going to be fabulous. On our Try Soon list.

The signage is poor and the place is hard to find. If you’re coming down Lincoln from the 210, make a right on Acacia (after you pass the 24 Hour Fitness). Turn into the parking lot on your left that has a market and Panda Express. Bill’s is right next to the Panda Express, the sign is small so you need to look for it.
The place is cash only! Ordered a dinner plate (4 pieces of chicken, 2 sides and a corn bread muffin). Knew we wanted the mac and cheese and the gentleman behind the counter recommended the cabbage. He was really nice and patient with us, he even asked how the food was later on.
We stayed there to eat. The chicken was tender and tasty. The breading was not heavy, just enough to give you flavor and make it crispy. I was wowed by the mac and cheese, it was good, so maybe it was an old batch. The cabbage was tasty. This is why you listen to the people who work there.
I was full, but wanted to try everything else on their menu. So, guess that means I’ll be back. They do have breakfast including biscuits and gravy.

Tender chicken, flavorful and salty skin. Had the cabbage which was very tasty. Looking forward to trying the greens! They didn’t have any when I was there.
Better than KFC or Pop-​eyes. It’s slim pickin’s over here in Pasadena.

Decided to try out this place for lunch today, simply because I am a sucker for southern food! I hands down agree with another reviewer that this place servers better fried chicken then Roscoe’s. I got the lunch special which comes with 2 pieces of chicken (I got 3 somehow), 2 choices of sides and a corn bread muffin. The chicken wasn’t greasy at all, it was very moist and it had the perfect amount of seasoning and salt. The mac n cheese was as good as my homemade mac n cheese (which is not easily comparable). The yams were simply delicious and definitely homemade, the corn bread muffin wasn’t over sweet like some places make it. I will definitely be back to try other things on the menu!

YUMM-​O! We tried this place last night and got the sample dinner that had a little of everything (fried chicken, ribs –pork, and a hot link). We also got the jerk-​chicken pie. DAAAAAAAANG good! The jerk chicken pie was insane good. It was spicy and flavorful and just a delight! My 2 year old ate the two fried chicken pieces herself… much to my disappointment as I really wanted to eat them — but I must say, THANKS for getting my 2 year old to eat meat! haha. The total was around 17 bucks for everything, fed the 4 of us (2 adults, a 2 year old and 1 year old). My husband said the guy who served him was SUPER friendly as well. I would have given 5 stars if the portions on the sides were a little bigger. I really enjoyed the baked beans, but they were not quite as wonderful as everyone had said… maybe an older batch.
We have been back a few times now, and it seems… which makes sense I guess… that the fried chicken is AMAZING when its a new hot batch, but as it sits, it loses some of its yummy tummy — ness. 100% support this local taste of YUM!
(also this review was originally written in 6/​11, somehow I forgot to post it till now… oh the horror!)

After deciding against Roscoe’s due to the unbelievably long wait, I found this great little Southern fried chicken and BBQ joint and am SO FREAKIN’ GLAD I took a chance.
Bill’s Chicken is a tiny, locally-​owned, Chicken and BBQ joint with all the fixins’. The family who runs the place is so accommodating and friendly and Bill’s is extremely well priced for the quality of food. Two of us ate for $ 20.
Meal included:
2 pieces of fried chicken — breast
4 BBQ pork ribs
Mac n’ cheese
Baked beans
Corn bread
The chicken was FABULOUS. It was crispy and juicy. Two imperative details for quality fried chicken. The ribs were SLAP YO MOM GOOD! I can be a little «turned-​off» by ribs, as I was a vegetarian for 2 years, so it seems a little «ogre-​ish» to me, but these practically fell off the bone — sweet, tender and fresh. The mac n’ cheese was ok but I’d probably try something new next time, on the other hand, the baked beans were cooked to perfection. There were pieces of BBQ brisket in almost every bite.
I would recommend Bill’s Chicken to anyone who wanted quick but quality Southern fixins’.

I had a fried chicken combo here that I brought home for dinner. Sides were mac & cheese, cooked cabbage, and cornbread– everything was delicious. I had to cut myself off at a certain point and save the rest for another meal.
The guy behind the counter was very friendly and there were a couple guys hanging out ribbing each other about their respective favorite basketball teams.
Everything about the place makes me want to come back for another visit and try a number of other things on the menu, such as the Jamaican dishes that so many people have already mentioned.
Tip: parking in the lot is *very* tight, but there are a few reserved spaces for customers that have been open whenever I’ve driven by.

I don’t see the hype at all with this place. It’s right next to my gym 24fitness, so I thought I’d offset my health streak with some junk food afterwards, but def wasn’t worth it. lol
I got 8 piece chicken for like 10 $ (overpriced) and got some pieces thrown in a white lunch bag… that got drenched in grease by the time i got home.
chicken was old, dry and really tough. had me wishin id gotten some kfc.
def doesnt even compare to roscoes, dinahs, or even kfc. SUPER dissapointed that I wasted a life shortening meal on something that didnt even taste good (and let’s be real, its not that hard to make fried food, esp chicken taste good!).
Even if this was a one off (3 PM on a friday) i think its unacceptable.

Move over Roscoe’s — Bill is in the house!
I have had Roscoe’s, Lo-Lo’s chicken and waffles in Phoenix, and they do not even begin to compare to Bill’s. Lets start with the chicken — even the breast’s are so juicy that they melt in your mouth, and lets not forget about the mac and cheese. Most real mac n cheese tends to coagulate a bit as it sits but not at Bill’s.
On top of the amazing food, Bill (or at least the man I presume to be Bill) was super friendly, and seemed like a legitimate good guy. Go support this local business!

Let’s start off with the important stuff 1^st…
Fried Chicken: Good
BBQ & Jamaican Food: Great
Service: Exceptional
Price: Very Reasonable
Had my first taste of Bill’s and I am hooked! The menu is a little confusing so ask at the counter for recommendations and explanations. Dude behind the counter was more than happy to break down the menu and offer options so that you get what you want.
Since they serve essentially 3 different food types here (BBQ, Soul Food, and Jamaican) I got a sample of each type all for about $ 10.
I have been looking for the past year for a good, local Jamaican restaurant and Bill’s is officially it. The BBQ is a plus cause I can order each piece a la cart for a very good price and don’t have to order in bulk like other BBQ joints.
The only downer would be the fried chicken. Not that its bad but the BBQ and Jamaican food outshine the fried chicken by far but unlike other fast food fried chicken franchises (try saying that 5 times fast), you can buy a chicken breast with spending a wing and a leg!
Oh by the way if you go for the 1^st time you might wanna mention that it is your 1^st time and you might be pleasantly surprised with your order. No guarantees on this, just sayin’…