Church's Chicken — Restaurant in Burnaby

Despite liking Church’s Chicken over places like KFC, it’s been quite a while since I hit up a Church’s. This fried chicken chain from Texas has a long history in the Lower Mainland (their first non-USA location was here).

Previously located at the corner of Kingsway and Gilley, this particular store moved a couple of blocks east when the mini mall that they were stationed in was torn down to make way for new condos. Now, it’s a bit tucked away next to a gas station and is fairly easy to overlook as it’s set back from the street. Despite this, it was fairly busy during my visit so people don’t seem to have a problem finding their way here.

I came by here during National French Fry Day to grab some of their crinkle cut fries. Given that the previous week was National Fried Chicken Day, it seemed appropriate. Their Spicy Chicken Tenders Meal ($8.95) includes 5 boneless chicken tenders, fries, and a drink (had to add a small gravy too because you really need the gravy to enjoy crinkle cut fries).

You can choose between spicy and regular chicken but spicy is really the only way to go here. The chicken tenders were meaty and had a nice batter but I feel like the chicken had been sitting too long and wasn’t as good as if it was freshly fried up. Honestly, 5 chicken tenders is a bit much and they could have gotten away with 3-4 tenders at a lower price point. The chicken wasn’t overly spicy (I feel like some Church’s locations are better than others at this). What I really came here for was the crinkle cut fries and gravy and that did not disappoint. A dash of pepper added to the gravy helped kick it up a notch.

While the fried chicken here isn’t on the same level as LA Chicken, the crinkle cut fries are great and the chicken far surpasses the...

TLDR - fine food, but keep your receipt and keep tabs on your order status (so you don’t wait 40 minutes for food like I do). Also maybe bring earplugs if you don’t like nightclub volumes of music.

The long version: I came by around 1:45am, jonesing for either wings or the $10 crunch deal (3 pieces dark + fries/drink).

Staff appear to be cleaning the heat lamps, so I ask how long of a wait it is for a 3 piece meal. They say 5 minutes. I ask about wings - they say 10 minutes. I decide to order the meal so I have a shorter wait. Cashier hands me a drink and I decide to sit down as it looks quiet enough and they’ve been calling people up for their orders pretty quickly.

I pour a drink and wait for my order to be called. 3-4 other orders (2 skip, 1 takeout, and 1 dine-in) come and go, and I still haven’t been called up for my order.

I realize it’s been 40 minutes since I paid, and decide to cut my losses. I go ask for a refund for my food (but before I can even mention paying for the drink) I am told that I can’t receive a refund yet because they’re frying up more fries. I ask if there’s an option to just have my chicken beforehand and am functionally ignored.

Another 10 minutes pass (in which 2 orders are completed without issue) and I finally receive my 3 piece chicken & fries. They taste fine enough, and didn’t stiff me on food, which I guess is an improvement over other orders.

Next time I’m around I’ll make sure to get my receipt and wait near the counter, rather than sit down, but to be honest this might be the experience that curbs my late...

Service was excellent here today. I visited this location on Saturday, April 20th 2024 around 5pm. It was very busy between customers coming in ordering and Uber/skip the dishes pick ups. I had to wait about 15 min for my order but I didn't mind waiting as means fresh hot chicken. The team here were doing the best they can and were so efficient. As quickly as the chicken came out of the kitchen, the front team was filling orders to keep it moving. What I saw was they respected each other as coworkers and worked as a team. The front team, specifically the female staff was very professional with the kitchen team and preparing and helping the front team on the orders to keep them going. She kept asking how long the chicken will be, but always with the word 'please' to the team. As crazy busy as it was, the front team handed the orders with a smile. I told the staff that handed my order that they were doing a great job.i think acknowledgement is very important. Church fried chicken can be a bit and miss but today's team made the chiken taste great because of their service. The chicken and fries were very hot when I got home. (20 min drive). I just want to give the team that was on shift a shout out and 'thank you' as working in restaurant environment is...