CHICKEN DELIGHT RADIO SPOT, 1963

CHICKEN DELIGHT'S JINGLE FROM A RADIO SPOT, CIRCA 1963. FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION OF OLD PUBLIC DOMAIN RADIO SPOTS.

[@fob1xxl]

It was 1964 and I just moved to Los Angeles. I had just turned 19 and was trying to break into showbusiness. I lived on Laurel Ave. Just below Sunset. There was a "Chicken Delight" restaurant only a few blocks away on Sunset. I can't begin to tell you how many times they kept going as a struggling young singer. At least 2 , or 3 times a week and they delivered for FREE ! The cost ? About $1.39 for a complete dinner ! Those two cardboard plates stapled together. It was wonderful when the guy showed up at the door.I wish they were still here !

[@oliwoodley1711]

Thank you so much for posting this, my grandfather used to sing this jingle all the time and now that he's passed on I went looking for it. I never thought a chicken commercial could make me cry! This made my day. Thank you.

[@johnhouston9764]

💘

[@susanb2015]

My family used to get Chicken Delight in the 70s. I remember the song being a little different then. I liked the chicken legs and the little rolls with jelly. I always thought it was the only one until I recently heard Archie Bunker say to Edith when dinner was late "What are we going to eat? Chicken Delight?" Now I see that it was all over the country.

[@brendabarber7459]

This is a damn jingle for me too. My dad worked there as his 2nd job in the 60's.

[@susanb2015]

@@brendabarber7459 Too bad they closed they had good greasy chicken.

[@owenandpattiholiday7491]

I worked behind the counter when I was 16 in 1968 in East Meadow, Long Island, NY.

[@kelvinmlaguer5521]

OMG, can't believe I found this. What a blast from the past! I can't believe they went out of business when their BBQ chicken was the best. Wish I new the recipe for that BBQ sauce...I'd make a mint from it.

[@andreapyeatt2673]

My dad worked there and swore it was better than anyone else’s chicken and he passed away and now anything to do with my dad is priceless

[@unixsysny]

Brings me back to a wonderful place and time

[@fob1xxl]

When I moved to Los Angeles in 1964 at the age of 19, I LIVED off these dinners ! They were good ! They delivered for free . Two paper plates stapled together with the dinner inside. Utensils, napkin, salt, peper and honey ! DELICIOUS ! Sure miss them !

[@MKIVWWI]

Great jingle -- thanks so much for posting!!! Brings back alot of memories. Reminds me of the Chicken Delight on Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades, across from the old Mayfair Market. My family would get dinner from there several times a month. I'd always get their shrimp dinner. They had these round cardboard dishes with matching cover that they'd staple shut, to help keep the dinners hot, and would also staple an after-dinner mint in cellophane to the outside of the container. Miss 'em!

[@mileswrich]

Chicken Delight was bigger than KFC and had much better chicken, along with Pizza, Shrimp and Ribs as mentioned in other comments. it was one of the first national fast food franchises, and they delivered. Unfortunately, the franchise concept was to give the franchise away but require the individual franchisees to purchase paper goods and the mix that coated the chicken along with the pressure fryers from the franchisor. A Group of California franchise owners got together and sued claiming this arrangement was an illegal tying agreement and violated the Sherman Anti Trust Laws. Siegel v. Chicken Delight. The franchisees won the court case, and then Consolidated Foods, who had bought out the guy who really built the business, our family friend, A.L. Tunick of Rock Island, IL, decided, "fine, we can't make money selling paper goods to the franchisees. We have no royalty or override agreements to collect fees on stores sales, so we will just stop advertising or promoting. Within a year or two, there was no more Chicken Delight in the United States. A few stores hung on as independents and the Western Canada franchisees and franchisor, not subject to US law, soldiered on for many years. openjurist.org/448/f2d/43/siegel-v-chicken-delight-inc-chicken-delight-inc

[@chuggachuggawoowoo]

There is still a Chicken Delight in Dumont , New Jersey.

[@terenzo50]

Miles -- Thank you for this history I never knew about. We used to pick up chicken at the Chicken Delight on Doheny x Olympic in West Los Angeles back in the late 50s or early 60s. It was great. First of its kind that I can remember, not having even heard of McDonald's until 1968. Used to eat mostly from non-chain or small-chain local places. I'd always thought that KFC (whose chicken can be good, but isn't always -- and is certainly different from the taste of CD) which became ubiquitous a bit later had run them out of business. How odd to discover that they, meaning the franchisees, ran themselves out of business. How do the franchise arrrangements of all the other fast-food chains differ from those of Chicken Delight?

[@Nonduality]

You mean there was no climate change agenda, no conspiracy to remove the current President, no fear that the chicken industry would resemble Venezuela, no charges of abuse of women, no tie to vaxxers or anti-vaxxers, no vegan terrorism, no link to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, no alleged prejudice against marginalized groups, no involvement of George Soros, no Russian connection, not even mention of a Plandemic? It was just a trial in court? You expect us to believe that?

[@mobilguy100]

Miles Rich and rater tots

[@TrainmasterCurt]

Yep, come to Manitoba if you miss Chicken Delight, still kickin here

[@heavnnnsent]

Well I love it a blast from the past! I was crossing the street with my son one day and I saw a guy walking by with a pizza box and because he was about my age I looked at him and said don't cook tonight call Chicken delight! He started cracking up

[@mrxd17]

Joey Diaz brought me here. ❤️

[@chuggachuggawoowoo]

There is still a Chicken Delight in Dumont, New Jersey.

[@melaniexoxo]

I totally remember this song growing up in the 60s in southern CA. This is where we would go get chicken

[@mfb3042]

First job. I was 11. They stuffed maybe 10 kids in a Volkswagen bug to go up and down residential streets in Westchester, CA (LA area by airport) and put handbills (menu) on door knobs. Made a $1 an hour. Can't believe they still exist. 20 in Manitoba and 6 in NYC area.

[@cinnamongirl1022]

My dad sings this 24/7

[@djksierra1]

OMG, this was my first job at 15 1/2-16 years old. I'm now 65 (born in 1950). The location was on Fillmore Ave in Colorado Springs, CO. This location was strictly a pickup and delivery store,,,,no sit-down tables. I was one of two employees that went in with the manager/franchisee, on Sat & Sun mornings to cut up the frozen chicken with a power blade cutting machine, make the batter from a pre-mixed seasoned flour, and make batches of pizza dough with the big Hobart commercial restaurant mixer. Throughout our 6-8 hour shift, we would deep-fry the battered chicken and make pizzas from the balls of fresh daily-made dough. I learned how to roll out the dough ball, then throw it up in the air with two clenched fists, thus stretching the dough into the proper size for the crust,,,,just like the pros. When I made home deliveries in the baby blue '65 Dodge Dart, with that tuff infamous slant six engine and the lit-up plastic 2' high chicken mounted to the roof, one time some jerk pulled out of a side street and smacked the right side of the CD Dodge Dart, causing substantial body damage, but not enough to total it. While it was being repaired, CD corporate loaned the boss another Dodge Dart. During our shift the boss would let us eat anything we wanted, to a limit and with no cost. (Can't do that today anywhere,,,,maybe a 50% discount off your food.) I so recall making my pizza and just loading on the toppings.....MMMMMM, GOOD, and the chicken was delicious, too. Wikipedia will tell ya all about when they started in 1952 (same year KFC started) and how they were bigger than KFC, and also how they went downhill, too...Now I guess it says they're out of Winnipeg, Canada, but with far less locations....Too bad, so sad. BUT OH, WHAT COOL MEMORIES,,,,,,,"Don't cook tonight, call Chicken Delight." by Dave Kammerer

[@2tmacisback]

I sure remember them. My brothers worked for them in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. One brother delivered in those weird little 3 wheelers. He sure wrecked more than one of those. He took pride in how long he could ride them on 2 wheels. "Don't cook tonight, call chicken delight".

[@Tommyr]

I remember that! We got it all the time when I was a kid!

[@mikestang679]

I used to eat this on a weekly basis, it came in two giant paper plates, stapled together, it included a blueberry muffin & fries, for a kid it was ideal when watching TV's The Flintstones, oh the memories, chased by a Helms Bakery truck "Giant Creampuff" the best puff in the world, bar none!

[@emadleiman47]

I just remembered that jingle and found this video. Glad I did. I too remember the food. I can still remember the flavour of it. In 1963 when we ordered from the Chicken Delight in Oceanside or Rockville Center, NY it also came in the 2 thick plates stapled together. My favourite was the fried shrimp with the fries. It came with around 10 pieces of shrimp. We used to get it once every week or two. I also remember they included a cardboard disk with the same radio spot as in the video. I need to find out if that company is still in business.

[@mikestang679]

@@emadleiman47 Yep, that same business model, would work today, I loved that it came to your door, piping hot, the smell was terrific........

[@robertphillips6296]

I remember theses commercials. They still have some of them in Canada.

[@howardrosen1470]

I started work there in Los Angeles in 1963 when I was 14. Then managed the Fairfax store for 3 years more. Got jobs for more than 20 of my friends.

[@rudyiraheta80]

got change for 39 45 dollar bills

[@raylopez9653]

what Memories in Culver City there was a chicken delight restaurant I was thinking about it this afternoon the longest you can exist there was two in Hollywood but they closed down

[@sw23831]

I somehow came into possession of a fiberglass chicken with a chef's hat on. I think they used to put them on top of the delivery car. cool huh?

[@ManMonkey600]

My mom always used to sing this when I was younger. I never knew where it came from until now.

[@samotsuji8167]

I delivered Chicken Delight 1962-64 in Venice, Ca, around area of Washington Place

[@WillyCitrus]

I cooked and delivered for the store in Glendora, California, from about 1968 to 1970. It was near the southwest corner of Alosta and Pasadena, between a liquor store and a bicycle shop. We served chicken, shrimp, fish, and ribs, and french fries; cole slaw, three bean salad, and I think potato and macaroni salads; the drinks were canned Shasta sodas. Take out and delivery only, therefore no sales tax!

[@nickandmikec]

The company has survived but as far as I know in Canada alone.

[@nathandrake1447]

Uncle Joey says hi!

[@spellerlittlewing]

Great jiggle from my childhood

[@PaleRider638]

We had several on Long Island, NY near the Sayville area in the late 60's. There is still one in Westbury. Looks like a few in Jersey too!! Don't know why they fizzled. I thought it was better than KFC by a long shot!!! Thanks for the video!! Great memory!!

[@jimhandler1129]

I remember the one in Plainview, then it was taken over by KFC

[@SPak-rt2gb]

They were ahead of the game of fast food home delivery shame it ended in a bad way.

[@TrainmasterCurt]

Come to Winnipeg, many shops here

[@bigdaano1]

I remember the jingle well. We had them deliver on many occasions in my youth in '60's Santa Barbara, Cal.

[@nickandmikec]

Yes, I have this and it was on such a disc, but I have it also on a collection of rare recordings (a CD). Nick

[@shauncampbell969]

I never knew C D, was in other states. As a kid in the 60's, i loved when my mom would order from this place. The service, became an issue and we stopped ordering from Chicken Delite. I also remember this cool song.

[@silentsensei1267]

My first job was at Chicken Delight in Pacific Palisades, CA :)

[@lauradaly8020]

My mother would order that for our family on Saturday nights when she didn't feel like cooking. However, that didn't happen every week.

[@hoomalimali6334]

You're a groovy dude!

[@heelgill]

I plan on working here.

[@briankeightly8847]

man they had the best ribs i ever ate. havent had them in 35 years or more. bucket of ribs!!!!!!!

[@kelvinmlaguer5521]

That sauce, that sauce, that darn sauce! LOL

[@djksierra1]

Oh, and thanks much, Nick.

[@timothykearns2232]

Excellent!

[@tooties545]

Chicken Delight, corner of Eastern & Floral in East Los Angeles....man...😋

[@andizaya7276]

I work here

[@djksierra1]

I'll check back in here every once in a while ta see if there's any comments or replies.

[@brainsareus]

Used to go to one on 8th ave..... bet 23rd st and 24th st in NYC [the mid-1970's].... or perhaps, it was called Chicken Galore. not sure.

[@kelvinmlaguer5521]

Mine was at the corner of Fulton and Saratoga Ave., Brklyn.

[@douglaschristine8387]

That proves it, you tube has everything.

[@josephquadrio2105]

nice

[@donbrassco301]

Better then KFC 😚

[@carolbinder374]

wow can smell te ribs and chicken now

[@RaymondDoctorzapMorelli]

had one in west haven ct

[@jimthompson973]

I remember the one on Whaley Ave. in New Haven, CT many, many years ago.

[@DLAN-jb3hb]

There was one on Main St. Norwalk CT.

[@sherriearrington6830]

They had one in downtown Brooklyn. The best. My aunt (May she RIP) lived on that side of town. My cousins and I always look forward to visiting her. We had the best of times with my aunt because she was a big fan of Chicken Delight. She had a 1975 or 76 maroon colored Chrysler New Yorker. She ordered the food and we would pile into her car headed to Chicken Delight. I remember the plates being stapled. That tiny serving of cranberry sauce. Had so much fun. Miss those days.

[@nickandmikec]

It took some searching to find this jingle. This one I found on a collection of radio jingles which I purchased at Ebay. There are quite a few and one has to go through them. It's a lot of fun. You will probably remember the Los Angeles broadcast of a weekend sci-fi show called, "Strange Tales of Science Fiction," and the theme to the Sunday Night Movie at Eleven that KTTV-5 used to broadcast called, "Cinco 5." I have both themes up. Now those two themes really took some time to locate.

[@davidjackson1268]

More, Nick Campbell, more!!!

[@elizabethmcintyre3680]

Thank you! As a high school student I worked at a Tastee-Freez in Minnesota. We had a few meal-type items, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, but they were pretty awful. For evening shifts we had the Chicken Delight menu taped to the wall next to the phone! It was so good, delivered in those heavy paper plates all ready to eat.

[@stflaw]

That $2.49 large pizza sounds like a deal.

[@tamapalagi]

Does anybody remember Teds burgers on Western Ave in Gardena,Calif? I miss Pup N Taco and Pioneer chicken.

[@cherelllove8576]

AMEN

[@scottfranco1962]

See, kids, to your door delivery is NOT new...

[@mfb3042]

Lot a Californians on this page. First job. I was 11. They stuffed maybe 10 kids in a Volkswagen bug to go up and down residential streets in Westchester, CA (LA area by airport) and put handbills (menu) on door knobs. Made a $1 an hour. Can't believe they still exist. 20 in Manitoba and 6 in NYC area.

[@DA90027]

OMG, I'm 52 and remember this slogan from 1966 0r 67 there used to be one on York Blvd in Highland Park down the street from us in Pasadena. What a trip to hear this again.

[@bigdaano1]

You were born in 65 and you remember something in 66? WOW!!!! ;)

[@ifyhungthuguyyu6110]

We had them in Detroit when I was younger. Good food.

[@felixpaz2060]

Joey Diaz

[@edwinkirkland8856]

Before KFC