Chick-fil-A — Restaurant in South Plainfield

First off, let me say, I was so happy to see this South Plainfield location opening up in the area! I have been an extremely long time 3-5x/week (minimum) customer in other states that I lived in over the last two decades, and just moved to Central NJ last year.

The service is great here—I didn’t have any of the issues noted here by other reviewers. And the food was good EXCEPT for the spicy southwest salad, which has been my go-to most of the time for several years. The first time I got the salad at this location, it wasn’t full—it was noticeably pitiful looking. Probably about 60% of what I’m used to from other locations. WAY less chicken...less lettuce...less everything! I was annoyed when I got home to see this, but I figured someone new made it, and somehow, just messed mine up by mistake. Maybe they were in a rush, I thought. It happens.

Weeks later, I tried ordering the salad again. Same issue!! It looks like they are intentionally being stingy with this salad, and I was so surprised. I looked online to see if there was a way to contact management at this location to inform them of this issue directly, because I didn’t even want to post this negative review online—I want to continue to support this location!

I proceeded to give it ONE more chance last week. This time I asked the pleasant employee taking my order to please fill the bowl as it should be, and has been at EVERY other Chick Fil A location (for over a decade, with no exception, besides here). He took the time to add the note to my order, and I thanked him. I got my salad, and looked in the bag. Same problem. Absolutely no improvement. Like, none. Okay—strike three. I’m done. This is obviously this location deliberately being cheap. Three times, the same skimpy salad...?? I was so annoyed. Just to make sure that this was an issue specific to this South Plainfield location, and not a new practice, policy, or serving size adopted throughout all Chick fil A’s, I drove out of my way to the Watching location later in the week. They gave me the same, generously sized portion I have grown accustomed to for several years from many locations throughout Maryland, NYC, and other parts of NJ.

South Plainfield management/owner-operator: please take note, and do better. Please stop shorting your loyal customers who are trying to eat (a bit more) healthy by ordering a salad, and would prefer to support your location.

This is the closest location to me, and I will not be going out of my way to Watchung or Edison to get this salad prepared as it should be, and is in all other locations besides this one. So, sadly...no more frequent Chick fil A runs for me—unless it is in transit in other regions, when I can conveniently go to a different location.

I have included pictures here to prove my point. The salad on the left is from South Plainfield, and the one on the right is from Watchung (click on pictures to better see the stark difference between the two). I’m surprised no one else has noticed this issue and commented here about the drastically undersized salads. I wonder if this is the case with the other...

I recently had an extremely disappointing experience at Chick-fil-A South Plainfield that I feel compelled to share. Unfortunately, my most recent visit resulted in a severe case of food poisoning, leaving me physically ill and deeply upset. What’s even more concerning is that I came across another review from a customer who reported experiencing food poisoning here as well — suggesting my case is not an isolated incident. This raises serious concerns about the food safety standards at this location.

On top of that, I’ve had consistently poor experiences with their service. The drive-thru wait times are unusually long compared to other Chick-fil-A locations, and they’ve routinely messed up my orders in the past. However, the food poisoning was by far the most unacceptable part of my experience.

I strongly urge others to avoid this location. Your health and well-being are far too valuable to risk at a place that seems to neglect basic food safety and service standards.

Edit for Owner/Operator's Response It’s a shame that your first reaction was to accuse me of slander and cast doubt on my experience. I understand that food poisoning can sometimes be hard to pinpoint, however, I don’t get sick very often, and the only thing I ate that day was food from your restaurant. I fell ill the following morning with symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant — I shared my experience to warn others, and I stand by it.

You also stated that “no one has definitively proven that food from our location gave them food poisoning.” That claim is simply not true. A quick search of your Google and Yelp reviews reveals multiple complaints of food poisoning, undercooked chicken, moldy food, and even foreign objects in meals—some with photographic proof. One reviewer even reported food poisoning twice. These are not isolated incidents but a clear pattern of food safety failures.

What’s more concerning is your response itself. Rather than taking my complaint seriously or showing any empathy, you chose to attack my credibility, accuse me of slander, and ultimately tell me to “take my business elsewhere.” This is not the warm, customer-focused response you’d expect from a chain like Chick-fil-A, which is known for its hospitality. Based on your responses to other negative reviews, it seems to be a pattern — any criticism is met with defensiveness rather than reflection. I would encourage you to reconsider this approach and ask yourself, how can I make my customers’ experience better instead of dismissing those who’ve had a...

I travel for work and I love Chick-fil-A. So, I have seen alot of them. This location is by far the worse Chick-fil-A I have ever been to. I have been to this location 3 times.

The first was very early and not busy. Which I guess is why it was a normal visit. But when this location is busy it is a whole different story. They can not keep up with the traffic and are completely unorganized when taking orders.

(Second visit) the lines were very long in the drive through. I guess the lady took my name down wrong, even after giving it to her 3 times. So when i got to the window they didn't have an order for my name. So I told them what I had ordered and they asked me to pull forward into a space to wait. Well after waiting 30 minutes. I walked to the window to find out what was going on. Well they still didn't have my order and still didn't know what I had ordered. I finally got my order another 10 minutes later.

(Third visit) which was today 3/20/21 around 4pm. Once again both of the drive through lines were very long. I noticed that the people taking the orders were working all the way down the left line and no one was really taking orders on the right lane. Which I was in. Someone finally came up to take my order. Once the line started moving after sitting for awhile. They started bringing peoples food to them in line. Well they could not find the right people to give their food to and when someone did get their food they were stuck in the drive through forever.

So, I get to the window. Give them my name. They don't have an order in their system for anything that I ordered. I give them what I ordered, which was a large #1 and a large chocolate shake. Well they asked me to pull forward into a spot and wait. Well 10 minutes later I get my order brought to me. Well, it was a small #1 and a small chocolate shake. Once I told him this is not what I ordered, he stated "well your order was not in our system so this is what they made you."

This is the most un-organized and un-professional store I have ever been to. I will not be returning to this location due to...