This Alabama Counter Service Joint Is Where Crispy Fried Chicken Wins
On Forest Avenue in Luverne, Alabama, The Chicken Shack has built its reputation around one irresistible promise: fried chicken served fresh, hot, and full of crunch. The modest storefront stays busy all week, with cars crowding the lot and a steady line of regulars moving toward the counter.
Plates land heavy with bone-in chicken and a rotation of Southern sides, mac and cheese, collards, cornbread, that make the meal feel whole. I stopped in for lunch and found the atmosphere as welcoming as the food, with staff quick to smile and portions leaving no one hungry.
What sets this place apart is its consistency: every bite of chicken comes juicy inside, crisp outside, and exactly worth the trip.
Crispy Bone-In Fried Chicken, Hot And Juicy
The first thing you notice is the sound: skin shattering as your teeth break through. Juices spill onto the plate, carrying seasoning that clings to every bite. The vibe is bold, unapologetic comfort.
This fried chicken has earned praise far beyond Luverne, with Tripadvisor reviews repeating the same two words: crispy and juicy. That balance is what keeps people driving miles out of their way.
I ordered dark meat and found myself slowing down between bites. Each piece felt like a small victory in flavor and crunch.
Winner Of Bama’s Best Fried Chicken, 2018
A blue ribbon moment came in 2018, when the Alabama Farmers Federation crowned the Chicken Shack with the title of Bama’s Best Fried Chicken. That recognition still echoes.
The win wasn’t just about reputation, it put a small-town storefront on the state map and drew fried chicken seekers from every corner of Alabama.
Mention the award when ordering. Staff smile knowingly, and it makes the experience feel like you’re part of a running story that’s still unfolding.
Small-Town Storefront Along Forest Ave Chicken Shack
The building is modest, brick walls, bold signage, and a steady stream of customers ducking in and out. From the street, it looks like a snapshot of small-town Alabama.
That storefront has been a landmark in Luverne for decades, serving both locals and travelers making the 331 run toward the Gulf. Its simplicity is part of its charm.
Standing inside near the window, I caught sight of the parking lot filling up. The movement outside mirrored the rhythm inside: constant, quick, and full of appetite.
Lunch And Dinner, Seven Days A Week
The sign on the door is reassuring: open daily, serving both lunch and dinner. The vibe is dependable, the kind of rhythm that builds loyalty over time.
Hours run from 10 a.m. through evening, with slightly later closings on weekends. This schedule makes the Chicken Shack a rare small-town spot you can count on every day.
Plan a weekday lunch visit if you want the calmest experience. The steady hum is friendlier than the weekend rush, when the lot overflows.
Quick Lines At Peak Meal Times
The clatter of trays and fast shuffling feet fill the air as the line snakes toward the counter. It’s energetic without being frantic, a choreography that regulars seem to know by heart.
Long lines are a badge of honor here. Tripadvisor reviewers often mention how swiftly staff move orders, keeping the wait surprisingly short despite heavy demand.
I joined the crowd once during peak dinner, and the line felt almost festive. Strangers traded comments, and by the time food arrived, the wait seemed worth it.
Plate Specials With Southern Sides
Platters arrive stacked with mains like fried chicken or ribs, surrounded by sides that could stand alone, mac and cheese, slaw, cornbread, and green beans. The plates brim with color and comfort.
Serving meat-and-sides combinations has long been a Southern staple, and the Shack leans into that tradition with rotating specials and portions generous enough to share.
Mix and match sides rather than repeating favorites. The variety here is half the joy, and one unexpected pairing can shift the entire feel of the plate.
Takeout Ready Via Online Ordering
The glow of phone screens is a new part of the scene, customers scrolling menus, tapping choices, and arriving to grab brown bags waiting on the counter. The vibe is brisk and modern.
Online ordering through Chownow streamlined the Shack’s classic setup, making it easy for locals to secure dinner without stepping into the line.
If you’re on the road, place your order before reaching Luverne. Picking up hot fried chicken without a wait makes highway travel a whole lot tastier.
Budget-Friendly Pricing Noted By Diners
Reviews consistently highlight the value, heaping plates priced so low they surprise newcomers. The sensory reaction is always the same: full bellies, lighter wallets.
Pricing like this connects to the Shack’s long role as a community stop, feeding families and road trippers without straining budgets. Affordable plates have been central since the doors first opened.
I ordered a two-piece plate once and couldn’t believe how far a few dollars stretched. It felt like an old-fashioned promise: good food doesn’t need to be expensive.
Big Parking Lot Right Out Front
The lot stretches wide, rows of cars angled neatly toward the entrance. The view signals something important: accessibility and ease for families pulling in hungry.
Having ample parking has been part of the Shack’s draw for years. On roadways where small-town stops often lack space, this lot makes arrival and departure stress-free.
During peak hours, park closer to the exit. It saves time when the lot fills and gives a quicker jump back onto 331 after your meal.
Address: 665 Forest Ave, Luverne, AL 36049
The numbers are printed clearly on the sign and menus: 665 Forest Avenue, Luverne. It ties the Shack firmly to its town, a fixed point for both locals and travelers.
Being easy to find matters. Right off the highway, the address has become synonymous with fried chicken stops on beach-bound routes.
I scribbled the number down once while mapping a trip, and seeing it again later brought a smile. That single line of text was enough to stir appetite.
Phone: 334-335-6566 On The Site Header
The number sits right at the top of the Shack’s website, easy to spot and dial. It matches the straightforward spirit of the place, no extra steps, just direct contact.
Call-in orders have been part of the rhythm for years, especially in a town where regulars know exactly what they want before they arrive.
Tip: use the phone line if you’re ordering for a group. It speeds things up and ensures your box of chicken is ready when you walk in.
Hours Posted: Mon–Thu 10–9, Fri–Sat 10–10, Sun 10–9
The schedule offers a full week of access, opening doors early for lunch and stretching well into evening. The vibe is reassuring, this isn’t a place that leaves you guessing.
Those long hours reflect the Shack’s role as both community stop and traveler’s pause. Regular service every day keeps it firmly embedded in Luverne’s daily life.
I dropped in on a Sunday around noon, and the steady stream of families confirmed how those dependable hours anchor weekend routines.