Walmart. I love shopping online at Walmart, but we stopped buying their deli fried chicken 15 years ago. Before that it was great. Publix is my go to for spicy chicken and Winn Dixie for regular chicken. When I host poker I go to both because not everyone wants one or another. Shalom
Shocked you didn't do Kroger, not that I'm raving about their fried chicken. One of the chains they bought in Kansas, known as Dillons, had pretty decent fried chicken up until recently when they greatly changed their breading and I have to say it is not as tasty though it is crunchier and a little more juicy than before. Most people don't like the change though.
Publix is an excellent grocery store. I attribute that to Publix still being privately owned by the founding family. They take pride in there business, brand, and reputation.
I love shopping at Publix, they are the best for quality and service but their prices are kinda up there to. I’m just sad I can’t do all my shopping there instead of the few specialty items (fried chicken and their subs to name a couple). The store is always clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. Can truthfully say i have never had a bad experience at Publix.
Publix fried chicken is nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, their grocery prices are stomach churning. Example: Hellman's 30 oz. Mayo - $8.63. Walmart? $5.48. I used 3 more items as an example about a month ago, and I would have spent 35% more at Publix for the same grocery items at just about any grocer here in Florida. I used Vigo Greek Peppers, Tide Detergent and Lee & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce for my price test in late October, 2023.
I haven't had Wal Mart's fried chicken since the pandemic, but when I did, it was flavorful and cooked properly. Their rotisserie whole chicken is quite good. I've always sworn by Albertson's fried chicken dark.
As a Walmart deli/bakery lead I will say this. It depends on who's cooking and if they're following guidelines. I've had bad, dry and season unbalanced chicken from places like Popeyes and KFC. Doesn't mean it's bad at all locations.
@@thug-21 I think we're all aware that you can't have 100% consistent quality when it comes to cooked deli products across the store population or even a single store, but I get a pretty evenly good roti chicken at my WalMart. On the other hand, my favorite, Albertson's, had a really bad day a couple of months ago on my order of fried chicken. Several pieces were unbelievably salty. I stopped buying Kroger's whole chickens because they are always under-seasoned.
@bp-lw9hm I've never eaten Albertsons but I've heard from multiple ppl that they have the best chicken. Definitely gonna try once I'm in a state with an Albertsons
Publix also makes great subs or sandwiches. You can take any meat (and veggies too) found in the deli or anywhere in the store, pick your bread from the bakery or anywhere in the store and they will make it for you. Not to mention the great selections at the sandwich counter, including the best fried chicken tenders anywhere.
@@75aces97 I live in Philly and ACME has great fried chicken. In fact, every week, they have a special called " cheep chicken Monday's". ShopRite has great hot food, especially their fried fish.👍😋
@@gasoline3597One I am aware of that situation. Secondly they can't take all of it or any of it literally because of the anti monopoly laws in place. I worked for Safeway when Albertson took a majority of it but because of the law they ended up breaking up some Albertsons and giving control and name changes to smaller grocery chains or owners. Right now they are being told no because two groceries are under control of the same owner Albertson and Safeway so if Kroger who has Qfc and Fred Meyers, etc gets control of the other mentioned grocery stores it will be a monopoly.
I live in Delaware. There is an employee owned grocery store called Redner’s. I believe it started in Pennsylvania. They have the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. My father will be 93 next month and he raves about the chicken every time I get it for supper. It is super crispy and moist. There is a line at the deli no matter the hour. You can hear the people in back of the line shouting “leave some chicken for me”!
Publix has really good chicken. I actually prefer Ingles fried chicken though. I live in Asheville and we have both here. I do not even bother with the chains. I go to Ingles if I want fried chicken.
The best fried chicken I've had was by a local grocery store and people would be lined up to get it. Moved from there to NW Arkansas, the chicken production capital of the US and... not only is fried chicken three times as expensive I can't find good fried chicken for love or money.
I'm from Central Arkansas ( Little Rock ) and our Krogers has some of the best fried and baked chicken there is...Our Walmart has the best ranch fried chicken
I haven't eaten grocery store fried chicken since I was a tween. On my 12th birthday my mom got some from Fredmeyers. The drumsticks had big feathers still stuck to them under the batter. I'm still grossed out and I'm 45 now.
When I was a boy, it was common to buy chicken in a grocery store that had some feathers still on it(uncooked). The common practice was to pull them out at home before cooking them.
I never heard of most of these supermarkets. Food Lion is inconsistent from store to store. Some are just awful, others are tolerable. Even at their best Food Lion is never on the level of the fried chicken at Harris teeter or Stop n Shop.
man, Harris Teeter use to have a really good hot bar along with the chicken, they have fallen off since the pandemic and they charge too much for what they offer now. I agree wit Food Lion although I've had more good than bad chicken especially if you get it fresh. What funny is that Food Lion and Stop n Shop are owned by the same company
Sometimes Publix slightly undercooks the large fried chicken pieces. Lots of pink at the bone. Otherwise I use them mostly for produce, as it's easy to overpay there by up to 50%.
I disagree that Heinen's is in the worst group. We have bought it several times at different locations in metro Cleveland & it's always been crispy on the outside, moist inside & they fry the chicken throughout the day so that it's fresh.
@@annecollins1741 😂😂 🙌🏿 yes ! The only thing I get from Walmart is the can goods & not their brand lol Walmart is so nasty anything that comes from this company is below sea level lol 😂
Walmart chicken is really hit or miss. One day it's crispy and juicy and seasoned well, another day it's crispy but dry, another day it's mostly batter and little chicken and unseasoned. They'd do well to quality control before they send it out to stores.
One small regional grocery chain in VA/NC is Food Lion. I cant speak for all locations but the one in my town is AWESOME. I buy 2 mixed 8 piece packs a week. One to share with the family and one for myself to eat off 1-2 days.
All of those stores with really bad fried chicken need to take heed and greatly improve the quality of their product before people could wind up sick. 🥺😫🍗
When I lived in a rural area in Texas, my choice of grocery stores was Walmart or Brookshire Bros. Most went to Walmart because cheaper. Well, it does not take a genius to realize that with low prices comes low quality. So I shopped at Brookshire. And yes, of all the store fried chicken I've had, indeed any fried chicken close to there at all, Brookshire Bros was best. There was a running joke cause they were the "best in town" because of being the only one in town but yes, some restaurants had fried chicken but the stuff in that store was better.
Walmart here sells for $5.00 a bird. Its pink because when temped, its at 165° in the thickest part of ckn. I would just season it, then place in the preheated oven for 15 min or so. 🤷🏿
DANG! We don't have any of the "good chicken" stores in our area except one - Publix - but hey, I am glad they are ranked #1. I will have to check their fried chicken out! There is a little hole in the wall in Winston-Salem called the "One Stop" and they have the best chicken and taters in the world! Yummy!
Giant Eagle in our area has the best store brand fried chicken that I've ever had. I despise Giant Eagle, but will go out of my way to get their fried chicken.
The Walmart here in Monticello, NY stopped selling Fried chicken. The Rotisserie Chicken comes in cooked and is heated. They still have the oven, they just don't use it anymore. The Hot Bar is managed by the same Associate who runs the Deli so if you want something from either counter, you're likely going to have to wait. Shoprite has 8 equal pieces for $10. It's good. We have both a Popeye's and KFC across the street from each other and in walking distance but I won't pay what they charge these days. An 8pc meal is around $35. I can buy instant potatoes for a buck, gravy fro 39 cents Chicken for $10, skip the Coleslaw (the only thing I miss) and the biscuits. Save myself $19. KFC won't even post their menu prices anymore, nothing is really ala carte.
Haven't had much chicken from Walmart, but the times i had it was fine. One time was dry, like it had been under the heat lamp too long but otherwise fine. A chain with as many locations as Walmart is likely inconsistent from one store to another.
Heinens fried chicken is good it just doesnt have seasoning😂 but always fresh!!! You get 5 whole wings for 6 bucks! Most Clevelanders get our chicken from Daves Supermarket or Giant Eagle. 😊
One of the best that I've had from a grocery store is from Kroger when I've gotten it. It's one of the few that is awesome both hot and cold, and the coating doesn't get soggy when cold or reheated
@@KatyWatson173 I don't know, it's possible that they're linked as I'm not sure how large many of the grocery stores are spread out. Edit: Just looked it up, and it's a yes and no at the same time. Kroger owns Ralphs, but lets it run as a semi-independent chain
@@KatyWatson173 You're right Katy. Their website shows: The Kroger Co. Family of Stores includes: Baker’s City Market Dillons Food 4 Less Foods Co Fred Meyer Fry’s Gerbes Jay C Food Store King Soopers Kroger Mariano’s Metro Market Pay-Less Super Markets Pick’n Save QFC Ralphs Ruler Smith’s Food and Drug I know that in Oregon, Idaho, WA, & Alaska, Kroger is known as Fred Meyer. It's Ralph's in California, King Soopers in Colorado, Fry's in Arizona, and I'm not sure where the rest of them are... Others here will know.
😊Yep, well, I had a list from my Kroger’s and, I can tell you in different areas and States it may have a different name but they all are associated to each other! Agreed Kroger’s Fried Chicken is pretty darn tasty! I ate Walmart’s Fried Chicken and, I agree once you get it and, put it in the fridge, their fried chicken gets as hard as a rock. After that happening from 2 different stores yrs, ago, I won’t buy fried chicken there unless it’s the popcorn fried chicken covered in barbecue sauce, but, they don’t even sell that anymore.
Any fried chicken you buy like this from the store is perfect to re-heat in your air fryer, for 5 or 6 minutes (depending on how hot you want it). It perfectly crisps it back up. Even the day old or reduced price works well for this. The oil in the breading and meat are good for this method. (Well, maybe not those from Food4Less).
I stopped eating Fried Chicken from anywhere, unless I make it at Home about 10 years ago, but the best Fried Chicken I ever ate was at a Texaco Gas Station in Cottonwood Ca. Anytime I drove by there on the Interstate, I had to stop there. That was about 20 years ago.
Pick N Save is all over here, and the ultimate assessment in this vid is correct: Always hit or miss. In decades I've never had anything raw, but you do have to watch that freshness. And when it IS fresh and at its best, it gets a grade of C+ due to a brothy, salty, and overall mediocre flavor to the crust. Even with hot sauce. Yet, I've eaten plenty of it, because sometimes, C+ works, and the right hot sauce brings it to a B.
Most grocery stores will take, close to expire date food packages, and use that to sell as a hot meal. Stay away from hot prepare meals at a grocery store.
I once bought a fried chicken family meal from Walmart, thinking to save making an extra stop at the local KFC -- big mistake! It was SO dry! I've brought home deli salads from Walmart (esp. during cold-weather month, when I don't have to put them in a cooler or insulated tote for the drive home), but will probably not order their chicken again. (The fried chicken at my local supermarket is better, and only a block away from my house!)
@@chrisgonzalez5883 I assume that's the "take & bake" pizza from Walmart's deli department? I had a similar experience once with pizza from the meat department of my local supermarket; fortunately, they've never carried that product again. I'd have to buy bigger pizza pans to prepare Walmart's "take & bake" pizza anyway, so between that and possible spoilage from the 20-mile drive home from the nearest Walmart, I have minimal desire to pick up their "take & bake" pizza.
@@chrisgonzalez5883The next your fault for not cooking the pizza properly because Walmart don't have already cooked pizza. Don't blame Walmart for you being an idiot
Ralph’s in the SDSU area in San Diego, CA constantly cook chicken throughout the day. Very fresh and it is better than home. I start commenting on Ralph chicken, a couple of seconds just before the channel gave it a “shout out”🎯💯
No. The GOAT fried chicken is from the Windsor Food Center in Windsor, Illinois. Everyone from Paris to Pana makes at least one pilgrimage there each year. Those who can afford to drive more often or do business in the vicinity will eat it more often.
Where I live here in Pennsylvania there are 3 supermarkets near me none of which are listed here. One is Shop-Rite and the other ones are Giant and Wise.
We gave up on Walmart fried chicken 15 years ago. Winn Dixie is closer & they have great fried chicken. It is part of most of our poker nights. Ralphs closed where we live. My favorite fried chicken is Popeyes, but their prices sky rocketed. I found our Publix makes a fantastic spicy fried chicken that cost far less than Popeyes. Spicy may not be your choice, OK. Publix makes great fried chicken that is not spicy~! Shalom
I have a Safeway I go get fried chicken, but I ask to have a fresh batch cooked. The lady usually will do it, unless there is a bunch of chicken on the warmers.
Where I live, we only have Walmart, out of these stores. There’s a Target about 30 minutes away, but they don’t sell chicken. But we do have local grocery stores that sell pretty decent chicken. Tops grocery and Ted Clark’s Busy Market.
In Northern California Raley’s, Save Mart and Lucky supermarkets have great chicken. In Southern California Vons ( which is Safeway) and Stater Brothers have great chicken also.
I go to either Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, Farm Fresh or Publix around my area if I want some good, fried chicken from a grocery store! Fried chicken from Walmart, Kroger & Harris Teeter are very bland & flavorless. Plus the Target around my area doesn't serve chicken at all, so that can be a good thing.
Oddly, the best fried chicken in my small NC mountain was at a gas station that shared space with a Subway. You had to be there early, or they would be sold out. Sadly, they are now using someone else's fried chicken instead of making their own and the quality has dropped.
Walmart and Publix is close together and I had been eating Walmarts because it was closer by. Gave Publix a try and from the first bite we all said Walmarts' is better. Publix was luke warm and tough. Walmart has a way to keep theirs hot. Decided to give Publix another try the very next night and it was tough and almost cool, worse than the night before. I'll stick with Walmart on this one.
I'm from the west coast, and live on the east coast now retired. I miss Safeway food products, and yes the chicken is fantastic. I did a cheese test one day, and found there cheese is real creamy depending on wat kind but over all the cheese is fantastic. I was going to test walmart's brand but it will never make it into that class arena. Infact it molds to fast, and starts right after you leave the store even putting it in a cooler, and go home.... I miss Safeway
Pioneer Chicken was my youngest brother favorite when he visit my family in San Diego. As soon as we left the airport he would request to go to Pioneer Chicken. The last time he visit he ask me to go by there on the way home. And I had to break the news that they were no longer in business.😢
I know a lot of ppl that eat Walmart fried chicken and have nothing bad to say about it as long as it’s not burnt or dry,I can’t say I ever had feathers in their chicken but I have in others and also surprised Kroger wasn’t on this list …I wish Winn Dixie comes back here I loved that store I would choose them over krogers easily their prices and quality trumps them
At least here on the California Central Coast, Food 4 Less actually has better fried AND rotissierie chicken than places like the 'top rated' purveyors in this vlog, such as Ralph's. Caveat: Of course, this can vary depending on who is cooking, but the chicken is generally safer than fast food chicken like KFC. Excluding 'chicken fingers', which are generally just deep-fried lumps of batter.
When Brookshire's had a store in my town, years ago, their deli was the worst and about the most expensive. I couldn't believe how low quality their deli meats were. No wonder I wouldn't want to come close to their fried chicken. However, they had a Cuban sandwich I quite enjoyed.
I don't understand why folks fool with grocery store fried chicken. Buy an organic bird, cut it up and fry it up at home. There are only about a skillion fried chicken recipes on the Internet. Season it however you want; from simple salt and pepper to your fave seasoning salt, you create the flavor profile. Fry it up in an old, reliable cast iron skillet or one of those fancy deep fryers. Your call. The fried chicken dinner is a classic and really a way to show creativity in the kitchen. There's just no reason to be dealing with all of this unsafe grocery store fried chicken. Cook up a huge batch and freeze what you don't eat. Pair it with some yummy Mac and cheese or mashed potatoes and gravy and you're in business!
It's funny I've only ever even heard of four of these places, only have access to two of them, and neither of them -- Target or Walmart -- have prepared foods in them. Ah New England isolationism. Where's Stop and Shop, Shaws, Hannafords, and Market Basket?
I’m in NE Pennsylvania and our local grocery store is Shop Rite and I love their fried chicken yes I know it’s not the best or as good as homemade and I know it’s not southern restaurant good but I like it and it’s like six bucks for an 8 piece
You know what Walmart I'm not surprised in order to keep their prices low they have to cut corners so I'm not really surprised that taste is one of them
I'll add a few to this list. For the worst I must include Meijer. Just tastes awful! Kroger's chicken is pretty good. And Giant Eagle's is even better than Kroger.
Safeway on the west coast will leave their fried chicken out until it is jerky. Publix is pretty good. Spices are right. I always thought grocery store fried chicken was chicken that was about to go past sell by date so they fry it up for sale, like they chop up the roasts for hamburger when sell by is at hand.
What brands would you recommend avoiding?
Walmart. I love shopping online at Walmart, but we stopped buying their deli fried chicken 15 years ago. Before that it was great. Publix is my go to for spicy chicken and Winn Dixie for regular chicken. When I host poker I go to both because not everyone wants one or another. Shalom
Always get from stop n shop
all of them..... cook it yourself
Lucky's and Safeway do a decent job.
Shocked you didn't do Kroger, not that I'm raving about their fried chicken. One of the chains they bought in Kansas, known as Dillons, had pretty decent fried chicken up until recently when they greatly changed their breading and I have to say it is not as tasty though it is crunchier and a little more juicy than before. Most people don't like the change though.
lol I didn’t even know that Target sold fried chicken.
Mine Doesn't, although I am boycotting Target so they might now 😂
Since, Target has a Grocery Store and, Delhi, you can grantee that Target sells fried chicken!
@@sonyafox3271 your Target has a deli ? Wow
only the super targets do. They have a full deli & bakery section
The Targets where I live don't have a deli or sell fried chicken... That's new to me also...
Publix is an excellent grocery store. I attribute that to Publix still being privately owned by the founding family. They take pride in there business, brand, and reputation.
I love shopping at Publix, they are the best for quality and service but their prices are kinda up there to. I’m just sad I can’t do all my shopping there instead of the few specialty items (fried chicken and their subs to name a couple). The store is always clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. Can truthfully say i have never had a bad experience at Publix.
their deli is superb big fan of Publix
Publix fried chicken is nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, their grocery prices are stomach churning. Example: Hellman's 30 oz. Mayo - $8.63. Walmart? $5.48. I used 3 more items as an example about a month ago, and I would have spent 35% more at Publix for the same grocery items at just about any grocer here in Florida. I used Vigo Greek Peppers, Tide Detergent and Lee & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce for my price test in late October, 2023.
I only go to Publix when I go to Ga. I love that store.
I haven't had Wal Mart's fried chicken since the pandemic, but when I did, it was flavorful and cooked properly. Their rotisserie whole chicken is quite good. I've always sworn by Albertson's fried chicken dark.
Glad to see another mention of Albertsons. Good stuff.
As a Walmart deli/bakery lead I will say this. It depends on who's cooking and if they're following guidelines. I've had bad, dry and season unbalanced chicken from places like Popeyes and KFC. Doesn't mean it's bad at all locations.
@@thug-21 I think we're all aware that you can't have 100% consistent quality when it comes to cooked deli products across the store population or even a single store, but I get a pretty evenly good roti chicken at my WalMart. On the other hand, my favorite, Albertson's, had a really bad day a couple of months ago on my order of fried chicken. Several pieces were unbelievably salty. I stopped buying Kroger's whole chickens because they are always under-seasoned.
Same here. Wal Mart has good chicken, but is dependent on the store cooking it.
@bp-lw9hm I've never eaten Albertsons but I've heard from multiple ppl that they have the best chicken. Definitely gonna try once I'm in a state with an Albertsons
Publix also makes great subs or sandwiches. You can take any meat (and veggies too) found in the deli or anywhere in the store, pick your bread from the bakery or anywhere in the store and they will make it for you. Not to mention the great selections at the sandwich counter, including the best fried chicken tenders anywhere.
Yes!! and I only buy chicken from Publix- it's delicious.
That is so true Publix does have good ass subs
In the Philadelphia area back in the day we had a grocery store called Pathmark that made fabulous fried chicken.
Pathmark used to have some great deli hot food. Not just the chicken.
@@75aces97 I live in Philly and ACME has great fried chicken. In fact, every week, they have a special called " cheep chicken Monday's". ShopRite has great hot food, especially their fried fish.👍😋
Another really good grocery store that wasn't included here is Albertson's. Their chicken is excellent and even the white meat is tender and juicy.
Albertsons and Safeway the same owners
Albertsons took over most of the Safeway's in like 2016 or so.
@@KazukoLight and now Kroger is about to take all of it
@@gasoline3597One I am aware of that situation. Secondly they can't take all of it or any of it literally because of the anti monopoly laws in place. I worked for Safeway when Albertson took a majority of it but because of the law they ended up breaking up some Albertsons and giving control and name changes to smaller grocery chains or owners.
Right now they are being told no because two groceries are under control of the same owner Albertson and Safeway so if Kroger who has Qfc and Fred Meyers, etc gets control of the other mentioned grocery stores it will be a monopoly.
I agree that Albertsons in on 🎯💯
If you go to a gas station and they have a Krispy Krunchy Chicken restaurant inside... try it. Publix's spicy chicken is good too.
Yeah for Publix !! Best fried chicken by far !!
I live in Delaware. There is an employee owned grocery store called Redner’s. I believe it started in Pennsylvania. They have the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. My father will be 93 next month and he raves about the chicken every time I get it for supper. It is super crispy and moist. There is a line at the deli no matter the hour. You can hear the people in back of the line shouting “leave some chicken for me”!
sounds like they need to expand
Yes!!!! Great fried chicken.
Publix has really good chicken. I actually prefer Ingles fried chicken though. I live in Asheville and we have both here. I do not even bother with the chains. I go to Ingles if I want fried chicken.
Ingles has good deli meat and OJ
The best fried chicken I've had was by a local grocery store and people would be lined up to get it. Moved from there to NW Arkansas, the chicken production capital of the US and... not only is fried chicken three times as expensive I can't find good fried chicken for love or money.
I'm from Central Arkansas ( Little Rock ) and our Krogers has some of the best fried and baked chicken there is...Our Walmart has the best ranch fried chicken
I haven't eaten grocery store fried chicken since I was a tween. On my 12th birthday my mom got some from Fredmeyers. The drumsticks had big feathers still stuck to them under the batter. I'm still grossed out and I'm 45 now.
That is just gross 😮. I would never eat at that place again. Yucky 😲.
Chickens have feathers. 🤦🏿 Just should have pulled it out. The machine missed one. 🤷🏿
When I was a boy, it was common to buy chicken in a grocery store that had some feathers still on it(uncooked). The common practice was to pull them out at home before cooking them.
I never heard of most of these supermarkets. Food Lion is inconsistent from store to store. Some are just awful, others are tolerable. Even at their best Food Lion is never on the level of the fried chicken at Harris teeter or Stop n Shop.
Same here.
Harris Teeter's fried chicken? LOLOLOLOL
man, Harris Teeter use to have a really good hot bar along with the chicken, they have fallen off since the pandemic and they charge too much for what they offer now. I agree wit Food Lion although I've had more good than bad chicken especially if you get it fresh. What funny is that Food Lion and Stop n Shop are owned by the same company
Sometimes Publix slightly undercooks the large fried chicken pieces. Lots of pink at the bone. Otherwise I use them mostly for produce, as it's easy to overpay there by up to 50%.
I disagree that Heinen's is in the worst group. We have bought it several times at different locations in metro Cleveland & it's always been crispy on the outside, moist inside & they fry the chicken throughout the day so that it's fresh.
Walmart deli is the last place id go to for any meats. Used to be IGA neighbors back in the 90s that held that title
I agree I don’t buy no deli nothing from Walmart
Walmart chicken is yummy 😋 😍 😊
@@sunflowerlove6489 I agree with you, I don't either,lol.
@@annecollins1741 😂😂 🙌🏿 yes ! The only thing I get from Walmart is the can goods & not their brand lol Walmart is so nasty anything that comes from this company is below sea level lol 😂
Walmart chicken is really hit or miss. One day it's crispy and juicy and seasoned well, another day it's crispy but dry, another day it's mostly batter and little chicken and unseasoned. They'd do well to quality control before they send it out to stores.
One small regional grocery chain in VA/NC is Food Lion. I cant speak for all locations but the one in my town is AWESOME. I buy 2 mixed 8 piece packs a week. One to share with the family and one for myself to eat off 1-2 days.
This is why I cooked my fried chicken 🍗🐔 at home 🏠 that way I knows it's properly cleaned and cooked properly.
All of those stores with really bad fried chicken need to take heed and greatly improve the quality of their product before people could wind up sick. 🥺😫🍗
When I lived in a rural area in Texas, my choice of grocery stores was Walmart or Brookshire Bros. Most went to Walmart because cheaper. Well, it does not take a genius to realize that with low prices comes low quality. So I shopped at Brookshire. And yes, of all the store fried chicken I've had, indeed any fried chicken close to there at all, Brookshire Bros was best. There was a running joke cause they were the "best in town" because of being the only one in town but yes, some restaurants had fried chicken but the stuff in that store was better.
Walmart here sells for $5.00 a bird. Its pink because when temped, its at 165° in the thickest part of ckn. I would just season it, then place in the preheated oven for 15 min or so. 🤷🏿
DANG! We don't have any of the "good chicken" stores in our area except one - Publix - but hey, I am glad they are ranked #1. I will have to check their fried chicken out! There is a little hole in the wall in Winston-Salem called the "One Stop" and they have the best chicken and taters in the world! Yummy!
I think Safeway's fried chicken is fairly decent. I pick it up with their deli coleslaw for dinner once, sometimes twice, a month
Giant Eagle in our area has the best store brand fried chicken that I've ever had. I despise Giant Eagle, but will go out of my way to get their fried chicken.
The Walmart here in Monticello, NY stopped selling Fried chicken. The Rotisserie Chicken comes in cooked and is heated. They still have the oven, they just don't use it anymore. The Hot Bar is managed by the same Associate who runs the Deli so if you want something from either counter, you're likely going to have to wait. Shoprite has 8 equal pieces for $10. It's good. We have both a Popeye's and KFC across the street from each other and in walking distance but I won't pay what they charge these days. An 8pc meal is around $35. I can buy instant potatoes for a buck, gravy fro 39 cents Chicken for $10, skip the Coleslaw (the only thing I miss) and the biscuits. Save myself $19. KFC won't even post their menu prices anymore, nothing is really ala carte.
I never think of buying groceries from target 😂
Their groceries are more expensive than Walmart or even Kingsoopers/Krogers.
They left out Meijer fried chicken..... Very very good.... Also Buehlers in Ohio is the best
Haven't had much chicken from Walmart, but the times i had it was fine. One time was dry, like it had been under the heat lamp too long but otherwise fine. A chain with as many locations as Walmart is likely inconsistent from one store to another.
Personally I like Safeway's myself. It's always have been good. But you should get it early in the day. But they have made more later in the day.
Only Sprout's sells prepared chicken that won't poison a customer, or send them to ER.
Heinens fried chicken is good it just doesnt have seasoning😂 but always fresh!!! You get 5 whole wings for 6 bucks! Most Clevelanders get our chicken from Daves Supermarket or Giant Eagle. 😊
One of the best that I've had from a grocery store is from Kroger when I've gotten it.
It's one of the few that is awesome both hot and cold, and the coating doesn't get soggy when cold or reheated
Ralph’s seems to have the same commercials as Kroger are they the same store?
@@KatyWatson173 I don't know, it's possible that they're linked as I'm not sure how large many of the grocery stores are spread out.
Edit: Just looked it up, and it's a yes and no at the same time. Kroger owns Ralphs, but lets it run as a semi-independent chain
@@KatyWatson173 You're right Katy. Their website shows: The Kroger Co. Family of Stores includes:
Baker’s
City Market
Dillons
Food 4 Less
Foods Co
Fred Meyer
Fry’s
Gerbes
Jay C Food Store
King Soopers
Kroger
Mariano’s
Metro Market
Pay-Less Super Markets
Pick’n Save
QFC
Ralphs
Ruler
Smith’s Food and Drug
I know that in Oregon, Idaho, WA, & Alaska, Kroger is known as Fred Meyer. It's Ralph's in California, King Soopers in Colorado, Fry's in Arizona, and I'm not sure where the rest of them are... Others here will know.
😊Yep, well, I had a list from my Kroger’s and, I can tell you in different areas and States it may have a different name but they all are associated to each other! Agreed Kroger’s Fried Chicken is pretty darn tasty! I ate Walmart’s Fried Chicken and, I agree once you get it and, put it in the fridge, their fried chicken gets as hard as a rock. After that happening from 2 different stores yrs, ago, I won’t buy fried chicken there unless it’s the popcorn fried chicken covered in barbecue sauce, but, they don’t even sell that anymore.
@@AzraelThanatos so that's why they have the EXACT same commercials makes sense.
Any fried chicken you buy like this from the store is perfect to re-heat in your air fryer, for 5 or 6 minutes (depending on how hot you want it). It perfectly crisps it back up. Even the day old or reduced price works well for this. The oil in the breading and meat are good for this method. (Well, maybe not those from Food4Less).
I stopped eating Fried Chicken from anywhere, unless I make it at Home about 10 years ago, but the best Fried Chicken I ever ate was at a Texaco Gas Station in Cottonwood Ca. Anytime I drove by there on the Interstate, I had to stop there. That was about 20 years ago.
Pick N Save is all over here, and the ultimate assessment in this vid is correct: Always hit or miss. In decades I've never had anything raw, but you do have to watch that freshness. And when it IS fresh and at its best, it gets a grade of C+ due to a brothy, salty, and overall mediocre flavor to the crust. Even with hot sauce. Yet, I've eaten plenty of it, because sometimes, C+ works, and the right hot sauce brings it to a B.
Most grocery stores will take, close to expire date food packages, and use that to sell as a hot meal. Stay away from hot prepare meals at a grocery store.
How interesting. Because Ralph’s and Kroger‘s own Food 4 Less.
Really? I never knew that
I've had good Acme and Walmart chicken, but Publix is best and Winn Dixie close 2nd
I once bought a fried chicken family meal from Walmart, thinking to save making an extra stop at the local KFC -- big mistake! It was SO dry! I've brought home deli salads from Walmart (esp. during cold-weather month, when I don't have to put them in a cooler or insulated tote for the drive home), but will probably not order their chicken again. (The fried chicken at my local supermarket is better, and only a block away from my house!)
I will never buy pizza from them again. That pizza was so bad it gave me food poisoning. 😢
@@chrisgonzalez5883 I assume that's the "take & bake" pizza from Walmart's deli department? I had a similar experience once with pizza from the meat department of my local supermarket; fortunately, they've never carried that product again. I'd have to buy bigger pizza pans to prepare Walmart's "take & bake" pizza anyway, so between that and possible spoilage from the 20-mile drive home from the nearest Walmart, I have minimal desire to pick up their "take & bake" pizza.
@@chrisgonzalez5883The next your fault for not cooking the pizza properly because Walmart don't have already cooked pizza. Don't blame Walmart for you being an idiot
Ralph’s in the SDSU area in San Diego, CA constantly cook chicken throughout the day. Very fresh and it is better than home. I start commenting on Ralph chicken, a couple of seconds just before the channel gave it a “shout out”🎯💯
Publix fried chicken is GOAT
No. The GOAT fried chicken is from the Windsor Food Center in Windsor, Illinois. Everyone from Paris to Pana makes at least one pilgrimage there each year. Those who can afford to drive more often or do business in the vicinity will eat it more often.
Best grocery store chicken is Walmart and Giant ‼️ I have never had a problem ‼️
The Publix chicken tender sub is something on another planet in awesome.
I love the ETB shade in the TN lmao😂
I like the voiceover changeup!
Pic and save sells chicken now 😂😂😂 When I was a kid that was a run down thrift store.
Where I live here in Pennsylvania there are 3 supermarkets near me none of which are listed here. One is Shop-Rite and the other ones are Giant and Wise.
We gave up on Walmart fried chicken 15 years ago. Winn Dixie is closer & they have great fried chicken. It is part of most of our poker nights. Ralphs closed where we live. My favorite fried chicken is Popeyes, but their prices sky rocketed. I found our Publix makes a fantastic spicy fried chicken that cost far less than Popeyes. Spicy may not be your choice, OK. Publix makes great fried chicken that is not spicy~! Shalom
I live in Miami Dade Publix 🍗💚🍗and Winn Dixie is pretty good depending on location
Two of the worst are Kroger subsidiaries. One of the best is a Kroger brand, and Kroger is trying to buy Safeway/Albertson's.
Everybody do not know how to make chicken it is hard to fry chicken but once you get it you can never forget it
The place i used to love chicken close to where I lived was Bi-lo. The chicken was always cooked to perfection. Shame they had that store closed down.
I have a Safeway I go get fried chicken, but I ask to have a fresh batch cooked. The lady usually will do it, unless there is a bunch of chicken on the warmers.
Up until December 24th I would agree with you on the Brookshire fried chicken, we got undercooked, over battered chicken for our holiday dinner
Supermarket chicken tends to have cooking and food safety issues because the staff lacks daily reminders on how to prepare and store raw meats
Where I live, we only have Walmart, out of these stores. There’s a Target about 30 minutes away, but they don’t sell chicken.
But we do have local grocery stores that sell pretty decent chicken. Tops grocery and Ted Clark’s Busy Market.
In Northern California Raley’s, Save Mart and Lucky supermarkets have great chicken. In Southern California Vons ( which is Safeway) and Stater Brothers have great chicken also.
I go to either Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, Farm Fresh or Publix around my area if I want some good, fried chicken from a grocery store!
Fried chicken from Walmart, Kroger & Harris Teeter are very bland & flavorless. Plus the Target around my area doesn't serve chicken at all, so that can be a good thing.
I don't know about anywhere else but our local Giant has the best fried chicken I've ever had in my life.
Winn-Dixie has $6.99 for 8/10 box this week; plan on buying the 10 piece dark tomorrow. :)
Oddly, the best fried chicken in my small NC mountain was at a gas station that shared space with a Subway. You had to be there early, or they would be sold out. Sadly, they are now using someone else's fried chicken instead of making their own and the quality has dropped.
Walmart and Publix is close together and I had been eating Walmarts because it was closer by. Gave Publix a try and from the first bite we all said Walmarts' is better. Publix was luke warm and tough. Walmart has a way to keep theirs hot. Decided to give Publix another try the very next night and it was tough and almost cool, worse than the night before. I'll stick with Walmart on this one.
Winco makes some amazing fried chicken. Not too salty or greasy and crunchy and moist.
You didn't grade Kroger. Aren't they the biggest grocer in North America?
Ralph's is in the Kroger family of supermarkets.
@@UNCJerry77 So is Food For Less and they have maggots in their chicken. I've eaten Kroger Fried chicken before. I give it 6.5/10
I'm from the west coast, and live on the east coast now retired. I miss Safeway food products, and yes the chicken is fantastic. I did a cheese test one day, and found there cheese is real creamy depending on wat kind but over all the cheese is fantastic. I was going to test walmart's brand but it will never make it into that class arena. Infact it molds to fast, and starts right after you leave the store even putting it in a cooler, and go home.... I miss Safeway
Walmart used to have a pretty good spicy fried chicken. They got rid of it around 2019. The regular tastes like crap.
I miss Publix SOOOOO VERY MUCH!
Actually down here in Florida Publix fried Chicken is the best I love it
Pioneer Chicken was my youngest brother favorite when he visit my family in San Diego. As soon as we left the airport he would request to go to Pioneer Chicken. The last time he visit he ask me to go by there on the way home. And I had to break the news that they were no longer in business.😢
Come to the south. Walk into ANY gas station and get a 3 piece from Krispy Krunchy Chicken
I'm lucky I have a Winn Dixie and a publix close by so I know I'll get the best weather way !
I know a lot of ppl that eat Walmart fried chicken and have nothing bad to say about it as long as it’s not burnt or dry,I can’t say I ever had feathers in their chicken but I have in others and also surprised Kroger wasn’t on this list …I wish Winn Dixie comes back here I loved that store I would choose them over krogers easily their prices and quality trumps them
Albertsons has the best fried chicken in Cali
Forreals!!! But in my case it's Luckys, I'm actually disappointed it wasn't mentioned. Best bang for the buck especially when it's fresh.
@@i.still.function3463yes Lucky’s fried chicken is the best always fresh and hot
Love that Publix!!!
Walmart's Fried Chicken gets worse each year. Publix has good Fried Chicken.
At least here on the California Central Coast, Food 4 Less actually has better fried AND rotissierie chicken than places like the 'top rated' purveyors in this vlog, such as Ralph's. Caveat: Of course, this can vary depending on who is cooking, but the chicken is generally safer than fast food chicken like KFC. Excluding 'chicken fingers', which are generally just deep-fried lumps of batter.
I do love Safeways fried chicken and also their Mango Habanero Baked Chicken.
When Brookshire's had a store in my town, years ago, their deli was the worst and about the most expensive. I couldn't believe how low quality their deli meats were. No wonder I wouldn't want to come close to their fried chicken. However, they had a Cuban sandwich I quite enjoyed.
I don't understand why folks fool with grocery store fried chicken. Buy an organic bird, cut it up and fry it up at home.
There are only about a skillion fried chicken recipes on the Internet. Season it however you want; from simple salt and pepper to your fave seasoning salt, you create the flavor profile. Fry it up in an old, reliable cast iron skillet or one of those fancy deep fryers. Your call.
The fried chicken dinner is a classic and really a way to show creativity in the kitchen. There's just no reason to be dealing with all of this unsafe grocery store fried chicken. Cook up a huge batch and freeze what you don't eat. Pair it with some yummy Mac and cheese or mashed potatoes and gravy and you're in business!
It's best to make your own chicken.,you never know how long the chicken has been sitting out...
Krogers in VA, (I've heard) bought out the famous Farm Fresh Fried chicken recipe...
Dave's is great. The Jo Jo's are good to.
Yes, WalMart's chicken is seldom fully. Usually, bloody near the bone.
Love the channel Mashed! Love the commentator, but every store is different, making this list invalid.
IGA has the best in my opinion, at least the two where i was in Ohio. Haven't tried the one in Jacksonville FL yet.
It's funny I've only ever even heard of four of these places, only have access to two of them, and neither of them -- Target or Walmart -- have prepared foods in them.
Ah New England isolationism. Where's Stop and Shop, Shaws, Hannafords, and Market Basket?
I’m in NE Pennsylvania and our local grocery store is Shop Rite and I love their fried chicken yes I know it’s not the best or as good as homemade and I know it’s not southern restaurant good but I like it and it’s like six bucks for an 8 piece
Publix has the best grocery fried chicken EVER!
You know what Walmart I'm not surprised in order to keep their prices low they have to cut corners so I'm not really surprised that taste is one of them
If you pass by a gas station that has a Krispy Krunchy Chicken inside, try it. It's delicious!
I'll add a few to this list. For the worst I must include Meijer. Just tastes awful! Kroger's chicken is pretty good. And Giant Eagle's is even better than Kroger.
There are legit places that sell fried chicken but people buy it from a grocery store then complain about it.
Could be true but where I live KFC charges over $30 for 12pieces of legs n thighs. I'm on SS can't afford that!
I can say Kroger in houston has some real good chicken. I don't know about the ones sitting there in the containers. But the freshly cooked go hard.
Both Publix and Churches get my vote .
I like my chicken cleaned thoroughly. No globs of fat, feathers, goop or veins. I will only eat the wing or leg from takeout.
Walmart has the worst fried chicken. Tastes like burnt fuel and the texture is dry , rubbery and tough .😢 Thumbs up for kroger!!!❤
Safeway on the west coast will leave their fried chicken out until it is jerky. Publix is pretty good. Spices are right. I always thought grocery store fried chicken was chicken that was about to go past sell by date so they fry it up for sale, like they chop up the roasts for hamburger when sell by is at hand.
Our local Giant Eagle here in Pennsylvania has delicious fried chicken.
I agree with Giant Eagle fried chicken.