Beach Road Chicken Dinners

02/12/2008 Posted by AFRanger

Well, the guy below kind of said it all. No one I ever knew cooks chicken like this place does. Not my mother, grandmother or great-grandmother did it this good. If you’re granny can do better; I want an invitation to convince me. Don’t know what their secret is, but they have mastered it. I go completely out of my way to pick up take out. You can call it in, but I prefer to order there and get it right out of the kitchen. Only takes 10 minutes or so. I order extra so I’ll have leftovers. Even the day after, it’s better than any other place. I’m like the guy below. I won’t even speak the name of any so-called “competition”, because there isn’t any. Even people at work talk about this place nearly every day and our office is over 20 miles away. They go once in a while but they always ask me, “How many times did you go to Beach Road this weekend?” They joke with me but know that I do go every week; sometimes twice and even being on a healthy diet; I am still losing weight. Their chicken is not greasy like “some” places and the sides are great also. In being fair, the fried corn at $2.37 is a bit steep for one piece of corn. I would also say don’t order the fish; I think it’s frozen and pre-made by some company. I’ve had better in the frozen section of the grocery store. The French fries are not crispy enough for my taste and they come salted, which I did not know or I would have ordered them without. French fries have a life of about 3 minutes anyway; after that they are much like cardboard anywhere you get them. I didn’t order them at all actually and they did not charge me for them either. That’s the only non-overwhelmingly fantastic statements I could make. But, I don’t go there for French fries, fried corn or fish. It’s the chicken that they do so well and because that is their namesake, I overlook the other things mentioned. My Aunt used to make some great chicken, but Beach Road Chicken Dinners has the best fried chicken I have ever had in my life!

Pros: Best fried chicken you will ever have. No screaming kids! (Keep them at home)

Cons: Fish is frozen and whole corn is overpriced.

02/05/2008 Posted by Jon67cj5

Folks, I’m telling you, there is no better fried chicken in the world. I have lived in Jacksonville for 4 years on only heard about this place 2 weeks ago. I have been three times since then. Some people say it’s as good as their “momma’s”. Mine never made chicken like this! My Granny made the best I thought; until now. Unlimited sides are mashed potatoes, gravy or rice (or French fries– not recommended - you’d miss out on the gravy), creamed peas and biscuits. They also have fried corn (whole cob), fried okra, and more. They have a platter for two with 2 pieces of fish, 6 shrimp and 4 pieces of chicken for about $20. I don’t recommend this because chicken is what they do best and it is fresh; the fish and shrimp are not. This little jewel opened in 1939 and is still going strong. With red and white checkered table cloths with acrylic tops protecting the menus, this place is very popular with the locals. Half a chicken (4-piece) with 4 sides and biscuits is $7.99 and if you don’t want the sides you can get it for $6.13. There is no competition so I won’t mention names of others who lamely attempt this feat of perfection. I drive twice the distance for take-out, but love to dine in for the cook-to-order hot, crispy and moist meal. The service is friendly, prompt and they keep an eye on you in case you want refills. Potato Flakes? Wouldn’t know; the gravy was so good. Canned peas? Didn’t see the can, but don’t like peas but love these. In any case, simply the best fried chicken I have ever had.

Pros: Inexpensive Great Fried Chicken

Cons: NONE!