Belle's Chicken Dinner House — Restaurant in Abilene

Arrived to a quoted approximate wait time of 20 mins. No problem. After my friend went to check as it seemed it was longer than 20 mins, she noticed that folks after us were already seated. After pointing it out, we were shown to our seats in the back part of the restaurant. It was dark, glum and super noisy. No menu was given but waitress explained how ordering and what was available worked. We both had to purchase a meat and the sides are served family style. When she said the chicken comes as 4 pieces, I questioned as to who eats 4 pieces in one sitting? She stated we could take that home but not the sides. When I asked if I could just have ONE piece of chicken she replied NO. Since my friend really wanted to eat here, I ordered the fried chicken and she ordered the chicken fried steak. The meal then started with hot fresh rolls and butter. Shortly thereafter, this huge platter came out with 4 LARGE PIECES OF CHICKEN and the chicken fried steak thrown on top equally as big as the plate. The sides came out in plastic bowls. Nothing special. Nothing fresh. Someone opened a can of corn, green beans and instant potatoes and gravy. No taste. Just plain. The chicken was actually seasoned and tasted great. My friend enjoyed her steak. Midway through finishing, the waitress started sweeping around our table and the table next to us as well as behind us. She even swept under our table as the broom smacked into my foot. When I turned to look at her she apologized and stated they had just had a large table there and she wanted to clean. I found this to be disgusting and rude on her part. Common courtesy is NOT to sweep while someone is eating. She then brought out a PLASTIC SACK for our leftover chicken/steak. I couldn't help but burst out laughing as this was literally a grocery bag. Was I supposed to throw my food in there like for some dog and tote it home?! I decided right then that this was not the place for me and grabbed the left over chicken to throw out to the cat I saw lounging out front of the establishment. A check was never brought although we sat and waited. We then decided to head to the front as no one explained if we paid at the table or upfront. Once we got upfront a young lady asked us for our ticket which we did not have of course. We then told her what we both had. She rang us up and as we were paying our waitress came up with our ticket. As I was waiting on my friend to pay for her meal, she told the lady who seated us that she did not appreciate being passed over. To which she just replied oh sorry. My friend then said if you are going to tell someone an approximate time and take their name, you need to make sure you are seating everyone in the correct order. It was then, a burly, dirty looking man stepped out and told my friend that the hostess had apologized and TO MOVE ALONG NOW!!! He then proceeded to open the door and basically walked us out. To say unpleasant is an understatement. The wastefulness of food that is thrown out here is insane. Too many homeless folks standing around out here to be this wasteful with food. To not have the option to just order one of something is what will make me eat elsewhere should I ever have to return here for work. Save your money and spend it somewhere else! Nothing special here except bland, basic, canned veggies. They should look into selling the...

You see the high reviews. The simple menu. You ask "is it really that good?"

It is.

This chicken is the chicken you serve to out of town folks when they argue that their favorite place has the best chicken, just to have them agree with you once they take one bite of belle's chicken.

This chicken can only be matched by maybe your mother or grandmother's family chicken recipe, and even then belle's may still win.

This chicken is the best chicken I have ever eaten. And I haven't even mentioned the sides! From creamy corn, to perfectly whipped mashed potatoes, wonderful green beans, awesome white gravy, and one of the best rolls you will ever have. This with your choice of fried chicken, chicken strips, or chicken fried steak equals one of the best home-cooked style meals that you will ever have.

The parking is also wide open, although you may still struggle to find a spot given how popular this place is! The service is amazing. You will never find a soured face here amongst the workers. The inside decor will have your eyes wondering around the room, seeing all the interesting little knick and knacks that add personality to the space. The seating is pretty spacious, which is nice because they serve the sides family style in bigger bowls that you spoon from onto your plate. It's pretty cool I think and just another touch to add to that family style atmosphere they offer. You will usually have at least one instance as well where the staff gets together to do some type of funny dance like the chicken dance. Or sometimes you may see a hidden talent singing.

Lastly, if you can save room for dessert! That bread pudding especially is something I would recommend, but really you can't go wrong with any of it.

All in all, best chicken place in town bar none. Maybe best chicken in the state of Texas? I haven't found anyone to beat this place yet so maybe? Either way, give your family a treat and try belle's chicken dinner house at least once. Do be warned however that it is a little pricey, but honestly it is worth it.

Also give menu hoppers a call for delivery if you want to enjoy at home instead, as they are the only place in town that belle's allows to...

This is your go to if you like being lied to or ripped off!! 1 star for the chicken & atmosphere/service, though its about the most EXPENSIVE chicken dinner in town at $20 PER PERSON!! Oh AND if you share an order youre now charged TEN DOLLARS EXTRA for "veggies" that are from a can or box and already incorporated into the original HIGH price! THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU THEY'RE CHARGING YOU EXTRA until you get the ticket and you'll be charged even if you DONT refill the sides!! Do we think folks are sharing more now because menu prices are CRAZY? Nah, let's find other things to charge em for and see how long we can stay in business! Check your receipt folks, theres been a STEEP increase! Building is deteriorating. Hostess never informs guests of out menu items when asking for a table. Long waits. Want to take leftover chicken? Heres a PLASTIC SACK! We just can't risk you trying to take these sides were gonna trash and have 3 whole dollars invested in but charged you 10!

Abruptly began disallowing phone orders. No transition of informing customers, no courtesy, nada. Already on the phone to ask about the changes? Order REFUSED! They cite lack of employment as the reason though they're obviously full staff. The ONLY method of putting in an order before arriving at the restaurant is ONLINE! Can't figure it out? Drive to the restaurant and WAIT (for them to probably run out of what you wanted to order)! Not everyone is in a position to navigate the CUMBERSOME, 12 step, online process each and every time they order i.e. driving through without a copilot. Many older folks can't or won't navigate online orders. To top it off mgmt has the nerve to say they're doing it to "help you" as youre out the door with A SINGLE ROLL per order (that are now half the size they once were) and itty bitty side portions for the same price as dining in! Its all about them not wanting to deal with the phone while making extra $ off to gos to boot! You mean you dont feel HELPED by this? Then there's no ticket on the bag to check the order against at pickup, so who knows if its accurate. Greed has...