A small chicken shack on a quiet side street once got named the best fried chicken in the whole state.
There’s no dining room inside. Just a counter, a kitchen, and a couple of picnic tables waiting outside.
The recipes go back to the early 1960s, when a husband and wife started a poultry farm. Their original fried and barbecue chicken recipes still sit at the heart of the menu today.
I find it fascinating that a family recipe has outlasted so many food trends.
Connecticut has plenty of places to grab a drumstick. Yet folks keep crossing the state for this one, and some even come from neighboring states.
I believe that kind of loyalty says a lot about a kitchen. So what keeps people coming back to a tiny shack with no seats inside?
The Award That Put A Tiny Shack On The Map
Winning a statewide title is a big deal for any kitchen. Greer’s Chicken pulled it off when Connecticut Magazine named its fried chicken the best in the state.
That’s a bold honor for a spot with no indoor seating. It proves you don’t need fancy chairs or a giant sign to earn serious respect.
The chicken is known for being juicy and crispy at the same time. That combo sounds simple, but plenty of kitchens struggle to get both right.
A crunchy coating with dry meat inside is a letdown, and soggy skin is no better.
Greer’s keeps things focused on what it does well. Chicken is the star here, and the menu makes that very clear from top to bottom.
So what should a first-timer order? Start with classic fried chicken to see what earned the award.
You can branch out to other dishes on your second trip, and there probably will be a second trip.
I like that the shack never tried to become something bigger to prove itself. It just kept frying good chicken.
Sometimes the smartest plan is sticking with the thing that works.
A Family Recipe That Started On A Poultry Farm
Back in the early 1960s, George Buchanan and his wife, Millie Greer Buchanan, started Greer’s Poultry Farm in Bristol. That farm grew into the chicken spot people line up for today.
Here’s the sweet part. The fried and barbecue chicken recipes the couple created are still a core part of the menu.
That means you’re tasting something with real roots, not a recipe cooked up in a corporate test kitchen.
The business has been a local fixture for more than 50 years. Think about how many birthdays, game nights, and family dinners that covers.
Generations of Bristol families have grown up with this chicken on the table.
Later, the shop passed to Rich Plantamuro, known around town as the Chicken Man. Honestly, few nicknames are more earned than that one.
He helped carry the recipes forward for years.
History like this matters when you’re choosing where to eat. A place that keeps the same recipes for decades clearly believes in them.
When you take your first bite, you’re joining a long tradition that started with one hardworking couple and their farm.
Two Longtime Employees Now Run The Whole Show
Few owners know a kitchen as well as Julie Donahue and April Davenport. Before buying Greer’s Chicken, they worked there for more than 27 years combined.
That’s not a typo. They learned the ropes under the original Greer and Buchanan family, then kept working under Rich Plantamuro.
By the time they took over, they knew every corner of the place.
A November 2025 report marked five years of the duo’s ownership. That milestone says a lot about steady hands keeping a beloved shop alive.
Why does this matter to you as a customer? When longtime staff become owners, the recipes stay in good hands.
They’ve seen how things were done for decades, and they understand what people expect when they walk up to the counter.
I can’t imagine a better way to protect a local favorite. New owners from outside might change too much too fast.
These two already knew the secret of keeping the chicken tasting like Greer’s.
It’s a nice reminder that loyalty works both ways. Customers stuck with the shop, and so did the people frying the chicken.
So Many Ways To Eat Chicken, You’ll Need A Game Plan
Roasted, deep-fried, Southern fried, or cold roasted. The chicken lineup at Greer’s gives you plenty of choices before you even reach the sides.
Chicken Chunks are a fan favorite. They’re boneless, skinless pieces of deep-fried white meat, which makes them perfect for dipping.
You can also get wings and chunks in Buffalo or Honey BBQ flavors.
Hungry for something warm and cozy? Chicken pot pies come fresh or frozen.
The frozen option is a smart move if you want dinner ready on a busy weeknight later.
There are also chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and wraps. The Buffalo chicken wrap brings some heat, while the Honey Mustard Cluck wrap wins the prize for best name on the menu.
Feeling bold? Liver and gizzards are available too.
They’re an old-school treat that many places stopped serving long ago.
My tip is to mix things up with a group. Grab some classic fried pieces, a box of chunks, and something sauced.
Then everyone can taste a little of everything and pick a favorite for next time.
Sides That Refuse To Play Second Fiddle
Fried chicken needs good company. At Greer’s Chicken, the made-to-order sides bring plenty of backup.
Classic picnic picks are all here. You’ll find macaroni salad, potato salad, and baked beans, which taste just right on a warm afternoon.
Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes cover the cozy comfort side of things.
Fryer fans have options too. Choose from French fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings.
Good luck picking only one.
Then come the bowls, which feel like a clever shortcut. The Mac and Cheese Bowl and the Mashed Potato Bowl both arrive topped with chicken chunks.
It’s basically a full dinner in one container, no plate juggling needed.
These bowls are great for solo eaters. Not everyone wants a big bucket of chicken just for themselves.
A bowl gives you chicken and a side in one easy order.
For families, I’d grab a few different sides to share. Kids might go straight for the mac and cheese, while adults reach for the potato salad.
Everybody wins, and nobody has to argue over the last onion ring. Well, probably.
Save Room For Funnel Cake Fries And Cheesecake
Funnel cake fries at a chicken shack? Yes, and it’s a delightful surprise.
They bring that county fair feeling without the long walk past the rides. It’s a fun way to end a savory meal on a sweet note.
Classic dessert lovers aren’t left out. Greer’s Chicken also offers cheesecake and carrot cake.
Both are easy to grab and take home for later.
The menu has other twists beyond dessert. Empanadas show up in two flavors, Buffalo chicken and Shepherd’s Pie.
That’s an unexpected pairing, and it shows the kitchen likes to have a little fun.
Shrimp also makes the list for anyone craving seafood. It’s a good choice when one person in your group isn’t in a chicken mood, though that seems hard to believe here.
My suggestion is simple. Order dessert at the same time as your meal, so you don’t have to stand in line again.
Then tuck it away until the chicken is gone.
Funnel cake fries are best eaten soon, so share them on the spot. Cake can wait patiently in the fridge for tomorrow.
Grab Your Order And Snag A Picnic Table
Forget about booths and waiters. Greer’s Chicken works mainly as a takeout and catering business, with no indoor seating at all.
The building looks like a modest little cabin. It sits on a quiet side street, so you might drive past it the first time.
Keep your eyes open and your nose ready.
Outside, a couple of picnic tables give you a spot to eat right away. On a nice day, that’s a pretty great setup.
Fresh air and hot chicken make an easy team.
Since there are only a few tables, plan ahead. Bring the order home, pack it for a park, or eat in the car if you just can’t wait.
No judgment here.
Inside, you’ll find a counter and the kitchen area. The space is small and simple, which keeps the focus on the food.
Catering is another handy option. If you’re feeding a party, a team, or a family reunion, Greer’s can help.
I like the idea of showing up to a gathering with chicken that already has a statewide reputation. Instant hero status.
Pennants On The Walls Tell A Hometown Story
Look up while you wait, and you’ll spot sports pennants and local memorabilia lining the walls. It’s a small detail that says a lot.
This decor shows how tightly Greer’s Chicken is tied to Bristol. It isn’t trying to look trendy or polished.
It feels like the town’s own scrapbook hanging right above the counter.
Many people call it a true Bristol icon. After more than 50 years in business, that title makes sense.
A shop doesn’t last that long without its neighbors cheering it on.
For visitors from other parts of Connecticut, the walls give a quick peek into local pride. You get a sense of the community before you even taste the chicken.
I find it charming when a business wears its hometown on its sleeve. Chain restaurants often look the same in every city.
Here, the walls could only belong to one place.
Take a minute to check out what’s hanging up. You might recognize a team or two.
And if you’re a Bristol native, you might even feel a little nostalgic while your chicken finishes frying.
Plan Your Drive Around These Hours
Timing your trip matters, especially if you’re driving a long way. Greer’s Chicken is open year-round, so cold weather won’t stop your craving.
You’ll find it at 64 Matthews St, Bristol, CT 06010. Put it in your GPS before you leave, since the quiet side street can be easy to miss.
The shop’s website lists hours from Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 7 PM, with Mondays closed. Some online maps show Monday hours too, so check before heading out at the start of the week.
A 10 AM opening means chicken for brunch is totally possible. Honestly, that might be the best brunch idea ever.
A 7 PM closing means dinner runs should start early.
For big orders, calling ahead is smart. Feeding a crowd takes time, and nobody wants a hungry group waiting around.
Plenty of Connecticut drivers have made the trip to Bristol just for this chicken. Some even come from nearby states.
So pack some napkins, grab a friend, and hit the road. A crispy, juicy reward is waiting at the end of the drive.
