3 Texas Chains That Fail At Chicken Pot Pie & 3 That Serve It Just Like Grandma’s

Nothing warms my soul quite like a perfect chicken pot pie – that golden crust cracking open to reveal steaming chunks of chicken and vegetables swimming in rich, savory gravy.

Growing up in Texas, my grandmother’s chicken pot pie was legendary in our small town.

These days, when I’m craving that nostalgic comfort food but can’t whip it up myself, I’ve discovered that not all restaurant chains deliver the same magic.

Let me share which Texas chains serve up disappointment and which ones might just remind you of grandma’s kitchen.

1. Marie Callender’s: All Packaging, No Payoff

Last month, I stopped by Marie Callender’s after a long day of meetings, dreaming of that homestyle comfort only a good pot pie could provide. The presentation initially impressed me – a beautifully golden dome of pastry that promised so much.

Sadly, the first bite revealed the harsh truth. The filling had that unmistakable processed flavor, with chicken pieces that seemed more manufactured than carved from an actual bird. The vegetables maintained an oddly uniform texture that screamed ‘frozen food aisle.’

The gravy, which should be the soul of any pot pie, lacked depth and tasted overwhelmingly of salt rather than the rich chicken stock flavor that makes grandma’s version so memorable. Even the crust, despite its appealing appearance, was disappointingly tough rather than flaky.

2. Boston Market: The Soupy Situation

Remember when Boston Market was the go-to for rotisserie chicken? You’d think their pot pie would be amazing! Boy, was I wrong when I tried it during a rainstorm last winter, seeking something warm and comforting.

The biggest offense? That filling consistency. More soup than hearty pie filling, it practically flooded my plate the moment I broke through the crust. The chicken, while plentiful, swam aimlessly in a thin, under-seasoned broth that lacked the velvety richness essential to a proper pot pie.

Their crust suffers from the opposite problem of Marie Callender’s – it’s too soft and doughy, especially on the bottom, where it becomes a soggy mess. The vegetables seemed like an afterthought, neither fresh nor particularly flavorful.

3. Metro Diner: All Style, No Substance

The first time I visited Metro Diner, I nearly gasped when they brought out their chicken pot pie. Towering and impressive, it looked like something from a food magazine cover shoot. My excitement quickly faded with the first forkful.

Metro Diner’s pot pie commits the cardinal sin of skimping on the filling while going overboard on the pastry. The ratio is all wrong! While the crust puffs up beautifully, what lies beneath is disappointingly sparse – a few token pieces of chicken and minimal vegetables in a bland gravy that lacks homemade character.

The seasoning profile falls flat too, with none of the herbs and pepper notes that make a traditional pot pie sing. It’s as if they focused entirely on the Instagram-worthy appearance and forgot that taste matters most.

4. KFC: The Unexpected Comfort Food Champion

I’ll be honest – I laughed when my cousin suggested KFC for chicken pot pie. Fast food pot pie? Please! But after a long road trip through West Texas with limited options, I reluctantly gave it a try. The humble-looking pie arrived without fanfare.

That first bite? Pure shock. KFC somehow nails the fundamental elements that matter most. The gravy achieves that perfect consistency – thick enough to coat a spoon but not gloppy. Their signature chicken brings familiar, comforting flavors that remind me of Sunday dinners at grandma’s.

The vegetables maintain their identity without turning to mush, and the crust strikes that ideal balance between flaky and substantial. It’s not fancy or pretentious, but that’s exactly what makes it work. Sometimes the simplest approach yields the most authentic results.

5. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Homemade Heaven

Walking into Cheddar’s on a chilly evening last fall, the aroma of their chicken pot pie hit me before I even ordered. When it arrived at my table, I knew I was in for something special – the pie wasn’t overly styled or pretentious, just honest-to-goodness comfort food.

The magic of Cheddar’s version lies in their commitment to scratch cooking. The chicken tastes like it was actually roasted that day rather than defrosted. Their vegetable medley maintains distinct textures – carrots with a slight bite, tender celery, sweet peas that pop.

The crowning glory is their gravy – velvety smooth with hints of thyme and black pepper that could have come straight from my grandmother’s recipe box. The crust shatters perfectly with each forkful, creating that satisfying contrast of textures that defines a truly great pot pie.

6. Cracker Barrel: Time-Tested Tradition

Grandma always said good things take time, and Cracker Barrel seems to have taken this wisdom to heart with their chicken pot pie. During a family reunion in East Texas, we stopped at Cracker Barrel, and I impulsively ordered their pot pie instead of my usual breakfast-for-dinner.

What arrived was nostalgia on a plate. The filling achieves that perfect balance of chunky and creamy – substantial pieces of white and dark meat chicken surrounded by vegetables that maintain their integrity. Their gravy has that slow-simmered depth that can’t be rushed or faked.

The pastry deserves special mention – neither too thick nor too thin, with buttery layers that shatter delicately. There’s a subtle hint of herbs throughout that elevates the entire experience. Cracker Barrel understands that tradition exists for a reason, especially when it comes to comfort food classics.