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Chick-fil-A, A Tyler Staple

October 10th, 2009

Chick-fil-A has become one of Tyler’s and indeed America’s favorite fast food restaurants. The first one opened in 1967 in Atlanta Georgia and there are now locations in nearly every state. As a company Chick-fil-A is involved with numerous charities and community outreach programs, including scholarship opportunities for employees, foster homes, and character building programs for area youth. The restaurants founder Truett Cathy is a profoundly religious man, who insisted that all his stores close on Sunday in order to allow his employees to attend church and spend time with their families, a policy that continues to this day.

The food concept is somewhat unique. The entire menu is centered around the store’s boneless chicken breasts, most often cooked with a slightly sweet batter. Every item they sell (except of course the delicious waffle fries), contains this essential ingredient, whether it be sandwiches, or salads. Obviously there is no beef or pork to be found on this menu. I can personally attest to the quality of their breakfast menu. The chicken biscuits are exquisite!

The food at Chick-fil-A is fresh, hot and generally much healthier than most of their competitors. The store prides itself on its customer service, and its neat clean appearance. There are numerous locations around Tyler Texas, and if you’re a devotee of CFA it’s a good idea to know where they are all located, because odds are good that if you use the drive through you’ll end up sitting in line for a while. Not because the service is bad, the store is just that popular in Tyler. Everything on the menu is worth waiting for however. Overall I’d give Chick-fil-A a four out of five stars, not because of any real criticism, I just like to leave room for growth.

So the next time you have to grab a quick, healthy and inexpensive lunch on the go, swing into one of Tyler’s numerous Chick-fil-As. For their locations, or for nutritional or company information, see their website at www.chick-fil-a.com.

Chicken Express in Tyler

October 10th, 2009

It’s been said that if you want to start new business, or expand to a new town, find what’s already working there and do the same thing, only better. One of Tylerite’s favorite comfort foods (myself included), is fried chicken. There is definitely a crowded market for this southern favorite in Tyler Texas. In fact if you include Brookshire’s grocery, there are just about as many chicken joints as there are churches in this town. And like our churches, we all have our favorites. Of late I have become a devotee of one or Tyler’s newest chicken establishments.

Chicken Express was founded as late as 1988 in Benbrook Texas, and now operates more than a hundred franchises in four states. Each Tyler restaurant is independently owned and operated, thus insuring the local owners a greater stake in their own success. While the restaurant is technically considered fast food, the quality and taste far exceeds its competitors.

When comparing the food to places like KFC, the prices are slightly higher, but the chicken is juicier and more flavorful. The batter is lighter and crispier. When compared to Church’s Chicken, (who’s food I really like), C.E. is every bit as good but the stores are larger and cleaner, with more places to sit and relax.

My only criticism of Chicken Express is that the menu is relatively small. Don’t misunderstand, they do a few things and do them very well, but as someone who often finds it necessary to eat in my car or otherwise on the go, some kind of sandwich would be much more conducive to a busy on the go lifestyle. Fried chicken is not an easy meal to grab and go. But maybe that’s the point.

In spite of the small menu, I love this restaurant. Who needs national chains when you have a good Texas, company, local Tyler ownership, and classic southern fare? Next time you stop off for fried chicken, say, on your way home from church, give this new local business a try. I think you’ll find you have a new favorite chicken place. For the location nearest you, go to www.chickenexpress.com.