10 Chicken Chains Still Frying In Texas Despite Bad Reviews
Texas is famous for its love of fried chicken, and even when the reviews aren’t glowing, some chains keep those fryers sizzling.
Sometimes the crunch beats the critique, and locals just can’t get enough of that crispy, golden comfort.
Whether it’s nostalgia, bold flavors, or simply craving a quick bite, these chicken spots prove that popularity isn’t always about perfection but about satisfying a deep, crispy craving in the Lone Star State.
1. Church’s Texas Chicken
Born right here in San Antonio in 1952, Church’s has hometown advantage despite its rocky reputation.
Many Texans complain about inconsistent quality and greasy offerings that don’t measure up to competitors.
Yet the chain’s 70+ Texas locations keep drawing crowds with budget-friendly prices and those honey-butter biscuits that somehow make folks forget about the dry chicken.
Their survival strategy? Location, location, location – they’ve planted themselves in neighborhoods where chicken options are limited.
2. KFC
Colonel Sanders’ empire faces constant flak from Texans who claim the quality has nosedived faster than a chicken with clipped wings.
Complaints about stale sides and chicken that barely resembles the Colonel’s famous recipe flood review sites.
Nevertheless, KFC maintains over 400 Texas locations, banking on nostalgic bucket meals and occasional menu innovations.
Their secret weapon? Marketing muscle and those famous mashed potatoes that somehow taste exactly like childhood memories, even when everything else disappoints.
3. Golden Chick
Starting as Golden Fried Chicken in San Marcos back in 1967, this chain expanded across Texas despite customer grumbles about declining quality.
Regular complaints target inconsistent cooking and service that ranges from fantastic to forgettable depending on location.
Their loyal following stems from those addictive rolls that practically melt in your mouth.
Golden Chick’s survival technique involves aggressive local marketing and maintaining strong community ties in smaller Texas towns where they’re often the only chicken game in town.
4. Bush’s Chicken
Originating in Waco, Bush’s distinctive yellow buildings dot the Texas landscape despite mixed reviews.
Customers frequently mention the hit-or-miss quality of their tenders and occasional service hiccups that leave drive-thru lines stalled.
What keeps Texans coming back? Those legendary sweet tea and yeast rolls have achieved cult status. Bush’s thrives on its drive-thru model that appeals to busy families looking for quick meals.
Their Texas-only focus has created a sense of local pride that helps customers overlook the occasional dry chicken.
5. Hartz Chicken Buffet
Remember cafeteria-style dining? Hartz keeps the tradition alive despite reviews questioning food freshness and buffet maintenance.
Founded in Humble, Texas, this chain stubbornly maintains its all-you-can-eat model while competitors have moved on.
The secret to their survival lies in small-town loyalty and value-seeking customers who appreciate unlimited sides. Their business model targets budget-conscious diners looking for quantity over quality.
When I visited their Livingston location, the livers and gizzards section had a dedicated fan club of senior regulars who showed up like clockwork.
6. Wings N’ More
College Station’s homegrown wing joint expanded across Texas despite wildly inconsistent reviews.
Sports fans pack locations during game days while simultaneously blasting their soggy wings and glacial service speeds on review sites.
The chain’s saving grace? A sauce lineup that ranges from mildly interesting to “call the fire department.”
Their business strategy cleverly targets college towns and sports-centric neighborhoods where atmosphere trumps culinary precision. When Texas A&M wins, nobody seems to notice if their wings arrived lukewarm.
7. Wingstop
Founded in Garland, Wingstop’s nationwide success hasn’t stopped Texans from criticizing their shrinking wing sizes and occasionally chaotic service.
Regular complaints target orders missing items and astronomical delivery fees that leave customers feeling plucked.
How do they keep flying high? Those addictive fries seasoned with crack—er, I mean proprietary spices—create return customers despite wing disappointments.
Their strategic locations near college campuses and late-night hours cater perfectly to the “it’s 11 PM and I need chicken” crowd that forms their core customer base.
8. Slim Chickens
Arkansas-born but Texas-expanding, Slim Chickens draws mixed reactions from Lone Star chicken connoisseurs.
The chain’s rapid growth has led to consistency issues that plague review sites with complaints about undercooked tenders and painfully slow service.
Their salvation comes in liquid form—seventeen different dipping sauces that transform even mediocre chicken into an acceptable delivery vehicle for cayenne honey or sriracha garlic.
The sleek, modern interiors attract younger customers willing to give second chances. Their jarred desserts also create Instagram moments that generate social media buzz despite dining disappointments.
9. Chicken Express
Weatherford’s own Chicken Express expanded across Texas with a straightforward menu that somehow generates complicated customer feelings.
Frequent complaints target oil that seems unchanged since the Bush administration and sweet tea that could double as pancake syrup.
Their secret weapon? Serendipitous placement near high schools where hungry teens with limited options flock after classes.
Those fried okra baskets also inspire irrational loyalty among Texans who’ll forgive almost anything for properly fried vegetables.
10. Zaxby’s
Georgia-born Zaxby’s invaded Texas with big promises but earned mixed reviews from particular Texans.
Complaints frequently target prices that seem airlifted from Manhattan and chicken that doesn’t justify the premium positioning.
Their Texas survival strategy relies on Zalads and Zappetizers that differentiate them from basic chicken joints.
The chain’s cult-favorite Zax Sauce creates return customers who will endure mediocre tenders just for another fix.
When I mentioned Zaxby’s to a Houston friend, he said, “Their chicken is just the delivery system for their sauce,” which might be their unofficial business model.