Ghetto place definitely, but other than that pretty decent for fast food chain. I'm glad their health score is 91/100 for a crampy small crowded dinky franchise. Tuesdays the deal is great... you get a full meal for a few bucks and all that meat.. but always a line for the cheapy days. Chicken are fresh cooked on those days because it's constant people ordering. Poor chickens ... they probably hate Tuesdays now. Personally I don't order it too much because I'm not too fond of lines or fried chickens, but I love it with the hot sauce :) I like their mashed potato and gravy, but I'm not sure if it tastes real anymore haha.. Heard their biscuit is the best here now.
(4)
Ackord R.
Permanently Closed!!! Due to a Massive Fire above the restaurant and it's surrounding shops next to it early Wednesday night Popeyes served me and the rest of the Mission District and beyond for 15-yrs of Louisiana Kitchen Fried Chicken and the friendly staff who worked there is very sad to see my neighborhood Popeyes Chicken leave due to a building fire Thank you for being a part of Mission District and I thank you.
(5)
Victor G.
Popeye's has been a semi-favorite over the years. not so much now. my tastes have evolved. usual menu. small counter for ordering. just a few tables for sitdown eats: 3 tender w/biscuit(3.99) -biscuit no complaint, fluffy -tenders way overbattered, no chicken tasted, just batter 2iish stars. crumbs: -fast, quick service.
(3)
Wendell L.
Just wanted to express my unending love for the dearly departed Mission Street Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. It served the most delicious, artery-clogging fried chicken in the city. And the 11 pieces for $12.99 special couldn't be beat. Rest In Pieces, Mission Popeyes. Rest in scrumptious breast, wing, leg, thigh pieces.
(5)
Gary W.
I have been a regular customer for a few years now...I liked the spicy chicken and bought it regularly...However, now that I read the article about a pregnant manager who was fired after being robbed at gunpoint and refused to pay back the money that was stolen! I wouldn't eat your disgusting trash if you paid me the $400 that was stolen. I can say, over the years, I have spent that much and more! The new acronym for Popeye's is ESAD! Change your name to Bluto's and find another Olive Oyl to rob! BY A## WHOLES! NEVER AGAIN!!!
(1)
Anthony V.
I like this restaurant but sorry to say this restaurant is close for maybe renovating after a fire makes you question how did it get started,
(4)
Chase L.
This place is dangerously close to our office. When we open the doors on the balcony, we can smell the chicken cooking. One day at lunch time, 10 separate staff members came back with Popeyes. This was not planned, but the smell enticed us. You will most likely be greeted by pigeons when you walk in. I think they would save a lot of money if they start cooking them.
(4)
Lily R.
Yep. It's true. Your eyes aren't crossed. You aren't drunk or dreaming. I proudly walked in here with my posse and ordred the 10pc leg and thigh special. ($7.99) We were on our way to a fancy establishment and our hunger was no longer containable. WE NEEDED A CHICKEN LEG like a crackhead needed a rock. Like vultures, all that was left were bones and SOME chicken skin. Ever since I discovered Popeye's, I am an animal when it comes to fried chicken. ON OCCASION of course. I do want to stay some what Olive Oil-sh. ;)
(4)
Michael L.
Although I grew up on KFC chicken because of their seasoning flavor, I highly prefer Popeye's based on the crunchiness of their chickens. The best time to go to this place would be any day that is not Tuesday or very early when they open. But then you'll end up paying more since Tuesday is 2 pc for $1.29 which is an awesome deal. The only catch is that you'll be stuck in line that goes all the way around the block. They're service is quick but the only thing that needs improvement would be the politeness of their staff. I don't know if it's the lack of their English skills or the stress that douche bags and hood rats bring into the store that makes them bitchy, but I hope they work on it...
(4)
Victor L.
I strongly dislike this location. The inside is so small, and the seating is so awkwardly cramped. I came here on a Tuesday night with the GF. We got two 2 piece specials, mashed potatoes, and cajun fries. We wanted spicy and the cashier told us it would be a ten minute wait. There were two tables that were available. They were both extremely dirty, with crumbs on the tables, as well as food particles stuck in between the wood of the bench. I wanted to wash my hands, but of course the restroom and back tables were sectioned off. This has to be a hazard not only to customers, but to the employees as well. Just because you are eager to get off work, does not give you the right to block off those tables and the restroom. That is terrible customer service mentality and you should be penalized for that. The food was good. The fries were very crispy, and the mashed potatoes were nice and hot. The chicken was decent. Mine was juicy, but there was some blood which oozed out, which was a bit of a turn off. So, let us recap. Cleanliness 0 Customer service 1 Speed 1 2/30. Not bad, if you are looking to disappoint everyone that walks in. Will I come back again to this location? Probably not. Will you expect better service? Probably not.
(1)
Mina L.
I have had the worst experience with dining at this popeyes location ... and it could have possibly prevented me from ever returning again! I went to pick up a quick dinner about 3 weeks ago. After waiting for my dinner to be made, I started walking towards the exit and noticed there were 5 pigeons in the popeyes, eating all around the restaurant! The line was long, and the manager had his hands full so I waited around 10 mins or so to see if he ever came to do a sweep up/look around of the area. The pigeons kept eating and walking around - and at that point, i threw my food in the garbage right outside the restaurant and decided to call into the 1877 number they have listed on the receipts for feedback. After numerous phone calls into management, promised returned calls (that never happened), it wasnt until i threatened to leave a bad yelp review and a call into the health department, that I received an email. This is my exact copy and pasted, reply from the store manager: "Hi My name is Robert. I am the area supervisor. I am sorry to hear that this incident had happened while your visit to Popeyes. People are in and out of the store all day long and the pegions might come in. It happened." So, it's just ok? Clearly, they have this problem, as I'm seeing another photo and reviews on here. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt (it's a flaw of mine) and check it out again, and when i arrived, I came to see 2 homeless men in front. One sleeping along the side with his entire carts along with him, and one man sitting in a lawn chair with his bare, dirty feet pretty much in the doorway of the restaurant - sleeping with a sign asking for money. Obviously did not stay -went to eat at the burrito shop 2 doors down. As i walked past, I saw the same 2 men, in the same places (I have attached photo to yelp). Seriously everyone - avoid at all costs!
(1)
Taylor R.
The manager of this location is SO RUDE. My boss brought us lunch yesterday and when he returned he realized that he had left his phone at the Popeyes. When I called, I asked if they had a lost and found. He just said 'NO.' When I asked if he could ask anyone working yesterday if they saw a phone, he said 'NO.' When I asked if he was serious and asked if there was anyone I could talk to, he hung up on me. I called back and asked for the manager, and he said 'I am the manager', and proceeded to hang up on me again when I tried to ask my question. He's a piece of scum and his chicken had lots of gross dark meat and veins in it.
(1)
Alex W.
I love their fried chicken a lot more KFC. Their seafood is also a must eat. The only thing bad about the place is that the tables are almost always full. The Surf and Turf Combo is the best. LOUISIANA RIGHT!
(4)
Corey W.
This is some of the best fried chicken I ever had. I only go here when I can get a seat because most of the time all the tables are always taken,but when I do get a seat I always ordered the 4piece special its so good. Just writing this review is making me hungry for popeye's chicken. Highly recommend over kfc.
(4)
Lauren D.
There is nothing quite as delicious as Popeyes chicken. Came here while walking to BART the other day, and couldn't resist stopping in. There was no line, and the staff was friendly. If you have never had Popeyes before, you need to immediately stop, go get some, and recognize that your life has changed. You'll thank me.
(5)
Da Wei S.
Tasty fried chicken. Cheep and cheerful. What else can you say?
(4)
Peter C.
Came here for a Tuesday special since I have class around the corner at CCSF. Ordered a order of leg and thigh that was spicy but I would say the two pieces of spicy was pretty brunt and I should of took my friends tip on not ordering spicy at this location. The service here seems to be faster than the Geneva location because I got my order right as I paid. I also noticed some of the employees here also work at the Geneva location.
(3)
Dan B.
Caucasians , Don't Eat Legs and Thighs, your coupons only have Deals on Dark Meat, wtf's We will continue to Pass...
(1)
H K.
I came here for their Tuesday $1.29 for two pieces special, with orders taken for coworkers. I was bracing for a long line like that I've seen at the Geneva and Mission location whenever I drive by there on a Tuesday, but to my pleasant surprise there wasn't any. In fact during the whole time I was there the longest it ever got was only three or four deep. Service here was quite satisfactory overall. At least it's definitely much better than that at the Fillmore location when I used to go there when craving for Popeye's (have to wonder if anything improved since I last went a few years back). There's much seating here compared to the other SF locations. Of course, when it comes to fast food fried chicken I'd still say Popeye's the best. Definitely preferable over KFC if there's a choice. I especially love their spicy recipe. I see one reviewer comment about the pigeos here. True, they could be a nuisance. The location at Divisadero and Hayes has a similar program the times I went. Who knows, maybe they're drawn to the chicken also.
(3)
Gene X.
I have stopped in here many a time just to grab one of their amazing biscuits. Scoff all you want, but damn they make some awesome biscuits. The chicken and other food is actually pretty good at Popeye's too so if you are in need of something quick and cheap that isn't a burrito or bacon-wrapped hot dog, hop in here!
(5)
Denise L.
The worst customer service i have ever had. I mean it's Popeyes I know you can't expect that much but still. First I asked for 6 orders of the special they have on Tuesdays. She charged me for 3 which I seen on the receipt. So I had to stand in line ordered again. Then when I finally got my order all the chicken were in a couple of separate boxes and then some chicken in bags. Usually they put it all I one big box. So I asked the lady to put all the chicken that were in the paper bags in boxes, simple not that hard. She had a problem with it so I told her please just do it no need to argue with me and just do your job. I told her I need some other stuff and she turned around and just ignored me so I asked the cashier Lorena to help and she said what do I want. Really? You guys suck ass! I hate bad customer service! I want corporates phone number! It was what worse than what I wrote. I just left Popeyes about 10 minutes ago and couldn't wait to write a review.
(1)
Jim J.
I think this Popeye was not too bad. The interior seems a lot cleaner than I thought it would be and surprisingly the people were quite friendly. Of course I hit it on an off peak time of 8PM. I got the #11 combo of 2 pieces chicken and 4 pieces of butterfly shrimp (they looked like popcorn shrimp to me), with mash potatoes and Diet coke. The Diet coke is just to make me feel better. I thought the chicken was pretty tasty and since I got the leg and thigh relatively juicy. Not bad not great. OK. especially for $7.80 something.
(3)
Bennett W.
I've been coming here recently and that is because Spring semester 2010 & 2011, I went to Mission Campus for English 96 & 1B. This restaurant is conveniently located one block from City College of San Francisco Mission Campus. Nice spot for a quick grub before or in between class. The nuggets and fries with biscuit combo - very delicious. Popeyes is another one of the fast food places to get fried chicken from. 10/01/2014: I enjoy their mashed potatoes and french fries - it's very delicious with a kick of New Orleans Cajun spice to it. Some of the staff members here are actually very nice. This restaurant facility unit may be a little small, but it does look very clean. I also noticed the 91 they received from the Department of Public Health Inspector. It seems to me that they have made a lot of improvements to keeping the restaurant in a clean and orderly fashion. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)
Brandon L.
Poor ingredients and location. Won't be returning.
(1)
Trav M.
The most unappealing part of this place is the fact that EVERY visit here, I encounter pigeons inside the restaurant. If we were dining outside, this would be acceptable. However, this is NOT acceptable to have pigeons flying around inside while I'm trying to eat. One time, a bird flew up and hit the celing fan. Not kidding. I still visit this place when I'm in the area needing a chicken fix, because I DO love me some Popeye's, but I can't get over the stray bird issue. Even after alerting management that they should do a better job of keeping their doors closed throughout business hours, they still come in and the doors are always open when I visit.
(2)
Luis C.
This is the largest location of the 4 stores in SF (outside the city, the San Bruno location is larger), but not as clean or popular as the Divisadero store. Except on Tuesdays when people line up for the 99 cents 2-piece leg and thigh meal. Daytime parking is relatively easy, but nearly impossible during evenings.
(3)
Gruber T.
Love their Fry Chicken Crispy Skin, Moist Meat and Season with flavor kick. Yummy Cajun Fries and Dessert Mississipi Mud Cake. Cons: To cheap on give out Ketchup and Napkins.
(4)
Jason Y.
I love me some chicken! Fried chicken + cajun fries + orange Fanta. Every time I eat there, I envision myself singing this song... "Bust the window out your car for some chicken" youtube.com/watch?v=jhcO…
(4)
Andrew M.
Hate to admit it, but I love Popeye's chicken. The place is "earthy", but damn well worth it. Somewhere along the line fried chicken became popular and a handful of trendy places (Farmer Brown, Front Porch, Brenda's, Good Friggn Chicken) offer fried chicken, but at a premium price. If you just want some tasty chicken, at a cheap price, and fast, this is the spot. Hahahaa, I just reviewed Popeyes!
(4)
Don S.
I avoid fast-food for the most part, but I'll break that rule in a pinch. I had been to Popeye's before (other locations, a couple of years ago) and always enjoyed the food. For fast-food chicken, it didn't get much better. My opinion has since changed. Upon my first visit to the Mission St. location (probably in May or June of 2009) I ordered the spicy chicken strips meal. I didn't order by number; I actually said the words "spicy chicken strips." For the side, I chose the mashed potatoes and gravy. My friend and I were ordering together and the restaurant was otherwise empty. We took the food to go and should have checked it before we exited the building. Instead of the strips, I received a breast and a thigh. And they weren't spicy. They got the side wrong too - cole slaw instead of the mashed potatoes and gravy. Mistakes happen. No big deal. I made my second visit to the Mission St. Popeye's last night. I saw a sign that depicted crispy buffalo chicken nuggets. They appeared to be golden and delicious. I stepped in, ordered them, and was again disappointed. The nuggets were tiny. None of them were larger than my thumb. They were deep fried in oil that had been unchanged for days. If you've ever cooked for a living, you know what I'm talking about. Old-ass oil causes the food items fried in it to come out dark, hard, and tasting of, well, old-ass oil. And the chicken inside of those putrid little oil shells wasn't so good. The mashed potatoes were sticky and slimy at the same time. It was like eating a science fair exhibit. Years ago, the mashed potatoes at Popeye's were REAL, even containing little chunks of unmashed potato. Now they taste of instant spud. They left me feeling sorry for the gravy that was forced to lay upon them. One can always rely on the famous Popeye's biscuit though, right? Sort of. I can't rely on it because I enjoyed it with butter and honey. Sadly, Popeye's swapped the honey for 'honey product.' This little chemical packet contains (if I remember correctly) three different sugar substitutes and does not taste like honey. Popeye's ruined the biscuit for me. Popeye's is now in the same category as McDonalds; shit-food that shall be ingested only as a last-resort.
(1)
Da X.
I've been coming here since I was like 8, I'm 19 now, and I still come here when I have time or just in town. The chicken is marinated right, service is as fast as they can, no one slacks off. Bathroom requires a token, but that's understandable being in the Mission District. There's a self serve soda machine, YAY!!! Bathroom is unclean just because there is not enough time to clean it, so don't use it unless you have to, it's filled with Graffiti too, damn uneducated people. Ask for wet naps, they usually have them. No parking though and it's usually crowded and people come in panhandling too. I once gave this guy 3 pennies into his cup and he threw it out, what a idiot, if everyone in the mission district gave him 3 cents everyday he'd be at least middle-class
(5)
Tadashi Y.
I can be found at the Popeyes on 22nd & Mission Street most Tuesdays. Why, because it's 2 for 99 Cent Tuesdays! Yay! At that price, it's easy to satiate my nigh insatiable appetite for chicken! The employees are brisk, but not unfriendly. Most are friendly & learn enough Spanish to take orders from the largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood customers. Martin is one such stand out employee. There is also a self-service soda fountain for endless refills & a restroom for when you drink one too many refills. (And to wash your hands before & after eating, of course.) The sodas are highly carbonated as free refill places are wont to be. They figure you'll drink less if you are made to feel full faster w/ the extra carbonation. Given the Tuesday deal, there's always a LONG line every week, rain or shine. And you're almost guaranteed to be "entertained" by at least one angry or crazy outburst by someone in line. But this has not dissuaded me from my cheap chicken. ;P The chicken is not only cheap on Tuesdays, but yummy. It's also yummy on other days, but not as cheap. :) Santa's Yelper sez: "Great chicken, awesome Tuesday price, good service, free refills & restroom. And free crazy people to observe. Best Popeyes in the City! Period. Worst Popeyes? The Filmore one!"
(5)
e w.
I've had the fancy fried chicken at Town Hall, Front Porch and the likes but honestly the chicken here is just as good for 1/10th of the price. I actually walked by last Tues when they had their $1.29 leg/thigh special going and got an order to stay. Yep, I hunkered down in the joint with the real people and put down the pipping hot spicy goodness right there. It was delicious, not one complaint. Probably not a good place to form any regular habits of eating, but when the fried chicken hankering sets in, this is the place.
(4)
Richard S.
Rarely visit this place due to the filth inside. This place could be kept clean if they had enough employees to keep up with the messes. With adequate ventilation they could keep the front doors closed (no more pigeons!!). Unlike Pollo Campero down the street where they have security to keep the place clean and safe, Popeye's corporation obviously spends as little as possible. I feel sorry for many of the customers who can't go elsewhere and have to put up with this. The community deserves better.
(1)
Chris Ackord P.
I enjoy Popeye's sometimes when im in mood 4 it and others not so much. But today I was with a friend who wanted some Popeye's twenty minutes came two aggressive pandlehandlers walk in starting asking for money the first one is a well dressed African American man stating that he is homeless Yeah right homeless my butt he ask everyone who came in and second was a cauasian woman who was on crack started to make sound she left and came back and sit down for thirty second and got up and went to the counter and cause a scene with the manager there. I thought it was funny but sad how people can come in cause a scene or demand money from hard working folk because they can.
(5)
Accord T.
Today I ordered the # 7 5 piece chicken strip and mashed potatoes and nasty ass gravy and biscuit. I asked young lady at counter for some sauce. I asked what sauce they had she hella mumble something and Ranch. I said what!!!. She annoyed that fact what sauce I asked about.
(2)
Geralyn Y.
Enjoying popeyes seems completely out of left field for a girl who is pretty aware of eating healthy and consuming a lot of organic products. But I can't deny it. I love popeyes. Chicken skin that good is most likely double deep fried. Oh well! If Beyonce can love popeyes and still be the Diva of all divas, then I can love it too. faves: [chicken breasts and wings] if getting a family deal then try a mix of mild and spicy, [fries] flavored like curly fries, but cut straight. [biscuits] don't forget the honey! [cajun rice] complete with little bits of meat. Another plus: family meal 12pcs chicken 2 lg sides & 6 biscuits for 22.99! This location has been around for years. My momma would always get it for my brother and I when we were growing up. It's still legit, clean enough and the workers are efficient. But my four stars isn't necessarily for the ambiance, it's for the grub.
(4)
matt c.
It's dirty. It's crowded. It's ghetto. It's slow. It's the second Popeye's that I've reviewed. But, it's a block from my apartment and GOD DAMN do I love me some Popeye's!!! What can I say? It's the cajun in me. I love their fried chicken. I love their biscuits. And I love their extra-wide straws. . . but that's another story.
(4)
Katie K.
2 pieces, leg and thigh, for ONLY $0.99 on Tuesdays! So the size of the chicken pieces are not as big as KFC but they can't beat this deal. This location is pretty ghetto in terms or cleanliness and crowd but that didn't deter me from getting my fried chicken fix on. Instead of wet naps, they allowed me to wash my greasy fingers at the sink next to the counter in the kitchen....that's service. It is also a plus they are not too far from my Bi-Rite Creamery for dessert.
(4)
Tammy C.
Last time I had Popeyes was back in 1990 when I was in Toronto and it was memorable. Last time I saw one was when I was in Vegas but it was closed. This had become my mission to eat there again when I can find one... I love really crispy fried chicken, and Popeyes is definitely way better than KFC and Church's. The chicken is properly battered and totally fried in over boiling oil so that it's very crispy. The butterfly shrimps were very delicious and also properly prepared. Sprite has enough bubbles that make you burp more than you can embarrassingly take. I wish they had one in downtown SF... And it's fast food, so the service was not bad and the place was acceptably clean.
(4)
Victor L.
I tell my friends about all the delicious food in the Mission, but somehow I find myself at Popeyes almost every week. Now that they've been forced by law to list calories you can figure out the best bang for buck while you're waiting. Giant line on tuesdays due to the 99-cent leg/thigh meal. I've always gotten my food to go, but I imagine if you eat in you'll get to see some "interesting" customers.
(4)
Elaine H.
This location is much better than the Geneva one. Many more tables, brighter, and crowded in a good way. The mashed potatoes are WOW!! I love the special gravy they put on it. This beats KFC by far!!
(4)
Angela P.
Have you ever heard of Popeyes chicken it's pretty good. Tastes pretty good. My favorite is the chicken it's pretty good. Number one mashed potatoes number two is macaroni three is corn on cob bone four is the ranch sauce. I miss popped eye. Spicy plus normel flavers are good at this locale. I say both are good and the andy cap hot fries.
(5)
Mike L.
URGENT UPDATE: Still delicious. Still dirt cheap.
(5)
Jeff P.
I somehow lived to be this old without ever having tried Popeye's. Well, curiosity got the best of me today as I was feeling a bit peckish after getting my new phone at the nearby Verizon store. The guy who took our order could not have been friendlier or smiled any more than he did. Truly amazing for a fast food place. Anyway, the bf & I split a three piece chicken strip meal. The guy gave us four which should be a bonus. But, honestly, the chicken was the worst part of the meal. Totally bland and not very fresh tasting. However, the fries were pretty damn good and the biscuit totally rocked!
(3)
Aaron T.
The biscuits are $0.49 + tax. Bulk pricing if you buy half a dozen. The biscuits are trouble, something about them reminds me of an accomplice you know is going to squeal if he gets caught. So leave no evidence behind - eat every last one, including the crumbs. They are warm and delicious and may cause itis for those not prepared to handle this level of debauchery.
(4)
Eileen L.
I wanted some fried chicken so my boyfriend drove all the way from Oakland to this Popeyes . The fried chicken and biscuts here are pretty good . But what really impressed me was their mashed potatoes with gravy . It was very smooth and yummy . Just thinking about the gravy is making my mouth water ! I've been to Popeyes in SF but I think that this location is the best location ... it has the best tasting food .
(4)
Nizaria D.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. And with no banh mi in the Mission, I present to you the following subsitute: 1 Popeye's spicy chicken strip sandwich w/ all the fixins (all 2 of them, which are cabbage and pickles, oh and some weird mayo shit) + sriracha sauce ("borrowed" from Hidden Cafe) + cilantro (from 23rd & Mission produce stand) = NIZARIA'S SIGNATURE GHETTO BANH MI (trademark pending) Update 11/07: Ruh-roh. No more ghetto banh mi for me after sandwich maker dude in the back sneezed into his ungloved hands, wiped the snot off his face and onto his apron, patted his hair back into place, and blithely continued making my sandwich WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS. Why did I have to see that? If Ihadn't seen that I could have enjoyed my little sandwich in blissful ignorance. But I saw it. And it ruined, RUINED Popeye's for me. Every time I have the urge to go there, I think of el-Snotto. And now you will too. :-)
(3)
John F.
I order the number 6 the fried catfish with fries. It was 7 dollars all together should something cheaper. Not alot of people at 7pm. At counter was Cantonese speaking girls that work here. It pretty clean except when people finish they don't throw alway the trash after they finish o others can seat because you knw its going t be packed.
(4)
Josh B.
They either will accomodate your absurd demands or they will not. None of this in-between stuff. If it's on the menu and you order it, you will get it exactly when they say you will get it, and they will not tell you expect it any sooner than that. If you ask them if they personally eat what you ordered (in my case, catfish, a few times), they will by no means shrink from telling you in no uncertain terms, if it so happens, that they neither never have nor, by no means, ever shall eat such a thing. These people have your best interest in mind, and yet will serve you the catfish as quickly and hygenically as such a thing can ever, realistically, be served. God bless them.
(5)
Andrew Y.
I'm biased, cause I love popeyes everywhere - but the one on Mission is dope. Their Tuesday special is unbeatable, and the perfect snack. Pretty much go there every week, but make sure you go when the chill Chinese lady is working, she hooks it up with 2-thighs for the special. Luhhhhhh that chicken from Popeyes
(4)
Angela H.
Two words: Greasy and Gross. Oh, and makes you feel like a fatty blob afterward. Why did I come here? My friends were going, and they were sucked in by endless Popeye's commercials while watching a Cartman marathon on TV. If you want tasty fried chicken, try the spicy fried chicken (with no bones) at China Village on Solano in Albany.
(1)
Rebekah K.
AMAZING!!! I had a friend who lived on Divis & Hayes & he could see the other Popeyes out the window of his room. He used to call it 'Pope YES', After the Pope died, he sent me a text that said 'Pope yes? Pope NO' Anyway, I've recently become obsessed with the chicken. Its my guilty pleasure. I have to bring it home to eat so people don't know I'm consuming a spicy fried food chicken breast with biscuits; only to down it with a wild cherry Pepsi. I LOVE that chicken at Popeyes!
(4)
Po L.
I was extremely surprised by the friendly service here, thus earning it another star. So this craving wouldn't go away. Something had to be done about this. The biscuit, mash & gravy, and three pieces of chicken were good. Dr. Nick would be proud. You could rub the chicken on the wall and make it transparent. "I'll have the #3 with spicy chicken and mash. Also, can I have a side of bypass?" $7.24 out the door.
(4)
Geronimo G.
"Owwwwwww". I knew what I was doing, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty, but I did it anyway. Now I know never to go to Popeye's unless I'm prepared to eat so much fried chicken that my GI system screams in agony for DAYS. What do they fry that shit in? It's bad news, it hurts, but you know what they say: no pain, no gain.
(5)
Alfredo N.
I just had this for dinner yesterday and left overs for breakfast this morning so the taste is fresh in my mind. I love how no matter which Popeye's you hit up they all taste the same. I love the crunchy chicken that is never over dipped in batter as they do at KFC's. I always order the jambalaya which for some reason i cant get enough of. The sides are kick ass compared to any other chicken place. Service is always fast and correct. They are nice enough to honor my expired coupons. I do get a kick out of watching the Chinese works speak fluent Spanish. It puts my Spanish skills to shame.
(5)
Brian J.
Noticed early on, SF lacks good fried chicken, Red beans and biscuits.
(4)
Jung L.
this review is for the fried chicken alone, because that's the only thing you need to know. i don't know how they do it, but it is utterly fucking delicious. colonel sanders has never had popeyes because he'd be saying that popeye's is finger lickin good instead. I have to order only 2 or 3 pieces at a time because I can eat 12 pieces in one sitting like a one man family...then my sexy will hate me yes popeye's is corporate, and some say that corporations are evil. but if popeyes is wrong, i don't ever wanna be right
(5)
Gerard Y.
Wow. So close to where I live. My high school friend (a Latino) even said the chinese lady who happened to also speak Spanish spoke it with little or no accent. Anyway, if you're down for a little guilty pleasure and want some good, and greasy (in a good way) chicken, there's no other place. I think this is the reason why KFC nearby went out of business. The fried chicken here tasted so much better. Heck even the fries and the fried shrimp taste good too. And maybe because there wasn't an annoying PETA member in front of the store handing out gross pamplets.
(4)
xavier v.
For all of you who like cheap chicken, watch this video on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=JJ--…
(1)
Rocco B.
I really thought I was in Tijuana when I visited this place on a Sunday afternoon. They call your meal number in English and Spanish, and I think the menu's were in Spanish. It was kinda cool. Popeyes kicks the Kernelz ass. Despite having more feathers than Popeyes, they have Spicy vs Mild chicken choices. When I was at this location, I got the Firecracker shrimp (which I think was one of those limited time specials). I ordered the snack size, but think I got the full meal size. They were good but man they were like sea-horses, they were so tiny. Mmmm firecracker sea-horses. Twas the breading I was after anyway.
(4)
aleks k.
2 for 1 Tuesdays? Where the hell have I been? My friend Lali brought me here and popped my 2 for 1 Tuesday cherry. My god. I got 4 pieces of chicken and a soda for $3.80. 4 pieces of salt lick hormonally-challenged chicken like poultry in motion. Good times. My only mistake was getting in between a dude and his Fanta. I won't do that again next Tuesday.
(3)
Happy C.
I have never been to this Popeye's. I haven't been to Popeye's since high school, in SoCal. But, I went to Costa Rica in December. Costa Rica has the best fried chicken I've ever had. Oh man. And, we even got some delivered by our bellhop in the hotel around midnight, as we watched some lame Tom Cruise movie on HBO with subtitles. Man was that chicken good. An extra star for the Popeyes that I've never been to, because it's still open and the KFC on Valencia shut down (but I never went there either). If you're looking for Fried Chicken, go to Hotel Balmoral in San Jose, Costa Rica. Ask the bellhop to go run for chicken. Thank me later!
(2)
A. M.
Tuesday special: 2 pcs. for 99 cents which attracts an interesting line.
(5)
Maximillian M.
I admit it: I ate here. I broke my personal "no fast food chains" rule. Although the chicken pieces seemed equally composed of skin/breading and meat, it really hit the spot. And, as usual, whenever I break the NFFC rule, I don't...feel...so...good... moments after the meal...
(3)
Carmen H.
I know it's not good for me but, every once in awhile, I just have to indulge. I LOVE Popeye's. I'd never go to KFC or any other chicken place - I order the spicy thighs, and red beans and rice...ummm....it makes me long for my nursing school days in New Orleans. Makes me want to cook up a pot of my own red beans and rice.... but Popeye's is a quick way to give in to my impulses without going on a total binge!
(2)
Millie S.
The only reason this isn't getting five stars is because it is a monster chain corporation and they probably grow frankenstein chickens that have sixteen heads and give birth to crispy strips and nuggets. And the only reason it's not getting four stars is because I can't give it the same rating as local favorites like Lolo or Boogaloo's which are just around the corner - it just seems rude. But you've got to hand it to Popeye's: this is fast food done right. You could order a plate of this food at some bar grill place and you'd probably pay twice the price for something no better. On Tuesdays, when they sell half price chicken, there is a line stretching out the front door. It's like being in Russia for the first McDonald's or whatever. Very exciting. You'll want to get in line even though you don't eat chicken, just to be a part of something. And the staff are ninjas. They toil with endless patience to bring you vastyle complicated orders of freshly breaded, crispy fried chicken goodness with the various essential dinner pairings. In fact the matrix of probility for a Popeye's meal beats KFC round the face. You can mix and match dinner and combo orders until you go silly in the head, with sides and special deals and the like. It's a party with chicken as the star attraction. Although don't let that distract you from their stunning sides - the rice and beans combo is like a cross between crack and baby food. And while you wait for your food you can watch wave after wave of crispy chicken roll over the counter, stoking the flames of your appetite for such illustrious golden chicken wonderment. Sure, you'll get some of the same desperate types that can make joints like the McDonald's down at 16th such a suicidally depressing experience. But there tends to be more families and kids here, and not so many crack whores, which cheers things up a bit. Plus the place is so bustling, and quality of the food so surprisingly good, that it makes it seem like a happy thing to see Mr Trampy Man eat his box of fried food - like, hey, you're one of the gang, life's not so bad. When I watch some vagrant eating in McDonald's, I normally feel like shooting myself in the head.
(3)
Maria D.
Don't front. You love Popeye's. And so do I.
(4)
Wesley J.
Dude! I just saw the most pimply face cashier EVER!!! This poor kid working at Popeye's had the biggest-ready-to-pop zits I have ever seen! DAMNNN! He was such a nice kid too....I felt bad. How do you tell someone about their face without hurting their feelings?? Oh - and the chicken rocks at Popeye's!
(4)
Adrian N.
Aw yeah. Spicy Popeye's chicken is like no other. It's really greasy. Even when it's cold...that grease be seeping from the meat, and your fingers need ajax to wipe them clean. That's another way to say it's classically tasty. I enjoy popeyes a lot...but limit my consumption to about 2x a year because I want to stay healthy. I also don't like full view of the fryer chef dude in the back. he's been sort of dirty looking the last couple times I've went. shit...the things we tolerate for guilty pleasures.
(3)
Laurence H.
When you lose to KFC, it is indeed a sorry state of affairs. Nonetheless, I am ashamed to admit that I have eaten there more than once. Popeye's most definitely caters to the lower income neighborhoods. The fried chicken is not so bad as the sides which lack flavor. Here is a tip for you true fried chicken fans.....if you really want good fried chicken, go to a Vietnamese restaurant for the chicken wing appetizers.....cheaper and quadruple the flavor.... Pos: fulfills that fast food need somewhat Negs: why did I eat there?!
(1)
Tony F.
A friend asked me to PLEASE deliver some Popeye's Chicken to Her New Year's Day recovery party, could I get it there, like, by 10:30AM? I called Popeyes Diviz the day before, no answer. Called the Fillmore store, "Oh yes, we're open tomorrow at 10!" Went to Divis, sign said not open til 12; Fillmore, not open til 11. Shit. Drove to Mission, they were open, their food was fresh, they had a bathroom and they were great. Got myself a little something on my way to the revocery ward party, and it was the best store bought fried chicken I have ever had. Maybe it was the morning, the search, the pathetic whimpers of those in the recovery ward when I made my delivery, but that chicken, and those biscuits, were SWEET!
(3)
charlotte s.
i would only order food to go from here. the restaurant's pretty dirty looking, but at least with purchase, you can use their bathroom - of course not a clean bathroom, but it's something when you gotta go and you're in the area, cus there's not much else... and don't bother ordering any of their desserts. they're pretty yucky... so just stick to the chicken and sides :)
(3)
Krismet S.
This Popeyes is full of belligerent drunks up to their wacky antics. And biscuits. I likey!
(4)
Jude F.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, (please don't hold it against me) I always think of Popeye's as "the chicken restaurant of bad neighborhoods". They have very interestingly spiced gravy-like stuff on the starch substance that resembles mashed potatoes. Oh, their biscuits are good! -- I guess that counts for something.
(3)
Chris R.
This location is cash-only, which prevents me from making those 24 piece family pack impulse buys, but still the Popeye's deliciousness. Red beans & Rice, Mashed potatoes with the gravy w/ground beef, dirty rice, spicy chicken (& fries)...perfect.
(5)
Sun K.
fried chicken is best when it just comes out of the fryer and you eat it right away. tuesday is two chicken pieces for $0.99. you'll get a fresh piece for sure on tuesday...
(2)
Kevin S.
Makes me pine for Bojangles down south. It definitely kicks the Colonel's behind, but this city needs a fried chicken renaissance. We have so many unbelievable picnic spots that cry out for really good fried chicken.
(3)
Zell C.
Crispy, spicy, artery-clogging chicken. Yum. What surprises me about this spot is that the Chinese workers here speak Spanish fluently and flawlessly. I sometimes come here just to hear them speak Spanish. Just kidding, but it really is amusing to hear. Popeye's over KFC any day.
(3)
Shinn Z.
i just love fried chicken. kfc and popeyes is a toss-up for me, but popeyes has better side dishes by far.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
Juila L.
Ghetto place definitely, but other than that pretty decent for fast food chain. I'm glad their health score is 91/100 for a crampy small crowded dinky franchise. Tuesdays the deal is great... you get a full meal for a few bucks and all that meat.. but always a line for the cheapy days. Chicken are fresh cooked on those days because it's constant people ordering. Poor chickens ... they probably hate Tuesdays now. Personally I don't order it too much because I'm not too fond of lines or fried chickens, but I love it with the hot sauce :) I like their mashed potato and gravy, but I'm not sure if it tastes real anymore haha.. Heard their biscuit is the best here now.
(4)Ackord R.
Permanently Closed!!! Due to a Massive Fire above the restaurant and it's surrounding shops next to it early Wednesday night Popeyes served me and the rest of the Mission District and beyond for 15-yrs of Louisiana Kitchen Fried Chicken and the friendly staff who worked there is very sad to see my neighborhood Popeyes Chicken leave due to a building fire Thank you for being a part of Mission District and I thank you.
(5)Victor G.
Popeye's has been a semi-favorite over the years. not so much now. my tastes have evolved. usual menu. small counter for ordering. just a few tables for sitdown eats: 3 tender w/biscuit(3.99) -biscuit no complaint, fluffy -tenders way overbattered, no chicken tasted, just batter 2iish stars. crumbs: -fast, quick service.
(3)Wendell L.
Just wanted to express my unending love for the dearly departed Mission Street Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. It served the most delicious, artery-clogging fried chicken in the city. And the 11 pieces for $12.99 special couldn't be beat. Rest In Pieces, Mission Popeyes. Rest in scrumptious breast, wing, leg, thigh pieces.
(5)Gary W.
I have been a regular customer for a few years now...I liked the spicy chicken and bought it regularly...However, now that I read the article about a pregnant manager who was fired after being robbed at gunpoint and refused to pay back the money that was stolen! I wouldn't eat your disgusting trash if you paid me the $400 that was stolen. I can say, over the years, I have spent that much and more! The new acronym for Popeye's is ESAD! Change your name to Bluto's and find another Olive Oyl to rob! BY A## WHOLES! NEVER AGAIN!!!
(1)Anthony V.
I like this restaurant but sorry to say this restaurant is close for maybe renovating after a fire makes you question how did it get started,
(4)Chase L.
This place is dangerously close to our office. When we open the doors on the balcony, we can smell the chicken cooking. One day at lunch time, 10 separate staff members came back with Popeyes. This was not planned, but the smell enticed us. You will most likely be greeted by pigeons when you walk in. I think they would save a lot of money if they start cooking them.
(4)Lily R.
Yep. It's true. Your eyes aren't crossed. You aren't drunk or dreaming. I proudly walked in here with my posse and ordred the 10pc leg and thigh special. ($7.99) We were on our way to a fancy establishment and our hunger was no longer containable. WE NEEDED A CHICKEN LEG like a crackhead needed a rock. Like vultures, all that was left were bones and SOME chicken skin. Ever since I discovered Popeye's, I am an animal when it comes to fried chicken. ON OCCASION of course. I do want to stay some what Olive Oil-sh. ;)
(4)Michael L.
Although I grew up on KFC chicken because of their seasoning flavor, I highly prefer Popeye's based on the crunchiness of their chickens. The best time to go to this place would be any day that is not Tuesday or very early when they open. But then you'll end up paying more since Tuesday is 2 pc for $1.29 which is an awesome deal. The only catch is that you'll be stuck in line that goes all the way around the block. They're service is quick but the only thing that needs improvement would be the politeness of their staff. I don't know if it's the lack of their English skills or the stress that douche bags and hood rats bring into the store that makes them bitchy, but I hope they work on it...
(4)Victor L.
I strongly dislike this location. The inside is so small, and the seating is so awkwardly cramped. I came here on a Tuesday night with the GF. We got two 2 piece specials, mashed potatoes, and cajun fries. We wanted spicy and the cashier told us it would be a ten minute wait. There were two tables that were available. They were both extremely dirty, with crumbs on the tables, as well as food particles stuck in between the wood of the bench. I wanted to wash my hands, but of course the restroom and back tables were sectioned off. This has to be a hazard not only to customers, but to the employees as well. Just because you are eager to get off work, does not give you the right to block off those tables and the restroom. That is terrible customer service mentality and you should be penalized for that. The food was good. The fries were very crispy, and the mashed potatoes were nice and hot. The chicken was decent. Mine was juicy, but there was some blood which oozed out, which was a bit of a turn off. So, let us recap. Cleanliness 0 Customer service 1 Speed 1 2/30. Not bad, if you are looking to disappoint everyone that walks in. Will I come back again to this location? Probably not. Will you expect better service? Probably not.
(1)Mina L.
I have had the worst experience with dining at this popeyes location ... and it could have possibly prevented me from ever returning again! I went to pick up a quick dinner about 3 weeks ago. After waiting for my dinner to be made, I started walking towards the exit and noticed there were 5 pigeons in the popeyes, eating all around the restaurant! The line was long, and the manager had his hands full so I waited around 10 mins or so to see if he ever came to do a sweep up/look around of the area. The pigeons kept eating and walking around - and at that point, i threw my food in the garbage right outside the restaurant and decided to call into the 1877 number they have listed on the receipts for feedback. After numerous phone calls into management, promised returned calls (that never happened), it wasnt until i threatened to leave a bad yelp review and a call into the health department, that I received an email. This is my exact copy and pasted, reply from the store manager: "Hi My name is Robert. I am the area supervisor. I am sorry to hear that this incident had happened while your visit to Popeyes. People are in and out of the store all day long and the pegions might come in. It happened." So, it's just ok? Clearly, they have this problem, as I'm seeing another photo and reviews on here. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt (it's a flaw of mine) and check it out again, and when i arrived, I came to see 2 homeless men in front. One sleeping along the side with his entire carts along with him, and one man sitting in a lawn chair with his bare, dirty feet pretty much in the doorway of the restaurant - sleeping with a sign asking for money. Obviously did not stay -went to eat at the burrito shop 2 doors down. As i walked past, I saw the same 2 men, in the same places (I have attached photo to yelp). Seriously everyone - avoid at all costs!
(1)Taylor R.
The manager of this location is SO RUDE. My boss brought us lunch yesterday and when he returned he realized that he had left his phone at the Popeyes. When I called, I asked if they had a lost and found. He just said 'NO.' When I asked if he could ask anyone working yesterday if they saw a phone, he said 'NO.' When I asked if he was serious and asked if there was anyone I could talk to, he hung up on me. I called back and asked for the manager, and he said 'I am the manager', and proceeded to hang up on me again when I tried to ask my question. He's a piece of scum and his chicken had lots of gross dark meat and veins in it.
(1)Alex W.
I love their fried chicken a lot more KFC. Their seafood is also a must eat. The only thing bad about the place is that the tables are almost always full. The Surf and Turf Combo is the best. LOUISIANA RIGHT!
(4)Corey W.
This is some of the best fried chicken I ever had. I only go here when I can get a seat because most of the time all the tables are always taken,but when I do get a seat I always ordered the 4piece special its so good. Just writing this review is making me hungry for popeye's chicken. Highly recommend over kfc.
(4)Lauren D.
There is nothing quite as delicious as Popeyes chicken. Came here while walking to BART the other day, and couldn't resist stopping in. There was no line, and the staff was friendly. If you have never had Popeyes before, you need to immediately stop, go get some, and recognize that your life has changed. You'll thank me.
(5)Da Wei S.
Tasty fried chicken. Cheep and cheerful. What else can you say?
(4)Peter C.
Came here for a Tuesday special since I have class around the corner at CCSF. Ordered a order of leg and thigh that was spicy but I would say the two pieces of spicy was pretty brunt and I should of took my friends tip on not ordering spicy at this location. The service here seems to be faster than the Geneva location because I got my order right as I paid. I also noticed some of the employees here also work at the Geneva location.
(3)Dan B.
Caucasians , Don't Eat Legs and Thighs, your coupons only have Deals on Dark Meat, wtf's We will continue to Pass...
(1)H K.
I came here for their Tuesday $1.29 for two pieces special, with orders taken for coworkers. I was bracing for a long line like that I've seen at the Geneva and Mission location whenever I drive by there on a Tuesday, but to my pleasant surprise there wasn't any. In fact during the whole time I was there the longest it ever got was only three or four deep. Service here was quite satisfactory overall. At least it's definitely much better than that at the Fillmore location when I used to go there when craving for Popeye's (have to wonder if anything improved since I last went a few years back). There's much seating here compared to the other SF locations. Of course, when it comes to fast food fried chicken I'd still say Popeye's the best. Definitely preferable over KFC if there's a choice. I especially love their spicy recipe. I see one reviewer comment about the pigeos here. True, they could be a nuisance. The location at Divisadero and Hayes has a similar program the times I went. Who knows, maybe they're drawn to the chicken also.
(3)Gene X.
I have stopped in here many a time just to grab one of their amazing biscuits. Scoff all you want, but damn they make some awesome biscuits. The chicken and other food is actually pretty good at Popeye's too so if you are in need of something quick and cheap that isn't a burrito or bacon-wrapped hot dog, hop in here!
(5)Denise L.
The worst customer service i have ever had. I mean it's Popeyes I know you can't expect that much but still. First I asked for 6 orders of the special they have on Tuesdays. She charged me for 3 which I seen on the receipt. So I had to stand in line ordered again. Then when I finally got my order all the chicken were in a couple of separate boxes and then some chicken in bags. Usually they put it all I one big box. So I asked the lady to put all the chicken that were in the paper bags in boxes, simple not that hard. She had a problem with it so I told her please just do it no need to argue with me and just do your job. I told her I need some other stuff and she turned around and just ignored me so I asked the cashier Lorena to help and she said what do I want. Really? You guys suck ass! I hate bad customer service! I want corporates phone number! It was what worse than what I wrote. I just left Popeyes about 10 minutes ago and couldn't wait to write a review.
(1)Jim J.
I think this Popeye was not too bad. The interior seems a lot cleaner than I thought it would be and surprisingly the people were quite friendly. Of course I hit it on an off peak time of 8PM. I got the #11 combo of 2 pieces chicken and 4 pieces of butterfly shrimp (they looked like popcorn shrimp to me), with mash potatoes and Diet coke. The Diet coke is just to make me feel better. I thought the chicken was pretty tasty and since I got the leg and thigh relatively juicy. Not bad not great. OK. especially for $7.80 something.
(3)Bennett W.
I've been coming here recently and that is because Spring semester 2010 & 2011, I went to Mission Campus for English 96 & 1B. This restaurant is conveniently located one block from City College of San Francisco Mission Campus. Nice spot for a quick grub before or in between class. The nuggets and fries with biscuit combo - very delicious. Popeyes is another one of the fast food places to get fried chicken from. 10/01/2014: I enjoy their mashed potatoes and french fries - it's very delicious with a kick of New Orleans Cajun spice to it. Some of the staff members here are actually very nice. This restaurant facility unit may be a little small, but it does look very clean. I also noticed the 91 they received from the Department of Public Health Inspector. It seems to me that they have made a lot of improvements to keeping the restaurant in a clean and orderly fashion. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)Brandon L.
Poor ingredients and location. Won't be returning.
(1)Trav M.
The most unappealing part of this place is the fact that EVERY visit here, I encounter pigeons inside the restaurant. If we were dining outside, this would be acceptable. However, this is NOT acceptable to have pigeons flying around inside while I'm trying to eat. One time, a bird flew up and hit the celing fan. Not kidding. I still visit this place when I'm in the area needing a chicken fix, because I DO love me some Popeye's, but I can't get over the stray bird issue. Even after alerting management that they should do a better job of keeping their doors closed throughout business hours, they still come in and the doors are always open when I visit.
(2)Luis C.
This is the largest location of the 4 stores in SF (outside the city, the San Bruno location is larger), but not as clean or popular as the Divisadero store. Except on Tuesdays when people line up for the 99 cents 2-piece leg and thigh meal. Daytime parking is relatively easy, but nearly impossible during evenings.
(3)Gruber T.
Love their Fry Chicken Crispy Skin, Moist Meat and Season with flavor kick. Yummy Cajun Fries and Dessert Mississipi Mud Cake. Cons: To cheap on give out Ketchup and Napkins.
(4)Jason Y.
I love me some chicken! Fried chicken + cajun fries + orange Fanta. Every time I eat there, I envision myself singing this song... "Bust the window out your car for some chicken" youtube.com/watch?v=jhcO…
(4)Andrew M.
Hate to admit it, but I love Popeye's chicken. The place is "earthy", but damn well worth it. Somewhere along the line fried chicken became popular and a handful of trendy places (Farmer Brown, Front Porch, Brenda's, Good Friggn Chicken) offer fried chicken, but at a premium price. If you just want some tasty chicken, at a cheap price, and fast, this is the spot. Hahahaa, I just reviewed Popeyes!
(4)Don S.
I avoid fast-food for the most part, but I'll break that rule in a pinch. I had been to Popeye's before (other locations, a couple of years ago) and always enjoyed the food. For fast-food chicken, it didn't get much better. My opinion has since changed. Upon my first visit to the Mission St. location (probably in May or June of 2009) I ordered the spicy chicken strips meal. I didn't order by number; I actually said the words "spicy chicken strips." For the side, I chose the mashed potatoes and gravy. My friend and I were ordering together and the restaurant was otherwise empty. We took the food to go and should have checked it before we exited the building. Instead of the strips, I received a breast and a thigh. And they weren't spicy. They got the side wrong too - cole slaw instead of the mashed potatoes and gravy. Mistakes happen. No big deal. I made my second visit to the Mission St. Popeye's last night. I saw a sign that depicted crispy buffalo chicken nuggets. They appeared to be golden and delicious. I stepped in, ordered them, and was again disappointed. The nuggets were tiny. None of them were larger than my thumb. They were deep fried in oil that had been unchanged for days. If you've ever cooked for a living, you know what I'm talking about. Old-ass oil causes the food items fried in it to come out dark, hard, and tasting of, well, old-ass oil. And the chicken inside of those putrid little oil shells wasn't so good. The mashed potatoes were sticky and slimy at the same time. It was like eating a science fair exhibit. Years ago, the mashed potatoes at Popeye's were REAL, even containing little chunks of unmashed potato. Now they taste of instant spud. They left me feeling sorry for the gravy that was forced to lay upon them. One can always rely on the famous Popeye's biscuit though, right? Sort of. I can't rely on it because I enjoyed it with butter and honey. Sadly, Popeye's swapped the honey for 'honey product.' This little chemical packet contains (if I remember correctly) three different sugar substitutes and does not taste like honey. Popeye's ruined the biscuit for me. Popeye's is now in the same category as McDonalds; shit-food that shall be ingested only as a last-resort.
(1)Da X.
I've been coming here since I was like 8, I'm 19 now, and I still come here when I have time or just in town. The chicken is marinated right, service is as fast as they can, no one slacks off. Bathroom requires a token, but that's understandable being in the Mission District. There's a self serve soda machine, YAY!!! Bathroom is unclean just because there is not enough time to clean it, so don't use it unless you have to, it's filled with Graffiti too, damn uneducated people. Ask for wet naps, they usually have them. No parking though and it's usually crowded and people come in panhandling too. I once gave this guy 3 pennies into his cup and he threw it out, what a idiot, if everyone in the mission district gave him 3 cents everyday he'd be at least middle-class
(5)Tadashi Y.
I can be found at the Popeyes on 22nd & Mission Street most Tuesdays. Why, because it's 2 for 99 Cent Tuesdays! Yay! At that price, it's easy to satiate my nigh insatiable appetite for chicken! The employees are brisk, but not unfriendly. Most are friendly & learn enough Spanish to take orders from the largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood customers. Martin is one such stand out employee. There is also a self-service soda fountain for endless refills & a restroom for when you drink one too many refills. (And to wash your hands before & after eating, of course.) The sodas are highly carbonated as free refill places are wont to be. They figure you'll drink less if you are made to feel full faster w/ the extra carbonation. Given the Tuesday deal, there's always a LONG line every week, rain or shine. And you're almost guaranteed to be "entertained" by at least one angry or crazy outburst by someone in line. But this has not dissuaded me from my cheap chicken. ;P The chicken is not only cheap on Tuesdays, but yummy. It's also yummy on other days, but not as cheap. :) Santa's Yelper sez: "Great chicken, awesome Tuesday price, good service, free refills & restroom. And free crazy people to observe. Best Popeyes in the City! Period. Worst Popeyes? The Filmore one!"
(5)e w.
I've had the fancy fried chicken at Town Hall, Front Porch and the likes but honestly the chicken here is just as good for 1/10th of the price. I actually walked by last Tues when they had their $1.29 leg/thigh special going and got an order to stay. Yep, I hunkered down in the joint with the real people and put down the pipping hot spicy goodness right there. It was delicious, not one complaint. Probably not a good place to form any regular habits of eating, but when the fried chicken hankering sets in, this is the place.
(4)Richard S.
Rarely visit this place due to the filth inside. This place could be kept clean if they had enough employees to keep up with the messes. With adequate ventilation they could keep the front doors closed (no more pigeons!!). Unlike Pollo Campero down the street where they have security to keep the place clean and safe, Popeye's corporation obviously spends as little as possible. I feel sorry for many of the customers who can't go elsewhere and have to put up with this. The community deserves better.
(1)Chris Ackord P.
I enjoy Popeye's sometimes when im in mood 4 it and others not so much. But today I was with a friend who wanted some Popeye's twenty minutes came two aggressive pandlehandlers walk in starting asking for money the first one is a well dressed African American man stating that he is homeless Yeah right homeless my butt he ask everyone who came in and second was a cauasian woman who was on crack started to make sound she left and came back and sit down for thirty second and got up and went to the counter and cause a scene with the manager there. I thought it was funny but sad how people can come in cause a scene or demand money from hard working folk because they can.
(5)Accord T.
Today I ordered the # 7 5 piece chicken strip and mashed potatoes and nasty ass gravy and biscuit. I asked young lady at counter for some sauce. I asked what sauce they had she hella mumble something and Ranch. I said what!!!. She annoyed that fact what sauce I asked about.
(2)Geralyn Y.
Enjoying popeyes seems completely out of left field for a girl who is pretty aware of eating healthy and consuming a lot of organic products. But I can't deny it. I love popeyes. Chicken skin that good is most likely double deep fried. Oh well! If Beyonce can love popeyes and still be the Diva of all divas, then I can love it too. faves: [chicken breasts and wings] if getting a family deal then try a mix of mild and spicy, [fries] flavored like curly fries, but cut straight. [biscuits] don't forget the honey! [cajun rice] complete with little bits of meat. Another plus: family meal 12pcs chicken 2 lg sides & 6 biscuits for 22.99! This location has been around for years. My momma would always get it for my brother and I when we were growing up. It's still legit, clean enough and the workers are efficient. But my four stars isn't necessarily for the ambiance, it's for the grub.
(4)matt c.
It's dirty. It's crowded. It's ghetto. It's slow. It's the second Popeye's that I've reviewed. But, it's a block from my apartment and GOD DAMN do I love me some Popeye's!!! What can I say? It's the cajun in me. I love their fried chicken. I love their biscuits. And I love their extra-wide straws. . . but that's another story.
(4)Katie K.
2 pieces, leg and thigh, for ONLY $0.99 on Tuesdays! So the size of the chicken pieces are not as big as KFC but they can't beat this deal. This location is pretty ghetto in terms or cleanliness and crowd but that didn't deter me from getting my fried chicken fix on. Instead of wet naps, they allowed me to wash my greasy fingers at the sink next to the counter in the kitchen....that's service. It is also a plus they are not too far from my Bi-Rite Creamery for dessert.
(4)Tammy C.
Last time I had Popeyes was back in 1990 when I was in Toronto and it was memorable. Last time I saw one was when I was in Vegas but it was closed. This had become my mission to eat there again when I can find one... I love really crispy fried chicken, and Popeyes is definitely way better than KFC and Church's. The chicken is properly battered and totally fried in over boiling oil so that it's very crispy. The butterfly shrimps were very delicious and also properly prepared. Sprite has enough bubbles that make you burp more than you can embarrassingly take. I wish they had one in downtown SF... And it's fast food, so the service was not bad and the place was acceptably clean.
(4)Victor L.
I tell my friends about all the delicious food in the Mission, but somehow I find myself at Popeyes almost every week. Now that they've been forced by law to list calories you can figure out the best bang for buck while you're waiting. Giant line on tuesdays due to the 99-cent leg/thigh meal. I've always gotten my food to go, but I imagine if you eat in you'll get to see some "interesting" customers.
(4)Elaine H.
This location is much better than the Geneva one. Many more tables, brighter, and crowded in a good way. The mashed potatoes are WOW!! I love the special gravy they put on it. This beats KFC by far!!
(4)Angela P.
Have you ever heard of Popeyes chicken it's pretty good. Tastes pretty good. My favorite is the chicken it's pretty good. Number one mashed potatoes number two is macaroni three is corn on cob bone four is the ranch sauce. I miss popped eye. Spicy plus normel flavers are good at this locale. I say both are good and the andy cap hot fries.
(5)Mike L.
URGENT UPDATE: Still delicious. Still dirt cheap.
(5)Jeff P.
I somehow lived to be this old without ever having tried Popeye's. Well, curiosity got the best of me today as I was feeling a bit peckish after getting my new phone at the nearby Verizon store. The guy who took our order could not have been friendlier or smiled any more than he did. Truly amazing for a fast food place. Anyway, the bf & I split a three piece chicken strip meal. The guy gave us four which should be a bonus. But, honestly, the chicken was the worst part of the meal. Totally bland and not very fresh tasting. However, the fries were pretty damn good and the biscuit totally rocked!
(3)Aaron T.
The biscuits are $0.49 + tax. Bulk pricing if you buy half a dozen. The biscuits are trouble, something about them reminds me of an accomplice you know is going to squeal if he gets caught. So leave no evidence behind - eat every last one, including the crumbs. They are warm and delicious and may cause itis for those not prepared to handle this level of debauchery.
(4)Eileen L.
I wanted some fried chicken so my boyfriend drove all the way from Oakland to this Popeyes . The fried chicken and biscuts here are pretty good . But what really impressed me was their mashed potatoes with gravy . It was very smooth and yummy . Just thinking about the gravy is making my mouth water ! I've been to Popeyes in SF but I think that this location is the best location ... it has the best tasting food .
(4)Nizaria D.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. And with no banh mi in the Mission, I present to you the following subsitute: 1 Popeye's spicy chicken strip sandwich w/ all the fixins (all 2 of them, which are cabbage and pickles, oh and some weird mayo shit) + sriracha sauce ("borrowed" from Hidden Cafe) + cilantro (from 23rd & Mission produce stand) = NIZARIA'S SIGNATURE GHETTO BANH MI (trademark pending) Update 11/07: Ruh-roh. No more ghetto banh mi for me after sandwich maker dude in the back sneezed into his ungloved hands, wiped the snot off his face and onto his apron, patted his hair back into place, and blithely continued making my sandwich WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS. Why did I have to see that? If Ihadn't seen that I could have enjoyed my little sandwich in blissful ignorance. But I saw it. And it ruined, RUINED Popeye's for me. Every time I have the urge to go there, I think of el-Snotto. And now you will too. :-)
(3)John F.
I order the number 6 the fried catfish with fries. It was 7 dollars all together should something cheaper. Not alot of people at 7pm. At counter was Cantonese speaking girls that work here. It pretty clean except when people finish they don't throw alway the trash after they finish o others can seat because you knw its going t be packed.
(4)Josh B.
They either will accomodate your absurd demands or they will not. None of this in-between stuff. If it's on the menu and you order it, you will get it exactly when they say you will get it, and they will not tell you expect it any sooner than that. If you ask them if they personally eat what you ordered (in my case, catfish, a few times), they will by no means shrink from telling you in no uncertain terms, if it so happens, that they neither never have nor, by no means, ever shall eat such a thing. These people have your best interest in mind, and yet will serve you the catfish as quickly and hygenically as such a thing can ever, realistically, be served. God bless them.
(5)Andrew Y.
I'm biased, cause I love popeyes everywhere - but the one on Mission is dope. Their Tuesday special is unbeatable, and the perfect snack. Pretty much go there every week, but make sure you go when the chill Chinese lady is working, she hooks it up with 2-thighs for the special. Luhhhhhh that chicken from Popeyes
(4)Angela H.
Two words: Greasy and Gross. Oh, and makes you feel like a fatty blob afterward. Why did I come here? My friends were going, and they were sucked in by endless Popeye's commercials while watching a Cartman marathon on TV. If you want tasty fried chicken, try the spicy fried chicken (with no bones) at China Village on Solano in Albany.
(1)Rebekah K.
AMAZING!!! I had a friend who lived on Divis & Hayes & he could see the other Popeyes out the window of his room. He used to call it 'Pope YES', After the Pope died, he sent me a text that said 'Pope yes? Pope NO' Anyway, I've recently become obsessed with the chicken. Its my guilty pleasure. I have to bring it home to eat so people don't know I'm consuming a spicy fried food chicken breast with biscuits; only to down it with a wild cherry Pepsi. I LOVE that chicken at Popeyes!
(4)Po L.
I was extremely surprised by the friendly service here, thus earning it another star. So this craving wouldn't go away. Something had to be done about this. The biscuit, mash & gravy, and three pieces of chicken were good. Dr. Nick would be proud. You could rub the chicken on the wall and make it transparent. "I'll have the #3 with spicy chicken and mash. Also, can I have a side of bypass?" $7.24 out the door.
(4)Geronimo G.
"Owwwwwww". I knew what I was doing, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty, but I did it anyway. Now I know never to go to Popeye's unless I'm prepared to eat so much fried chicken that my GI system screams in agony for DAYS. What do they fry that shit in? It's bad news, it hurts, but you know what they say: no pain, no gain.
(5)Alfredo N.
I just had this for dinner yesterday and left overs for breakfast this morning so the taste is fresh in my mind. I love how no matter which Popeye's you hit up they all taste the same. I love the crunchy chicken that is never over dipped in batter as they do at KFC's. I always order the jambalaya which for some reason i cant get enough of. The sides are kick ass compared to any other chicken place. Service is always fast and correct. They are nice enough to honor my expired coupons. I do get a kick out of watching the Chinese works speak fluent Spanish. It puts my Spanish skills to shame.
(5)Brian J.
Noticed early on, SF lacks good fried chicken, Red beans and biscuits.
(4)Jung L.
this review is for the fried chicken alone, because that's the only thing you need to know. i don't know how they do it, but it is utterly fucking delicious. colonel sanders has never had popeyes because he'd be saying that popeye's is finger lickin good instead. I have to order only 2 or 3 pieces at a time because I can eat 12 pieces in one sitting like a one man family...then my sexy will hate me yes popeye's is corporate, and some say that corporations are evil. but if popeyes is wrong, i don't ever wanna be right
(5)Gerard Y.
Wow. So close to where I live. My high school friend (a Latino) even said the chinese lady who happened to also speak Spanish spoke it with little or no accent. Anyway, if you're down for a little guilty pleasure and want some good, and greasy (in a good way) chicken, there's no other place. I think this is the reason why KFC nearby went out of business. The fried chicken here tasted so much better. Heck even the fries and the fried shrimp taste good too. And maybe because there wasn't an annoying PETA member in front of the store handing out gross pamplets.
(4)xavier v.
For all of you who like cheap chicken, watch this video on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=JJ--…
(1)Rocco B.
I really thought I was in Tijuana when I visited this place on a Sunday afternoon. They call your meal number in English and Spanish, and I think the menu's were in Spanish. It was kinda cool. Popeyes kicks the Kernelz ass. Despite having more feathers than Popeyes, they have Spicy vs Mild chicken choices. When I was at this location, I got the Firecracker shrimp (which I think was one of those limited time specials). I ordered the snack size, but think I got the full meal size. They were good but man they were like sea-horses, they were so tiny. Mmmm firecracker sea-horses. Twas the breading I was after anyway.
(4)aleks k.
2 for 1 Tuesdays? Where the hell have I been? My friend Lali brought me here and popped my 2 for 1 Tuesday cherry. My god. I got 4 pieces of chicken and a soda for $3.80. 4 pieces of salt lick hormonally-challenged chicken like poultry in motion. Good times. My only mistake was getting in between a dude and his Fanta. I won't do that again next Tuesday.
(3)Happy C.
I have never been to this Popeye's. I haven't been to Popeye's since high school, in SoCal. But, I went to Costa Rica in December. Costa Rica has the best fried chicken I've ever had. Oh man. And, we even got some delivered by our bellhop in the hotel around midnight, as we watched some lame Tom Cruise movie on HBO with subtitles. Man was that chicken good. An extra star for the Popeyes that I've never been to, because it's still open and the KFC on Valencia shut down (but I never went there either). If you're looking for Fried Chicken, go to Hotel Balmoral in San Jose, Costa Rica. Ask the bellhop to go run for chicken. Thank me later!
(2)A. M.
Tuesday special: 2 pcs. for 99 cents which attracts an interesting line.
(5)Maximillian M.
I admit it: I ate here. I broke my personal "no fast food chains" rule. Although the chicken pieces seemed equally composed of skin/breading and meat, it really hit the spot. And, as usual, whenever I break the NFFC rule, I don't...feel...so...good... moments after the meal...
(3)Carmen H.
I know it's not good for me but, every once in awhile, I just have to indulge. I LOVE Popeye's. I'd never go to KFC or any other chicken place - I order the spicy thighs, and red beans and rice...ummm....it makes me long for my nursing school days in New Orleans. Makes me want to cook up a pot of my own red beans and rice.... but Popeye's is a quick way to give in to my impulses without going on a total binge!
(2)Millie S.
The only reason this isn't getting five stars is because it is a monster chain corporation and they probably grow frankenstein chickens that have sixteen heads and give birth to crispy strips and nuggets. And the only reason it's not getting four stars is because I can't give it the same rating as local favorites like Lolo or Boogaloo's which are just around the corner - it just seems rude. But you've got to hand it to Popeye's: this is fast food done right. You could order a plate of this food at some bar grill place and you'd probably pay twice the price for something no better. On Tuesdays, when they sell half price chicken, there is a line stretching out the front door. It's like being in Russia for the first McDonald's or whatever. Very exciting. You'll want to get in line even though you don't eat chicken, just to be a part of something. And the staff are ninjas. They toil with endless patience to bring you vastyle complicated orders of freshly breaded, crispy fried chicken goodness with the various essential dinner pairings. In fact the matrix of probility for a Popeye's meal beats KFC round the face. You can mix and match dinner and combo orders until you go silly in the head, with sides and special deals and the like. It's a party with chicken as the star attraction. Although don't let that distract you from their stunning sides - the rice and beans combo is like a cross between crack and baby food. And while you wait for your food you can watch wave after wave of crispy chicken roll over the counter, stoking the flames of your appetite for such illustrious golden chicken wonderment. Sure, you'll get some of the same desperate types that can make joints like the McDonald's down at 16th such a suicidally depressing experience. But there tends to be more families and kids here, and not so many crack whores, which cheers things up a bit. Plus the place is so bustling, and quality of the food so surprisingly good, that it makes it seem like a happy thing to see Mr Trampy Man eat his box of fried food - like, hey, you're one of the gang, life's not so bad. When I watch some vagrant eating in McDonald's, I normally feel like shooting myself in the head.
(3)Maria D.
Don't front. You love Popeye's. And so do I.
(4)Wesley J.
Dude! I just saw the most pimply face cashier EVER!!! This poor kid working at Popeye's had the biggest-ready-to-pop zits I have ever seen! DAMNNN! He was such a nice kid too....I felt bad. How do you tell someone about their face without hurting their feelings?? Oh - and the chicken rocks at Popeye's!
(4)Adrian N.
Aw yeah. Spicy Popeye's chicken is like no other. It's really greasy. Even when it's cold...that grease be seeping from the meat, and your fingers need ajax to wipe them clean. That's another way to say it's classically tasty. I enjoy popeyes a lot...but limit my consumption to about 2x a year because I want to stay healthy. I also don't like full view of the fryer chef dude in the back. he's been sort of dirty looking the last couple times I've went. shit...the things we tolerate for guilty pleasures.
(3)Laurence H.
When you lose to KFC, it is indeed a sorry state of affairs. Nonetheless, I am ashamed to admit that I have eaten there more than once. Popeye's most definitely caters to the lower income neighborhoods. The fried chicken is not so bad as the sides which lack flavor. Here is a tip for you true fried chicken fans.....if you really want good fried chicken, go to a Vietnamese restaurant for the chicken wing appetizers.....cheaper and quadruple the flavor.... Pos: fulfills that fast food need somewhat Negs: why did I eat there?!
(1)Tony F.
A friend asked me to PLEASE deliver some Popeye's Chicken to Her New Year's Day recovery party, could I get it there, like, by 10:30AM? I called Popeyes Diviz the day before, no answer. Called the Fillmore store, "Oh yes, we're open tomorrow at 10!" Went to Divis, sign said not open til 12; Fillmore, not open til 11. Shit. Drove to Mission, they were open, their food was fresh, they had a bathroom and they were great. Got myself a little something on my way to the revocery ward party, and it was the best store bought fried chicken I have ever had. Maybe it was the morning, the search, the pathetic whimpers of those in the recovery ward when I made my delivery, but that chicken, and those biscuits, were SWEET!
(3)charlotte s.
i would only order food to go from here. the restaurant's pretty dirty looking, but at least with purchase, you can use their bathroom - of course not a clean bathroom, but it's something when you gotta go and you're in the area, cus there's not much else... and don't bother ordering any of their desserts. they're pretty yucky... so just stick to the chicken and sides :)
(3)Krismet S.
This Popeyes is full of belligerent drunks up to their wacky antics. And biscuits. I likey!
(4)Jude F.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, (please don't hold it against me) I always think of Popeye's as "the chicken restaurant of bad neighborhoods". They have very interestingly spiced gravy-like stuff on the starch substance that resembles mashed potatoes. Oh, their biscuits are good! -- I guess that counts for something.
(3)Chris R.
This location is cash-only, which prevents me from making those 24 piece family pack impulse buys, but still the Popeye's deliciousness. Red beans & Rice, Mashed potatoes with the gravy w/ground beef, dirty rice, spicy chicken (& fries)...perfect.
(5)Sun K.
fried chicken is best when it just comes out of the fryer and you eat it right away. tuesday is two chicken pieces for $0.99. you'll get a fresh piece for sure on tuesday...
(2)Kevin S.
Makes me pine for Bojangles down south. It definitely kicks the Colonel's behind, but this city needs a fried chicken renaissance. We have so many unbelievable picnic spots that cry out for really good fried chicken.
(3)Zell C.
Crispy, spicy, artery-clogging chicken. Yum. What surprises me about this spot is that the Chinese workers here speak Spanish fluently and flawlessly. I sometimes come here just to hear them speak Spanish. Just kidding, but it really is amusing to hear. Popeye's over KFC any day.
(3)Shinn Z.
i just love fried chicken. kfc and popeyes is a toss-up for me, but popeyes has better side dishes by far.
(3)