This review is for the fried chicken only. Crispy, not greasy, perfect level of saltiness, and juicy meat -- fried chicken from here is amazing! It's tucked away in a small strip mall so it's not the easiest to get to, but well worth a visit. The sides are small, so for +$2 you can upsize the "small" sides of the chicken dinner meal to "regular" size. I can't wait to return to try the chicken 'n waffles or fried fish!
(4)
Andrew M.
SOLID personified. So glad I finally tried this place. Historically, my fried chicken goto had always been Royal Farms or the nearest Popeye's. But that's soon to change thanks to my friends at Chick N' Friends. And they are as advertised, friends to the chickens they serve and to their hungry patrons, frying up chicken like that. Everything I tried, I loved, and will happily order again: *THE CHICKEN: reminds me of the pressure fried KFC original recipe (with "11 herbs and spices" aka salt and pepper...look it up) but better, fresher, and hopefully less industrially farmed *mac n cheese - textbook in a good way *yams - great, desserty *sweet potato pies - as advertised and lives up to the hype *cornbread - almost an afterthought among everything else, but very good *fresh squeezed lemonade - different, gooood, and refreshingly restrained on the sweetness level So for me, obviously the chicken's gotta be good, but my chicken box days are over. I gotta have quality sides, peripherals, and accessories. They certainly have that. And that makes all the difference because that's usually the first place you see lackluster soul food joints miss their mark. Next time: lake trout To quote a great man, Detective Bunk Moreland "No lake no trout"
(4)
Edward L.
Planned a noon cookout at my new house last Saturday but found out the night before the party that the grill I ordered wouldn't be delivered until late afternoon day of party. Backup plan: fried chicken. Tried calling Royal Farms but the two people I spoke with were unhelpful and difficult to understand on the phone. Ordered from here instead even though I had never eaten here before. Decision based solely on the Yelp reviews and proximity. Called them up about 25 minutes before their 11:00 opening Saturday and someone actually answered the phone. Friendly-sounding gentleman. He said he'd have 30 pieces of their fried chicken ready for me in a pan by 11:00. Perfect! I showed up around 11:10 and saw that the reviews weren't kidding about it being a small carryout spot. Wasn't even a chair to sit on. Oh well, this didn't matter as long as my food was ready and delicious. The older gentleman who took my phone order greeted me and then guided a young employee on ringing up my order. An older sweet woman loaded up hot fresh pressure-fried chicken into a pan, sealed it, gave me instructions on how to keep it crispy once I get home, and wished me well on the way out. Nice experience so far. The chicken smelled good as I drove it home. Once home, I vented a corner of the lid as instructed and sat it on the counter. Here is where they get the 5 stars. Every single person at the party LOVED the chicken, including my parents and my in-laws. These are older Chinese folks who wouldn't go out of the way for fried chicken like my brother or I would. They couldn't get enough of it. Amazing. I don't think I've seen my parents eat that much fried chicken in one sitting ever. Of course, they even commented on how decent the price was for 30 pieces. Cheaper than Royal Farms. Crispy skin! Juicy meat! Yummy flavor! Will definitely be ordering the chicken again and trying the rest of their menu very soon. Note: the chicken can be ordered fried or roasted according to the menu.
(5)
Walter B.
Usually opt for Popeyes but found this spot based on the reviews gave it a shot. Ordered ahead since it's a 20 minute wait, and upon driving up to the mall, you have to walk around a corner to find it. Worth the drive and wait. May be the best fried cWill be back any time I am in the area. Highly recommended. hicken I've ever had. Super crispy but not overly floured with a thick crust or greasy, perfect. Tasty with just a little extra spice. Got the 4pc thigh with no sides.
(5)
Sharon C.
When I couldn't decide what would be for lunch, I let Yelp decide for me. I ordered the catfish (2 pcs), mac n cheese and collard greens. I was a bit surprised when I saw that there is a $0.25 upcharge for yams and mac n cheese. Um, ok....I'm hungry so I paid it. The catfish filets were sizeable and fried just right. The corn muffin that comes with the food was good but the wee servings of sides had me with the wrinkle over my nose as I quietly asked "Are they serious?" I was pressed for time as I had to transit back, eat and resume my training. It took about 15 minutes for my order to be ready, I'll phone ahead next time. This is a grab and go establishment. There are absolutely no chairs or areas to loiter so keep it moving. No issues with parking as Chic N' Friends is located in a small shopping plaza. You have to park and walk to the center of the shops to find them. I appreciated being greeted when I arrived and the cashier was very patient as I made up my mind. The food was good and I blame them for me dozing off during my Microsoft lecture that afternoon...lol
(3)
SabrinaRenee' B.
Better than I expected except the fish I ordered Had very little meat on it... Mainly skin and bones... The sides are delish too. Mac and cheese is cheesy and creamy.. Greens are fresh and candied Yams were sweet and tasty. Portions are small though. the Lemon Cake Was Boss. 3 Layers of Freshness Moistness and creamy icing WOWZERS. I will Def Go back but order a different meat.
(3)
Thomas L.
Amazing food. Amazing service. 20 min wait time was worth every second. Their lunch specials had great prices. I got a 12 piece meal, two side, 1 waffle, and 2 chicken fingers for around $16. Again. Worth every penny. I will be a regular here! Trying the trout next!!
(5)
Cathy B.
It's just like my Grandmas "pressure cooked fried chicken". Perfectly moist and seasoned. The 30 piece is a crazy good value. We make our own sides so can't comment on that. Good service too!
(5)
J W.
This is a nice spot in Long Reach Village Center. When I'm back visiting family in Columbia I usually try and stop by here to get my fried chicken fixing. This is honestly some of the best fried chicken I've ever had, so it definitely gets 5 stars if you are just rating that. That being said, I've tried some of their fried fish items and I honestly didn't think they were that great. I am not overly impressed with their sides either (potato salad, mac n cheese), and they should probably look to "re-size" their sides since everything is a size smaller than it should be. Don't even bother getting the "small" size sides because it is literally only probably a spoon-full worth of a side. As others have mentioned, it can be a little annoying that they don't always have certain items. I really like their homemade chocolate cake, and when I was living in the area and going here a lot, it would be hit or miss as to whether or not they actually had the chocolate cake on a given day (many times they would make the lemon cake instead). My only other complaint is that sometimes they have young high school kids working the register, and I had a problem on 2 occasions here with them giving me the wrong amount of change back. Plus, they don't give you an itemized, printed receipt (at least when I last went they were writing things down by pin on a pad). I think it's great that they are providing jobs for these kids, but they were short with my change twice and tried to insist that they gave me the right amount of change. Finally as others said, definitely call ahead to order or you will wait forever. In summary, a GREAT place to go for fried chicken. Their other items are okay, and they have some room for improvement on their operations.
(3)
SD W.
The waffles are perfectly prepared and paired w/a waffle add the butter, syrup and honey. Yes! A definite treat!
(4)
Artranda H.
Chick N fries is in a run down village center in Columbia hidden! But besides that the chicken is good and tasty, but they could give bigger sides. The chicken and waffles of course is good! All in all the chicken is the best!
(4)
Crystal B.
I haven't been to this place in a long while... The neighborhood is beyond sketchy. If I could pick this place up and put it somewhere else, it'd get 5 stars. The food is awesome! Today we got the chicken, tilapia, catfish, mac'n cheese, & potato wedges... All were very exceptional! My kid has a food coma right now... I will be back!
(4)
Brooke W.
It was good didn't see the hype about the chicken
(4)
Rose A.
Good Chicken! We ordered the 4 piece wings with fries, waffle and 3 piece chicken dinner with greens and Mac n cheese. Chicken wings from the 4 piece with fries are different than the 3 piece dinner. They were Significantly smaller. Taste and crispness was ON POINT! We got home and they were still crispy and not greasy. Even the smaller wings were juicy. Note: on my 3 piece dinner, I gotta all dark meats (thigh, wing and drum). Sides were nothing special that's why it only 4 stars...waffle got soggy from the steam when we got home but still tasted good. This place is hidden on the back side of the strip mall. Not visible from the front. Park in the main lot and walk around.
(4)
Sonnya B.
I really liked this place. The food is fabulous. First the good - food: we opted to do all seafood meal and all the fried fish was amazing. We tried catfish, trout, whiting & tilapia. Everything was piping hot. Sides were pretty good too. Mac n cheese, fried potatoes and a corn muffin. Def not mediocre, but less exceptional than the fish. Prices: very fair considering quality. The specials are great bargains. Otherwise it's not the cheapest but you get quality. Menu: not incredibly varied -I.e. If my picky friend had come along, she may have starved, but that would be her loss! I wish they served lemon wedges with all the fried goodness. Service: very pleasant. Not incredibly fast but they were all courteous. Now the not so good: - the neighborhood and specifically this shopping plaza is not great. Over 60% of stores in this plaza are vacant, presumably due to crime. I wouldn't visit at night. - the wait is pretty insane. Seriously call ahead. - there is no seating. This wouldn't be a problem if fried food didn't need to be consumed instantaneously. Maybe have a picnic in the car??? That's what we did. I'm charging everyone a cleaning fee. This place is great. I'll be back and I'd happily recommend it to others.
(4)
Patrick B.
Chick N' Friends is a respectable fried chicken joint. Good: Food is good. Chicken is tasty. The mac n' cheese is awesome. BAD: Takes forever to get food. Small side portion, they might as well not include any. Price - kind of expensive. Sanitation... place is filthy. Service - Poor service. Only like one person speaks English. They are ALWAYS out of what you want. This place is in the ghetto of Columbia... shocking... but it is. You'll see trap cars stacked up on 28" rims, kids bouncing basketballs, bums loitering around with 40's in their paper bag. (A liquor store is right near by). Some person in a blacked out Mercedes blasting rap music. Wanna be thugs just talking shit or listening to their counterfeit fake "Beats by Dre" headphones. If you were going to get mugged in Columbia, this would be the spot where it would happen.
(2)
Kenah B.
The fried chicken is pretty good. Just wished the sides were bigger. It's in a small container that you normally see to go sauces in. If they improved on the size of there sides I would move to 5 stars.
(3)
Dave L.
I will give them 5 stars, wish it could 4.5 only because calling ahead does very little to amount of time you will wait when picking up. The fried chicken and fish are both superb. The waffles are also excellent. (Wish they atleast sold sold maple syrup for the waffles not the cain sugar stuff). Corn bread, cake, coleslaw, potato salad, and did I say CAKE are all really good. Location isnt the greatest.
(5)
Carol C.
Loved the fried fish. They lost a star for the size of the side dish. Don't even bother ordering the sides except for the fries. I was almost about to turn the car around because I thought she forgot to put my sweet potatoes in there. It was the size of a salsa cup at Chipotle. The two little bites were delicious but that just pissed me off even more when it was all gone. If the fish wasn't so good, I wouldn't go back. I will call ahead next time. It took forever.
(4)
Carolyn J.
This is strictly take out, no place to sit while you wait for your order. Do expect to wait awhile(maybe 20 minutes) while they make your food when you order. I read reviews prior to coming & I'm sorry but fried chicken takes awhile to cook. If you don't want to wait more than 5 minutes because there is no place to sit, there are other places like Royal Farms that leaves the chicken sitting under a light to dry out. Got the chick n waffle 2 piece & I loved it. The belgian waffle was huge! Also ordered the sweet potato mini pie & that was really good as well. Did not get any sides since this seemed filling but yes, they are small. I would come back again.
(4)
Yaka H.
The fried chicken here is crisp on the outside and very tender and moist in the inside. The coating very similar to a homemade fried chicken. Since they are fried in batches, there can be some minor wait time. One thing we always get from Chick N' Friends is a side of collard greens. Very tender and flavorful greens. We've tried the fried fish offering here, it's pretty standard. The fried offerings here don't seem overly greasy. In general, a mom and pop hole in the wall with very homey offerings. This is a take out joint, so no seating available.
(3)
Nhu P.
Hit or miss. Have had this place twice now. First time it wasn't all that it was hyped up to be... Second time, my coworker had gave me half of their platter and it was AMAZING! Asked where it was from and was oh so surprised! So I'll give this place a mid score until I try it again.
(3)
Amy T.
My boyfriend and I go here from time time. Chicken isn't greasy or the skin is not too crispy where it is overpowering. If you call a head of time, you are given time when it will be ready. Your order is typically there when you arrive. We have went to the establishment without calling. The wait was not long. In response to another comment: bums are NOT loitering around, the area is people quiet. So no blasting music. They weren't out of what we wanted. As always, we speak to our experience. But I never visted/ordered where they never had wanted we ordered. I hope this helps.
(4)
Tony P.
Baltimore is noted for pit beef and crab cakes, but another local favorite is fried lake trout/catfish/whitting. This is a small local mom and pop establishment that makes outstanding fried fish fares as well as delectable fried chicken. They pressure cook to seal in the moisture so the chicken/fish come out succulent and juicy with a crunchy crust. The mac and cheese is a solid side choice as well as the sweet yam. This is solely a take out place. The strip mall that this is located is not sketchy.. it's just not well-trodden. You'd be remiss if you pass by here without grabbing some scrumtious chicken or fish to go.
(5)
Kay B.
Don't listen to people saying the place is in the "ghetto" of Columbia. First of all, Columbia has no ghettos. There is a police station literally 1/4 of a block away. Back to Chick N Friends: the food is great. Love the tilapia fish. Love the chicken and waffle deals. The owner is really friendly and the staff is young, energetic and all speak English. I love everything about this place BUT the only thing they have to improve on is the availability of their sweet potato pies. The pie is arguably their best feature but they rarely make it available. It's a case of supply and demand. The demand is great but the supply is weak. You usually have to order ahead to get the mini-pies but when they have them they are usually very delicious. You can even order whole pies but they MUST be done @ least 1-2 days ahead of time. All in all, a great place to get very good tasting food but were it not for the unavailability of the pies, I would give this place a 5 instead of a 4 rating.
(4)
D W.
It was just ok. The chicken was ok it had no seasoning, the fish was ok but I guess if you eat it immediately makes a difference I didn't! Bottom line it wasn't that great., My wife wanted desert so we opted for the lemon cake and chocolate cake...advice skip dessert.
(2)
Just Being T.
Chicken was pretty good but the are selfish with the sides on the real, lol.. Plus I need for the sides to be fresh and not boxed or canned. I just stuck with waffle or wedges.
(3)
Garvin C.
Always had a good experience here. The staff and owners are very friendly and the fried chicken is delicious. The outside skin is crispy and meat is moist. The chicken pieces are also large and full of meat, unlike how KFC and Popeye's can sometimes be. Their sides are good, but nothing spectacular. Their sweet potato pies are really delicious too and i highly recommend trying one. Give a call ahead of time because sometimes the wait can be long. I usually call at least 30 min ahead, but sometimes longer. If they are not busy and can finish the order faster, just tell them the time you will be coming at, and they will just make it slightly later. Also, it's take out only ... no seating.
(4)
Quince B.
I had a little trouble finding this place, GPS will get you there but it's actually behind the Subway, just get out and walk you will see it. I've been twice, and I had the whiting dinner both times. You would be better off calling your order in because it will be a 10-20 minute wait and there's no where to really sit. No complaints about the food, but as it has been mentioned before, the sides are small, barely a scoop of each. This is fine by me, I'm always full from eating their dinner combo.
(4)
Marlon S.
This place does it right. Whenever I am in this area, I like to swing by and grab me some chicken or fish. The catfish is amazing; the chicken is very good. The side items are very very small portions - which is a negative - but, I think a lot of take out places are doing it that way. This is probably the best tasting fried chicken I have ever eaten - not greasy, but very juicy bird. Yes, there is a long wait - but it's definitely worth the wait. I dont mind waiting for quality, tasty and fresh food.
(5)
April S.
This is a solid local spot for good chicken. The fried chicken is very flavorful and everything is always very hot. The catfish is also good; I found the other fish (I can't remember if it was whiting or tilapia) could use more seasoning. I'm removing one star because the sides are less than desirable. The mac n cheese is bland and the bread offerings (corn muffin or biscuit) are typically dry. I'm removing 1/2 star because on more than occasion our order has been incorrect (corn muffin instead of a requested biscuit, etc). The last 1/2 star is removed because of timing. CALL AHEAD. Everything is made to order ensuring that it's hot, but properly fried food takes around 20 minutes so you'll be waiting while standing (there is no seating). Also, because of cooking times, you may not be able to get your chosen food near closing. In other words, if they close at 8pm, you may not be able to get your intended order if you call at 7:45. Overall, if you're looking to pick up some good fried chicken or fish on your way home, call in your order early and enjoy.
(3)
Carlton H.
Was going to make it 3 stars but 4 stars felt right, given the cheerful attitude of the owner. It is very clean. The chicken is good, nicely fried and not greasy. We also tried the fried whiting -- it was okay. But I have been spoiled by Fish in the Hood -- all other fried fish pales in comparison. The sides are, just like everyone says they are -- tiny; almost like sample size. All in all, okay --
(4)
Lamont W.
I agree with most of the reviews about this place. The fried chicken is awesome and it is worth the wait. You may want to call and place your order before you arrive. The owner and his staff are very friendly and top-notch.
(5)
Sydni R.
The fried chicken is GREAT! It is fried to perfection, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. However, the sides are disgusting. The mac and cheese taste horrible, it actually reminds of KFC's mac and cheese, but waaaaay worse. The greens were bitter and had a vinegar taste (yuck), and the yams were the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth (mind you I ate dirt once when I was like 6), it was soaked in honey and just yuck. So stick to chicken and you'll be happy
(3)
Monica K.
Chicken is good but is starting to fall off. Wings had feathers visually still on it. Maybe it's just me but I don't like furry chicken.i understand a little feather/ (I call it hairy)but won't eat it I'll give them one more try if it happens again I'm done I travel too far for this chicken
(3)
DA K.
People talking about dont sleep on this place, clearly do not know nothing about good food and service. This is a waste of time. My fried chicken and fish is better than this place, The service is horrible and the food is average, This is your typical mom and pop in the hood spot, If you use to the hood food you will like this place hands down. People on yelp use the 4 and five star buttons to lightly for me. A very sad dissappointment. Read the yelper who also gave this place one star. That is the truth, Do not let the 4 and 5 stars fool you. You have been warned! Stay Tuned!
(1)
Mike B.
This is a very good, and inexpensive, "mom and pop" home-style ""healthy soul food" place. It's tucked away in neighborhood shopping center and it's worth the effort to find it. Don't expect a "fast food" experience and it is LESS expensive than its chain competitors! Rodney and Kasandra are friendly owners who run a clean and tasty take-out scratch alternative to the chains. Everything is made to order, fresh, so plan on spending 10-20 minutes for most items, hot wings take closer to 30 minutes waiting unless you call ahead. I agree with Mimi's review - both the fried chicken and catfish are lightly battered, perfectly seasoned, tender and juicy. Add to that, everything is fried with 100% canola oil, at a perfect 346 degree temperature, so there is no grease. There are limited quantities - wanted to try the roasted chicken and biscuits, admittedly I came in towards closing during a weeknight, both of which they were out of - which is NOT a bad thing; just tells me they keep their inventory small, fresh and moving. Kassandra politely mentioned the trout was the only frozen item on the menu. The sides are noteworthy - "mac and cheese" light and creamy, collard greens fresh & flavorful.
(4)
JL M.
Beware...if you eat here, all other fried chicken will be ruined for you! I'm serious, this is ambrosia for fried chicken connoisseurs. Their prices are very reasonable, and I must say even their side dishes are quite tasty...I've enjoyed the greens, fries, and their lemony sweet potato pies. Overall this modest mom and pop place is a gem of Columbia. The proper way to do Chick N Friends is to call ahead so you can pick up your order and avoid the wait. Good food takes time after all.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I love checking out independent restaurants. I never knew this restaurant existed until it was reviewed by the Washington Post. The batter is perfectly spiced and they use high quality chicken. The chicken was not greasy and was very flavorful. My parents have lived in Columbia forever, and I recall as a child there was a very low end independent chicken restaurant at the location, and then it became a restaurant spot of death. My mother compares the quality of the chicken to her hometown chicken in Pittsburg, Kansas that was profiled on the Food Network. She said nothing can compare to Pittsburg chicken but this is a close second. We always order out and dine at my parents' house so I've never tried any menu items except the chicken.
(5)
Jayme D.
This place has the best chicken and waffles in the area!! The chicken is so crunchy and good. The pressure cooker cooks it down to the bone. I am so addicted. This is my crack :)
(5)
Tiffany W.
My chicken and waffles were ok. I was looking for soul food this wasn't really soul food, but the reviews were alright so I tried it. They ran out of wings and then got mad when I said I would wait the 20 minutes as if they didn't not feel like cooking any more wings. The sides were toddler sized. Location was creepy. I probably won't go back, food was mediocre.
(2)
Danny C.
Best wings and fish in Howard County. At the least. There is 1 place that may be equal to or better, but thats in Baltimore. So 2 places, best in the state. Just about any entree you order here, its sinfully good. Various types of fish. And im talking about real fish, whole fillets with just a little bit of bladder. Perfectly cooked. Cant even taste the fishiness. Wings? Greatness. Tender, juicy, falls right off the bone, tasty, and they dont use trans fat or msg in any of their foods. Waffle platters? No need to explain, just try it out for yourself! Side dishes are mediocre. What you need to do is, try out any of their actual dishes, I can almost guarantee you wont be disappointed!
(5)
Brittany M.
My family was in the area and didn't want fast food so we came here... The wait was a wait, they said 12 minutes but it was more like 35 mins and there was only one other couple there ordering... Overall the food was good but $4.95 for a waffle and I had to ask for syrup!!!!! My biggest complaint is the portion for the price... My collard greens came in the size of dipping sauce smh... We spent $40 for 8 wings, 2 pieces of fish with 2 very small sides, 2 drinks, and a waffle... It was satisfying but very overpriced I won't be going back...
(3)
Barry S.
For those of my friends that have been jonesing for great chicken ... this is the place I told you about. I hear the fish is wicked good too ... on my list to try. Be prepared to wait!
(4)
Ms B.
I love this place. The wedges are full of flavor and my mouth can't wait for another serving. I rarely go on this side of Columbia but since I found this building of heaven I seem to make a stop once a week for this chicken. Other than the flavor of the food, the kindness of the owners is well worth the trip here. A friendly face always gets me to spend more. Everyone needs to go. Being from Baltimore City I have to work hard to find food I will eat so I don't have to commute weekly to the city for food. Thanks for saving me money.
(4)
Khadijat S.
I went for the first time today and I enjoyed all of my food. I got a 2 piece chicken dinner with yams and cornbread, wedges, and 1 piece lake trout. I was lucky because I went at 2:30 and my food was ready in about 8 minutes! The cornbread is so moist with corn in it and golden colored. The chicken is HOT! Try breaking it with your fork first, lol. The seasoning they use is good and the chicken has a great crunch to it. I can make better yams, soooo they were alright. I think they use the same batter on the fish so its rich and tasty. Did I mention the cornbread was good? lol. Ohh yeah the wedges were fantastic too. I received great service and they didn't make any mistakes on the large order. Overall, loved my chicken box, fish, and sides. I gave it a 5 because I have had better, but no where near by. Ohh yeah, my meal came to $9.59 not bad :) There is no where to sit and wait (CALL AHEAD)
(4)
Postergirl C.
Okay food. The wait for food is lengthy...might be smart to call the order in first.
(3)
Olive G.
Best fried chicken and waffles! Really affordable too.
(5)
Susanna A.
Really authentic southern food. Truly enjoyable to my palette. Plain ole good food!
(4)
Kirk S.
On Feb 4th 2011, I was unfortunate to walk into Chick n' Friends. After working a very long day I was finally off. I decided to give this neighborhood looking friendly carry out a try. I seen that it was run by a slightly elder black man and his wife. I said to myself I could get something quick and be on my way. 7:01pm I walked into Chick n Friends and there were 2 gentlemen standing in line, 1 man was waiting while the owner was discussing a receipt discrepancy over his order and the man was was waiting patiently. After waiting 17 minutes it was time for me to order. I had noticed they had some fried foods in their food bin so I assumed this would be quick. I asked the owner for two pieces of Lake Trout, he replied "we are out of Lake Trout" Then i replied "ok can i have 4 wings" he looked back said "it will be 10-15 minutes" I then said I dont have much time" he replied back "how bout some catfish". I then said "sure, i take the catfish" and he said "ok that'll be $11" At this point i"m like wow but hey it was Friday and thought to myself this must be some fresh catfish they caught a couple hours ago. I gave him a $20 bill and he gave me change back no receipt. Then he yell's behind him "need 2 pieces of catfish". I thought to myself hold up wait a second i was under the impression it was in that glob a fried foods in that shiny food bin. 7:28pm Now i am waiting patiently even though a little annoyed i was misled. So i left and came back about 5 min later only to stand in this very small lobby that barley holds 8-9 standing adults, there are no chairs no tables nothing but standing room only. 7:44pm By this time the guy behind me received his chicken an estimated 20min later. and there was another customer who walked in and asked the owner's wife was his order he called in ready. I look to my left and the owner was toggling buttons on his laptop and his wife readying the called in order. 7:48pm Once the owners wife a slighter elder light skinned black woman had a chance i asked her if my catfish was ready she then replied 5 more minutes. at this point i was exhausted i said "i can not wait any longer may i have my money back" she the replied with a sinister grin "sir you can't have your money back" I said again very politely "please can i have my money back i cant wait any longer" at this time she growls to her husband "(whatever his name is) can you help this man!" He then straggles over and i ask him "may i have my money back please i cannot wait" He replies "just 5 more minutes" i said "please" He then angrily shouts at me "I'll GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BUT DONT COME BACK IN HERE ANY MORE !" i then said calmly " sir why are you angry and yelling at me when i am the customer that you had waiting almost an hour ?" Then his wife chimes in with her ghetto 2 cents "I DONT BE BUYING THIS EXPENSIVE FISH FOR PEOPLE TO WANT THERE MONEY BACK" At this time and point i am very disappointed on many many levels I look at my watch and it is 7:58pm i threw my hands up and said to the Gentlemen "Keep my money, keep the fish GOD bless" and walked out the store out of $11, out of 1 hour, no food and still hungry and late to pick up my son.
(1)
Tanya W.
Best fried chicken North of North Carolina that I have had yet. Excellent seasoning, perfect crispy skin and nice and juicy chicken. Excellent! The service was wonderful! I do agree that calling in ahead of time is the way to go. It is a small place and as previously mentioned no where to sit and eat. Collard greens are also excellent. The mac and cheese- just eh. Not an excellent one, but not bad either. I would certainly go back any time I am craving fried Chicken
(5)
Pam K.
After reading a RAVING review in the Washington Post in 2009, me and a friend just had to check it out. We drove over 50 miles to get there. NEVER AGAIN. The wait for the food was unbearable, but after reading the article, we took our chances, and waited for about 45 mins. It is unorganized, poor management, poor service. They would do better serving food out of their home kitchen. After getting the food we were EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED and basically threw it out. The food had no taste. Chef Ramsey or the host of Restaurant Impossible need to do a complete OVERHAUL of this business if it is to survive. While I support small business, these people need to shut down, reorganize, get a real chef/cook and open with a better business plan. I do not recommend it and will not go back again. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I've eaten at soul food resturants all over the country and this is by far the worst.
(1)
HowChow B.
Chick N' Friends takeout in Columbia serves up delicious chicken -- moist and full of flavor, not just the taste of crust. To me, the difference is that they cook in batches. My wife and I waited 10 minutes for our order, and we sat on a bench outside with chicken so hot that we had to pull it apart with forks. At its best, Chick N' Friends tastes like home cooking in the best possible way. The corn bread muffin was moist and tasted like corn. The collard greens were tender without much seasoning. And the sweet potato pie was superb. Lightly sweet with a smooth texture, but the taste of something hand made. The crust was firm, and, even where it was slightly burnt, that made the pie taste like something that I'd gotten from a friend. Chick N' Friends roasts chicken if you want a heart-healthy option. It also fries several types of fish, and there are waffles available all day. Next time, I'm going to try the chicken and waffles - or maybe the wings. Recognize this is a takeout place, but, in good weather, you can sit on the benches around Long Reach's flower-filled courtyard.
(3)
A K.
Absolutely the best fried chicken anywhere. Definitely recommend ordering ahead. Small mom and pop shop...
(5)
Eric L.
Horrible. Waited 40 min for two orders and watched as they gave away our food to someone who ordered after us. Food sat open on counter ready to go for about 5 min before we asked if it was ours. It was. Got home and waffles were soggy and chicken was over seasoned. I do not and will not recomend this place to anyone!
(1)
Uchen E.
This place single-handedly brought back my cravings for fried chicken. Excellent food and phenomenal service. I would say more but I want to finish my meal...
(5)
Mimi J.
Don't sleep on this place. It's tucked away in strip mall in Long Reach, but it's worth seeking out. It's strictly carryout and the food is cooked to order so there may be a little wait. The wait is worth it, however. Both the fried chicken and fried catfish have a wonderful coating that is light and tasty. It's not "bready" or greasy. The food here does not taste like carryout, but rather homecooking.
(4)
Doug A.
A big pile of yummy. The chicken is crisp, perfectly fried and nicely seasoned. The only sides I've had are the cole slaw and the mac and cheese. The mac is marginal but the slaw is outstanding, with a nice little punch. I'm headed back for more tonight.
(4)
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Address :Long Reach Village Center,8775 Cloudleap Ct
Columbia, MD, 21045
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Carina d.
This review is for the fried chicken only. Crispy, not greasy, perfect level of saltiness, and juicy meat -- fried chicken from here is amazing! It's tucked away in a small strip mall so it's not the easiest to get to, but well worth a visit. The sides are small, so for +$2 you can upsize the "small" sides of the chicken dinner meal to "regular" size. I can't wait to return to try the chicken 'n waffles or fried fish!
(4)Andrew M.
SOLID personified. So glad I finally tried this place. Historically, my fried chicken goto had always been Royal Farms or the nearest Popeye's. But that's soon to change thanks to my friends at Chick N' Friends. And they are as advertised, friends to the chickens they serve and to their hungry patrons, frying up chicken like that. Everything I tried, I loved, and will happily order again: *THE CHICKEN: reminds me of the pressure fried KFC original recipe (with "11 herbs and spices" aka salt and pepper...look it up) but better, fresher, and hopefully less industrially farmed *mac n cheese - textbook in a good way *yams - great, desserty *sweet potato pies - as advertised and lives up to the hype *cornbread - almost an afterthought among everything else, but very good *fresh squeezed lemonade - different, gooood, and refreshingly restrained on the sweetness level So for me, obviously the chicken's gotta be good, but my chicken box days are over. I gotta have quality sides, peripherals, and accessories. They certainly have that. And that makes all the difference because that's usually the first place you see lackluster soul food joints miss their mark. Next time: lake trout To quote a great man, Detective Bunk Moreland "No lake no trout"
(4)Edward L.
Planned a noon cookout at my new house last Saturday but found out the night before the party that the grill I ordered wouldn't be delivered until late afternoon day of party. Backup plan: fried chicken. Tried calling Royal Farms but the two people I spoke with were unhelpful and difficult to understand on the phone. Ordered from here instead even though I had never eaten here before. Decision based solely on the Yelp reviews and proximity. Called them up about 25 minutes before their 11:00 opening Saturday and someone actually answered the phone. Friendly-sounding gentleman. He said he'd have 30 pieces of their fried chicken ready for me in a pan by 11:00. Perfect! I showed up around 11:10 and saw that the reviews weren't kidding about it being a small carryout spot. Wasn't even a chair to sit on. Oh well, this didn't matter as long as my food was ready and delicious. The older gentleman who took my phone order greeted me and then guided a young employee on ringing up my order. An older sweet woman loaded up hot fresh pressure-fried chicken into a pan, sealed it, gave me instructions on how to keep it crispy once I get home, and wished me well on the way out. Nice experience so far. The chicken smelled good as I drove it home. Once home, I vented a corner of the lid as instructed and sat it on the counter. Here is where they get the 5 stars. Every single person at the party LOVED the chicken, including my parents and my in-laws. These are older Chinese folks who wouldn't go out of the way for fried chicken like my brother or I would. They couldn't get enough of it. Amazing. I don't think I've seen my parents eat that much fried chicken in one sitting ever. Of course, they even commented on how decent the price was for 30 pieces. Cheaper than Royal Farms. Crispy skin! Juicy meat! Yummy flavor! Will definitely be ordering the chicken again and trying the rest of their menu very soon. Note: the chicken can be ordered fried or roasted according to the menu.
(5)Walter B.
Usually opt for Popeyes but found this spot based on the reviews gave it a shot. Ordered ahead since it's a 20 minute wait, and upon driving up to the mall, you have to walk around a corner to find it. Worth the drive and wait. May be the best fried cWill be back any time I am in the area. Highly recommended. hicken I've ever had. Super crispy but not overly floured with a thick crust or greasy, perfect. Tasty with just a little extra spice. Got the 4pc thigh with no sides.
(5)Sharon C.
When I couldn't decide what would be for lunch, I let Yelp decide for me. I ordered the catfish (2 pcs), mac n cheese and collard greens. I was a bit surprised when I saw that there is a $0.25 upcharge for yams and mac n cheese. Um, ok....I'm hungry so I paid it. The catfish filets were sizeable and fried just right. The corn muffin that comes with the food was good but the wee servings of sides had me with the wrinkle over my nose as I quietly asked "Are they serious?" I was pressed for time as I had to transit back, eat and resume my training. It took about 15 minutes for my order to be ready, I'll phone ahead next time. This is a grab and go establishment. There are absolutely no chairs or areas to loiter so keep it moving. No issues with parking as Chic N' Friends is located in a small shopping plaza. You have to park and walk to the center of the shops to find them. I appreciated being greeted when I arrived and the cashier was very patient as I made up my mind. The food was good and I blame them for me dozing off during my Microsoft lecture that afternoon...lol
(3)SabrinaRenee' B.
Better than I expected except the fish I ordered Had very little meat on it... Mainly skin and bones... The sides are delish too. Mac and cheese is cheesy and creamy.. Greens are fresh and candied Yams were sweet and tasty. Portions are small though. the Lemon Cake Was Boss. 3 Layers of Freshness Moistness and creamy icing WOWZERS. I will Def Go back but order a different meat.
(3)Thomas L.
Amazing food. Amazing service. 20 min wait time was worth every second. Their lunch specials had great prices. I got a 12 piece meal, two side, 1 waffle, and 2 chicken fingers for around $16. Again. Worth every penny. I will be a regular here! Trying the trout next!!
(5)Cathy B.
It's just like my Grandmas "pressure cooked fried chicken". Perfectly moist and seasoned. The 30 piece is a crazy good value. We make our own sides so can't comment on that. Good service too!
(5)J W.
This is a nice spot in Long Reach Village Center. When I'm back visiting family in Columbia I usually try and stop by here to get my fried chicken fixing. This is honestly some of the best fried chicken I've ever had, so it definitely gets 5 stars if you are just rating that. That being said, I've tried some of their fried fish items and I honestly didn't think they were that great. I am not overly impressed with their sides either (potato salad, mac n cheese), and they should probably look to "re-size" their sides since everything is a size smaller than it should be. Don't even bother getting the "small" size sides because it is literally only probably a spoon-full worth of a side. As others have mentioned, it can be a little annoying that they don't always have certain items. I really like their homemade chocolate cake, and when I was living in the area and going here a lot, it would be hit or miss as to whether or not they actually had the chocolate cake on a given day (many times they would make the lemon cake instead). My only other complaint is that sometimes they have young high school kids working the register, and I had a problem on 2 occasions here with them giving me the wrong amount of change back. Plus, they don't give you an itemized, printed receipt (at least when I last went they were writing things down by pin on a pad). I think it's great that they are providing jobs for these kids, but they were short with my change twice and tried to insist that they gave me the right amount of change. Finally as others said, definitely call ahead to order or you will wait forever. In summary, a GREAT place to go for fried chicken. Their other items are okay, and they have some room for improvement on their operations.
(3)SD W.
The waffles are perfectly prepared and paired w/a waffle add the butter, syrup and honey. Yes! A definite treat!
(4)Artranda H.
Chick N fries is in a run down village center in Columbia hidden! But besides that the chicken is good and tasty, but they could give bigger sides. The chicken and waffles of course is good! All in all the chicken is the best!
(4)Crystal B.
I haven't been to this place in a long while... The neighborhood is beyond sketchy. If I could pick this place up and put it somewhere else, it'd get 5 stars. The food is awesome! Today we got the chicken, tilapia, catfish, mac'n cheese, & potato wedges... All were very exceptional! My kid has a food coma right now... I will be back!
(4)Brooke W.
It was good didn't see the hype about the chicken
(4)Rose A.
Good Chicken! We ordered the 4 piece wings with fries, waffle and 3 piece chicken dinner with greens and Mac n cheese. Chicken wings from the 4 piece with fries are different than the 3 piece dinner. They were Significantly smaller. Taste and crispness was ON POINT! We got home and they were still crispy and not greasy. Even the smaller wings were juicy. Note: on my 3 piece dinner, I gotta all dark meats (thigh, wing and drum). Sides were nothing special that's why it only 4 stars...waffle got soggy from the steam when we got home but still tasted good. This place is hidden on the back side of the strip mall. Not visible from the front. Park in the main lot and walk around.
(4)Sonnya B.
I really liked this place. The food is fabulous. First the good - food: we opted to do all seafood meal and all the fried fish was amazing. We tried catfish, trout, whiting & tilapia. Everything was piping hot. Sides were pretty good too. Mac n cheese, fried potatoes and a corn muffin. Def not mediocre, but less exceptional than the fish. Prices: very fair considering quality. The specials are great bargains. Otherwise it's not the cheapest but you get quality. Menu: not incredibly varied -I.e. If my picky friend had come along, she may have starved, but that would be her loss! I wish they served lemon wedges with all the fried goodness. Service: very pleasant. Not incredibly fast but they were all courteous. Now the not so good: - the neighborhood and specifically this shopping plaza is not great. Over 60% of stores in this plaza are vacant, presumably due to crime. I wouldn't visit at night. - the wait is pretty insane. Seriously call ahead. - there is no seating. This wouldn't be a problem if fried food didn't need to be consumed instantaneously. Maybe have a picnic in the car??? That's what we did. I'm charging everyone a cleaning fee. This place is great. I'll be back and I'd happily recommend it to others.
(4)Patrick B.
Chick N' Friends is a respectable fried chicken joint. Good: Food is good. Chicken is tasty. The mac n' cheese is awesome. BAD: Takes forever to get food. Small side portion, they might as well not include any. Price - kind of expensive. Sanitation... place is filthy. Service - Poor service. Only like one person speaks English. They are ALWAYS out of what you want. This place is in the ghetto of Columbia... shocking... but it is. You'll see trap cars stacked up on 28" rims, kids bouncing basketballs, bums loitering around with 40's in their paper bag. (A liquor store is right near by). Some person in a blacked out Mercedes blasting rap music. Wanna be thugs just talking shit or listening to their counterfeit fake "Beats by Dre" headphones. If you were going to get mugged in Columbia, this would be the spot where it would happen.
(2)Kenah B.
The fried chicken is pretty good. Just wished the sides were bigger. It's in a small container that you normally see to go sauces in. If they improved on the size of there sides I would move to 5 stars.
(3)Dave L.
I will give them 5 stars, wish it could 4.5 only because calling ahead does very little to amount of time you will wait when picking up. The fried chicken and fish are both superb. The waffles are also excellent. (Wish they atleast sold sold maple syrup for the waffles not the cain sugar stuff). Corn bread, cake, coleslaw, potato salad, and did I say CAKE are all really good. Location isnt the greatest.
(5)Carol C.
Loved the fried fish. They lost a star for the size of the side dish. Don't even bother ordering the sides except for the fries. I was almost about to turn the car around because I thought she forgot to put my sweet potatoes in there. It was the size of a salsa cup at Chipotle. The two little bites were delicious but that just pissed me off even more when it was all gone. If the fish wasn't so good, I wouldn't go back. I will call ahead next time. It took forever.
(4)Carolyn J.
This is strictly take out, no place to sit while you wait for your order. Do expect to wait awhile(maybe 20 minutes) while they make your food when you order. I read reviews prior to coming & I'm sorry but fried chicken takes awhile to cook. If you don't want to wait more than 5 minutes because there is no place to sit, there are other places like Royal Farms that leaves the chicken sitting under a light to dry out. Got the chick n waffle 2 piece & I loved it. The belgian waffle was huge! Also ordered the sweet potato mini pie & that was really good as well. Did not get any sides since this seemed filling but yes, they are small. I would come back again.
(4)Yaka H.
The fried chicken here is crisp on the outside and very tender and moist in the inside. The coating very similar to a homemade fried chicken. Since they are fried in batches, there can be some minor wait time. One thing we always get from Chick N' Friends is a side of collard greens. Very tender and flavorful greens. We've tried the fried fish offering here, it's pretty standard. The fried offerings here don't seem overly greasy. In general, a mom and pop hole in the wall with very homey offerings. This is a take out joint, so no seating available.
(3)Nhu P.
Hit or miss. Have had this place twice now. First time it wasn't all that it was hyped up to be... Second time, my coworker had gave me half of their platter and it was AMAZING! Asked where it was from and was oh so surprised! So I'll give this place a mid score until I try it again.
(3)Amy T.
My boyfriend and I go here from time time. Chicken isn't greasy or the skin is not too crispy where it is overpowering. If you call a head of time, you are given time when it will be ready. Your order is typically there when you arrive. We have went to the establishment without calling. The wait was not long. In response to another comment: bums are NOT loitering around, the area is people quiet. So no blasting music. They weren't out of what we wanted. As always, we speak to our experience. But I never visted/ordered where they never had wanted we ordered. I hope this helps.
(4)Tony P.
Baltimore is noted for pit beef and crab cakes, but another local favorite is fried lake trout/catfish/whitting. This is a small local mom and pop establishment that makes outstanding fried fish fares as well as delectable fried chicken. They pressure cook to seal in the moisture so the chicken/fish come out succulent and juicy with a crunchy crust. The mac and cheese is a solid side choice as well as the sweet yam. This is solely a take out place. The strip mall that this is located is not sketchy.. it's just not well-trodden. You'd be remiss if you pass by here without grabbing some scrumtious chicken or fish to go.
(5)Kay B.
Don't listen to people saying the place is in the "ghetto" of Columbia. First of all, Columbia has no ghettos. There is a police station literally 1/4 of a block away. Back to Chick N Friends: the food is great. Love the tilapia fish. Love the chicken and waffle deals. The owner is really friendly and the staff is young, energetic and all speak English. I love everything about this place BUT the only thing they have to improve on is the availability of their sweet potato pies. The pie is arguably their best feature but they rarely make it available. It's a case of supply and demand. The demand is great but the supply is weak. You usually have to order ahead to get the mini-pies but when they have them they are usually very delicious. You can even order whole pies but they MUST be done @ least 1-2 days ahead of time. All in all, a great place to get very good tasting food but were it not for the unavailability of the pies, I would give this place a 5 instead of a 4 rating.
(4)D W.
It was just ok. The chicken was ok it had no seasoning, the fish was ok but I guess if you eat it immediately makes a difference I didn't! Bottom line it wasn't that great., My wife wanted desert so we opted for the lemon cake and chocolate cake...advice skip dessert.
(2)Just Being T.
Chicken was pretty good but the are selfish with the sides on the real, lol.. Plus I need for the sides to be fresh and not boxed or canned. I just stuck with waffle or wedges.
(3)Garvin C.
Always had a good experience here. The staff and owners are very friendly and the fried chicken is delicious. The outside skin is crispy and meat is moist. The chicken pieces are also large and full of meat, unlike how KFC and Popeye's can sometimes be. Their sides are good, but nothing spectacular. Their sweet potato pies are really delicious too and i highly recommend trying one. Give a call ahead of time because sometimes the wait can be long. I usually call at least 30 min ahead, but sometimes longer. If they are not busy and can finish the order faster, just tell them the time you will be coming at, and they will just make it slightly later. Also, it's take out only ... no seating.
(4)Quince B.
I had a little trouble finding this place, GPS will get you there but it's actually behind the Subway, just get out and walk you will see it. I've been twice, and I had the whiting dinner both times. You would be better off calling your order in because it will be a 10-20 minute wait and there's no where to really sit. No complaints about the food, but as it has been mentioned before, the sides are small, barely a scoop of each. This is fine by me, I'm always full from eating their dinner combo.
(4)Marlon S.
This place does it right. Whenever I am in this area, I like to swing by and grab me some chicken or fish. The catfish is amazing; the chicken is very good. The side items are very very small portions - which is a negative - but, I think a lot of take out places are doing it that way. This is probably the best tasting fried chicken I have ever eaten - not greasy, but very juicy bird. Yes, there is a long wait - but it's definitely worth the wait. I dont mind waiting for quality, tasty and fresh food.
(5)April S.
This is a solid local spot for good chicken. The fried chicken is very flavorful and everything is always very hot. The catfish is also good; I found the other fish (I can't remember if it was whiting or tilapia) could use more seasoning. I'm removing one star because the sides are less than desirable. The mac n cheese is bland and the bread offerings (corn muffin or biscuit) are typically dry. I'm removing 1/2 star because on more than occasion our order has been incorrect (corn muffin instead of a requested biscuit, etc). The last 1/2 star is removed because of timing. CALL AHEAD. Everything is made to order ensuring that it's hot, but properly fried food takes around 20 minutes so you'll be waiting while standing (there is no seating). Also, because of cooking times, you may not be able to get your chosen food near closing. In other words, if they close at 8pm, you may not be able to get your intended order if you call at 7:45. Overall, if you're looking to pick up some good fried chicken or fish on your way home, call in your order early and enjoy.
(3)Carlton H.
Was going to make it 3 stars but 4 stars felt right, given the cheerful attitude of the owner. It is very clean. The chicken is good, nicely fried and not greasy. We also tried the fried whiting -- it was okay. But I have been spoiled by Fish in the Hood -- all other fried fish pales in comparison. The sides are, just like everyone says they are -- tiny; almost like sample size. All in all, okay --
(4)Lamont W.
I agree with most of the reviews about this place. The fried chicken is awesome and it is worth the wait. You may want to call and place your order before you arrive. The owner and his staff are very friendly and top-notch.
(5)Sydni R.
The fried chicken is GREAT! It is fried to perfection, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. However, the sides are disgusting. The mac and cheese taste horrible, it actually reminds of KFC's mac and cheese, but waaaaay worse. The greens were bitter and had a vinegar taste (yuck), and the yams were the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth (mind you I ate dirt once when I was like 6), it was soaked in honey and just yuck. So stick to chicken and you'll be happy
(3)Monica K.
Chicken is good but is starting to fall off. Wings had feathers visually still on it. Maybe it's just me but I don't like furry chicken.i understand a little feather/ (I call it hairy)but won't eat it I'll give them one more try if it happens again I'm done I travel too far for this chicken
(3)DA K.
People talking about dont sleep on this place, clearly do not know nothing about good food and service. This is a waste of time. My fried chicken and fish is better than this place, The service is horrible and the food is average, This is your typical mom and pop in the hood spot, If you use to the hood food you will like this place hands down. People on yelp use the 4 and five star buttons to lightly for me. A very sad dissappointment. Read the yelper who also gave this place one star. That is the truth, Do not let the 4 and 5 stars fool you. You have been warned! Stay Tuned!
(1)Mike B.
This is a very good, and inexpensive, "mom and pop" home-style ""healthy soul food" place. It's tucked away in neighborhood shopping center and it's worth the effort to find it. Don't expect a "fast food" experience and it is LESS expensive than its chain competitors! Rodney and Kasandra are friendly owners who run a clean and tasty take-out scratch alternative to the chains. Everything is made to order, fresh, so plan on spending 10-20 minutes for most items, hot wings take closer to 30 minutes waiting unless you call ahead. I agree with Mimi's review - both the fried chicken and catfish are lightly battered, perfectly seasoned, tender and juicy. Add to that, everything is fried with 100% canola oil, at a perfect 346 degree temperature, so there is no grease. There are limited quantities - wanted to try the roasted chicken and biscuits, admittedly I came in towards closing during a weeknight, both of which they were out of - which is NOT a bad thing; just tells me they keep their inventory small, fresh and moving. Kassandra politely mentioned the trout was the only frozen item on the menu. The sides are noteworthy - "mac and cheese" light and creamy, collard greens fresh & flavorful.
(4)JL M.
Beware...if you eat here, all other fried chicken will be ruined for you! I'm serious, this is ambrosia for fried chicken connoisseurs. Their prices are very reasonable, and I must say even their side dishes are quite tasty...I've enjoyed the greens, fries, and their lemony sweet potato pies. Overall this modest mom and pop place is a gem of Columbia. The proper way to do Chick N Friends is to call ahead so you can pick up your order and avoid the wait. Good food takes time after all.
(5)Jennifer S.
I love checking out independent restaurants. I never knew this restaurant existed until it was reviewed by the Washington Post. The batter is perfectly spiced and they use high quality chicken. The chicken was not greasy and was very flavorful. My parents have lived in Columbia forever, and I recall as a child there was a very low end independent chicken restaurant at the location, and then it became a restaurant spot of death. My mother compares the quality of the chicken to her hometown chicken in Pittsburg, Kansas that was profiled on the Food Network. She said nothing can compare to Pittsburg chicken but this is a close second. We always order out and dine at my parents' house so I've never tried any menu items except the chicken.
(5)Jayme D.
This place has the best chicken and waffles in the area!! The chicken is so crunchy and good. The pressure cooker cooks it down to the bone. I am so addicted. This is my crack :)
(5)Tiffany W.
My chicken and waffles were ok. I was looking for soul food this wasn't really soul food, but the reviews were alright so I tried it. They ran out of wings and then got mad when I said I would wait the 20 minutes as if they didn't not feel like cooking any more wings. The sides were toddler sized. Location was creepy. I probably won't go back, food was mediocre.
(2)Danny C.
Best wings and fish in Howard County. At the least. There is 1 place that may be equal to or better, but thats in Baltimore. So 2 places, best in the state. Just about any entree you order here, its sinfully good. Various types of fish. And im talking about real fish, whole fillets with just a little bit of bladder. Perfectly cooked. Cant even taste the fishiness. Wings? Greatness. Tender, juicy, falls right off the bone, tasty, and they dont use trans fat or msg in any of their foods. Waffle platters? No need to explain, just try it out for yourself! Side dishes are mediocre. What you need to do is, try out any of their actual dishes, I can almost guarantee you wont be disappointed!
(5)Brittany M.
My family was in the area and didn't want fast food so we came here... The wait was a wait, they said 12 minutes but it was more like 35 mins and there was only one other couple there ordering... Overall the food was good but $4.95 for a waffle and I had to ask for syrup!!!!! My biggest complaint is the portion for the price... My collard greens came in the size of dipping sauce smh... We spent $40 for 8 wings, 2 pieces of fish with 2 very small sides, 2 drinks, and a waffle... It was satisfying but very overpriced I won't be going back...
(3)Barry S.
For those of my friends that have been jonesing for great chicken ... this is the place I told you about. I hear the fish is wicked good too ... on my list to try. Be prepared to wait!
(4)Ms B.
I love this place. The wedges are full of flavor and my mouth can't wait for another serving. I rarely go on this side of Columbia but since I found this building of heaven I seem to make a stop once a week for this chicken. Other than the flavor of the food, the kindness of the owners is well worth the trip here. A friendly face always gets me to spend more. Everyone needs to go. Being from Baltimore City I have to work hard to find food I will eat so I don't have to commute weekly to the city for food. Thanks for saving me money.
(4)Khadijat S.
I went for the first time today and I enjoyed all of my food. I got a 2 piece chicken dinner with yams and cornbread, wedges, and 1 piece lake trout. I was lucky because I went at 2:30 and my food was ready in about 8 minutes! The cornbread is so moist with corn in it and golden colored. The chicken is HOT! Try breaking it with your fork first, lol. The seasoning they use is good and the chicken has a great crunch to it. I can make better yams, soooo they were alright. I think they use the same batter on the fish so its rich and tasty. Did I mention the cornbread was good? lol. Ohh yeah the wedges were fantastic too. I received great service and they didn't make any mistakes on the large order. Overall, loved my chicken box, fish, and sides. I gave it a 5 because I have had better, but no where near by. Ohh yeah, my meal came to $9.59 not bad :) There is no where to sit and wait (CALL AHEAD)
(4)Postergirl C.
Okay food. The wait for food is lengthy...might be smart to call the order in first.
(3)Olive G.
Best fried chicken and waffles! Really affordable too.
(5)Susanna A.
Really authentic southern food. Truly enjoyable to my palette. Plain ole good food!
(4)Kirk S.
On Feb 4th 2011, I was unfortunate to walk into Chick n' Friends. After working a very long day I was finally off. I decided to give this neighborhood looking friendly carry out a try. I seen that it was run by a slightly elder black man and his wife. I said to myself I could get something quick and be on my way. 7:01pm I walked into Chick n Friends and there were 2 gentlemen standing in line, 1 man was waiting while the owner was discussing a receipt discrepancy over his order and the man was was waiting patiently. After waiting 17 minutes it was time for me to order. I had noticed they had some fried foods in their food bin so I assumed this would be quick. I asked the owner for two pieces of Lake Trout, he replied "we are out of Lake Trout" Then i replied "ok can i have 4 wings" he looked back said "it will be 10-15 minutes" I then said I dont have much time" he replied back "how bout some catfish". I then said "sure, i take the catfish" and he said "ok that'll be $11" At this point i"m like wow but hey it was Friday and thought to myself this must be some fresh catfish they caught a couple hours ago. I gave him a $20 bill and he gave me change back no receipt. Then he yell's behind him "need 2 pieces of catfish". I thought to myself hold up wait a second i was under the impression it was in that glob a fried foods in that shiny food bin. 7:28pm Now i am waiting patiently even though a little annoyed i was misled. So i left and came back about 5 min later only to stand in this very small lobby that barley holds 8-9 standing adults, there are no chairs no tables nothing but standing room only. 7:44pm By this time the guy behind me received his chicken an estimated 20min later. and there was another customer who walked in and asked the owner's wife was his order he called in ready. I look to my left and the owner was toggling buttons on his laptop and his wife readying the called in order. 7:48pm Once the owners wife a slighter elder light skinned black woman had a chance i asked her if my catfish was ready she then replied 5 more minutes. at this point i was exhausted i said "i can not wait any longer may i have my money back" she the replied with a sinister grin "sir you can't have your money back" I said again very politely "please can i have my money back i cant wait any longer" at this time she growls to her husband "(whatever his name is) can you help this man!" He then straggles over and i ask him "may i have my money back please i cannot wait" He replies "just 5 more minutes" i said "please" He then angrily shouts at me "I'll GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BUT DONT COME BACK IN HERE ANY MORE !" i then said calmly " sir why are you angry and yelling at me when i am the customer that you had waiting almost an hour ?" Then his wife chimes in with her ghetto 2 cents "I DONT BE BUYING THIS EXPENSIVE FISH FOR PEOPLE TO WANT THERE MONEY BACK" At this time and point i am very disappointed on many many levels I look at my watch and it is 7:58pm i threw my hands up and said to the Gentlemen "Keep my money, keep the fish GOD bless" and walked out the store out of $11, out of 1 hour, no food and still hungry and late to pick up my son.
(1)Tanya W.
Best fried chicken North of North Carolina that I have had yet. Excellent seasoning, perfect crispy skin and nice and juicy chicken. Excellent! The service was wonderful! I do agree that calling in ahead of time is the way to go. It is a small place and as previously mentioned no where to sit and eat. Collard greens are also excellent. The mac and cheese- just eh. Not an excellent one, but not bad either. I would certainly go back any time I am craving fried Chicken
(5)Pam K.
After reading a RAVING review in the Washington Post in 2009, me and a friend just had to check it out. We drove over 50 miles to get there. NEVER AGAIN. The wait for the food was unbearable, but after reading the article, we took our chances, and waited for about 45 mins. It is unorganized, poor management, poor service. They would do better serving food out of their home kitchen. After getting the food we were EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED and basically threw it out. The food had no taste. Chef Ramsey or the host of Restaurant Impossible need to do a complete OVERHAUL of this business if it is to survive. While I support small business, these people need to shut down, reorganize, get a real chef/cook and open with a better business plan. I do not recommend it and will not go back again. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I've eaten at soul food resturants all over the country and this is by far the worst.
(1)HowChow B.
Chick N' Friends takeout in Columbia serves up delicious chicken -- moist and full of flavor, not just the taste of crust. To me, the difference is that they cook in batches. My wife and I waited 10 minutes for our order, and we sat on a bench outside with chicken so hot that we had to pull it apart with forks. At its best, Chick N' Friends tastes like home cooking in the best possible way. The corn bread muffin was moist and tasted like corn. The collard greens were tender without much seasoning. And the sweet potato pie was superb. Lightly sweet with a smooth texture, but the taste of something hand made. The crust was firm, and, even where it was slightly burnt, that made the pie taste like something that I'd gotten from a friend. Chick N' Friends roasts chicken if you want a heart-healthy option. It also fries several types of fish, and there are waffles available all day. Next time, I'm going to try the chicken and waffles - or maybe the wings. Recognize this is a takeout place, but, in good weather, you can sit on the benches around Long Reach's flower-filled courtyard.
(3)A K.
Absolutely the best fried chicken anywhere. Definitely recommend ordering ahead. Small mom and pop shop...
(5)Eric L.
Horrible. Waited 40 min for two orders and watched as they gave away our food to someone who ordered after us. Food sat open on counter ready to go for about 5 min before we asked if it was ours. It was. Got home and waffles were soggy and chicken was over seasoned. I do not and will not recomend this place to anyone!
(1)Uchen E.
This place single-handedly brought back my cravings for fried chicken. Excellent food and phenomenal service. I would say more but I want to finish my meal...
(5)Mimi J.
Don't sleep on this place. It's tucked away in strip mall in Long Reach, but it's worth seeking out. It's strictly carryout and the food is cooked to order so there may be a little wait. The wait is worth it, however. Both the fried chicken and fried catfish have a wonderful coating that is light and tasty. It's not "bready" or greasy. The food here does not taste like carryout, but rather homecooking.
(4)Doug A.
A big pile of yummy. The chicken is crisp, perfectly fried and nicely seasoned. The only sides I've had are the cole slaw and the mac and cheese. The mac is marginal but the slaw is outstanding, with a nice little punch. I'm headed back for more tonight.
(4)