Olde Dixie Fried Chicken is an Orlando staple that has been around since the early 60s. Its large sign featuring a chicken wielding a Confederate hat is one of the signature sights of the area. While it has never become a major tourist destination, it has certainly received its share of fans and returning customers. I personally have avoided the spot for years upon years despite the good reviews because of the Confederate flag. Call me sensitive, but after years of Civil War education, I was a bit reluctant to visit a spot that contains a symbol of America’s only devastating war against itself. But yes, some people use the symbol as their pride towards their home, the good ol’ South. While the pride vs. prejudice debate rages on nowadays, I built the guts to try the place out.
The restaurant is actually quite small, and feels very old-school from the second you park the car. The bathroom was located outside the restaurant itself in a separate building for example. Going inside, the ambience was very laid-back; also quite old-school. Their menu was straight to the point, and doesn’t range far past chicken. Me and my cousin and brother essentially order the same exact thing: chicken and mashed potatoes and French fries. This isn’t a fancy-schmancy place, so we didn’t spend much time figuring out what to get.
We took some sodas and sat in the back corner of the small dining room. The building capacity doesn’t even pass 60, that’s how small the institute is. It gives the restaurant a more home-like feel. After a little bit of waiting, our meals arrived. Let’s just say the amount of food was quite staggering. We got three plates with two large pieces of chicken, a wing (which are never big), a small cup of mashed potatoes, and a mountain of French fries. Looking at it I realized: there was no way I was going to finish this lunch.
The chicken is easily some of the best I’ve ever had, hands-down. It was greasy to the core, but was also very juicy. Unlike your average chicken out there in quick-service eateries, each piece contained a lot of meat, and very little fried material surrounding it. The only chicken I’ve had that could top it (quick-service that is, comparing it to sit-down restaurants is very unfair) is that from a good Chik-Fil-A (call me a sucker for pressure-cooked chicken) and Yoders over at Sarasota. But hey, third place isn't bad, especially considering just how many places I’ve been to.
The vegetable aspect of the meal was wonderful too. I am usually not a fan of crinkle-cut fries, but I’ll make an exception here. Nicely salted and fried just right, the fries were very delicious and very filling too. And let’s just say the portions are not small either. The mashed potatoes however, I could have hoped for more, but that’s because it was even better than the fries. The mashed potatoes were very soft, and had just a small hint of butter. This small hint gave the potatoes just the right kick for quality flavor. Throughout the eating, the service was very nice, just like your usual mom-and-pop restaurant. Just a shame we didn’t have an extensive dessert menu like the average mom-n-pop place. Only apple pie. For the record: I didn’t finish the meal either.
Bottom Line: Olde Dixie Fried Chicken is chicken done right, and it’s a restaurant that proves why it has stood the test of time, even when it’s not in the most profitable of areas. It has outlasted multiple franchise eateries in the area and with good reason too. The chicken was fantastic, and the potatoes were delicious too. Olde Dixie never disguises what it truly is, a small place offering few items but big flavor. If you are a fan of chicken, you must come here at least once. If you are a vegetarian, avoid by all means necessary. There’s no school like the old-school.
Olde Dixie Fried Chicken:
(407) 855-0681
5925 S Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809
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