OK - This particular franchise is unlike any other. On the planet. There is some kind of advanced physics anomaly located in THIS particular Popeyes which makes it far better. If anyone has theories about why, I'm all ears. I don't know what the deal is, but it's either the most disgusting thing you've ever had or the greatest bad decision of the year (I do it annually.) If you're not looking for greasy swill of the massively amazingly addictive variety, then you have taken a wrong turn from Edina, go home, k? You KNOW it's going to be grease. You KNOW your order may be filled creatively. You KNOW the neighborhood is Lake St. (And if that's scary, you need to get out more, see the world, really people.) Salty little biscuit, how I love you. Cheap little chicken and your crispied up parts, you too. Potaoes, beans etc. you gotta be kidding, ew.. Don't push your luck, don't ask for too much. You're at a Popeyes, you know. Context: I think everything at the State Fair that people freak out over is more or less nasty and pointless. So I'm ruthlessly picky and all-in when it comes to deep fried deviance.
(5)
Brett E.
This place is terrible they dont accept cards but they have a atm that charges you 2 bux to withdraw. No free refills on pop and i wanted. Ketchup and jelly and they wanted to charge me 10 cents per packet!!! Chicken was grease logged and old!
(1)
Scott F.
First ever trip to Popeye's but have had lots of fried chicken, this is right up there with the best. It was quick and fresh and hot and the biscuit was buttery without any extra butter. It felt bad and good at the same time. YUM, seriously, when I get the craving, I will make a beeline here. To the previous posters saying they don't take cards, they must have changed their policy since I paid with a card today with no troubles.
(4)
Trisha L.
I've eaten here a few times & will say that the food is delicious. Way better than KFC. But the establishment itself is kind of strange. There's signs saying 'No, we don't sell chicken from the back door' 'You are on camera right now'. There's also a sign showing how much they charge per packet of condiments. The neighborhood is sketchy but I just keep to myself & it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll definitely be sticking to just the drive thru from now on, though. The last time I ate inside there was a homeless woman with her shopping cart full of stuff who had obviously just peed her pants. The smell of urine was so strong & completely put me off my food.
(1)
B W.
I am a fan :) The chicken is normal size (not the seemingly steroid fed ginormous but tasteless pieces at KFC). The chicken was spiced nicely and has a great crunch. I will be back the next time I am in MSP. I am not sure why people are freaked out by the neighborhood??? I wonder if they have traveled to Boston or NYC :) By the way, CASH ONLY!!!!
(4)
Mahad M.
Dear Popeyes, Eating with chopsticks requires a certain delicacy, obviously you don't have that dilemma. So why do suburbanites with jaded appetites make a trip, knowing what you serve and than rip you a new one for serving greasy food?. I am not sure whether these folks knew that you serve nothing short of the cleansing pucks found in the urinals and toilet bowls. Yes, a lot of us love ya despite, No, we've not given up on life, Well, not yet. I grew up eating from Pollo Loco, FatBurger and yes, In-N-Out double-double, and now eating at Popeyes is nothing new. My favorite here are the cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun style gravy, and the signature cajun rice. Couple of rats develop cholesterol in a lab and we're suppose to change our lifestyles?, yeah right! If you were open for business 24/7 and maybe started joining the 21st century by accepting cards, I would have whole-heartedly given you the first 10 star review ever seen on Yelp. Trust me, this isn't the type of place that you sit down, clench your butt cheeks and pray for a winner, it's Popeyes - And it's good enough for Whittier.
(4)
Luis P.
The BEST fried chicken in the twin cities comes from this chain of fast food restaurants. It's a sad fact but I am thankful that we at least have Popeye's. Grab a three piece basket that is spicy and make sure and ask for butter to spread on your biscuit. Amazeballs!
(5)
Norah S.
i honestly can't say that i've had better fried chicken or biscuits in my life than at popeye's. but this location doesn't take credit cards which is 1. sketchy as hell 2. really inconvenient and 3. it's 2014 so get your shit together! but i love you popeye's i don't know what i would do without you there to soothe my drunken soul with your delicious, buttery biscuits and spicy chicken. xoxo
(4)
Tisha D.
This was the one and only POPEYES location for a long time and then all the other ones replacing all the local KFC's sprung up all over. Lake Street location tastes a whole lot better than the rest. Im thinking this is the only location in Mn with the real recipe. Ive had raw under cooked chicken and cold sides at the others more than once. But maybe it was due to the chaos of the grand openings of the other locations but the raw,cold chicken and sides doesnt support that theory much. I prefer Kfc which is nearly impossible to find now, much better chicken too! I cant eat popeyes maybe once a month but thats only because its practically right across the street from my house, so its actually too convient. Did I mention the staff are a bunch of black teens and older black women in their 40's. Weird demographic to say the least.
(3)
Crystal E.
I miss living a block from Popeyes. Any time I had a crappy day, all I had to do was throw a twenty down on the counter over there and I would soon be off to food coma heaven. There's no point in comparing Popeyes to KFC, because Popeyes is simply amazing. I've had terrible greasy KFC junk thrown at me through a bulletproof window, and that is just not the way to give delicious chicken to anyone. No wonder the chicken wasn't delicious there (someone just needs to shut down the KFC at the MIdtown Exchange building, already. it's giving chicken a bad cluck). One time, I went to Popeyes and almost didn't get chicken, because some baller came in and demanded all of the chicken. Seriously, he ordered like $200 worth of chicken, we had to get two different kinds because this jerk off budged in front of me when he walked in five minutes after I did. The cashiers there are timid and let customers barge in like this which really aggravates me....they're clearly sick of all the confrontation.....Which leads me to my only gripe about the place--the shady atmosphere. There are cops constantly outside and I'm constantly worried I'm walking through a drug deal in order to get delicious, delicious chicken. But this happens everywhere in this area of south minneapolis, so it's easy to get used to, i suppose. I wish they wouldn't just take cash, because they're a bit overpriced there, and it usually costs around $25 to get a box of chicken with sides....because of the ATM thing i usually buy less than i would, if i could use my card, so they're really screwing themselves over with this CASH ONLY policy. It's really unusual and i wish there was some way around it. Apparently people are trying to buy chicken their checking accounts can't buy, so we all lose..............
(5)
Amy R.
A fan? I guess I have to be since this is the only location in the whole sprawling area.... Strange.. I think every out of towner or person who has relocated from another state with more choices for chicken has the same reaction. I remember J telling one his friend that there were no 7-11's, Dunkin Donuts or really good chicken places up here. I guess there is a reason MN has placed most fit the past couple Yahoo polls. His friend has yet to visit. Guilty pleasure once in blue moon.. Their chicken is pretty good and the spicy is off the hook. The sides are average. Nothing to write home about. The biscuits are decent. I've been twice to this one and only location. Once with a co- worker who reminded me that it was cash only. Yes, there is an ATM available, but who wants to spend more on the ATM fee then the whole chicken meal. Second time J and I stopped in for some chicken to go. Tables were too greasy to dine in. Place is a bit sketchy cleanliness wise. Staff was outgoing and helpful and looked to be having some fun which is nice to see. It's no Harold's chicken, but it will do for a grease laden craving every once in awhile.
(4)
Aaron K.
Popeyes has to be the best-tasting fast food business that exists today. That said, it's not really that fast, and not really cheap either. But it is delicious! The chicken is served piping hot and fresh, and the fried exterior is CRUNCHY, salty, and greasy. Yes, it's fried chicken folks, you're eating it for your craving for flavor, not for nutrition. Then there's the biscuits. The biscuits are amazingly delicious. It's a tender, buttery crust with fluffy buttermilk center. They are salty and buttery and delicious. Coleslaw is also very good. A little on the sweet side, so I order it as a side for dessert! I would give Popeyes FIVE stars if it were a better value, because despite this I make trips from St. Paul to eat here when I get the craving. I ordered a three piece combo and I received a large breast piece and two wing pieces, an extra biscuit is 80 cents, and the extra sides are $2.00 each. They charge 55 cents extra if you want white meat. After tax, I spent $11 and some change. They accept CASH ONLY, but they do have an ATM machine on premises.
(4)
Morgan A.
I went to the drive through but as far as chains go, this place is amazing. I wish it wasn't in a sketchy area but zomg, the food is incredible. I love their chicken and their battered french fries. They put KFC and Arby's (arbys curly fries don't hold a handle to popeye's fries) to shame. Try this place out. A warning is that their chicken is a fair bit spicier than most other chicken places as it is southern style but I don't mind. Remember, this place is cash only so don't try plastic. If you go to feed a family though, it could easily run over 20 dollars for a visit. Just keep this in mind. That being said, this is easily one of my favourite fried chicken restaurants. Don't hesitate to stop here. This place is in a sketchy area, doesn't accept plastic, and as the cherry on top, doesn't participate in national deals so i'm knicking a point for that.
(4)
Jenny M.
IMPORTANT: bring cash!! Once you've made it over that hurdle, it's smooth sailing to delicious, fatty, steaming hot fried chicken heaven. There really isn't too much to say that isn't learned better via a plate of food - biscuits are flaky and fake-buttery, chicken has the most fabulous crunch, and sides like red beans & rice and mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy will remind you that you made the right choice and skipped KFC for some Louisiana-style fast food. The staff here is on-the-ball and pretty good at getting even big orders right, though sometimes it takes a while to get all the way through the drive through (like you'd expect). Bring cash. Inhale chicken. Repeat. Bring cash.
(4)
Josh M.
To think this stuff is gonna replace the KFC's in the Minneapolis area! I've given Popeyes's 3 chances and each time have been disapointed to the point of not finishing my meal. Way too much buttery flavor to the bisquits, chicken kind of has that dirty bird taste to it, and you get served by some meth head with yellow and missing teeth. I guess in a way I respect them for hiring these kinds of desperate people but I just really would rather have somebody else handling my food. I am really missing KFC, hopefully somebody will open up a KFC in Minneapolis again in the near future, Popeye's is awful.
(1)
C M.
The food is good but avoid the drive thru. Half the time they will get the order wrong by leaving off items from your order even though it's on the receipt! It's a pain when you have to drive across town because it's the only location in the entire state. Even though the neighborhood does not look to be the safest, do yourself a favor and actually go into the restaurant to order. The service is fast, if not faster than the drive thru, and accurate (most of the time). The GREAT news is that of 10/2012, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen announced that it is planning to purchase 20+ bankrupt KFC restaurants is the MSP area. They would convert these stores to Popeyes restaurants and make them available to franchisees. This would in effect wipe the slate clean of KFC restaurants in the Twin Cities metro and make Popeyes a regular staple of the community!! UPDATE: It seems that the "go-ahead" has been given to the purchase of 14 bankrupt KFC's in the Twin Cities by Popeyes. Minnesotans could see Popeyes restaurants in Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Richfield, Savage, Rosemount, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park and St. Paul.
(2)
Ashley F.
Jalepeno Mashed Potatoes. That's all.
(4)
Matt M.
All is Good in the Hood when your at Popeye's! I hate that it's so far away for me to go and get Fast Food Chicken but since it is the Only Place you can Get Fast food Chicken in the Twin City's I will Live with it! try the red Beans & Rice they are Good with the Biscuits Too!
(4)
Jessica W.
Really? There is only ONE Popeye's in the whole state of MN? How can that be? After living in Florida where there was a Popeye's every 2 miles, I had to hunt down the ONLY one in MN. OMG! This has to be the best fast food fried chicken ever! I should count my blessings and be thankful that we even have one, but what I wouldn't give to have a couple more in the metro area. I have to say that the biscuits are a little like dessert. I save it for last and consider it my treat for cleaning my plate. I ordered the 3 piece spicy strip meal with lots of extra hot sauce - and I am pretty sure that I got at least 5 strips...I chose the mashed potatoes and gravy for my side - yum-o! The fries are really good, too! When we went, we weren't prepared for the cash only policy but the conveniently located ATM was there to help us out ... for only an extra $1.95...
(5)
john f.
THIS IS, HANDS DOWN, THE BEST CHICKEN....GO POPEYE'S I'm so glad I live as close as I do to Popeyes....their specials and sides are great....especially the onion rings, biscuits and mash potatoes. Popeyes is a bit pricey. So its a treat when I go to popeyes.
(5)
Renee H.
I love Popeye's but I HATE the establishment on Lake Street. They don't honor the specials on TV plus they only take cash. In this day & age, the majority of the public do not carry cash just plastic. Their cash only policy and restaurant location keeps me from patronizing this establishment. I can't wait for the "real" Popeye's locations to open up in the twin cities. Yippee!!!
(1)
Joshua B.
It's sad that the best fried chicken in town here is a chain that was in every part of town when I lived in Atlanta. Even on a good day, Popeye's sides are... at best bland and at worst, well, they're mis-seasoned or just off. But I'm here for chicken and a properly formed biscuit (some people up here think biscuits are shaped like scones and dry and crumbly). Spicy chicken that actually has a little spice to it, the breading is crispy/crunchy, and just to remind you that it has been near fire, the juicy/greasy chicken will burn your face while you smile through the closest representation to real fried chicken this city can produce. If anyone has found better in town, I'd love to hear about it.
(4)
Kat W.
So, the thing is, when you go to Popeye's drive-thru, you give them a theme, and then they riff on it and charge you some money for it. Example: Last night, I wanted two spicy tenders, hot sauce, a small cajun fries and a biscuit. No drink. I got four spicy tenders, a small fries and a biscuit. Delicious, but not precisely what I was going for. But its cool. You don't go to Popeye's when you're at your peak. And my boyfriend enjoyed the extra tenders.
(3)
Steve S.
Excellent chicken. Esp the spicy which actually has some spice. I would have gotten 4 stars, but they don't take cards (I don't usually carry cash), they don't take the national coupons or follow any of the advertised deals, don't carry most of the limited time items (like crawfish) and like others state, the inside is very sketchy. I live in the SW suburbs but sometimes when I have an appt near this store, I'll go through drive through, put it in an insulated bag and drive home. The fries aren't very good at all and most of the other sides I've tried aren't that great either.
(3)
Anne M.
There are times when I need salty, artery-clogging fried chicken. If you get the spicy chicken, it actually is spicy (which is saying a lot for Minnesota where most people think that tobasco sauce is too hot). I LOVE spicy fried chicken. The fries were only okay, but then, I'm afraid of the neighborhood so I've only ever gotten take out from this place and carted it back home to eat. I'm sure the fries are much better fresh. The scary neighborhood is also why I've only had their food twice. It's probably a good thing that there's only one Popeyes in Minnesota. I really don't need to weigh 200 lbs. It's not fine dining, but who cares? You don't order fried chicken expecting linens and silverware.
(4)
Emily S.
I come here when I am hungover, and let me tell you something.. Nothing, NOTHING cures a hangover better than Popeyes spicy battered fried chicken! That shit is SO good. I love fried chicken, and this place has never let me down. They also have good french fries and biscuits. They have some sorta salty mixture on it, and they are tasty as hell! I haven't really tried anything else here, I know what I like and that's the only reason why I come here, so i figure, why? They only accept cash, so come prepared, and don't ask for anything special, because even though you will get charged for it, you probably won't get what you want in the end.
(5)
Lakisha L.
Not exactly sure what folks expect. It's Popeye's, not a five star restaurant. It is what it is. I love and go at least one weekend a month. They take cash only, which isn't a biggie since an ATM is provided on site. My only complaint is the location and no, not because it looks "sketchy." It's off of lake street (an area of Minneapolis with a lot of history and culture) and is under construction (still), only one lane in both directions. I went today and couldn't park in the lot due to a Wendy's truck (???) parked and in the way. Anyways, the chicken is hot just like the promise sign says. I had the mardi gras cheesecake which wasn't that tasty. Mardi gras type music plays while you are eating and the staff are friendly. If you're into chicken then yes!
(4)
Steph P.
WTF, THIS IS THE ONLY POPEYE'S LOCATION IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA?!? Thank sweet baby jesus I live within 5 minutes of it. Given its token status, you'd think that they would have made this location much bigger, their parking lot hold more than 8 cars, and their drive-thru less of a nuisance. Oh and Cash Only, folks! Though there is a handy ATM inside. The thing about Popeye's chicken...either you love it or you hate it. I, being the fried chicken obsessive than I am, love it for its super crunchy skin and that cajun seasoning. It's fatty, it's greasy, it's salty. IT'S FRIED CHICKEN...Kind of like Ad Hoc yelp.com/biz/ad-hoc-youn… for the proletariat.
(4)
Martha S.
When I want to have flashbacks of my brief time spent living down south, I go here. Does it make you feel like you just ate a newborn? Yes. Is it worth the extra mile you'll have to run on the treadmill? Yes. Is it really in a sketchy neighborhood? Meh. Compared to Edina, yes. If you love Southern fast food, and aren't too picky about how your order looks, how accurate it is, or how healthy it is, you'll be satisfied.
(4)
Marilee A.
It's" Popeye" the Chicken Man , how's the Song Go? 1st off, let's clear this up,What is a Vegetarian doing at a Southern,Soul Food, Fast Food place, You Ask??? The Biscuits!!! These Biscuits make you forget your manners,and you have to remind yourself to Come Up For Air while stuffing them wildly into your own Biscuit Hole,making disgusting noises, & a face smeared with butter (but looks like Mucus), they are that good.Best Biscuits I ever had that I didn't make.Ever since Adam Sandler's Movie "Little Nicky" it's been my Niece and Nephews favorite Chicken. They can blame this food addiction on "The Devil Made Me Do It", because of Little Nicky. But it is more like Heaven to me.I may be a Vegetarian,but I do cook meat and know good food when I see it & smell it.I have watched family devour this Chicken without mercy, like they'd just been rescued from an Island with only Coconuts. I love do me some biscuits and slaw myself. If the other famous Southern specialties were not made with Lard (HINT, HINT), I'd be smearing Grits, Beans, & Greens all over myself too,Thank God for Napkins.This is everyone's Happy Place,where calories give way to Comfort Food in a Jiffy.Face Wiping, Lip Smacking, Finger Licking , Hot Diggity DoDa Fabulous. Little Nicky, Adam Sandler,Popeye the Sailor Man, & Marilee Approved--now there be ya some TestaMOANials!!!
(3)
Michael C.
All I have to say about this Popeye's location is that it got so sketchy inside the place, that I had to put my chicken back into the bag, and drive my sorry arse back home to Downtown Minneapolis to enjoy dinner without the fear of something going down. But the chicken was good. If you're into that fried chicken sort of thing. And for some reason, most cities outside of the South don't have anywhere to get shrimp po boys. So I give Popeye's lots of love for serving those.
(2)
Kellee F.
Please...forget what these other reviewers said about this being located in a bad area. If you are from the big city, you know a rough neighborhood when you see it and this Chicago-born girl can ASSURE you--this does not qualify!
(4)
Mr. P.
For the only popeyes in Minneapolis, this place sure charges high. A 10 peice that would be 9.99 or less in any popeyes in the south will run you around 25 bucks. They do not take cards or checks (odd), and are located in a fairly seedy spot. When going through the entrapping drive through expect to see people walk next to your car or just standing around. If youve never had popeyes its worth trying once. Its good chicken, but not for the prices they charge. In Texas and Louisiana, popeyes is known as the better quality and cheaper chicken. Here is one of the most expensive foods youll find in south Minneapolis/uptown. Save your money and go to Rainbow foods when you want fried chicken.
(2)
Kare K.
I will never go to the Minneapolis one again!!!! The Chicken was still raw with feathers on it!!! We will be more than willing to drive to Waterloo to get some real Popeyes chicken. My family tried the minneapolis one a few times with same reults. The good thing is my family likes road trips so we go where there are Popeyes chicken. Not the nasty one in Minneapolis....
(1)
Nikola S.
The chicken is great , and it's one of the few places to get southern sides . I love it. the staff is friendly and I go there whenever I can.
(5)
Pete U.
The kid was right when he looked around him and said "this place is nasty!". Yes, this is the only Popeye's in Minnesota, which is the only reason that I keep coming back here, but I leave with the feeling that I would have been better off driving 400 miles to the next nearest one. I love Popeye's Spicy Chicken, as well as their Biscuits, Red Beans & Rice, hell, I like everything I have tried at Popeye's. But I have had better food at other Popeye's, much better service at other Popeye's, and most other Popeye's clean the floors and tables a little more often than once every full moon. BE WARNED: This one also does not participate in any of Popeye's National promotions ( youtube.com/watch?v=1eiG… ). HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO FEED MY FAMILY!". Final word of warning concerning the parking lot: be careful of SUV's with spinner rims. After they've got their chicken and it's time to leave, GET OUT OF THEIR WAY or you might find out that an Insurance Card is only a thing you use long enought to get your SUV out of the Impound Lot.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : Yes Caters : Yes
S W.
OK - This particular franchise is unlike any other. On the planet. There is some kind of advanced physics anomaly located in THIS particular Popeyes which makes it far better. If anyone has theories about why, I'm all ears. I don't know what the deal is, but it's either the most disgusting thing you've ever had or the greatest bad decision of the year (I do it annually.) If you're not looking for greasy swill of the massively amazingly addictive variety, then you have taken a wrong turn from Edina, go home, k? You KNOW it's going to be grease. You KNOW your order may be filled creatively. You KNOW the neighborhood is Lake St. (And if that's scary, you need to get out more, see the world, really people.) Salty little biscuit, how I love you. Cheap little chicken and your crispied up parts, you too. Potaoes, beans etc. you gotta be kidding, ew.. Don't push your luck, don't ask for too much. You're at a Popeyes, you know. Context: I think everything at the State Fair that people freak out over is more or less nasty and pointless. So I'm ruthlessly picky and all-in when it comes to deep fried deviance.
(5)Brett E.
This place is terrible they dont accept cards but they have a atm that charges you 2 bux to withdraw. No free refills on pop and i wanted. Ketchup and jelly and they wanted to charge me 10 cents per packet!!! Chicken was grease logged and old!
(1)Scott F.
First ever trip to Popeye's but have had lots of fried chicken, this is right up there with the best. It was quick and fresh and hot and the biscuit was buttery without any extra butter. It felt bad and good at the same time. YUM, seriously, when I get the craving, I will make a beeline here. To the previous posters saying they don't take cards, they must have changed their policy since I paid with a card today with no troubles.
(4)Trisha L.
I've eaten here a few times & will say that the food is delicious. Way better than KFC. But the establishment itself is kind of strange. There's signs saying 'No, we don't sell chicken from the back door' 'You are on camera right now'. There's also a sign showing how much they charge per packet of condiments. The neighborhood is sketchy but I just keep to myself & it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll definitely be sticking to just the drive thru from now on, though. The last time I ate inside there was a homeless woman with her shopping cart full of stuff who had obviously just peed her pants. The smell of urine was so strong & completely put me off my food.
(1)B W.
I am a fan :) The chicken is normal size (not the seemingly steroid fed ginormous but tasteless pieces at KFC). The chicken was spiced nicely and has a great crunch. I will be back the next time I am in MSP. I am not sure why people are freaked out by the neighborhood??? I wonder if they have traveled to Boston or NYC :) By the way, CASH ONLY!!!!
(4)Mahad M.
Dear Popeyes, Eating with chopsticks requires a certain delicacy, obviously you don't have that dilemma. So why do suburbanites with jaded appetites make a trip, knowing what you serve and than rip you a new one for serving greasy food?. I am not sure whether these folks knew that you serve nothing short of the cleansing pucks found in the urinals and toilet bowls. Yes, a lot of us love ya despite, No, we've not given up on life, Well, not yet. I grew up eating from Pollo Loco, FatBurger and yes, In-N-Out double-double, and now eating at Popeyes is nothing new. My favorite here are the cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun style gravy, and the signature cajun rice. Couple of rats develop cholesterol in a lab and we're suppose to change our lifestyles?, yeah right! If you were open for business 24/7 and maybe started joining the 21st century by accepting cards, I would have whole-heartedly given you the first 10 star review ever seen on Yelp. Trust me, this isn't the type of place that you sit down, clench your butt cheeks and pray for a winner, it's Popeyes - And it's good enough for Whittier.
(4)Luis P.
The BEST fried chicken in the twin cities comes from this chain of fast food restaurants. It's a sad fact but I am thankful that we at least have Popeye's. Grab a three piece basket that is spicy and make sure and ask for butter to spread on your biscuit. Amazeballs!
(5)Norah S.
i honestly can't say that i've had better fried chicken or biscuits in my life than at popeye's. but this location doesn't take credit cards which is 1. sketchy as hell 2. really inconvenient and 3. it's 2014 so get your shit together! but i love you popeye's i don't know what i would do without you there to soothe my drunken soul with your delicious, buttery biscuits and spicy chicken. xoxo
(4)Tisha D.
This was the one and only POPEYES location for a long time and then all the other ones replacing all the local KFC's sprung up all over. Lake Street location tastes a whole lot better than the rest. Im thinking this is the only location in Mn with the real recipe. Ive had raw under cooked chicken and cold sides at the others more than once. But maybe it was due to the chaos of the grand openings of the other locations but the raw,cold chicken and sides doesnt support that theory much. I prefer Kfc which is nearly impossible to find now, much better chicken too! I cant eat popeyes maybe once a month but thats only because its practically right across the street from my house, so its actually too convient. Did I mention the staff are a bunch of black teens and older black women in their 40's. Weird demographic to say the least.
(3)Crystal E.
I miss living a block from Popeyes. Any time I had a crappy day, all I had to do was throw a twenty down on the counter over there and I would soon be off to food coma heaven. There's no point in comparing Popeyes to KFC, because Popeyes is simply amazing. I've had terrible greasy KFC junk thrown at me through a bulletproof window, and that is just not the way to give delicious chicken to anyone. No wonder the chicken wasn't delicious there (someone just needs to shut down the KFC at the MIdtown Exchange building, already. it's giving chicken a bad cluck). One time, I went to Popeyes and almost didn't get chicken, because some baller came in and demanded all of the chicken. Seriously, he ordered like $200 worth of chicken, we had to get two different kinds because this jerk off budged in front of me when he walked in five minutes after I did. The cashiers there are timid and let customers barge in like this which really aggravates me....they're clearly sick of all the confrontation.....Which leads me to my only gripe about the place--the shady atmosphere. There are cops constantly outside and I'm constantly worried I'm walking through a drug deal in order to get delicious, delicious chicken. But this happens everywhere in this area of south minneapolis, so it's easy to get used to, i suppose. I wish they wouldn't just take cash, because they're a bit overpriced there, and it usually costs around $25 to get a box of chicken with sides....because of the ATM thing i usually buy less than i would, if i could use my card, so they're really screwing themselves over with this CASH ONLY policy. It's really unusual and i wish there was some way around it. Apparently people are trying to buy chicken their checking accounts can't buy, so we all lose..............
(5)Amy R.
A fan? I guess I have to be since this is the only location in the whole sprawling area.... Strange.. I think every out of towner or person who has relocated from another state with more choices for chicken has the same reaction. I remember J telling one his friend that there were no 7-11's, Dunkin Donuts or really good chicken places up here. I guess there is a reason MN has placed most fit the past couple Yahoo polls. His friend has yet to visit. Guilty pleasure once in blue moon.. Their chicken is pretty good and the spicy is off the hook. The sides are average. Nothing to write home about. The biscuits are decent. I've been twice to this one and only location. Once with a co- worker who reminded me that it was cash only. Yes, there is an ATM available, but who wants to spend more on the ATM fee then the whole chicken meal. Second time J and I stopped in for some chicken to go. Tables were too greasy to dine in. Place is a bit sketchy cleanliness wise. Staff was outgoing and helpful and looked to be having some fun which is nice to see. It's no Harold's chicken, but it will do for a grease laden craving every once in awhile.
(4)Aaron K.
Popeyes has to be the best-tasting fast food business that exists today. That said, it's not really that fast, and not really cheap either. But it is delicious! The chicken is served piping hot and fresh, and the fried exterior is CRUNCHY, salty, and greasy. Yes, it's fried chicken folks, you're eating it for your craving for flavor, not for nutrition. Then there's the biscuits. The biscuits are amazingly delicious. It's a tender, buttery crust with fluffy buttermilk center. They are salty and buttery and delicious. Coleslaw is also very good. A little on the sweet side, so I order it as a side for dessert! I would give Popeyes FIVE stars if it were a better value, because despite this I make trips from St. Paul to eat here when I get the craving. I ordered a three piece combo and I received a large breast piece and two wing pieces, an extra biscuit is 80 cents, and the extra sides are $2.00 each. They charge 55 cents extra if you want white meat. After tax, I spent $11 and some change. They accept CASH ONLY, but they do have an ATM machine on premises.
(4)Morgan A.
I went to the drive through but as far as chains go, this place is amazing. I wish it wasn't in a sketchy area but zomg, the food is incredible. I love their chicken and their battered french fries. They put KFC and Arby's (arbys curly fries don't hold a handle to popeye's fries) to shame. Try this place out. A warning is that their chicken is a fair bit spicier than most other chicken places as it is southern style but I don't mind. Remember, this place is cash only so don't try plastic. If you go to feed a family though, it could easily run over 20 dollars for a visit. Just keep this in mind. That being said, this is easily one of my favourite fried chicken restaurants. Don't hesitate to stop here. This place is in a sketchy area, doesn't accept plastic, and as the cherry on top, doesn't participate in national deals so i'm knicking a point for that.
(4)Jenny M.
IMPORTANT: bring cash!! Once you've made it over that hurdle, it's smooth sailing to delicious, fatty, steaming hot fried chicken heaven. There really isn't too much to say that isn't learned better via a plate of food - biscuits are flaky and fake-buttery, chicken has the most fabulous crunch, and sides like red beans & rice and mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy will remind you that you made the right choice and skipped KFC for some Louisiana-style fast food. The staff here is on-the-ball and pretty good at getting even big orders right, though sometimes it takes a while to get all the way through the drive through (like you'd expect). Bring cash. Inhale chicken. Repeat. Bring cash.
(4)Josh M.
To think this stuff is gonna replace the KFC's in the Minneapolis area! I've given Popeyes's 3 chances and each time have been disapointed to the point of not finishing my meal. Way too much buttery flavor to the bisquits, chicken kind of has that dirty bird taste to it, and you get served by some meth head with yellow and missing teeth. I guess in a way I respect them for hiring these kinds of desperate people but I just really would rather have somebody else handling my food. I am really missing KFC, hopefully somebody will open up a KFC in Minneapolis again in the near future, Popeye's is awful.
(1)C M.
The food is good but avoid the drive thru. Half the time they will get the order wrong by leaving off items from your order even though it's on the receipt! It's a pain when you have to drive across town because it's the only location in the entire state. Even though the neighborhood does not look to be the safest, do yourself a favor and actually go into the restaurant to order. The service is fast, if not faster than the drive thru, and accurate (most of the time). The GREAT news is that of 10/2012, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen announced that it is planning to purchase 20+ bankrupt KFC restaurants is the MSP area. They would convert these stores to Popeyes restaurants and make them available to franchisees. This would in effect wipe the slate clean of KFC restaurants in the Twin Cities metro and make Popeyes a regular staple of the community!! UPDATE: It seems that the "go-ahead" has been given to the purchase of 14 bankrupt KFC's in the Twin Cities by Popeyes. Minnesotans could see Popeyes restaurants in Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Richfield, Savage, Rosemount, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park and St. Paul.
(2)Ashley F.
Jalepeno Mashed Potatoes. That's all.
(4)Matt M.
All is Good in the Hood when your at Popeye's! I hate that it's so far away for me to go and get Fast Food Chicken but since it is the Only Place you can Get Fast food Chicken in the Twin City's I will Live with it! try the red Beans & Rice they are Good with the Biscuits Too!
(4)Jessica W.
Really? There is only ONE Popeye's in the whole state of MN? How can that be? After living in Florida where there was a Popeye's every 2 miles, I had to hunt down the ONLY one in MN. OMG! This has to be the best fast food fried chicken ever! I should count my blessings and be thankful that we even have one, but what I wouldn't give to have a couple more in the metro area. I have to say that the biscuits are a little like dessert. I save it for last and consider it my treat for cleaning my plate. I ordered the 3 piece spicy strip meal with lots of extra hot sauce - and I am pretty sure that I got at least 5 strips...I chose the mashed potatoes and gravy for my side - yum-o! The fries are really good, too! When we went, we weren't prepared for the cash only policy but the conveniently located ATM was there to help us out ... for only an extra $1.95...
(5)john f.
THIS IS, HANDS DOWN, THE BEST CHICKEN....GO POPEYE'S I'm so glad I live as close as I do to Popeyes....their specials and sides are great....especially the onion rings, biscuits and mash potatoes. Popeyes is a bit pricey. So its a treat when I go to popeyes.
(5)Renee H.
I love Popeye's but I HATE the establishment on Lake Street. They don't honor the specials on TV plus they only take cash. In this day & age, the majority of the public do not carry cash just plastic. Their cash only policy and restaurant location keeps me from patronizing this establishment. I can't wait for the "real" Popeye's locations to open up in the twin cities. Yippee!!!
(1)Joshua B.
It's sad that the best fried chicken in town here is a chain that was in every part of town when I lived in Atlanta. Even on a good day, Popeye's sides are... at best bland and at worst, well, they're mis-seasoned or just off. But I'm here for chicken and a properly formed biscuit (some people up here think biscuits are shaped like scones and dry and crumbly). Spicy chicken that actually has a little spice to it, the breading is crispy/crunchy, and just to remind you that it has been near fire, the juicy/greasy chicken will burn your face while you smile through the closest representation to real fried chicken this city can produce. If anyone has found better in town, I'd love to hear about it.
(4)Kat W.
So, the thing is, when you go to Popeye's drive-thru, you give them a theme, and then they riff on it and charge you some money for it. Example: Last night, I wanted two spicy tenders, hot sauce, a small cajun fries and a biscuit. No drink. I got four spicy tenders, a small fries and a biscuit. Delicious, but not precisely what I was going for. But its cool. You don't go to Popeye's when you're at your peak. And my boyfriend enjoyed the extra tenders.
(3)Steve S.
Excellent chicken. Esp the spicy which actually has some spice. I would have gotten 4 stars, but they don't take cards (I don't usually carry cash), they don't take the national coupons or follow any of the advertised deals, don't carry most of the limited time items (like crawfish) and like others state, the inside is very sketchy. I live in the SW suburbs but sometimes when I have an appt near this store, I'll go through drive through, put it in an insulated bag and drive home. The fries aren't very good at all and most of the other sides I've tried aren't that great either.
(3)Anne M.
There are times when I need salty, artery-clogging fried chicken. If you get the spicy chicken, it actually is spicy (which is saying a lot for Minnesota where most people think that tobasco sauce is too hot). I LOVE spicy fried chicken. The fries were only okay, but then, I'm afraid of the neighborhood so I've only ever gotten take out from this place and carted it back home to eat. I'm sure the fries are much better fresh. The scary neighborhood is also why I've only had their food twice. It's probably a good thing that there's only one Popeyes in Minnesota. I really don't need to weigh 200 lbs. It's not fine dining, but who cares? You don't order fried chicken expecting linens and silverware.
(4)Emily S.
I come here when I am hungover, and let me tell you something.. Nothing, NOTHING cures a hangover better than Popeyes spicy battered fried chicken! That shit is SO good. I love fried chicken, and this place has never let me down. They also have good french fries and biscuits. They have some sorta salty mixture on it, and they are tasty as hell! I haven't really tried anything else here, I know what I like and that's the only reason why I come here, so i figure, why? They only accept cash, so come prepared, and don't ask for anything special, because even though you will get charged for it, you probably won't get what you want in the end.
(5)Lakisha L.
Not exactly sure what folks expect. It's Popeye's, not a five star restaurant. It is what it is. I love and go at least one weekend a month. They take cash only, which isn't a biggie since an ATM is provided on site. My only complaint is the location and no, not because it looks "sketchy." It's off of lake street (an area of Minneapolis with a lot of history and culture) and is under construction (still), only one lane in both directions. I went today and couldn't park in the lot due to a Wendy's truck (???) parked and in the way. Anyways, the chicken is hot just like the promise sign says. I had the mardi gras cheesecake which wasn't that tasty. Mardi gras type music plays while you are eating and the staff are friendly. If you're into chicken then yes!
(4)Steph P.
WTF, THIS IS THE ONLY POPEYE'S LOCATION IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA?!? Thank sweet baby jesus I live within 5 minutes of it. Given its token status, you'd think that they would have made this location much bigger, their parking lot hold more than 8 cars, and their drive-thru less of a nuisance. Oh and Cash Only, folks! Though there is a handy ATM inside. The thing about Popeye's chicken...either you love it or you hate it. I, being the fried chicken obsessive than I am, love it for its super crunchy skin and that cajun seasoning. It's fatty, it's greasy, it's salty. IT'S FRIED CHICKEN...Kind of like Ad Hoc yelp.com/biz/ad-hoc-youn… for the proletariat.
(4)Martha S.
When I want to have flashbacks of my brief time spent living down south, I go here. Does it make you feel like you just ate a newborn? Yes. Is it worth the extra mile you'll have to run on the treadmill? Yes. Is it really in a sketchy neighborhood? Meh. Compared to Edina, yes. If you love Southern fast food, and aren't too picky about how your order looks, how accurate it is, or how healthy it is, you'll be satisfied.
(4)Marilee A.
It's" Popeye" the Chicken Man , how's the Song Go? 1st off, let's clear this up,What is a Vegetarian doing at a Southern,Soul Food, Fast Food place, You Ask??? The Biscuits!!! These Biscuits make you forget your manners,and you have to remind yourself to Come Up For Air while stuffing them wildly into your own Biscuit Hole,making disgusting noises, & a face smeared with butter (but looks like Mucus), they are that good.Best Biscuits I ever had that I didn't make.Ever since Adam Sandler's Movie "Little Nicky" it's been my Niece and Nephews favorite Chicken. They can blame this food addiction on "The Devil Made Me Do It", because of Little Nicky. But it is more like Heaven to me.I may be a Vegetarian,but I do cook meat and know good food when I see it & smell it.I have watched family devour this Chicken without mercy, like they'd just been rescued from an Island with only Coconuts. I love do me some biscuits and slaw myself. If the other famous Southern specialties were not made with Lard (HINT, HINT), I'd be smearing Grits, Beans, & Greens all over myself too,Thank God for Napkins.This is everyone's Happy Place,where calories give way to Comfort Food in a Jiffy.Face Wiping, Lip Smacking, Finger Licking , Hot Diggity DoDa Fabulous. Little Nicky, Adam Sandler,Popeye the Sailor Man, & Marilee Approved--now there be ya some TestaMOANials!!!
(3)Michael C.
All I have to say about this Popeye's location is that it got so sketchy inside the place, that I had to put my chicken back into the bag, and drive my sorry arse back home to Downtown Minneapolis to enjoy dinner without the fear of something going down. But the chicken was good. If you're into that fried chicken sort of thing. And for some reason, most cities outside of the South don't have anywhere to get shrimp po boys. So I give Popeye's lots of love for serving those.
(2)Kellee F.
Please...forget what these other reviewers said about this being located in a bad area. If you are from the big city, you know a rough neighborhood when you see it and this Chicago-born girl can ASSURE you--this does not qualify!
(4)Mr. P.
For the only popeyes in Minneapolis, this place sure charges high. A 10 peice that would be 9.99 or less in any popeyes in the south will run you around 25 bucks. They do not take cards or checks (odd), and are located in a fairly seedy spot. When going through the entrapping drive through expect to see people walk next to your car or just standing around. If youve never had popeyes its worth trying once. Its good chicken, but not for the prices they charge. In Texas and Louisiana, popeyes is known as the better quality and cheaper chicken. Here is one of the most expensive foods youll find in south Minneapolis/uptown. Save your money and go to Rainbow foods when you want fried chicken.
(2)Kare K.
I will never go to the Minneapolis one again!!!! The Chicken was still raw with feathers on it!!! We will be more than willing to drive to Waterloo to get some real Popeyes chicken. My family tried the minneapolis one a few times with same reults. The good thing is my family likes road trips so we go where there are Popeyes chicken. Not the nasty one in Minneapolis....
(1)Nikola S.
The chicken is great , and it's one of the few places to get southern sides . I love it. the staff is friendly and I go there whenever I can.
(5)Pete U.
The kid was right when he looked around him and said "this place is nasty!". Yes, this is the only Popeye's in Minnesota, which is the only reason that I keep coming back here, but I leave with the feeling that I would have been better off driving 400 miles to the next nearest one. I love Popeye's Spicy Chicken, as well as their Biscuits, Red Beans & Rice, hell, I like everything I have tried at Popeye's. But I have had better food at other Popeye's, much better service at other Popeye's, and most other Popeye's clean the floors and tables a little more often than once every full moon. BE WARNED: This one also does not participate in any of Popeye's National promotions ( youtube.com/watch?v=1eiG… ). HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO FEED MY FAMILY!". Final word of warning concerning the parking lot: be careful of SUV's with spinner rims. After they've got their chicken and it's time to leave, GET OUT OF THEIR WAY or you might find out that an Insurance Card is only a thing you use long enought to get your SUV out of the Impound Lot.
(2)