Price’s Chicken Coop, Charlotte, NC

It's like your mama is in the kitchen

by Ericka Foster | September 10, 2010

If you have a Southern mama, auntie or grandma, you know the futility of buying fried chicken at a chain. It may be a lifesaver in a pinch, but real fried chicken doesn’t come in a bucket. If it doesn’t come from a family kitchen then it may come from a hole in the wall. One of those no-frills places where all you really need is a shirt, shoes, and some cash. Price’s Chicken Coop is one of those places. And any fried chicken connoisseur will tell you Price’s just might be as good as your grandma’s.

In fact, it is the kind of place that Charlotteans can’t keep to themselves. The place has been featured on the Food Network as one of the top ten places in the country to get fried chicken. Gourmet magazine calls it “the fried-chicken-eating experience of a lifetime”.

What to expect:

If you’re lucky, the line won’t be out the door. That’s ok, as someone who hates to wait, the line moves quickly. It’s fun to watch the staff effortlessly manage the demand as people leave with their prized possessions. They don’t take credit or checks, just the good old-fashioned green. You don’t need a lot to get a good meal, but you’ll want plenty. There is no place to sit down in the place, but don’t feel bad if you can’t wait to get home to eat, You’ll be among friends as you sit in your car snacking on the southern fried goodness.

All dinners are served with cole slaw, tater rounds, hushpuppies & roll, so you’ll undoubtedly be stuffed when you’re done. You will still have to resist the urge to go back in and get a couple pieces for the road. Price’s Chicken Coop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. It’s located at 1614 Camden Road in Charlotte, NC. Parking is in the back.