Kings Fried Chicken — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I just recently visited this place at the urge of an acquaintance. I know now that I must always trust my gut.. Well I did and I didn't, I'll explain. I was hungry for some shrimp, I just ate Popeye's 2 days earlier but my husband agreed to get chicken so we went to Kings. Passing up on AYCE PoFolks chicken we then We passed by Churches chicken they were packed, pass by Popeye's chicken they were packed even passed by KFC and while not packed they had quite a few cars. So, when we arrived at Kings we were surprised to see no one there. What? The best fried chicken n town? Well That was our first sign. So we sat in front of the place looking inside and staring at the few (like 10) dried up pieces of chicken in the bin, we contemplated our decision. But urging my husband on we went for it. Surely our friend would not be wrong in her recommendations! So we went inside. I could hardly breath from the burnt smoke. Second sign. We ordered, Chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and I ordered shrimp and fish with onion rings.. Now how could they mess that up?.. Sadly real bad.. To start with the fryer is way too hot the place was filled with burnt grease smoke. I think they are still using the grease from the last failed expedition. The cook is over cooking the food. Everything is touched! The fish and the shrimp was stuck together like they've been frozen for years. The coating on them was like anything I've ever tasted (that's not a good thing). The onion rings straight out of a box and un-eatable. The prized "honey biscuits" were shameful. I asked if they made the mac n cheese and she said no its frozen. the sauces that accompanied the shrimp and fish came in ketchup packages and tubs, disgusting! Last but not least the chicken, well what can I say... Very small pieces, reminded me of the original KFC coating. It was cold and dry as it was totally the very pieces we seen sitting in the bin when we pulled up 20 minutes prior. I spoke to the cashier when we arrived and explained that we were first time customers and we heard they had the best food. Well after taking our $18, she never checked on us to see how our experience was or nothing. She just let us walk right out the door. Now the sign on the front says Grand Opening... My prediction...a grand closing soon... My only regret not taking a pic of the worst food I ever ate! oh ya my second regret, not listening to my gut and choosing another...

We are from Atlanta on vacation and were excited to hear there was a smaller locally owned fried chicken spot in st pete. We decided to pop in and give it a try. So first and foremost the lady at the counter was super friendly and welcoming. She was helpful in explaining the combos and the food. My wife ordered a 2 piece combo white meat and I ordered a 3 piece mixed. My wife got Mac n cheese with her combo and I got corn on the cob. We also got extra honey butter biscuits because I heard they were great. We took it back to our Airbnb to eat. The chicken was extremely underwhelming. Not seasoned well and not breaded enough for our liking. The seasoning was pretty absent. I can't say much more about it. The sides were great. Mac and cheese was good. Corn on the cob was super buttery and delicious but also no seasoning. For real no salt? No pepper? Zero seasoning. Not a spec of pepper was to be found anywhere. This is supposed to be a southern fried chicken place. On a final note the honey butter biscuits were incredible and im glad we grabbed extra. Also we didnt get our mashed potatoes. Maybe for locals or tourists the fried chicken hits the spot. For us however the magic wasnt there. By magic I mean seasoning. All of the sides were great and we were happy with the friendly service. Very reasonably priced. Oh almost forgot the hot sauce, which where we live is an integral part of fried chicken, is a brand from restaurant depot instead of a name brand or house made. Luckily us Atlanta folks bring our own hot sauce so we...

Decided to take a drive to bring home some great fried chicken, and finally try King's out.

It was very good. I wish my order was complete, but I never received my 2nd large side (cole slaw)! I REALLY love cole slaw, so this was a BIG disappointment, to get shorted out of food I paid for in a $45 order!

Sue, you wanted a shout out...I asked you if everything was in the order, you said yes, and I got home...no cole slaw.

The onion rings...they never made it home! Those became a driving snack :) They were juicy and flavorful, hot, the coating held all that great flavor in without becoming wet, or the onion and coating separating. They were perfectly thick cut, absolutely delicious!

The shrimp was super salty. I had 2 pieces, and tasted a piece of chicken for lunch, saving the majority for our dinner later. Within an hour, my feet had swelled so much I was really worried....there is way too much salt in your brine/seasoning....at least for me.

The honey butter biscuits....wow! I don't EVER enjoy biscuits. I don't know who taught you how to cook, but I want to hug them. You converted a biscuit hater.

I'm not a fan of cilantro, but it was suggested to try the rice, so that was my first side. That rice was the bomb! Another convert. I'll order that rice again, for sure.

So, overall, I really LOVED the food at Kings, but I would be appreciative of being able to buy a lower salt version. And, next time, I'd like to get everything I paid...