Willie's Chicken Shack — Restaurant in New Orleans

Another night in NOLA which means it’s time to try a new food spot. Earlier today I was over on Canal and passed by Willie’s. The smell itself drew me in and I decided at that moment that I was coming back. LoL!!!!

Willie’s sits right on the strip so it’s super easy to find. The front was totally open and there were a few tables outside on the sidewalk. As the strip is super active, sitting outside would be dope if you wanted to people watch. LoL.

Walking up to the counter, each register had a cashier so the line was running smoothly. Taking a moment to review the menu, it was as one would anticipate; simple, straightforward, and one dimensional. The highlight of Willie’s definitely appears to be the Daiquiri’ as there are many options.

I decided on the 3pc Cajun Tender Combo which comes with Fries and a Honey Biscuit. I also added a side of Red Beans and Rice. I mean, it is NOLA so I had to do it.

I placed my order. Received my number. And took a seat to await my order. The restaurant was clean and vibrant. The yellow and red throughout the restaurant really set an upbeat tone that pairs well with the neon lights and vibrant colors of the Daiquiris.

Once my order was ready, it was delivered to the table and I was good to go.

Let’s talk the Food:

Biscuit - Simple. Buttery. Crunchy around the bottom edges. Soft in the middle. Nothing special to note. Reminds me of a biscuit from Church’s. I’ll say 7/10.

Tenders - Big. Juicy. Crunchy on the outside. Well seasoned. That’s it. That’s all I got. 😂😂😂😂😂😂. I’ll say 5/10.

Fries - Well Seasoned. Crunchy. I’ll say 7/10.

Red Beans and Rice - Now hear me out. I love a good RB&R and these were good. There were way more beans than there was rice, which is ideal for this kind of dish. They weren’t too spicy. They were flavored well and the beans were tender. You can definitely tell they were slow simmered. I’ll say 8/10.

Now… hear me out! The food wasn’t bad but for $25.00, chileeeeeeeeeeee. No ma’am, No sir. Lemme go to the chicken spot for half the price. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I won’t maybe go again if I want a lil piece of a tender. But at $13 for the Combo and $8 for the RB&R… imma need a coupon or something. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Ok, Ok. In all seriousness, if you’re in the area, go for the experience.

*P. S. For my Up North people, Willie’s puts me in the mindset of our “New York Fried Chicken” spots that be on the strip...

Incompetent management. I visited Willie’s Chicken at 707 Canal Street on 1/18/2025. I attempted to order a 4 piece mixed chicken dinner and “Dreka” informed me that they do not have any dark meat. I asked her how long was the wait for them to cook dark meat and she said they’re not cooking dark meat chicken right now. When I inquired why? She told me that they had to sell out of white meat chicken first before they cook dark meat. I asked, why is that so when the menu advertises 4 piece mixed chicken with both white and dark meat. She attempted to explain that they have to sell out of white meat before cooking dark meat chicken. I asked for a manager and Dreka advised me she was a manager. I told her that explanation did not make sense and I asked to speak with another manager. She stated that, “he will tell me the same thing.” While I began explaining that if they advertise white & dark meat and a customer requested it, then they should honor the customer’s request. I also suggested that since they obviously sell more dark than white meat chicken, then perhaps they should cook more dark meat to keep up with supply and demand. At this point, “Kenneth” another manager approached us at the register and inquired if there is an issue. I explained that I wanted the 4 piece mixed chicken dinner and was told they would not cook any until all the white meat chicken sold. He echoed “Dreka’s” sentiments and also refused to cook any dark meat chicken as I requested. “Kenneth” then suggested that I “go to another Willie’s Chicken location on Bourbon Street if I wanted dark meat or go to Popeyes Chicken.” I told Kenneth that I wanted dark meat chicken from his establishment in which he refused to service me. I left and told the above mentioned to my husband and he recommended going to Willie’s Chicken at 428 Canal Street. Moral to the story, I went there and was greeted with competent staff and I told the above story to Maverick in which he apologized for the bad customer service experience and stated that he always cooks white & dark meat to make his customers happy. Certainly my request for dark meat chicken should not have been an issue when the menu clearly advertises it. The management team at 707 Canal Street need to find a new career path because obviously being around chicken has given them a bad case of...

Unfortunately, my experience at Willie's chicken shack has been a total disappointment. I ordered chicken tender. When I got my food, I was surprised that the chicken tender did not come with any sauces. I searched for workers to ask how to get any sauces, but no one seemed to want to help. I went back to cash register and waited in line to request sauce with my chicken tender. The cashier said the sauce is in the back. I went to where she pointed. There was only tobacco sauce packets. I searched for other workers available as I also needed utensil for my friends who ordered rice and beans & jambalaya. There was another customer (very nice gentleman) front of me who requested utensils for his table to a tall man who seemed like the manager (in a different uniform than other workers like polo shirt). The worker who seemed like the manager was NOT friendly nor approachable at all and gave such an attitude with rolled eye to the gentleman. He dropped a folk as he tried to give it to the customer but again, expressed such a hostile demeanor to turn back to grab more utensil for the customer. When it came to my turn, I asked for a sauce for the chicken tender and he said it is dollar extra. I said ok, I'd like one and I am willing to pay for it. He rolled his eyes and told me to go back to the register and the register had even longer line. I did not feel comfortable asking him for utensils at this point and did not want to wait in line to get a sauce while my food was getting cold. I ate my chicken tender without sauce. It was dry. I was full of disappointment as my chicken tender was very dry and didn't have much flavors especially wihout any sauces. I am full of disappointment and I feel like I wasted money and my time. I will NOT recommend Willie's chicken shack and would rather eat...