Tay W.
Yelp
Everyone talks about all the various restaurants you have to visit for gumbo, jambalaya, and praline. Well, I am going to talk about fried chicken. Some prefer KFC, while others enjoy Bojangle's. As for me and my tastebuds, we pick Popeyes every time.
I don't know if this is true or not, but I am told this location on Canal is one of the very first locations opened since the 1972 inception of the Louisiana-style chicken restaurant. There is nothing noteworthy or exciting about the location other than the tiles on the floor that let you know the place has been around since 1972. The outside is very NOLA Canal/Bourban Street--styled: All other parts of the location are true to form for your standard fast-food location.
I visited on a Sunday evening around 8pm. There was no serious line. However, a steady flow of customers using the ordering kiosk. I opted to do person to person ordering. I prefer the extra bit of customer service that should come along with speaking to a live individual vs a computer. My decision was confirmed when the young lady that waited on me accommodated my piece selection (no wings please) and shared with me there would be a slight wait on the biscuits. The young gentleman at the bagging station also helped me get my drinks into a bag for easy transport back to my hotel. I was slightly disappointed when they told me they were out of honey which is a staple for my chicken and biscuits. But, oh well. Better luck next time. We will be here all week and I will visit again.
The chicken was piping hot and crispy. The red beans and rice hit different here in NOLA. You can taste the regional difference aka Louisiana Love. The biscuit melted in my mouth.
If you are looking for historical ambiance, keep going. But, if you want some tasty chicken and delicious sides and the ability to say you visited the ORIGINAL/FLAGSHIP Popeyes location, then this is your spot.
Singing...Love that chicken at Popeyes!
Happy eating!