Herron’s Country Fried Chicken Botanic

Better quality and value than KFC. They also do special offers. Worth a check out If you like fried chicken. #CFC

Never been more disgusted with a place in my life. Having gone into this establishment to purchase a meal at 23:20pm on 6^th December 2015 what unfolded after was appalling.
We have frequented this particular branch of Herron’s quite regularly since it opened and have only ever had one problem before. This however, was a different Kettle of Fish.
I had purchased the deal of the week which was the £5 Chicken Burger Meal. When I got it out to the car everything seemed fine the chips were OK, then came the chicken burger. I had asked the staff politely if they could cut the burger in half as it makes it easier to eat. When I opened it in the car it looked like it had been massacred. To top it off the taste was absolutely horrific, it was cold and hard and stale and tasted like chalk I actually could not wait to get it out of my mouth I had never tasted anything this bad.
So I decided to go back into the place to complain to the staff about the burger and what happened left me angry and disgusted. The female member of staff was who I approached first, I said hi I’m really sorry but this burger is freezing, hard, stale and tastes like chalk I couldn’t wait to get it out of my mouth. The male member of staff also got involved and I had to explain it again.
The burger was taken off me and I asked if I could have a fresh piece of chicken or a refund. They both disappeared round the back leaving me wondering what was going on. Eventually they both came back and the female member of staff informed me that because I had been in once before with a problem with the food that there was nothing they could do.
I asked again if I could get a refund or a replacement as they burger was clearly cold. The male member of staff once again interjected with a very noticeable smirk on his face, tried to call me a lier and said that I wouldn’t get either a refund or a replacement. He said if a burger is sitting ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes it’s going to get cold. So I asked if you know how long it has been sitting and that its cold why did you serve it?
I was then told to move to the side because they had customers to serve making me feel like I wasn’t just as important as any other customer. For a few minutes they continued to ignore me and serve other people, all the while making me angry. I had asked why they both had to go round the back when I brought the burger back and they said they both had to discuss it. I asked if there was a manager to which they both said there was not but that they were both Supervisors.
A little more time passed and I was still being ignored making me more angry and I again said can you let me speak to a manager. The female employee offered the information that she would have to call her manager so I said that is fine then I can speak to him and explain. Still nothing was happening they were ignoring me and serving other people.
I again asked to speak to the manager, at this stage the male employee told me he was a manager to which I said but you both told me that you were supervisors which is it? The male employee tried to blame me for the burger being cold by saying well if you leave it for ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes it will get cold to which my reply was I arrived in here at 23:20pm and I am now back to complain at 23:35 not at all ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes, to which he tried to argue that point with me.
I again asked what was going to happen in relation to the burger and the male employee told me to calm down there is no rush. I said no rush, I am happy to stand here until closing time to get a resolution. His reply was go away which he said while laughing at me. Unfortunately by this stage I was really angry at how I was being treated and raised my voice and swore a little as I do when I’m angry it’s not intentional or personal.
I then went out to the car to speak to my friend and when I went to go back into the restaurant they had locked me out. There were customers inside, while outside customers could not get in. I told them why they couldn’t get in and what had just unfolded and told them they should go elsewhere which is exactly what they done.
I then had to google a number for Herron’s because I was NOT going to be treated like that. Unfortunately I could not speak to anyone of senior rank or an owner due to the time of day. Eventually the male staff came to the door unlocked it and said what’s wrong aren’t you coming in? I told him I was on the phone to Herron’s and he handed me a refund. I just took it and walked away from the place.
I will be seeking a resolution to this from either Richard or Grace Herron and failing that a report to trading standards, Food Standards Agency will be happening because the 5 out of 5 rating they have on the door is worth nothing if the food quality is poor.
One thing I will say is I will NEVER set foot in Herron’s again and I will make sure anyone who listens knows of my experience here.
I wish I could give less stars but not possible.

Herrons Country Fried Chicken’s not my kind of place to begin with, so I’m probably immediately biased. It contains bright red, cheap looking plastic tables, chairs and wall decorations. It’s hideous to view, as well as sit in. Add to the mix loud, irritating music and you’ll get an idea of what it’s like. As a veggie it’s obviously not somewhere I would pick as first choice of a place to eat in. However I’d heard friends speak highly of the food so called in, more out of curiosity than anything else. Unfortunately Vegetarian options are extremely limited consisting of chips, cheese, coleslaw, side salad or a bap.
I opted for a cheese chip with a coleslaw side. It was ok, nothing great. The chips are more the frozen, highly processed kind rather than thick, traditional chip-​shop chips. The cheese was, well, just cheddar cheese and the coleslaw pretty average. All quite unspectacular. I’ll not be back.
Whoops I should have asked what the chips were cooked in before I ordered. I did on the way out and they are unfortunately cooked in the same oil the chickens are cooked in! So the vegetarian options are a salad bap and coleslaw! Definitely won’t be back…

I love Herron’s, I’d actually thank you more for this than a KFC. Its great chicken in good portions and really nice coating. Also the chips are good and they offer some great deals.
Best thing to order though is the chicken kebab on chips. A mountain of chips with sliced southern fried chicken breast on top, smothered in gravy and served with salad and coleslaw. It really is fast food heaven in a box.
This Herron’s is only newly opened a few months so its spotlessly clean and in a good location (Especially after a nights drinking on Botanic)
My one downer is the staff seems to change a lot as with most fast food places and they never seem particularly friendly. I know its a fast food place people but try to have a bit of customer service… At least you have a job, lots out there don’t!
Rant over, great wee place for a dirty big bit of chicken and chips. Yum!

Ordered a delivery and was quite disappointed with the portion size. Have been to Herrons before and got more grub for my buck when sitting in. What I will say though is that the food is lovely for something so simple. The chicken kebab on chip with gravy would be the recommendation.

This relatively new Herrons is a welcome addition to Botanic Avenue. It is obviously a popular spot for student’s in the Queen’s area, but is also great for anyone in the area. No longer do I have to travel to get some Herrons CFC! There is seating inside, or you can take away to eat at home or work. It serves all the usual Herrons food — pieces of chicken, chips, gravy, chicken burgers, chicken kebabs (chip covered in bits of boneless chicken and gravy, and salad), and does large family buckets too. If you’re a chicken lover you’ll love it. The staff do seem to get a little confused at times over orders, but I think this is because it is a new branch and they are still getting used to the job — this is likely to improve over time.