Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Restaurant in Tucson

So, a new Popeye’s, just two doors down from those “Never On Sunday” hillbillies from Georgia. No sooner open and listed on Google Maps, there are four reviews. Three of the reviewers had never posted a review before, while it’s only the second time for the fourth reviewer. Reading those four reviews reveals a lot about the reviewers but very little about this Popeye’s store. Two are trolls (one or two stars); two are by friends or owners with an interest in the store’s success (five stars). So I decided to have lunch there and form my own opinion which I’ll offer here.

Before sharing my observations, let me opine that 1) fast food is a bad habit; 2) Popeyes is better than Chick-Fil-A but not as good as Bojangles… but we don’t have Bojangles in Arizona.

I took the drive thru and ordered a spicy sandwich, mashed potatoes with cajun gravy, and “just a cup of water”. Essentially the same thing I typically get at the Kolb/22nd location. The girl who took my order was friendly enough, but still learning the menu — she repeated back the order mentioning “biscuits and gravy” — I don’t think they have “biscuits and gravy” on their menu. She laughed realizing her slip. Anyway, when I got to the window & paid, the receipt had an item for “Bottled Water” at $2.59. I certainly wasn’t expecting to pay for water and would have declined had she told me I couldn’t have a cup for free as they do at the Kolb/22nd location. But I didn’t want to make a fuss. She handed me the bag with my order and closed the window. When I didn’t pull forward she reopened the window with a slightly annoyed, quizzical expression. “The water?” I ask. She yells to her colleagues twice to get the water. One bloke standing there doing nothing finally grabbed a plastic bottle of water and handed it to her. Yeah, the plastic bottle for $2.59 that I didn’t want but was already charged for. So the customer service side was lacking, but hopefully it’s just new hires in a newly assembled team having yet to find their rhythm.

As for the food? The consistent quality of a Popeye’s, of course. I had half-devoured the mashed before I thought to take a photo. The sandwich was hot, crispy, juicy. It was yummy; it was fast food.

This meal was $11.49. The exact same order I made last week from the Kolb/22nd location was $8.67, but it came with a free large cup of water instead of a $2.59 small plastic bottle full of micro plastics. Yeah, the water...

What a horrible night! My husband and I were so excited watching the location break grounds. I told my husband we better eat here as much as we can before it gets bad and today was that day! We guessed that it would be less than 6 months. Don't get me wrong, We have had some excellent service and I hate I cant remember the young man's name but he always did us right! We always told him that we appreciate him. Ok, back to tonight. 1st the outside trash by the entrance full to the top and hanging, inside no customer service at all young man in the front looked like he was forced to be there were he was suppose to box the chicken was a hot mess, crumbs every where, chicken pieces and receipt paper. Checked my order and the crust was hanging off and smelled burnt. In formed the manager who than told the cook and the cook said that the oil was not filtering. Mmm, Sir! if you knew that why didnt you say something earlier?! We will not be returning, I asked for a refund and if I would have see the review of the person picking his nose. I would have walked right out because he was the same person running the shift. No hair net or hat. Whoever ownes this location something need to been done before it get even worse. I wish for the best. I'm sure I will get my auto filled message from this review. Just called the store G-manager and I was told they are waiting on the GM too! 😂 I hope they fixes that fryer...

They reserve returned food that has left the store!!!! We went in and ordered our food to go. Checked it in the parking lot and they had forgotten a side. Went in and they gave it to us. Got home and we were missing 3 peiced of chicken. I called and they said to come back and get the missing pieces. I ask for my order to be remade and because by the time I come back it will all be cold. He said they can't do that. I asked for him to look up my transaction and refund the card and he hung up on me. We jumped in the car I called on they way and was told we had to bring the food in for the refund. All I wanted was for them to remake the order with fresh food. The lady behind the counter said she could do that. After waiting for 10 min mr hang up said that it would be another 10 min. We decided to get a refund. It them took the 2 of the about 10 min to process the refund. Which is still not back on the card. Meanwhile during all this waiting a kid comes in with a messed up order and they take the messed up part out of the bag and put up on the shelf to re serve with the fresh made food. For crying out loud this place...