‘Sad day in Charlotte.’ Crowds gather for one last meal at Price’s Chicken
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Price’s Chicken Coop is closing
The beloved, nearly 60-year-old restaurant in South End is closing its doors this Saturday.
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‘With heavy hearts.’ Beloved Price’s Chicken Coop in South End says it’s closing soon
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‘Sad day in Charlotte.’ Crowds gather for one last meal at Price’s Chicken
Learn more about the rich, decades-long history of popular Price’s Chicken Coop
Charlotte social media exploded upon hearing the unwelcome news Thursday morning that Price’s Chicken Coop would be closing its doors on Saturday after 59 years.
And in person, a line began immediately forming outside of the South End restaurant. People stood patiently in the sun — and “in the shadow of skyscrapers,” Clayton Sealey tweeted — waiting to support the place that’s been with us for decades.
Even if you’ve never eaten here, you’ve heard of Price’s Chicken Coop. It’s where you take out-of-town visitors when they want a taste of the Queen City. It has set the bar for Charlotte’s other fried chicken spots to be compared against.
“I have been born and raised here in Charlotte. It’s a landmark that we’re going to miss,” Janice Albin told CharlotteFive’s Alex Cason while waiting in line. “I used to walk here as a kid, and now it’s going to be gone. I gotta get that final meal in. I wish you could see my face — it’s a sad face under the mask.”
“I have been a native of Charlotte for 54 years ... fifth generation! Please don’t let them close!” Debi Mallak emailed me Thursday afternoon.
“I grew up 2 blocks from this iconic chicken vendor when it first opened in 1962. My Dad would give me $3 dollars to ride my bike those 2 blocks to buy us lunch on Saturday afternoons,” emailed Gary R. Helms of Weddington. “A dark meat dinner was $.69 and a white meat dinner was $.79 . I have eaten here since then and am now 70 years old. I drive in to Charlotte from Weddington to eat the best fried chicken and best fried chicken livers in the USA,” he said. “So sad to hear of the pending closing of this famous eatery.”
Here’s what others in Charlotte had to say:
- “SAD DAY IN CHARLOTTE. CITY WONT BE THE SAME!!!!!” — Harvey Cummings
- “All the cool og Charlotte spots are disappearing . Cant wait for another game bar or brewery! “ — ss.roundtree
“This is a Charlotte institution. Sad to see them close.” — Rachel Roe
“Wow, what a shame. Goodbye “Historic South End” Bottle shop or brewery to soon take its place.” — Trent Youngling
“This fried chicken is the best heartburn I have ever had #RIP #CLT” — Rachel (@Rab704)
“Way to kill another icon” — Jonathan Osman
“Way to go, everything. You killed Price’s. I hope you’re happy now…” — Frank Schwartz
“Agree with this on Price’s closing. The labor shortage excuse has been debated to death #onhere, but the coin shortage excuse is another level. Who said you have to be cash only in 2021?” — Ryan Pitkin of Queen City Nerve
“Could a photo be more Charlotte? Lines of people queuing for their last taste of a Charlotte original in the shadow of skyscrapers.” — CLT Development
“I wish I could keep a meal for a couple of weeks so my daughter could get back from Australia in time to have it. In years past, you could get the freshest collard greens in town the week before New Years on the sidewalk outside Price’s. It was the best Saturday meal you could get after your basketball game, your yard work was done, or whatever it was you had to do that morning, whether it was chicken, a fish sandwich, livers or gizzards. There will be a lonely recess of my stomach after Saturday.” — John F. Rudisill, via email
“Still getting over the Coffee Cup closing, now Price’s ... glad I moved away!” — Steven Nadolny, via email
“So sad about Price’s Chicken Coop. Working summers at H&S around the corner, I was probably 14-15 and walked up there for lunch. Stood in a long line and ordered a chicken sandwich. Got to an outside picnic table and was surprised to find a bone-in breast in my hamburger bun. Glanced around at the other patrons and discovered you bite off the chicken bone and all then remove the bones from your mouth!! After that it was legs or wings for me, no sandwich.” — Dale Davis (who is reporter Melissa Oyler’s father), via text
“Chicken Coop was known for chicken but they had the best fish sandwich. I am a Charlottean, and Price’s was a stable of Charlotte. It is sad to see our places close that people come to Charlotte just to experience, our iconic places. I hope Barbecue King can hang in a little longer, along with South 21.” — Ola Mitchell, via email
“When I got the breaking news about Price’s, I wanted to cry. However, My 10-year-old actually cried upon learning that Price’s Chicken Coop is closing. My baby has loved it since she could chew solid foods. Here she is at age two. [photo below] She fell asleep with a drumstick and would not let it go.” — Karitsa Khalid, via email
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This story is developing and will be updated.
This story was originally published June 17, 2021 at 11:07 AM.
