Red Bird chicken is a popular fried chicken chain that has grown rapidly across the United States in recent years. With its distinctive red logo and savory fried chicken menu, Red Bird has developed a cult-like following. But is the chicken at Red Bird actually good? Here is an in-depth look at the quality, taste, price, and overall experience of eating at Red Bird fried chicken restaurants.
Red Bird’s Chicken Quality
Red Bird proudly advertises that it uses only the highest quality chicken for its meals. The chicken is sourced from American poultry suppliers and delivered fresh, never frozen, to each restaurant daily. Red Bird breads and fries the chicken in-house to ensure consistency across locations. The chicken is marinated in a proprietary blend of herbs, spices, and seasoning before being breaded and fried to a golden brown crisp.
According to Red Bird, the chicken is antibiotic-free and contains no artificial hormones or steroids. The chicken is humanely raised in cage-free facilities with access to the outdoors. Red Bird’s focus on quality, fresh chicken has been a driving force behind its growing popularity and loyal customer base.
Taste and Texture
The taste and texture of Red Bird’s chicken gets high marks from most customers. The breading is light, crunchy, and flavorful without being heavy or greasy. The chicken itself is juicy and tender on the inside. Red Bird brines its chicken to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out during the frying process.
The signature spice blend gives Red Bird chicken a robust, peppery flavor with a hint of sweetness. Many fans claim it is the most flavorful fried chicken they have tried. The taste strikes a careful balance between crispy, crunchy breading and savory, juicy meat.
Some critics say Red Bird’s chicken can be slightly inconsistent across locations. The breading may be a bit too thick and bready or the chicken is slightly drier than normal. However, most customers have positive experiences and find the chicken to be tasty and crave-worthy.
Available Chicken Menu Items
Red Bird offers customers a lot of flexibility and variety when ordering chicken. Menu items include:
– 12 or 8 piece fried chicken buckets with a choice of all drumsticks, all breasts, or a mix. Chicken tenders by the piece are also available.
– Fried chicken sandwiches in spicy and classic flavors
– Fried chicken wraps and sandwiches served on croissants, biscuits, or rolls
– Fried chicken salad and wraps
– Chicken wings with various sauce options
– Southern-inspired chicken entrees like chicken and waffles, chicken pot pie, chicken alfredo, and chicken smothered in gravy
– Chicken nuggets or strips with choice of dipping sauces
There are also rotating seasonal specials, limited-time offers, and customized regional menu options at some locations. Customers looking for chicken have their pick of the menu when dining at Red Bird.
Red Bird Chicken Prices
Red Bird fried chicken prices are very reasonable given the product quality and taste. Here is an overview of typical Red Bird chicken prices:
Menu Item | Price |
---|---|
8 piece fried chicken | $12.99 |
12 piece fried chicken | $18.99 |
Chicken sandwich | $5.29 |
Chicken tenders (3 piece) | $4.99 |
Chicken wings (6 wings) | $6.49 |
Chicken and waffles | $8.99 |
As you can see, Red Bird’s chicken prices are very reasonable especially when purchased in bulk buckets. The chicken sandwiches, wings, and entrees are comparably priced to other major fast food chains.
Considering the product is never frozen, made-to-order, and uses high quality fresh chicken, Red Bird provides strong value at its price points. The prices are affordable enough for frequent visits.
The Red Bird Customer Experience
Red Bird positions itself as a quick, convenient option for fried chicken lovers on the go. However, many customers are surprised by the care that goes into the overall dining experience.
Here are some of the customer experience highlights at Red Bird restaurants:
Quick, But Not Too Fast
The kitchens are designed for efficiency. Customers generally receive their chicken 5-10 minutes after ordering. However, Red Bird does not rush the frying process. The chicken is cooked properly to prevent under or over-frying mistakes. Customers appreciate the balance between speed and quality.
Ordering and Payment
Customers have the flexibility to order at the counter, online for takeout, or via the Red Bird app. Contactless payment, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, is available. Loyal customers take advantage of the Red Bird app rewards program.
Clean, Comfortable Dining Areas
Red Bird restaurants feature open kitchens, upbeat music, and bright red and white decor. The dining rooms are cleaned regularly and designed to handle high volumes of guests. Many locations also offer outdoor patio seating.
Employee Friendliness
Red Bird employees go through extensive training to ensure excellent customer service. The staff aims to keep lines moving quickly while also being hospitable and answering any menu questions. Management routinely solicits customer feedback.
Focus on Quality and Safety
In addition to quality chicken, Red Bird follows strict food safety procedures, including frequent hand washing and changing gloves between tasks. The restaurants are inspected by third-party auditors and must meet high standards.
Overall, Red Bird offers a fast food experience that still feels thoughtful, welcoming, and well-executed. Attention to hospitality adds to the enjoyment of the signature fried chicken.
Red Bird Chicken Compared to Competitors
Red Bird is far from the only fried chicken chain on the market. It competes against long-time brands like KFC and Church’s Chicken, plus newer concepts like Slim Chickens. How does Red Bird chicken stack up against the top competitors?
vs. KFC
– Red Bird chicken is less processed and more freshly prepared compared to KFC
– KFC has more brand recognition and international locations
– Red Bird has more modern restaurant designs and technology
– Menu variety and price point is fairly similar between both brands
– Red Bird scores higher for customer service
vs. Church’s Chicken
– Church’s uses fresh, never frozen chicken but Red Bird sources higher quality poultry
– Red Bird has more innovative menu options beyond traditional bone-in chicken
– Church’s is stronger in the South, while Red Bird expands nationwide
– Red Bird restaurants are more modern, clean, and comfortable for dining
– Prices are very similar at both chains
vs. Slim Chickens
– Slim Chickens is a newer competitor trying to disrupt the market
– Both use fresh, never frozen chicken and have innovative menus
– Red Bird has a more robust app, rewards program, and focus on technology
– Slim Chickens offers more healthy grilled options and customization
– Red Bird scores higher for consistent spice and flavor in breading
– Slim Chickens has fewer locations concentrated in the South and Midwest
Red Bird holds its own against the biggest names in fried chicken. It differentiates itself with its focus on technology, customer experience, and bringing quality chicken to more markets nationwide. The competition validates that Red Bird is executing well conceptually as an emerging chicken brand.
Is Red Bird Considered “Good” Chicken?
Given all the factors – quality, taste, price, experience, and competition – does Red Bird serve “good” chicken? Here is a summary.
The Pros
– Uses fresh, never frozen chicken from high quality suppliers
– Has mastered the art of juicy, flavorful fried chicken with crunchy breading
– Offers great variety across the menu at reasonable prices
– Modern, technology-focused customer experience
– Emphasis on hospitality and food safety
The Cons
– Inconsistency issues at some locations
– Lacks brand history and nostalgia of KFC or Church’s
– Limited to U.S. and heavily concentrated in certain regions
The Verdict
Red Bird delivers tasty, crave-worthy fried chicken using quality ingredients and time-tested preparation methods. The execution and business model stick to the core strengths of convenience, consistency, and value sought by fried chicken fans. While the competition is tough, Red Bird holds its own by focusing on the details that leave customers satisfied with their dining experience.
Across the board, Red Bird scores very well for traditional bone-in chicken, sandwiches, wings, and creative entrees. The chicken is juicy and well-spiced. For those looking for a go-to spot for high quality fried chicken at a fair price, Red Bird absolutely fits the bill. The restaurant experience also exceeds expectations compared to typical fast food chains.
In summary – yes, Red Bird serves good chicken. It has carved out a strong niche for itself in a crowded market by mastering the basics and staying true to its signature flavors and hospitality. As Red Bird expands, it is well positioned to become a leader in the fried chicken industry.
Conclusion
Red Bird has earned a reputation for serving some of the best fried chicken around. With fan favorites like its 12 piece chicken buckets, hot chicken sandwiches, wings, and chicken and waffle plates, Red Bird offers delicious and crave-worthy chicken at reasonable prices. Paying close attention to ingredients, preparation, technology, and customer experience has paid off.
Despite fierce competition, Red Bird succeeds in a crowded marketplace by focusing on quality, value, and execution. The chicken consistently delights customers across its growing national footprint. For all these reasons, Red Bird remains a go-to destination for exceptional fried chicken.