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Mon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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I've always heard people rave about Ezell's. Now - hear me! It's flippin' awesome.
I'm not a huge fried chicken fan. I guess I always imagined KFC style food. Cheap, greasy, sloppy, etc. Ezell's is a who other ballgame! It wasn't greasy, the batter was light and crunchy, they have spicy, original and other flavors to choose from, and it's just great quality chicken! I tried both the original and the spicy and loved them both. The spicy definitely has a real kick to it.
The baked beans were also to die for. Definitely made there and not some cheap stuff from a can. The same goes with the biscuits. They reminded me of popovers. So tasty and fresh!
I'm now a much bigger fan of friend chicken than ever before.
Everyone I talked to who's been to Seattle said I had to try Ezell's. Being the fried chicken fiend that I am, I made it a point to stop by early in the morning on our way up to Orcas Island. Cuz what's better for breakfast than a box of fried chicken and rolls? OK, maybe hash browns and eggs, but this was my chance to have Ezell's.
We didn't quite get there right at opening time, but we weren't the only ones getting fried chicken at 10:30am. Pressed for time and not really sure what to order, we ended up with an 8 piece order of their spicy goodness, their heavenly rolls, and some cole slaw. Not being able to contain myself, I had to have a piece before I pulled out of their driveway. The chicken was moist and had a not so spicy taste to it. The spice was there, but it wasn't overpowering. It didn't appear to be marinated or brined to a taste that I could discern. It seemed simple. The skin was a nice golden brown and crispy. There was nothing really bad about it. I just expected a little more flavor to it. Definitely on par with some places here in the Bay Area, but I give the edge to Louisiana Fried Chicken or Jolibee's.
The star of this meal, to me, was their rolls. It's the way rolls are supposed to be made...not too dense, but not too airy. I only wished I had bought more for the trip. They went well with the chicken.
All in all, it was good chicken. I've had better, but this was worth trying....and a repeat visit is due...especially for the rolls!
Dreams of hot, spicy, steamy legs fill my nights. You know the type: lush golden skin enveloping robust muscular thighs, moist succulent breasts, searing drumsticks made for clutching while billows of steam fill your mouth. Illusory images of luscious phantom chicken flesh covered in crispy, spicy fried skin fill my nights while saliva pools in my empty mouth. Bittersweet memories of spring yeasty homemade buns make me sigh again & again. And don't get me started on the thick molasses-y baked beans or ambrosial sweet potato pie.
I know it's my just desserts for forsaking your many charms for the unknowns of stumptown & while I still can't say it was anything but for the best, my taste buds keep saying, "A little gratuitous groveling never hurt anyone." So while a long distance relationship is still out of the question & recurrent fantasies notwithstanding, you don't happen to have a pied-à-terre squirreled away in PDX, do you? I'll make it worth your while....
I do like devouring the spicy fried chicken and biscuits they serve at Ezell's. I wasn't entirely impressed with the french fries, but the chicken and biscuits are phenomenal--you can NEVER go wrong with 'em. Whenever I'm in the CD and have an appetite, I often find myself gravitating toward Ezell's.
Looks like this is the popular after school spot for the high school students right across the street.
How'd this place make it my food list to Seattle you ask? Well.. you can't expect to eat fancy and expensive every night! Especially when fried chicken just sounds so good! Plus I read all the reviews about the killer fresh baked rolls - how could I pass that up??
I wasn't sure what to order but the three high school girls in front of me all ordered the same thing - the half spicy chicken strips with fries and roll - so I followed suit. The bf got the three piece spicy dark meat meal with roll, baked beans, and corn. Our food came out super fast and we rushed to the car to take it back to the hotel (no seating inside folks).
YUM-MY. The crust on the fried chicken is so yummy! I wish the chicken had been a little bit spicier though. The rolls are so light and fluffy - I can see why they're considered a "Seattle favorite".
A little bit out of the way if you're staying in downtown but if you're craving fried chicken Ezell's can't do you wrong.
Still good ... get potato salad, not fries
I had the privilege of enjoying this fine chicken last studio session marathon. The place itself… Read more »
I love this place! I recommend the spicy chicken strips, and spicy breasts. The best fried chicken I have had. Not very healthy, but delicious nonetheless. BBQ sauce with the chicken strips is great!
Heads up: Sketchy neighborhood, beggars always in parking lot. No problems per se, but country folk might be in for a shock. Take out only!
This is like in my opinion one of the best chicken places in Seattle. I like this place more than puppies which I'm from washington d.c. and we had them in the city so I go to eat fried chicken all the time. After coming out to Seattle and having to give up fried chicken this place was so good to have when I could. I got the chicken usually and it was always good and biscutts and fries everything was really good and reasonably priced. Just wish it wasn't so far and I could go there all the time. Place is one of my fav places to go get fried chicken, always friendly and lines aren't too long when I"ve gone.
Highly recommend it!
The first Ezell's, the best Ezell's, and the one that's just an easy bus hop from school.
I love that half the people on the 3 are quietly trying to figure out how to jack the chicken you just scored. It's that good, kids.
I wish you could get this delivered to california and show california that fried chicken can be F'N good and cheap!!
people love paseo in seattle, but I think that they forgot that you existed ezell :)
BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER!!! but.............. go there during busy hours.. like lunch.. so the… Read more »
Ezell's has my heart. there's nowhere better to go for cheap, fast comfort food. i prefer boneless chicken, so I always get the spicy chicken strips - a pound of them hits the spot after a night of debauchery. They're perfectly crunchy, and they're not too greasy, overly breaded, or burn-your-tongue hot. I like to add a tub of mashed potatoes and gravy to my order, and throw in a few extra super-soft, melt-in-your-mouth rolls, pls! Is it just me, or does their gravy have that red-eye flavor to it? I swear I always detect a hint of coffee. whatever the case, it's delicious!
Have yet to try their baked beans and sweet potato pie. But now that I've discovered that there's a new Ezell's about 10 mins away from where I live, guess where I'll be having breakfast on Sunday mornings? well, maybe not every Sunday morning. Dick's is another great cure for the common hangover :-)
Oh my god!
Hung over one Sunday afternoon, I had this intense primal craving for something cheap, tasty, meaty and greasy; I wanted some friiied chic-ken!
Spotting this little shack out the corner of my eye, I swerved and gracefully darted into the last parking spot - right next to a 650i convertible (half the cars were bimmers, wtf?)
Very cautiously I walked in to this ghetto store, and BAM! A cloud of yummy oily goodness smacked me into caveman mode. Oh my god, salivatory glands: ON!
Went with family pack #1: 4 pieces each of breasts and thighs, 4 dinner rolls, side of of coleslaw, side of potato salad, and a slice of sweet potato pie.
Cost: $25ish.
Full tummies: 4
Satisfaction: :D x 4
The chicken breasts were just, the most juiciest, crunchiest, yummy ones I've ever had! I didn't even notice they were breasts until I reached over for the legs (cause, chicken breasts are always dry right? NOT!). The dinner rolls were just so marshmellow soft, SWEET, and tasty! The coleslaw put KFC's to shame. Potato salad, thumbs up. And the sweet potato pie, wow, delicious!
I'm definitely dropping by here again when I'm in comfort food mode. Did I mention that this place ROCKS, and that it's delicious? :D
So I've been sick for about two weeks. I can barely eat a thing, much less anything fried. But God, I'm going through withdrawal. All I can think about are all the delicious things I will eat when I'm better, and Ezell's is right at the top of the list.
This place is dangerous! It's mere blocks from my school's clinical performance center at the old Providence Hospital. I found myself wandering here after class to satisfy my constant craving for "small spicy, extra roll".
Perfection in a plastic bag. It's a half-pound of white meat chicken strips, covered in the most perfectly slightly-spicy breading that I've ever had. The chicken is delicious, moist, and flavorful. The rolls are soft heaven, and I need at least two. NEED.
Service is quick and friendly, and the food is reasonably priced.
I can't wait to go back when I get better!!
Now this fat boy knows Fried Chicken and DEAR GOD Ezell's is the most incredible I've ever had.
And those rolls...*wiping tears*.
I got a three piece original dark w/ mashed potatoes, coleslaw and a roll.
Hot, crispy, not greasy...
know what it tasted like...tastes like more.
How can ANYONE say that KFC is better than this place? It really boggles my mind.
Get spicy. Just do it.
The service was lightning fast! The cashier said "Your number is 36," and then I heard "Number 36, your order is ready" about five seconds later. Nuts.
Just a few small things keep this from a five-star review. One, the chicken is really really greasy, which probably does add to the taste, but it didn't sit so well in my stomach afterwards. Second, the mashed potatoes were a bit of a disappointment. Pretty bland.
Don't do the Colonel's Special Recipe or the Golden Arch. Just go to Ezell's and you'll get the fresh stuff, made by locals.
The side portions are small compared to the super duper value XXXX large size fries at the regular fast food joints, but it's all about quality, and not quantity!
On top of that, they use earth friendly packaging for their take out containers and sides: all the food containers are compostable and meet the ASTM D400 biodegradable standard: ie that cup containing your cole slaw will be dirt in 90-180 days if it sits in your garden.
So yes. Ezell's gets 5 stars for me for good fried chicken and compostable containers!
People who think that KFC or some other similar establishment is better than Ezell's are seriously lacking tastebuds.
I'm not kidding. You people lack tastebuds and you need to go see a doctor, STAT.
I ordered my chicken spicy and added a roll. Dear GOD! Dear god this chicken is AMAZING! The skin is just the right kind of crispy: not too thin, not too thick. The spices are, well, I don't know what they are but damn they are good. Read my lips (writing): GET IT SPICY!
And if you can't handle it spicy then damn, I feel sorry for you and the fact that you have to go through out life lacking real flavor. And if you had it spicy and STILL don't rave about Ezell's, again, GO SEE A DOCTOR. You need serious help.
Oooh and the ROLLS! Wow. The roll. So soft, so good. It almost smelled liked donuts when I rolled in to Ezell's because of the delicious bread. Don't worry though, they aren't actually donuts. But they are fantastic.
I am ruined for all other fried chicken establishments. It is heartbreaking that there is not an Ezell's in Oakland. I need to get rich like Oprah just so I can send someone on a plane to order for me, and bring it back to me.
*writes Ezell's name on a folder and surrounds it with a million little hearts*
There is an art to eating Ezells and I think my friends and I have perfected it. Order the chicken strip dinner plus 1 roll and make sure to ask for hot sauce.
Open up the roll and put a few chicken strips in there and pour some sauce over it. Eat it like a sandwich and its a lil bit of heaven in your mouth...hmmmmm!
If you want the fried chicken make sure to order the spicy...its much more flavorful.
Meh! Sometimes the chicken tastes good sometimes it's dry and bland. That in itself makes this a low scorer for me. I don't like inconsistency in a restaurant. The fact that Oprah likes it so much she'll fly it from Seattle to Chicago is a great sales argument, but it doesn't improve the product.
And I'm not sure I even want to talk about the service. It can sometimes be so slow and uninterested that you wonder why the people behind the counter even bother getting up in the morning.
I ate the best fried chicken in the world on a farm in Waldron, Arkansas. The chicken was slaughtered by my ex-boyfriend's dad, and cooked by my ex-boyfriend's mother. Dessert was biscuits with chocolate gravy. Yeah, I thought about that chicken when I broke up with him. I'm still sad about that chicken.
Ezell's? Was not the best meal of my life. I found it bland, fries undercooked, the cole slaw way too sweet. The roll was the best part. That's not exactly a rousing tribute to Ezell's if you know what I mean.
I found this place entirely by accident, but I'm so glad I did!
Their chicken strips are perfect: crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and with a tiny kick of spice in the batter. And you know how a lot of places don't bother to properly trim their chicken, so you'll find strips or blobs of fat in some of the chicken strips? Not so with Ezell's! In the entire 1/2 lb box of strips, I didn't find any chewy fat.
The biscuit was so soft, buttery, and flaky... I didn't even add an butter or jam. it was incredible by itself.
I also tried a small side of the potatoes and gravy. The small side really IS small - just about the size of the biscuit. But it's the perfect size to go with their large meat portions. Others here have said that their potatoes are bland, and I'll admit that they weren't super flavorful. But they were clearly homemade (unlike that "fresh from the box" taste you get from the potatoes at KFC), and tasty enough. I'd order them again.
The price can't be beat, either. My whole meal was around $6.
I can see why this place is so popular. It's going to be hard to fight the urge to eat here at least once a week... My cholesterol won't be able to take it!
*IF HURLEY FROM LOST WROTE MY REVIEW OF EZELL'S*
Dude! Ok, so this chicken is like - DUDE! I like chicken.
Besides eating the food, what's the best way to tell if a restaurant is good? I think I found it out today. As I left my virgin visit to Ezell's, I found myself on the bus back to Redmond. "Ezell's?! Mmm, what're you takin' home?" "Just some rolls and a slice of sweet potato pie *awkward smile*" "... I'll give you $3 for the pie."
Sure, that's basically a dollar and twelve cents pure profit for doing nothing but carrying a bag. But is a little over a dollar worth sacrificing food so good that random people on the bus are trying to BUY it from you? Probably not.
I obviously kept the pie. I obviously ate the pie. I obviously regretted not buying the whole thing -- it was ridiculously good. I now know why Oprah has a hard time figuring out what she likes best.
The chicken (spicy dark) and the mashed potatoes were amazing, the coleslaw was decent but not my style, and the rolls are basically bready heaven on earth. But the pie... oh, the pie... I licked the takeout container clean, and that's all you need to know about that.
So I really wanted to like Ezell's. I heard so much about it. Even Oprah loves it. It must be great, right?
Overall, it's good. But nothing special. This is one of those places I'm not in love with but I default to when I want fried chicken instead of going to KFC. The past few times though my spicy chicken has been super bland and not at all spicy. And on one recent visit my mashed potatoes & gravy tasted yicky - there definitely was something not so fresh about them.
However, if for no other reason to go here it's the dinner rolls. OMG, they are to die for. I really could just go here and order a bunch of rolls.
So Allie. S and I have decided to complete that 100 things to do in Seattle list and Ezell's was stop #1. I've actually been here before in the past, but hadn't reviewed it yet, because I felt like I wouldn't do it justice without a more recent experience.
Boy was I happy I went back! You know how they say KFC is "finger lickin' good?" Well, that's nothing compared to Ezell's! Ezell's is finger lickin/slurping/sucking/etc. good!
I had the spicy chicken strips/roll meal and it was the perfect amount of greasiness and food for my belly. My older sister and I also shared a side of REAL mashed potatoes and gravy. Everything was better than I remembered (and I already had high expectations!).
I'd be going here every day if I weren't afraid for my poor arteries... but it's definitely worth a few clogs every once in awhile!
Man, I went to high school at Garfield, and every so often, my and my friends managed to book it fast enough after that lunch bell rang to get to Ezell's before the line got too long, and let me tell you, that was a good day.
Nowadays, I don't get down to the CD too often, but if I'm there, I'm always about some spicy strips, potato salad, and one of those rolls that smell like warm beer. Actually, I'm not sure why I order potato salad anymore, since I guess they either changed the recipes or I changed my taste buds, and it doesn't taste that good anymore. And to everybody who's like, oh, it's too greasy: It is fried chicken. FRIED. If you can't deal with some grease, then lobby management to offer, like, a tofu scramble or something. Otherwise, man up and prepare for some quality time in the powder room.
It was unusually greasy for fried chicken, but not too bad. I was pleased with the amount of spice on the "Spicy," it being mild but still quite noticeable.
The fried okra was much, much too greasy; the cooking oil was clearly not hot enough for it. The coleslaw was ok; nothing special but definitely not bad. The roll was a roll; nothing special.
I don't think I'll be going back unless I happen to be close and especially hungry for fried chicken. It's no better or worse than KFC, but definitely worse than you can get from the deli of most supermarkets (which I find is consistently better than KFC, but still not as good as I can make at home).
hellooo PEOPLE!
UH-UH-UH, not that way!
KFC is right behind you, so much closer to you.
We probably expected too high after reading all the good reviews but I thought this place was overrated.
Chicken = What is so special about their chicken? My g/f and I were deeply disappointed. After a few bite, we both said we could have just get some chicken at KFC by my place. Their Spicy chicken wasn't that special either.
Roll was pretty good. It reminds me of Hawaian Roll.
My favorite cheap meal in Seattle? Some Ezell's spicy fried chicken drumsticks (you get to choose whatever pieces you want), their mouth-watering biscuits, and some overly sweet unnaturally colored soda. I've never eaten true Southern fried chicken, but Ezell's is the best I've had. (Even better than my hometown Kansas City's Strouds,' which I may get beaten for.)
There's a tiny parking lot for this fast food joint, but I've never had trouble nabbing a spot and the food comes up lickity split.
After hearing about Ezell's for months, I finally tried it two weeks ago. And then had it twice in the same week afterwards, and including (and especially) on my birthday. HOLY SNAP this chicken is GOOD! The skin on the spicy... lord, that's some good stuff. Makes me believe there is a god.
Oprah's smiling picture by the cash register has a hand-written essay written by the weight-shifting mega-host that reads "I don't know what's better, the chicken or the sweet potato pie!"
So I tried the pie. Whoooo! That's some of the best sweet potato pie I've had.
Man, I wish fried chicken was good for you, because I'd eat Ezell's everyday. It's that damn good. I'm glad I don't live next door to Ezell's, because I'd become obese in less then 6 months. I don't watch Oprah, I don't read the books she recommends, and I don't care if she's the most powerful woman in America, all I can say is that bitch knows her fried chicken!
"I could do shots of this hot sauce!"
That was my friend as we were noshing on a 20 piece. She was obsessed with the hot sauce. The sauce came is those little take out condiment containers. You know, the ones you get Dick's when you get extra tarter sauce and ketchup...
Ok, on to the chicken. The great part about Ezell's is that when you take the chicken home, it's still crispy and flavorful....granted you're not traveling to the likes of Everett or Renton.
If you're on a budget, go for the pound of gizzards. Yes gizzards! You get the same lovely Ezell's fried chicken flavorful, nice chewy chicken meat, and you'll have enough left over to splurge on the hot sauce shots!
Awesome fried chicken!
So I only got one piece - a leg. I got it spicy...it's hardly spicy at all, but that doesn't really matter cause it's still darn good. It comes with a soft biscuit.
I got the potato salad too, also really good.
Meal cost me only 3 dollars and six cents. Woot!
Good thing this place isn't in the bay area or I'd be going all the time!
I used to live on the corner of 23rd and Jefferson...right across the street. Regularly, I would wake up with a smile on my face as the tastiness lapped at my nostrils. So when I say, "It's some tasty shit!" Rest assured, it's some tasty shit. I mean, really, there's a picture of Oprah on the wall saying it's damn good. Word is, she gets her chicken flown in from there.
All French aside, the fact remains that they know good chicken, biscuits and all the appropriate sides. Not to mention, if you're legit, you don't order off the wall. You order a large spicy or a snack pack. Me: "Lemme get a large spicy (lots of chicken tenders, 2 biscuits, and choice of sauce), large side of beans and a large side of potato salad." In fact, I once had the above referenced meal twice in one day! To the best of my knowledge, it hasn't been repeated since...me, I had to take a very long nap after.
In all seriousness, this is real fried chicken. The owner employs people from the neighborhood and does right by the people. You can't eat inside, but if you want to be real, eat in the parking lot like everyone else. I lived across the street but at in the lot occasionally just to be seen!
Oprah's Book Club step aside for Oprah's Food Club. And I ain't talkin' about Skinny Oprah!
Chicken on Steroids! I have always liked Ezells for chicken, Finger licking good and then the rolls.....heaven, I'm in heaven, we always get a couple extras. But, seriously, what do they feed their chickens...they aren't plumped up w/saline, just plump and good. You can't go wrong for some good 'ole chicken. Glad there are multiple locations, too.
I will forever love you Ezells. Again I stress this to all read below plz...
This is NOT, I repeat NOT a place to eat at if you're dieting. I will suggest working out the next day.
P.S That old purple or blue eye shadow on Oprah is so 1980's. Phone Harpo studio's and request a new updated one or orint one offline and paste her signature from her outdated photo. hehe
Yes the chicken is greasy, but who's looking to eat fried chickan on a diet? It's like going to… Read more »
Ezells is by far, hands down, the BEST fried chicken spot in Seattle and possibly on the West Coast, with the arguable exception of Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. As a Garfield alum, I can honestly say that I was brought up on this chicken. In fact, it's sooo good that it is worthy of my first Yelp post!
Haven't read all 100+ reviews but I am VERY surprised that no one has mentioned the BEST and ONLY order I ever make at Ezells, which would be the Large/Small Spicy Strips with a side of ranch. TRY it! You will not be disappointed. Order a large, and save the left overs for a snack or lunch the next day. Refrigerated spicy strips taste kind of like refrigerated Chinese food..for some reason, I don't know why, it tastes as good if not better the next day!
Another important note to first timers: Eat your roll while it's hot! Don't believe me? Try eating half of it right when you get it, and the other half 20 minutes later.
OK. I think that's it..other then the fact that I wish they wouldn't have taken their fried shrimp off the menu. But that's old school anyways...
Does it need to be said again? Yes it does. This place is amazing, the chicken is moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. The spicy chicken is truly spicy for a spicy amateur like myself, so consider that before jumping in head first. The cole slaw is a great accompaniment if the fried okra is just too much crunch for you in one meal. The only disappointment? Mashed and gravy. But I'd rather be in love with chicken than the mashed so do what you do well Ezell's and feed me! Oh and did I mention the ridiculously reasonable prices? A meal for 2 for $10 or less.
Finally, some fried chicken like I remember growing up on the east coast. Perfect amount of greasy fried breading (not all crumbly and hard) and juicy, mouth watering chicken (cooked right) on the inside. We got a whole mess of stuff from here for a party we had at our house and no one was disappointed (except maybe the vegetarians who had to suffice with salad, hummus and crackers - sucks to be you).
I will echo what others said about the sides. The rolls and mashed potatoes were good, but not great. The fried gizzards and okra were tasty, though. The fried okra in particular were very spicy, but in a good way.
I'd liken Ezell's fried chicken to the food at Popeyes or Roy Rogers (if you're old enough to remember those) only a little bit better. I'll definitely be going back again, just maybe I'll wait for the arteries to clear out.
You know, there aren't a lot of fried chicken options in Seattle. I guess that Seattle just doesn't love the fried bird. In fact, the pickings are so slim in Seattle that after Ezell's, I'd say that Popeye's is clearly the next best fried chicken to be had in the area.
Ezell's is pretty much as good as it gets in Seattle. The chicken strips are handmade and are fried using the same method as their normal chicken so that's a huge plus. However, unless you absolutely can't stand eating meat off a bone, the real stuff is the thing to get. The rolls are pretty damn good given what is usually served in other areas of the country (i.e. some roll straight out of a plastic bag), but their best side is their ultra-mayonnaisey potato salad which is thankfully not sweet.
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