Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Buffalo

I don’t usually write reviews — good or bad — but tonight something just didn’t sit right with me.

I pulled up to Popeyes craving comfort. Not just food. Comfort. I’ve had a long week, and sometimes you just want that one meal that hits the soul the way only Popeyes can. The crispiness. The spice. The nostalgia. I grew up on it — after Sunday service, after hard days, even after heartbreaks. It always came through.

But tonight, something was different.

The person on the drive-thru speaker rushed me like I was an inconvenience, not a paying guest. I brushed it off — everyone has bad days, right? I ordered a large five-piece tender meal. I know what that costs. I know what that includes. And I know what it’s supposed to feel like when that box lands in your lap, warm and right.

But when I opened the bag? A regular fry. A regular drink. And inside the box… not tenders, but crispers. Not spicy. Not what I paid for. Not what I needed.

They didn’t tell me they were out of tenders. They didn’t ask me. They just… substituted something else and hoped I wouldn’t notice. Maybe they tossed in a few extras to make it feel like it evened out, but let’s be honest — chicken crispers are a $4.99 item. I paid nearly $20. That’s not a mix-up. That’s deception wrapped in foil.

And what hurts more is they tried to disguise them — crispers placed carefully in the box like I wouldn’t see the truth.

To whoever’s reading this — especially if you’re from corporate — I don’t need a refund. I don’t need an apology. But I do want you to remember who made this brand what it is.

Alvin C. Copeland Sr. didn’t build Popeyes in 1972 out of a little donut shop in New Orleans just for it to become fast, flavorless, and careless. He built it on soul. On spice. On integrity.

And what I got tonight?

This is not what Popeyes...

Update: went today, ordered a six piece wings ..they tasted old and terrible! I’d rather find a dupe recipe on the internet and fry my own damn wings…never going back now.

This place needs a lesson on business Managment and how not to lie to customers…waited in the drive through line for OVER 20 mins. Ordered my food saw on the screen what I ordered…I finally get to the window , of course the chicken was not ready (no biggie) so I got two other pieces that were fresh and tasty. I asked the manager if my two extra biscuits were in the box, he said yes, I look in the box because I can tell you this , I saw him pack the food and there was nothing extra. I then look in the box and saw no extra biscuits, he then gets me one biscuit, I told him I ordered two. This guy then argues with me about my extra biscuit! Sir, I ordered it and presumed I paid for it . After going back and forth with me , you’d think after having people wait 20 mins you would just give me what I ordered? No, this guy profiled me and assumed I was just trying to get a 1.49 item for free. No, sir I ordered it and was very clear… Maybe you as a manager should learn to train and MANAGE YOUR staff a bit better so they correctly take orders. This place is on pause .

Otherwise besides the poor management, the staff seems to work hard and the girl taking orders...

Went to Popeyes Chicken on Thursday. Had this chicken before and loved it then too. Their is only one place open in the Buffalo area. This one is in North Buffalo on Elmwood Ave. Across from Tops plaza and Channel 4 news. Can't miss it. Very easy to see, even in the dark. It sits right up front on the street but you have to enter the plaza parking lot to get in. They keep excellent hours there too. For all types of families so you can do all you need to do day or night and they'll be open. Their hours are 10am to 12 midnight. So I gave them 5 stars because the food is always excellent. It's always hot and when you order your chicken it's never dry. I happen to love the crunchy spicy chicken, but they have the one with no spice too. The service is great from beginning to end and for people who love to get the family size meals, they don't sneak these tiny pieces in your order of chicken or the pieces that were sitting under the lights so long they are hard and dry. No, you will be very happy with this chicken trust what I'm saying and next time you feel like chicken or even shrimp, something you can't get at KFC. Let me read your experience, I bet it will be great too. Oh and they are in the process of building a new Popeyes and it will be on Union Rd in Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Can't wait. Ok folks,...