Pioneer Chicken hopes to make comeback in LA's fried chicken scene

[@margeebechyne8642]

I remember Pioneer and it was absolutely the best! I've missed it!!

[@theotheleo6830]

Their chicken's crust was both the crispiest and tastiest. The crust literally shattered when you bit into it.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

I remember it too. Like a relic of my past. Crazy cause I haven’t even thought of the name pioneer chicken for like at least two decades.

[@mightisright]

Me too. That's the only reason I looked it up even though I have not had it in thirty years.

[@BKDDY]

Theres still 1 Blockbuster around so Pioneer can do it as well.

[@piddles11]

The one in Bell Gardens is a time warp. Interior hasn’t changed and the chicken is Amazing. Eat there and Tommy’s Burger whenever I travel back to California ❤❤❤❤

[@innatozakian9724]

I just remember the Pioneer Chicken location in North Hollywood, California on Victory Blvd in the 80’s and 90’s. It brings back such great memories knowing that there are some still around today! ♥️😎👍🥰

[@DeepVerma728]

I grew up going to the Pioneer Chicken in Rialto, California on Foothill. It closed down in the late 80's, they had the best Tartar sauce.

[@xlnbxindianboi]

gaseous

[@kenjohnson8751]

I grew up near the one on Devonshire at Balboa in Granada Hills in the 70's. To this day it is the best fried chicken I have had anywhere, by far. Nothing even comes close.

[@WillieJamesOutlawJr]

I used to go to the one at Knollwood Plaza in Granada Hills.

[@allysman]

The Pioneer at Barranca Ave and Alosta (now Rte. 66) in Glendora was our go to back in the 70's/80's. The Monday Night Football dinner Special for sure ☺️

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

I used to go to that one too😁ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@jennifer_mertens]

Come back?!? If more people knew there were still Pioneer Chicken storefronts in business, they'd be packed ALL THE TIME. People in the Facebook groups about "growing up in California" always have threads about PC. Many say they would drive hours if they knew where one was(most people think they are completely gone). Especially since the food is the same--orange, crispy, and oh so tasty!

[@brucef310]

They can't open any more. The company that owns the rights refuses to allow expansion for some reason.

[@donnaholmes899]

I remember the Pioneer Chicken on 7th street in V.V, CA. Chicken was the bomb.

[@luciom5778]

Eating Pioneer Chicken and watching WWF PPVs with my family was heaven.

[@tloco1529]

Super nostalgic times 😢😭😭😭💯

[@Just_Johnnie]

It tasted better than KFC. My sister used to have an ice cream store next to one, and we used to trade ice cream and chicken pieces.

[@sirjudge5055]

Everyone WINS!

[@Jon.......]

I "worked" for Pioneer Chicken when they had a store next to San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara. But there was a miscommunication. After I had been there for a couple of hours, the Assistant Manager realized I was only looking for part-time work. I was a full-time high school student, you know. He thought that I was available for full-time work. Doh!

[@hoodmistressreloaded]

There was a Pioneer Chicken my family used to hit up back in the day on Vermont & Florence. Went back this year to the two remaining locations and the food tasted just like I remembered from childhood, especially the spicy rice 😊

[@kathycallison8724]

I've missed Pioneer! They left my neighborhood.

[@tloco1529]

They still have 2 locations 💯

[@kpcsr415]

Every time I head down to LA, I hit Pioneer Chicken. This was the best fried chicken in San Francisco.

[@epacm50]

Pioneer is bound to grow again with other families.

[@drplando14]

I remember in the 80s we use to do laundry and there was a pioneer next to it, loved it. This was back in pacoima

[@matttreece9036]

I love pioneer chicken! Haven’t been in years. Gotta go again. Thank you guys. Peace and prayers up for y’all!

[@n6a6me6jebus]

Stop with the prayers already you're insulting your intelligence

[@melaniesmith1313]

God bless them!!! I really hope they can branch out again. Sacramento could really use Pioneer Chicken again!!

[@bossmack509]

Wait a minute... does that sign really say $72.99 for a 20 piece, they lost their damn mind

[@4040Collective]

EBT accepted

[@10INCHCRUSHER]

Pioneer would make a huge comeback, the fish and chips were the greatest ever.

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

I loved Pioneer Chicken. There was a location in San Dimas near the Canyon theatre. I used to go there all the time

[@jimfesta8981]

When I lived in LA there was a Pioneer Chicken on Western Ave above Hollywood or Sunset Blvds. The best take out chicken. Much better than KFC.

[@hawaiianpunch5432]

Used to buy the 3 piece dinner box substituting fries instead of mashed potatoes. Fries were always soggy from all the grease. Plus I would need to lie down after finishing the dinner. Consuming all that oily batter and fries gave me a tummy ache.

[@theotheleo6830]

Bring back the deep-fried clam strips and chicken gizzards.

[@peterjhpark4782]

Mmmmm clam strips!!!

[@Somewondude]

they have gizzards. well, at the bell gardens one they do.

[@chalinp4886]

What are clam strips

[@jrex3575]

@@chalinp4886 it's the 'landing strip' above the clam! 🤣

[@peterjhpark4782]

@@chalinp4886 deep fried tiny little clam strips.....so good!

[@JohnDoe-mx3rr]

I remember growing up on it and I went to this location before and remember why I don’t go there. But each is their own.

[@ShaShaLuva414]

Pioneer Chicken in my neighborhood was on Crenshaw and Slauson 😊We loved that chicken 😅

[@PeekaPeep]

Yup, THAT was the one my folks frequented back in the day! Fun times...

[@chorlauheung4920]

Yes!! I grew up with the one in Echo Park, which was the original. You had to stand and order outside. Best chicken around!!

[@MrValdez423]

I was sad to see the location by house shut down in East Hollywood/Silverlake; loved getting it with some cole slaw and adding my mom's frijoles enteros and tortillas de maíz.

[@jayeha]

$72.99 for a 20 piece, 3 sides and 6 biscuits???????? BRUH, YALLS WILD. Best wishes with that.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

I saw that price, and I kept taking a double take. I thought my eyes were deceiving me. What in the world

[@DiogenesOfCa]

Get a better job if you can't afford it.

[@jamesr2888]

@@DiogenesOfCa Also better politicians, governor and president.

[@fishfood8719]

​@@DiogenesOfCaI had a very good job and was able to retire a month before I turned 55, four years ago, with two houses payed off. One reason I was able to do that was I wasn't stupid enough to spend money on things like $73 fastfood chicken.

[@jrex3575]

you can feed 5 or maybe 6 people with that 20pc.. but hey if ya'll obese then maybe 3

[@nueat6]

by next year that 20pc gonna be almost a $100. tf is that

[@joeyflores1600]

Was that 20pc. $72.99? 😮

[@The_Quaalude]

A family meal?

[@StephanLamar81]

Gotta pay that $20 an hour somehow 😆

[@CarterPresentsComics]

Went for the first time a week ago & 4pc tenders with two sides & biscuit is $17. With an extra dollar if you not paying cash 😂

[@ty5967]

I grew up on Pioneer Chicken in Bell Gardens, next to the DMV. I miss it.

[@margeebechyne8642]

I think that one is still there.

[@juantime9616]

​@@margeebechyne8642....yes that one and the east LA one are still there.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

My memory of Pioneer chicken is the one in Pomona that used to be on San Antonio and Holt. Man, that must’ve been like back in 1993 or something lol

[@loualcaraz6497]

Anyone remember the pioneer on Venice and western? That was my go to!

[@freda9809]

Me too!

[@Truckngirl]

That crunchy crust! Remember that Pioneer Chicken at Sunset and Echo Park? Right behind it was Pioneer Market. Anyone know if that was coincidence or jointly owned?

[@sheckydiamond7533]

There was an affiliation.

[@passiveinvestor1978]

When I went to preschool in the early 80s in the Bay Area there was a Pioneer Chicken next to my old preschool and when we played on the swings whenever we saw the joint over the wall we would yell "Pioneer Chicken"

[@kurtfranklin2680]

If I was going to open a restaurant, California is one of the last states I’d do it in.

[@TiltBrook]

About 10 years ago, I COULDN’T BELIEVE that a few of them still existed!!!… At the time, I was under the impression that they were all gone, and have been gone since the 90s! Every time I’m in the area, (Bell Gardens or Boyle Heights) I always stop and get some!🍗😋

[@money4385]

If I had the Bread, I would put on Smack Dab on Crenshaw. Just went there today and had me 3 strip meal.

[@ellevee5345]

Hope they do! I made the trek out to the Boyle heights location couple months ago. After 30+ years, it tasted like nostalgia.. same great taste!

[@chrislaustin]

WOW, thanks for fighting the good fight, as Pioneer Chicken was one of my favorite places to eat as a child, as we had one right down the street from where we lived. And we had all mater of options at the time(BK, McDees, KFC, etc.), but Pioneer was still my go to, as they had these killer "strips", and the sauce was to die for. I left Los Angeles in 95, but I still visit from time to time, hopefully I'll get a chance to try it again some day. All the best to the owner, as he seems like a good guy.

[@knuclear200x]

"Hey, son. You want Pioneer Chicken?" "Why would I want pie on my chicken?" And that's my only memory of that place ❤

[@LilyCorowsky]

I’ve never tried it before. It looks good and yummy with lots of flavor based on the reviews. I hope it expands to many locations soon, especially in California. Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@rolandomota6411]

I remember the one off Figueroa and York in Highland PARK Los Angeles.

[@rolandomota6411]

$ 70 for a 20 piece is wild tho

[@joseq8466]

I visited the Boyle Heights location late last year out of nostalgia. I ordered a tenders meal. The batter is beer batter style, really oily and just awful. I don't recall it being that way as a kid. If that's how it's supposed to be, I guess some people have a taste for it.

[@kristinemarler9003]

I loved the one in Hawaii. From the dining area, you had the sunset over the ocean. Definitely loved the chicken.

[@ShawnPlusOne]

My second job age 19 I worked at pioneer chicken in Hawthorne California I loved that job it was easy and fun I plan on driving over to Bell Gardens just to try that chicken again oh the memories.

[@DonJuan-up2zt]

7th and alvarado was pioneer in my hood in LA. Next to the pet shop. If you're a california genxr, you grew up on pioneer chicken more than likely.

[@I-Told-U-So]

I grow up pioneer chicken. We used to lived in Echo Park Ave, and pioneer just across street from us. I so damn missed it. Please post the address if anyone know there's one around still? Do anyone know why they closed all down, it so damn great! Popeyes is good, but I still take pioneer first. Love the grease dripping down my fingers!

[@hoodmistressreloaded]

904 S. Soto St in the Boyle Heights area 6323 E. Florence Ave in Bell Gardens Get over to Pioneer Chicken, like...yesterday. The food still smacks 😋

[@Kingsized_Kevin]

Used to have a Pioneer in Sacramento.. I am going to make the journey to LA

[@OGStoneVegas]

my pioneer chicken on fremont blvd. and paseo padre closed down in 1993 i believe... went to the bell garden location back in 2019 and it seems to still taste the way i remembered it

[@Escargot10-13]

I miss Pioneer....was the best!

[@sirjudge5055]

We grew up about a mile from a KFC! But, Pioneer was so good my Dad would drive like 8 miles across town to hit up Pioneer instead. SO YUMMMMMMY!

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

Great ! I member ! Hey guys, do you guys remember Pup-N-taco ?

[@lindachew3929]

Yes I do!

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

@@lindachew3929 huh I no I’m old . Hey lindá Linda.

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

Yes indeed! Unfortunately Taco Bell bought them out, but they had the best slushy's...😊

[@DeepVerma728]

What about Naugles?

[@innatozakian9724]

Yes definitely! Great food! Growing up in the Valley, San Fernando. There was one in Van Nuys, California on Victory Blvd. I miss that so much. ♥️👍😎

[@jameswashington6994]

I grew up on this chicken in south central where Popeyes at on crenshaw

[@maddog8489]

Was ready to go, until I saw the prices. $72 dollars??? $8 dollars for 6 biscuits? Sorry, hard pass. 😂😂

[@rkmugen]

Please consider opening up a 3rd location in Norcal! We lost KFC, where i live, so.... why not swoop in? :)

[@slewone4905]

Decade ago there was one near my parents. I told a coworker and had to bring fried gizzards to her

[@THE_WOAT]

There was one in the valley, off Roscoe when I was a little kid. Hope they make it!

[@sleepy310714]

I remember the one in Hawthorne in the 80s

[@LorenIpsum75]

🎶 Don't cook tonight, call Chicken Delight 🎶 Sorry, I had a sudden memory flashback. 😆

[@davidatovar]

PIZZA MAN ✌😎👍

[@MrJesu84]

I remember pioneer chicken in highland park when I was a kid. Pops would buy us chicken and rent some movies for a family friday movie night

[@stanford-nf4jk]

Grew up in SoCal and enjoyed this as a kid. Live in NorCal now and no other chain or mom & pop chicken place even comes close!

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

They still have their mascot Pioneer Pete😁ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@danielt6689]

Our favorite chicken place hands down!

[@Yah448]

Makes me sooooo happy to hear and hopefully get one location nearby!!!

[@caliguy44]

My friends and I always order for our gatherings. ❤

[@DiogenesOfCa]

We had them in San Diego, there are still a few of the barn style building still up selling tacos.

[@LorenIpsum75]

I know the taco store! I think it was Roberto's? Umberto's? Alberto's? Aliberto's? Umberto's? Humberto's? Berto's? Eliberto's? 😆🌮

[@SamOvieda]

I've missed PC for sometime now. Growing up in the SFV, my younger brother and I would walk 2 blocks from our house to PC with our friends after games of street baseball! Rinaldi Street and Laurel Canyon in the K-Mart parking lot. Our mailman at the time treated all of us to chicken lunches one summer afternoon while he/we took breaks from work/baseball game. It was awesome! Now in Oxnard, I think I'll be making my way back to one of these PC's with my 10 year young son. I want a PC t-shirt! Lol

[@leslienava3076]

No way I remember that k mart I took pic there as a kid lol ... I eat at the Popeyes

[@SamOvieda]

@@leslienava3076 Lol..nice! I was a well known MC and member of a big party group (flyer parties, remember these?) from San Fernando when I was 17 and we used to meet at Popeyes on Wednesday nights and meet up again on Friday nights and caravan to either a backyard party we were hosting or roll to a party/parties within the Valley. We got kicked out of Popeyes and met at Carls Jr on Laurel Canyon Blvd, less than a quarter mile from Popeyes. I can still see/hear all the mini trucks, 4x4's, dropped 64 Impalas, VDub bugs and Suzuki bikes all on the boulevard. More packed than Hollywood & Whittier on Sunday nights. Memories! lol

[@nandoginkaku7610]

The original first location in echo park is a little Caesars for a while now. It wasnt that great when i had it, but hopefully i get to try it out some time this year and hope it tastes better

[@jyp523]

72.99 for a 20pc…. FOH!!!!!!!!!!

[@isabelibarra]

My whole life pato sauce has been my family's "secret" ingredient for making a lot of good food amazing. During COVID, while everyone else was panic buying toilet paper, I bought all the cans of pato sauce from 2 local grocery stores 😂❤

[@Mossbeehave]

Miss Pioneer chicken in SF!! Had to travel to LA just to satisfy my craving!!! Please Keep Pioneer chicken alive for many years to come!!!

[@marklanza5023]

Oh man that was one of my favorite places in L.A. I cannot find the flavor that pioneer had!

[@avsiii7661]

Oh, man, I love Pioneer Chicken. My first job was at Pioneer Chicken when I was 19. I missed so much. Where are the last two stores located?

[@hoodmistressreloaded]

Boyle Heights/Los Angeles (Whittier & Soto) and Bell Gardens (Florence & Garfield)

[@avsiii7661]

@@hoodmistressreloaded Awesome, thank you so much.

[@hoodmistressreloaded]

@@avsiii7661 Anytime 😊

[@pattyruiz6]

Yes. Bring it back .

[@sebastianliu2009]

WTF. 26sec into this video. I see the sign in the back says "Jumbo 20 piece for $72.99". WTH HAHAHAHAHA!!! Who the hell can afford that and it's in Bell Garden!! Might get jack for them chickens!!!

[@seadweller386]

Dang! I had to pause and see for myself.💰💰

[@xxobeyoscarxx]

This story can make a grown man cry 🥲

[@chinatownboy7482]

Bring OJ Simpson back to make the commercials.

[@lchapo5469]

Yes!! And offer free juice 🧃

[@DanielSanchez-lp8bi]

Wtf with oj Simpson was as other destroy what that do .

[@tonycanabal1659]

Just found out that O.J. died.

[@bacardim390]

RiP Juice

[@lchapo5469]

@@bacardim390 💐

[@robertgonzales5038]

They had one in pico Rivera on Whittier and durfee stuff was great

[@thecleaner2313]

You guys have a niche and if you do it right, you can capitalize on it. Keep it small with only the 2 locations so you can make it a true classic among locals and a unique experience for tourists.

[@G9Classified9]

Man that chicken used to be killer 👀

[@geoff3103]

West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd near crescent heights

[@tonysmernes368]

That fkn sign say 72 .99$ for 20 piece. Wtf holmes

[@datnorfsideoflongbeach]

I'm moving bac home to long beach tomorrow...im going there before i get to the new house lol

[@hawaiianpunch6534]

We had one one route 66 in monrovia. It's now a Popeye's and i hate it. It's really expensive and the service is bad. I've been to the Pioneer by the 710 a couple of years ago, the serve the chicken in a white box. It's far from where i live but I'm glad it's still there.

[@balthazarbratt8194]

those prices are Insane

[@LCx829]

Omg I remember Pioneer chicken as a kid in the 80s.

[@pulp420]

I miss Pioneer chicken and Shakey’s pizza .

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

Yes indeed! Pioneer Chicken's were everywhere! Ive ate at both locations and nothing has changed. KFC, Popeye's, Churches, might have a stronghold, but there is still a market for Pioneer Chicken in southern California...

[@DavidLee-g1r]

Hell ya. Strips with pioneer sauce would be good rite now. After they left sj we enjoyed 2 locations in los angeles

[@davidatovar]

Man I remember Pioneer Chicken in every direction you might be headed, man I don't remember the chicken as much as that seasoned crispy coating around the chicken ✌😎👍

[@kirknitz3794]

I miss Pioneer chicken, it was really good.

[@susanBaca107]

My husband and I would go to Whittier and Soto, my husband will get tacos at michoacan and we would eat them at pioneer Chicken.

[@GenX1283]

61K+ followers doesn't mean it's good. The last time I had this chicken in Boyle Heights the chicken was terrible, as if they used the cheapest chicken to use with their batter, and this was before 2020. What makes you think it's any good now with inflation? Did you see the price for a 20PC meal? $72.99 Not even KFC charges that much and they are thus far the worst. Louisiana Famous Fried, Golden Bird and Jim Dandy's blows this place out of the water. Focus on the quality of the food instead of the quality of their social media platforms.

[@gilawojodi]

I hope they last forever but I have to agree with you. Idk what's with all the recent rave reviews but it's all hype. Their chicken has always been terrible. Only good thing is the batter/skin. The biscuits taste like cardboard. Oh & the prices at this location has always been high it's not a recent thing 😂😂😂 I only come here if I want to treat myself or something else wants to do the treating

[@sandrahernandez9214]

My dad used to take me there as a child I love it😊

[@PeekaPeep]

Pioneer, KFC, and Church's were THE 'Big 3' back in the day for me in my neighborhood growin' up ('80s). Can't believe there's less than a handful of Pioneer joints left, makes me sad...

[@luishetzler9429]

Next time I'm in Boyle Heights I'm going from Arizona 🤘

[@EfrainQuezada]

Excited to see how they can shake it up

[@johnlam3692]

Was that $72.99 for 20 piece meal😮