Ezell's Famous Chicken

In the past, I've generally tried to steer clear of most things that Oprah recommends, if for no other reason than because I take pride in my masculinity. However, Ezell's is so good, I may just be totally converted. Being a life-long Southerner let me just go ahead and confirm that Ezell's is as good as any deep fried poultry you'll find south of the Mason-Dixon. I know the place is kind of an institution around the Garfield High area, but even as I write this, I have hard time believing it' was as good as it was. From the breading to the chicken to the rolls, this place is definitely it for classic Southern comfort food. Maybe I should listen to Oprah more often... more

Yes, this is an overrated place! My fave is Popeye's chicken... dammit there is reason why Beyonce was addicted to that place. Church's chicken has better bird than Ezell's. Don't get me wrong, I gave this place a chance over and over again. I've eaten from Ezell's maybe a total of 5 or 6 times and it's been consistantly bleh! Yes, the pieces are bigger (thus the 2 stars) but as stated in previous reviews, the bird is dry, underseasoned and the sides could be bigger. I could really care less about the customer service, just give me my food. Y'all want some real tasty yardbird, route ya'selves over to Popeye's, order some of that Spicy yardbird, red beans and rice, and the potato mash with cajun gravy! And seriously, if you gave Ezell's a 5 star rating, I feel bad for you all, cuz that's the best yardbird y'all done had... damn shame! Pros: Rolls are okay Cons: Dry, underseasoned yardbird! more

I am addicted to Ezell's. Addicted, I say! I have it at least once a week (I just can't go that that long without having some of their spicy chicken!). The friend chicken is just about perfect: crispety and crunchy on the outside but mouthwateringly juicy on the inside. Damn, nothing beats Ezell's!! I dream about their chicken. Their rolls are also great and I'm really fond of their baked beans. My boyfriend is a fan of their slaw and we both enjoy the decent peach cobbler. The only thing I really avoid is the mashed potatoes; it is homemade but has a a slightly sour taste to it that I just can't cotton to. Also, the service at Ezell's is very utilitarian but they are friendly enough and . .who goes to Ezell's for the service anyway? Once you have that first bite of chicken in your mouth, nothing else matters.\r \r I made the mistake of having KFC last week for the first time in years (exactly two years to be exact: around the same I the time I discovered Ezell's) and it just tasted like dust in my mouth. Awful.\r \r Long live Ezell's!! A veritable Seattle institution . .. Pros: the spicy fried chicken! Faygo sodas, baked beans, great slaw, good peach cobbler, nice thick napkins for wiping chicken grease off your fingers .. . Cons: weird parking lot, sour mashed potatoes more

My husband and I tried Ezell's after having read a glowing review in The Stranger. I can't imagine how this restaurant has achieved a positive reputation. The chicken was dry. The taste was greasy and underseasoned--on both the regular and the spicy varieties. The coating was falling off and was almost soggy. \r \r I'm feeling the pain of other reviewers who commented on the poor service. We ordered spicy chicken pieces and spicy strips and the strips wound up being regular.\r \r Popeye's Chicken (a big chain) kicks Ezell's butt all around Seattle...two or three times at least. It would be worth it to drive to Federal Way to get Popeye's if this is the alternative. And, as another reviewer said, grocery store deli chicken is better than this, too. \r \r I guess I'm still looking for great fried chicken in Seattle.\r Pros: Yeast rolls are good--sweet and buttery Cons: Yucky chicken, poor service more

I had the original spiced chicken, and it was good, but I was expecting a lot more based on what other... more

I had the original spiced chicken, and it was good, but I was expecting a lot more based on what other people say. I'm trying the spicy next time. more

The fried chicken here is quite a delight. The rolls are very soft and have a nice sweet taste to them. The... more

The fried chicken here is quite a delight. The rolls are very soft and have a nice sweet taste to them. The gizzards and the livers take awhile to ... more

Doesn't live up to the hype. Visited Ezell's twice and disappointed on both occasions. Had Southern-raised family in town and so I wanted to impress them with some great fried chicken. Went to Ezell's. Got it home. It was old and dry and under-seasoned. Maybe the staff just wanted to get rid of the old stuff before making fresh, but it was a complete rip-off and the sides were nothing very special either. Went back a second time weeks later to see if it was a fluke and the experience was pretty much the same. Additionally, they quarter the breasts (said to be how black folk cut chicken to make it go farther) but charge like it's a half-breast. Lame.\r \r Truthfully, I've had better fried chicken at QFC's deli when the chicken is fresh; you get what you pay for! Pros: Convenient Cons: No guarantee of quality, reputation is oversold more

Seriously, the fried chicken here is really the best around. It comes in original and spicy--get the spicy variety (it's more interesting than the original) and MAKE SURE you get a roll/muffin. They're sweet and bready and complement the spicy crispiness of the chicken perfectly. Some of my friends swear by the chicken strips, which are breaded and fried white meat, but I like the pieces because they're juicier. Not that you'll be able to fit it in after eating chicken and rolls, but they also make a mean sweet potato pie. Pros: Delicious chicken, very affordable Cons: No seating, Service can be slow more

Get the original chicken! It's far better than my homemade chicken, and my chicken rules. The service is friendly but they always either forget the potato salad, run out of wings, forget to include a roll, or accidentally grab spicy rather than original. The thing is, when they know that something's not right, they'll give you an extra piece of chicken to say sorry. more

The food is great, but the service is a joke. It is not a question of the order being wrong/right, it is how many mistakes will there be. If they forget one item consider yourself lucky. I order the ""spicy"" chicken and the workers could care less. If the ""regular"" is more convenient...that is what you will get. I don't even know why they have a menu. You are just as likely to get what you want if you hand them $10 and tell them you want food. But, the food is good and I still go back. more

fried chicken has to be hot and fresh, i got cold ones. i can imagine greatness when they were hot but... w price so high for fast food and screw up service. i've been there only once and not returning. more

I love Ezell's. Like an above review, I too grew up eating Ezell's. I am proud to say we have one of the Best Fried chicken joints in the country... Would Oprah fly fried chicken out from just anywhere? Pros: Great Food, Great Rolls more

I would say Ezell's Fried Chicken out rates KFC! It is worht a lottle travel to get some if you dont have it in your area. Best take out chicken around! Pros: good food, filling Cons: out of the way, little pricey more

I grew up on Ezells, small spicy strips every day for years. for the last half a year i been travellin around tha county and i been EVERYWHERE...it dont matter if u in LA NY louisiana, rural mississipi...there aint NO chicken like ezells and there aint NO place like the CD. Love to all my peoples from madison to jackson. Love to all my peoples in the souf too, Tre Deuce 2 Four Tre SEATOWN to the finish Pros: Cheap, better than u everhad, CD CD CD more

My husband and I are sooooo glad ezells re-opened. We wouldn't be able to live without the spicy crispy chicken, the secret red hot sauce, and the ROLLS! Pros: the rolls, the red hot sauce, the rolls more

I've had very good and very bad chicken at Ezell's. The last chicken I bought there was incinerated and swimming in grease. The time before that it was good. Service tends to border on disinterested. Training for counter people is needed. more

The fried chicken is amazing. So wer the cole slaw and fries. Pros: Flavor, Taste, Ambience more

Service is terrible and the food is so-so. If you feel like fried chicken try the Kingfish Cafe. more