Ezell's Famous Chicken — Restaurant in Seattle

Sunday 3/20/2022 for pickup time time @ 4:06pm - In terms of food, I'd give it at very best 2 stars. For a chicken joint, this place fails at the one thing they should be great at. Their chicken is truly not seasoned at all - not even salt. It was mostly crispy and lightly breaded which I appreciate, but it was bland from the lack of any seasoning. It somehow alseo lacked chicken flavor, possibly from being overcooked to the point it was dry. The chicken my toddler spat out was chalky and grainy in texture. The chicken pieces were definitely on the smaller side as well as many others have stated, but 1-2 pieces per person is still adequate. The sides and rolls were the only redeeming things about the order, but nothing to rave about. The rolls were soft and fluffy sweet bread rolls. The slow-cooked BBQ beans were swimming in BBQ sauce, so I felt a little cheated in terms of how much actual beans I got, but they were decent (tasted like generic sweet BBQ sauce). The heritage mac and cheese tasted decent, but was super greasy and not seasoned at all. I drained the puddles of oil out before transferring it to a bowl at home. My toddler had only 1 bite and she demands Annie's mac and cheese with peas and broccoli almost everyday as she loves cheese and pasta, so this was definitely not amazing mac and cheese by any means.

In terms of service, I cannot emphasize enough how it was by far the worst takeout order experience we've experienced in Seattle. They couldn't find the order in the system even when they were provided with a screenshot of the confirmation page and told the order number. I can accept there was a system error (which they mentioned happening in the past for other customers), but it took several minutes for them to get the manager to step in because they got distracted in looking for our order. Before our order was resolved, the manager decided that he needed a cigarette smoke break right outside of the restaurant (close to the building) to socialize with a friend who was vaping. It took 40 minutes for them to finally put the order together PAST the pickup time and it was just a 8 piece meal with 2 jumbo sides, so literally 1 order item and no modifications.

In case you care about your consumption of plastic, they store all their sides pre-packed in a warmer @150F in PP containers.

This place is a complete disorganized mess stemming from a manager that desperately needs to be replaced. He never introduced himself properly, but he's the same short white manager that is referenced in a Yelp review for illegally parking his pickup in a handicap and refusing to move it for a paying disabled customer. Safe to say, I won't be giving this place another...

This review is for all Ezell's, not just the one on 45th..Ezell's Chicken, once a renowned and beloved fried chicken chain, has unfortunately lost its shine since the departure of its original founder, Ezell Stephens. As an ardent fan of the restaurant in its heyday, I cannot help but feel disappointed by the decline in quality and authenticity since his departure.

The pivotal factor contributing to Ezell's Chicken's downfall is undoubtedly the absence of Ezell Stephens himself. His original recipe and flavors, which garnered praise and even gained the admiration of Oprah Winfrey, are sorely missed. Without his guiding hand, the restaurant has become a mere shadow of its former self, lacking the unique and mouthwatering appeal that once made it a standout.

Compounding the disappointment is the continued use of Ezell Stephens' first name as the company's brand, despite his complete disassociation from the restaurant chain. This exploitation of his name feels disingenuous and misleading to loyal customers who may not be aware of the changes that have occurred. It is unfortunate that Ezell Stephens is unable to open a new franchise under his own name due to this lingering association.

On a positive note, Heaven Sent, the new fried chicken establishment opened by Ezell Stephens himself, is a testament to his culinary prowess and commitment to preserving the authentic flavors that made his chicken legendary. If given the choice, I would wholeheartedly support the man behind the name and opt for the superior dining experience provided by Heaven Sent.

While Ezell's Chicken still serves fried chicken, it pales in comparison to its former glory. For those seeking the true essence of Ezell Stephens' recipes and the exceptional taste that once captured Oprah's favor, I would highly recommend visiting Heaven Sent instead.

It is my hope that Ezell's Chicken can find its footing once again, either by creating better recipes or by embarking on a new culinary direction that sets it apart, preferably with a new name. Until then, I must reluctantly acknowledge the decline in quality and suggest exploring other options, such as the extraordinary offerings available at Heaven Sent.

Note: This review reflects my personal opinion and experience. Others may have different perspectives based on their individual visits to...

This is my post of shame and apology. I grabbed somebody else's meal when they were very busy, and then called and complained about messing up my order when I couldn't find the sides in my meal. I've been eating Ezell's for many years, and this was my first time ordering it at the Wallingford location. I ordered online and then drove over to pick up the food. The gal at the front desk confirmed my name and told me my order would be up soon (I interpreted this as meaning "up next"). It was very busy, and I must have mis-heard them calling the second syllable of "50" as it rhymes with my name. The meal was in a pan since there was an issue with boxes or bags. I grabbed it and took off. When you place orders online, they call out your name when your food is up. When you place orders in person, you get a number. I stole number 50's meal thinking it was mine. This must have caused confusion during a busy time in the store for the staff and the person behind order number 50. Order 50: I may never find out who you are, but I am sorry for stealing your food. Gal at the front counter: I honestly thought I heard them call my name. As I said, I've worked years in customer service myself. I never thought I would end up being that person who grabbed the wrong order or who calls in and complains after grabbing the wrong meal. My twenty-year-old past self is extending his palm into my face, and I am so sorry. I skipped a bunch of other chicken places between my home and Ezell's because their chicken, buns, and sides are consistently excellent, and they always have been. From the east side to the Rainier Valley, you can count on Ezell's as being a level above the competition. Their service has always been friendly and prompt. I feel terrible for disrupting their business, and I am...