Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Saint Helens

Ok...this is a review that includes my feelings on the St Helens, OR location, but also some thoughts on Popeyes in general.

I went to this location about a week ago after returning from a long vacation out of the country where the food, while delicious, did not include much variety.

When I left town, I knew that Popeyes was going to open when I was gone and I was both excited about it and kind if dreading it because I've always loved Popeyes but because there was none nearby, only managed to go occasionally. Which is how I like it because I'm past middle aged and don't want to croak from a fried chicken heart attack. The good news is, after my visit to this Popeyes, I'm sure I can manage to continue only my occasional once or twice a year visits, even though this new location is like 1.5 miles from my house.

I walked in because the drive thru line was ridiculously long and I could clearly see there were no customers inside, so I walked right up to the counter to place my order. The inside was clean and shiny and new as one would expect. The young lady at the counter was sweet as pie and also, completely brand spanking new. It was her first day. She was nervous. We've all been there so I had complete patience as she was helped through the process by coworkers... I ended up feeling bad because I unintentionally made an order that was confusing to her, and the other staff because I was ordering from memory and not the bright shiny menu on the wall in front of me.

I've been going to Popeyes since I was a kid, back in the 1980s, and I am also a creature of habit who always orders the same thing when I go. A 3 piece spicy chicken meal, all thigh with mashed potatoes/gravy and dirty rice (yes that's what I said - dirty rice) and 3 jalapeños.

The looks of confusion that were brought on by my ordering dirty rice I completely interpreted incorrectly thinking it was because the girl was so new, when actually neither her, nor the more experienced coworker, knew what I was talking about. Why? Because it is NO LONGER ON THE MENU! Which I think is a terrible mistake, but I don't run the show at Popeyes. Maybe at some point they will reconsider, maybe they won't. I can roll with the change and get beans and rice instead. No problem.But it is not like it's been 100 years since I've been to Popeyes. I went to the one on MLK Blvd like a year ago and last time I went they had it. So, that was a shock. Especially cuz one of the things I always did when I sat down to eat my meal, was mix my dirty rice in with my mash/gravy. It was so good! You can't do that with beans and rice. It would be weird! Like I said, super disappointed with that, but I can adapt to the situation.

What I do have a major problem with is that they also no longer serve jalapeños on their menu, and this was a true heartbreaker to me. Getting jalapeños with fried chicken is a southern thing. It's a comfort thing. And being able to get those at Popeyes made Popeyes special to me, and I think probably others as well. So I was disappointed to see how generic their menu has become. They used to carry collard greens. It's been a long time since they had those, but. Without the dirty rice, or the jalapeños, frankly their menu is not that different from any other fast food chicken restaurant.

Spicy chicken was still good. I guess I'll have to buy some whole pickled jalapenos and keep them in the fridge in case I end up going back to Popeyes...which I probably will, even though it feels like they are rejecting the things that made them special in the first place.

No one goes to Popeyes for a bland boring dinner. We know it's terrible for us healthwise, so why do we do it? I have always gone because I liked how it was different. And I have family from the South, but I've never lived there, and only visited briefly. I've always lived in the NW and frankly Popeyes made me feel closer to my ancestors. Not so much now. That might sound strange to some of you, but if you can relate, give me...

I stopped by in my way back from the river. I ordered online via the app a family order of 2 spicy chicken sandwiches and 6 pieces of spicy chicken. This was at 5:54 pm. I was asked to pull forward and told my food would be brought to me. I pulled forward expecting a brief 5-10 minute wait. After 21 minutes of waiting I went into the restaurant and asked how much longer and was told 9 minutes. I let them know I would wait at my vehicle. Ten minutes later I walked in. The restaurant staff started actively ignoring me. I finally spoke in the direction of the staff who would not acknowledge me asking how much longer as I had been waiting 36 minutes. The response was ‘it’s only been 29 minutes’ like they was better. I pointed out my receipt showed 5:54 and it was currently 6:30. The staff member continued to argue that his computer showed 30. I responded ‘hey if it’s going to be much longer maybe we should get a refund.’ This employee in front of the managers said ‘go ahead then you’ve wasted 30 minutes and have no chicken’. I asked who the manager was and a woman who was standing their watching the exchange said ‘I am’. I asked are you going to allow your employee to speak to me like this? She didn’t even acknowledge the behavior and simply said ‘I can only have you wait longer’. Keep in mind I have watched multiple vehicles place orders larger than mine and be served after I had placed my order. While this exchange is going on I see an employee who has been touching the cash register and her face start handling the food without washing her hands or wearing gloves contaminating the food. Also I would like to note there was plenty of food to fulfill my order so I don’t know if they simply don’t like the mobile app orders or what but there was no reason to keep me waiting this long. I probably dodged a bullet based on the contamination they openly allow. Also as I was leaving an employee was smoking right next to the door violating the law regarding being 10 feet from the building.

TLDR:rude, disrespectful, incompetent, unhygienic, violate food...

PLZ READ ALL THE WAY BEFORE EATING. THEY DONT GIVE 2 POOPS ABOUT U!! I was waiting in line for 2 min before I started to get up set. But said let's start a timer. Then 3 min go by. I yell hello?? Nothing, yell hello again. I will be with u in a min RUDE TONE! I roll around and he is leaning out the window talking to someone like a friend. Not a question from a client. Like he said, And it does not take 5 MIN TO ANSWER! Any question. Lol Then I call the main line ask for a manger. They hand me off to some guy that said yes i was the one in the window answering a question. And i suppose to ignore them? After 5 min if u cant answer. Yes pass it on to a real manager or refund. Guess who is the manager saying he was not talking to friend. They had a question?? Him! Bro u must be 17 There is no reason fast food should sit for one car in line with u at the order line. Get it together ppl! Hope u get fired!

Also like to add that i found out he is the GM HAHHAHAHA. what a joke. Well hope DQ OR KFC comes to town and does not hire anyone that says they worked here. I feel bad for u all. Worst I have ever seen for service or even customer service. Called in to make a complaint and he is the Gm. Hung up one me for telling him it does not take 5 min or more to help a customer. U suck at ur job. Who ever owns this location. Ur throwing ur money away. Fire this tool and get a real manager! 2.9 stars makes complete sense. I have this all on my dash cam. Coming into.the complex. Pulling in between grocery outlet and the drive thru. He was sitting at the window with the same car when I pull up to the intercom. Said plz hold. Waited I thought was 2 min, it was 1 min and 14 sec or so. Then started a timer that lasted 3 min. Then u at back at the top. I LOVE popeyes it is my favorite fast food place EVER. I will never be back to this location as long as I live in this town. I should have read the signs and knew the rating reflects on management and food quality!! St Helens community page will get same. Just...