When it comes to comfort food, there’s one item that everyone can agree on to hit the spot and that’s a hearty plate of fried chicken. Although fried chicken can be found pretty much anywhere these days, there’s one destination that’s been around for decades and continues to have a loyal following and most likely will for years to come.
Long before SoCal was brimming with a variety of fried chicken joints, Pioneer Chicken ruled them all and was widely popular for decades.
The Pioneer Chicken location featured in this article is located at 6323 E Florence Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201.
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If you've been in Southern California for a while now, it's quite likely you've driven by this iconic signage before. Although the restaurant is officially known as Pioneer Chicken, the sign for Pioneer Take Out is the name that everyone knows and loves.
Originally founded in 1961 by H.R. Kaufman, Pioneer Chicken first opened its doors in Echo Park and expanded from there. At Pioneer Chicken's height of popularity, there were 270 restaurants in operation run by multiple franchisees. Now, there are only two restaurants left and they are both located here in Southern California.
Step inside Pioneer Chicken and you'll find a laidback restaurant that's bright and clean and inviting. It's nothing fancy, but it sure does the trick.
After you dig into a bite of the fried chicken, you'll quickly understand why Pioneer Chicken has quite a following. Coated with a thick batter and seasoned to perfection, this is fried chicken at its finest
For a lip-smacking delicious meal you'll want to layer on the sides. Freshly baked cornbread, creamy macaroni, or a scoop of spicy rice will bring a smile to your face.
And let's not forget about the french fries at Pioneer Chicken. Sink your teeth into a piping hot fry that's crisp on the outside and nice and soft on the inside just the way it should be. Now that's a perfect meal!
