Layne's Chicken Fingers- Houston — Restaurant in Houston

I really wanted to like this place after everything I’ve heard, but it’s mediocre at best. All the reviews that mention messed up orders and missing food—believe them! I don’t know what it is, but I’ve been twice now, and they screwed up my order both times.

Just today, I walked in and went up to the counter. Guy doesn’t pay me any mind. Doesn’t acknowledge me. Doesn’t greet me. Doesn’t say anything at all. I figured maybe he was finishing up on the last order or something. So, I waited to start my order. After ~60-90sec, he finally looks at me. Again, doesn’t say a word. But, I took his eye contact as a cue and began ordering.

I ordered a 4pc spicy combo and a large salted caramel shake to go. Guy rings up two combos. We went back and forth about this for far too long before he finally took it off. Why?!? I’m telling you I didn’t order two; I don’t want two. Why are you arguing with me about it??

Well, he brings out my food—two combos, no shake—for dine-in 🙄 I explain to him, once again, I only ordered one combo (he acted like this was our first interaction despite having this exact conversation

There were whispers in the air that once upon a time there was a one true chick-atar named Layne’s. Master of all four elements (tendies, sauce, sweet tea, texas toast). Created to bring peace to the world. But everything changed when the Canes nation attacked.

Layne’s was driven into hiding, with many young bucks unaware of the true tendie OG. But Layne’s and their juicy, spicy tenders will not stay quiet any longer. It is time for harmony to be restored to the tendie world. With Layne’s leading the charge to destroy the false prophet Canes.

Anyways here’s what to try and what to avoid at this place called Layne’s that I found randomly:

Tendies (duh): Regular ones are more seasoned than Canes, Spicy is fantastic and I’d at least consider getting a few a la carte if you don’t want all spicy. I will say they are not the biggest in the world resulting in a disappointing price-per-tendie ratio.

Sauces: Layne’s Sauce is basically Canes, Gravy doesn’t have much flavor tbh, Jalepeno Ranch is great with regular tendies.

Fries: IMO crispier and more flavor than Canes.

Texas Toast: More home-style but Canes clears here tbh

Crispy Chicken Wrap: Get it with the spicy and Layne’s Sauce, there is lettuce so it’s super healthy (they offer grilled tendies but momma didn’t raise no quitter)

Service was very solid they were super quick to serve and went out of their way to check on my specific order and give me an update. Outdoor area only is a little sus but no worries I like to eat it in my car in the hopes those spicy tendie smells get stuck in the ac system (not really that’s...

This place is trashy. At first I was excited to see a tablet outside the drive thru window, because I would be able to use tap and pay at the drive thru line - (having my debit card skimmed at a fast food restaurant in the past, this was a major bonus for me).

But no, that tablet? It was solely for tipping and not paying. I honestly tip quite a bit, but lately with everywhere asking for tips, including self checkout lines, I have felt the tip burnout and at this point, I am 100% done with tips outside of a dine in restaurant experience. It sucks because companies like Layne's are paying their employees less and relying on tips to boost their income. If you can't tip, you shouldn't go right? So I will likely stick to Raising Cane's across the way if I am in the area because of that tablet. If I am in the line for Cane's and notice the tablet is removed, I will likely go back if that line is shorter.

Three stars because the food was not bad at all but felt a bit copied from other fast food joints - Rasing Cane's Fries with salt from McDonald's and Raising Cane's Sauce. The Toast and Chicken Tenders were more of a...