Champy's Famous Fried Chicken — Restaurant in Daphne

I've been coming here for years and am disappointed to leave this review. I've tried contacting the store and their HQ and got nothing to resolve what I'm about to tell you. I deserved a refund after this, and an apology, and not the half-hearted "sorry" I got when I contacted them the first time.

The chicken is great. That's no question. I've always looked forward to getting it whenever I have to come to this dump of a town. The service has not been consistent but I don't mind as long as they get me my food and check on me every once in a while.

So imagine my surprise when I walked in during a trivia night, which I've had to do before becuase I have no other time to come, and they act the way other reviewers have described. They did almost everything to show I was unwelcome there. Ignored me. Served people next to me. Made me wait for 10 minutes just to get someone to come over. I didn't snap my fingers or shoot daggers at the staff, but hell I did nothing but sit down and wait.

Someone comes and asks "do you know what you want?" and no hi, sorry, it's trivia night, welcome, eff u, etc. I give the order I always give, and I don't receive my drink until my food comes. I've NEVER been to a sit-down restaurant where I didn't get a drink before. I later had to go find my server to ask for a refill, which is the last I got and was never offered another.

The entire time they're gossiping behind the bar. They really really don't want to serve me, a single, an hour before their closing time.

I got my check and the girl still hasn't acknowledged the way she's acted. I considered giving no tip but being a server before I rarely do that. I tell her "sorry I came during trivia night" and she awkwardly dismisses it and reminds me of the 10pm closing time.

Overall, this may not seem like a big deal, but the food here is expensive (usually $20+ per meal), I hadn't eaten all that day, and I had been going here for at least two years. I take offense in this context, and because I know how awful it is to lose customers. You can't just replace a customer who has spent hundreds or more over the years.

But management and HQ don't seem to care. They think I'm replaceable, and they're hoping you won't get the truth about how the staff here treats you. You're just another tip here, and that's sad because communities everywhere are crumbling because of a lack of 3rd places.

Besides that, it's been uncomfortable to come here because of the riff raff getting a little too hopped up on cheap beer decrying things happening outside this little piece of crap town.

So go to Zaxby's or even Publix instead, or get it to go and avoid the negligent staff. Management doesn't care what sort of experience you have and I can't support any...

If you're looking for great chicken, then this is definitely the place. I was in the area and remembered that I wanted to stop by. I didn't really research the place beforehand, so I was expecting just a basic chicken establishment. My assumptions were wrong, and it is actually a bar style establishment, The staff was friendly and greeted me upon entering, which made me feel a bit better since it was my first time. I got the white meat full plate with mashed potatoes and mac&cheese for 10.99. I also added a leg for $3.25, I know I know, but I needed to get a fill for white and dark and didn't see any mixed options.The prices were what I expected in this economy. I waited less than 3 mins for my meal, which earned then a star off the top.The mashed potatoes were basic. Mac & cheese were made using a rotini noodle (that's important for some people)and were basic as well, it also came with a slice a bread. I feel a roll would definitely take these plates up a notch, because that slice was a waste.Now don't get me wrong, basic is not bad by far. In fact, it's one of those items I feel like you can count on it to always be decent because they aren't trying to make it spectacular. The star of the show here is the fried chicken, and my did it give a standing ovation. It was seasoned and fried perfectly. The breast was juicy, which is definitely a plus because most restaurants miss the mark when it comes to that. All in all ill definitely return, but I'll most like just grab chicken only. I didn't get any photos because honestly I wasn't intending on reviewing the place until it popped up in my feed. It's definitely...

Prior to the pandemic I used to eat here about once a month and always thought they had really good fried chicken, chicken tender and Delta-style tamales. I still think that's true but either my tastes have changed or the quality/price ratio has changed here, because it isn't quite the same as it used to be.

Make no mistake, the chicken tenders they serve here are HUGE, tender and juicy. The Delta-style tamales are still a treat, too. But the prices are sky-high for an appetizer or a meal, with a dozen clocking in at nearly $25! Chicken's more reasonable but the last few times I've had dark or mixed meat plates the size of each piece were kind of small. These cuts must come from midget chickens!

That said, the food is still good, it's just not as good for the price as it used to be. The story of everything in 2024, right?

Even the sides seem smaller than they used to be, now coming in little quarter-cup sized styrofoam cups.

I can't speak to the booze and bar experience but the bar has never not been busy when I have visited, even during off peak dining times.

If I lived in Daphne, I'd definitely still eat here more often, but with the drive (and having superior fried chicken at Fairhope's Mr. Spuds on 181) there isn't much cause to go this far for good but not as great...