Church's Texas Chicken — Restaurant in Harlem Township

My experience at this Church's was one of the worst I have ever had at a fast food restaurant. I drove by numerous times before, but the line was too long for me to wait in. One Saturday, a couple of weeks back, I finally bit the bullet and went inside. The gal at the desk took an order and then told the rest of us in line that she wouldn't take another order until they had more chicken made. She offered us a drink for free if we wanted to wait to order, which she said would be fifteen minutes.

I was second in line to order, so I accepted the offer. I walked over to get a soft drink and walked back to the line. The gal who just told us that she wasn't taking orders almost immediately took two separate orders for three pieces of white meat meals. Fifteen minutes passed, and I ordered a ten-piece mixed meal.

I watched the two people who ordered before me walk out despite the fact they were in line after me with six pieces of white meat. It had now been almost thirty minutes since I ordered my 10-piece mixed. My patience was wearing thin, and I asked what the hold-up was. She told me that I was waiting for the five pieces of white meat. Unbelievable.

I explained how ridiculous it was that she let people behind me order. She told me that I didn't have the patience to wait for the premium chicken to be made. Now, forty-five minutes into the ordeal, I told her to give me whatever ten pieces of chicken they had. They gave me ten pieces of dark meat, and I was on my way.

Let's say that none of this was worth waiting for. The breading was crispy, but it completely lacked flavor. The chicken itself lacked proper seasoning also and was dry. The sides were equally mid. The mashed potatoes were over-peppered. The coleslaw was a mix of cabbage and mayo. The honey biscuits were the best thing there.

All this chaos to get ten pieces of chicken, and there had to be 15 people "working" behind the counter. There was no clear manager, and employees were eating behind the counter (which is likely a health code violation) and constantly on their phones.

I always give a place at least two chances. It will be a long time before I give this train wreck of a...

We were the first customers in Machesney Park, hoping for a great experience. We'll, we were told that corporate forced an early opening and the GM was NOT ready to open , as he needed more time to hire and train people. It was evident when it took them about 40 mins longer to open dur to not having gone to the bank and not preparing chicken ahead of time. It took 20 minutes to get just a piece of chicken, then we told them it was a 3 piece chicken meal, they took the chicken in the box, walking around for 7 minutes with it, not giving us a biscuit or the bbq sauce we ordered. It took three more attempts to get everything we needed, including our drink cups. We spent 1 1/2 hours until everything was given to us and the rest was cold. The manager tossed us three biscuits and grumbled they were sorry again. The second customer had been waiting for half of her food 30 minutes after the first was presented to her. And, the third customer had to keep asking for his missing food, too. The cashiers wouldn't even accept our payment without the managers telling them what to do. I called the very same day, as everytime we spoke with the managers, all we got were rolled eyes and empty sorrys. We showed our recent everytime, telling them the only things we were given and neither manager could figure out what a three piece chicken dinner came with at all. They blamed the kitchen, but they were not in one place to overlook it at all. I called to no avail. No one answered the phone. There was nearly a fight started with the third customer and staff, as they continued to actively ignore her as much as they had us. So, I called corporate and spoke to Tom. He apologized. We just asked for a replacement on our food. He said he would have the Machesney Park store reach out to us and he would gladly refund our meal. We waited for two weeks and nothing, so I called again, to more apologies, they would have Machesney Park reach out to us, still nothing 2 more weeks. I called again, and the same run around. I still have heard nothing back from them and I will NEVER visit Church's ever again. I would never suggest anyone...

If you don’t go up and REMIND THEM YOUR WAITING FOR YOUR FOOD IT WONT BE GIVEN TO YOU! Waiting an hour still haven’t got it yet hope it’s good or worth the wait The employees want you to understand the long wait but aren’t giving orders boxing or giving to to quest in the lobby I MEAN THEY HAVENT CALLED an order in a hour … I just see confused and frustrated customers…. If my kid wasn’t with me and if it wasn’t so long of a wait I’d probably got a refund like the people ahead of me walked up and asked for

UPDATE WALKED UP TO THE COUNTER TO REMIND THEM AGAIN ABOUT MY FOOD MANAGEMENT SAID 7 mins you’re food is up .. that was the second tray of white meat i seen go out .. that was another 30 mins I then said give me back my money it’s 3 pcs of chicken yall have me waiting an hour and 30 mins for .. food was made fries were ice cold even the lady next to who was also waiting for a refund felt them and said Yep those are cold .. got mashed instead got the food drive alllllll the way back to Rockford CHICKEN IS RAW biscuit wasn’t even intact it was broken and Crumbled in the box Mashed potatoes taste like a banquet frozen Dinner mash, Mac & cheese taste like it’s out of a can This is just horrible Restaurant floor is greasy didn’t even mention that I had to wipe my own table off with the paper napkin and water from the fountain machine Employees are just standing there, not doing anything The lady who took my order was also chewing and eating at the same time as she was working The register I was issued a refund And got to keep the food I’m so thankful I didn’t pay for this garbage I will never go back there again

It just sucks really hard that we get really excited about restaurants coming into town and wanting it to be a good experience. What a letdown I don’t see this being open...