Best I Ever Ate? Broaster Chicken at Fleetwood in Springfield, IL.
I love doing my own version of Cooking Channel’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”, because I don’t have to play by their rules and in this installment, I get to go back in time 40 years (and 300 plus miles), to a place that’s no longer around, but still makes me hungry for a food I tend to rail about. But I learned something stunning (to me) along the way.
Picture it, early 1980’s, and I’m starting out my career in Illnois’ state capital, Springfield. Out on the northeast side of town, along Dirksen Parkway, is the Fleetwood Restaurant. It’s far from fancy, but as with most of these kind of places, it’s got good food. And the Fleetwood’s specialty is “broasted” chicken. It’s moist, not greasy, seasoned just right. Darn near perfect; even the chicken breasts.
Now here’s where things get dicey for me. I’ve been railing for several years about how people get all excited to the point of making traffic jams for what is essentially just a piece of chicken on a bun, like at Chick-fil-A. But while doing my homework for this piece, I come to find out, a lot of these trendy chicken places are serving essentially broasted (or simply pressure-fried) chicken, like the chicken I loved at the Fleetwood..
“Pressure frying is also used by some of the larger food-service operations, such as KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken) and Chick-Fil-A. These companies do not use the term “broasted,” however, since it is trademarked by Broaster Company. Pressure frying can be attempted at home using special equipment.” – Encyclopedia.com
There are recipes on the interwebs for doing your own broasted chicken, though I read pressure cooker makers don’t want you doing it at home, for safety reasons. But, at the same time, apparently broasted uses less oil than fried chicken, so it’s probably healthier for you.
So back to Springfield. Springfield has some historic places still around from the legendary Route 66 era. “The Mother Road” went though Springfield. So there’s the Cozy Dog Drive-In selling batter-dipped corn dogs on a stick; and Sonrise Donuts, so it’s not health food we’re focusing on here.
I guess I need to rethink my complaining about chicken sandwiches, and focus on the traffic jams they create instead.
Read More: ‘Best I Ever Ate’? Broasted Chicken In Springfield, Illinois
#BetterBeBroaster
Sundays are about to get a whole lot better.🏈🍗
The regular season is right around the corner, and we`re already thinking about game-day essentials:
✔️ Wings
✔️ More wings
✔️ Even more wings
What`s your go-to game day order? 🍗👇
Aug 30
Operator Spotlight: Speck’s Drive-In – Collegeville, PA 🍗
For more than 70 years, Speck’s Drive-In has been serving the Collegeville community, and their Genuine Broaster Chicken® is a big reason customers keep coming back. Serving an impressive 2,700 pounds of chicken every week, Speck’s has built a reputation for delivering the crispy, juicy chicken people crave.
Still family-owned today, Speck’s continues to honor its legacy while serving up the quality, flavor, and consistency that Genuine Broaster Chicken® is known for. Whether you`re a longtime local or just passing through the area, Speck’s is a must-stop destination for a delicious meal.
If you`re in the Collegeville area, be sure to stop by and experience this local favorite for yourself!
📍 3969 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426
@specks3969
Aug 28
Some things can be cut from the budget… but Genuine Broaster Chicken isn’t one of them. 🍗💸😂
Aug 27
We’re Heading to NACS Show 2026! ✈️🎰🍗
Broaster Company is excited to exhibit at the 2026 NACS Show, October 7–9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center! 🎰
📍 Central Hall | Booth C4875
Stop by to discover how Broaster® equipment and trademark programs can help convenience store operators deliver high-quality food, improve efficiency, and grow their foodservice program.
Want to make the most of your time at NACS? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a member of our sales team and make sure we have time set aside to discuss your operation and goals.
We’ll see you in Las Vegas! 👋
Aug 25
Turn up the heat on your appetizer menu.🔥🧀
Take our crispy, cheesy Mozzarella Sticks and finish them with Nashville Hot Dust for a flavor-packed menu item that`s hard to resist.
Looking for your next menu feature? We think you just found it. 👀🌶️
Aug 23
There’s not much a little Broasted Chicken can’t fix. 🍗😉
Craving it now? Find a Genuine Broaster Chicken® location near you: https://broaster.com/store-locator/
Aug 20
Happy National Potato Day!🥔🤎
There`s no better way to celebrate than with our new Farm Style Wedges. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with homestyle flavor, they`re the perfect side dish for any menu.
Whether served alongside Genuine Broaster Chicken® or featured on their own, these wedges are sure to become a customer favorite. 🙌✨
Aug 19
Celebrating Our August Work Anniversaries! 🎉
This month, we`re recognizing several team members who are celebrating work anniversaries at Broaster Company. Their hard work, dedication, and contributions help make Broaster what it is today, and we`re grateful to have them on our team.
👏 Sean Spors – Engineering Tech – 12 Years
👏 Chris Klapper – Service Support Tech – 13 Years
👏 Brad Kotarba – Welder – 1 Year
👏 Terry Basye – Final Tester – 9 Years
👏 Mark Krueger – VP of Finance – 8 Years
Thank you for your commitment, expertise, and the positive impact you make every day. We appreciate everything you do and are proud to celebrate these milestones with you! 🎊🏆
Join us in congratulating Sean, Chris, Brad, Terry, and Mark on their work anniversaries! 👏🎉
Aug 17
This or That? 🌶️🍗
Are you sticking with the classic favorite, or turning up the heat with a little Nashville Hot flavor?
Cast your vote below!
Aug 14
Throwing it back to the 2026 @nationalrestaurantshow ! 🎥🍗
Chef Ken chatted with @calibbqmedia about Broaster Equipment and some of the delicious food items we showcased at the show. From equipment to menu solutions, the conversation highlights how Broaster Company helps operators serve quality food with confidence.
A big thank you to @calibbqmedia for creating this video and helping share our story!
And next up… the NACS Show! 🎉 Join us October 7–9 in Las Vegas and come visit us at Booth C4875. We’d love to see you there!
Aug 13
Myth vs. Fact
❌ Myth: Pressure frying makes food greasy.
✅ Fact: Pressure frying can actually reduce oil absorption compared to traditional frying.
By cooking under pressure, food retains moisture while developing the crispy texture customers love. Less oil absorption.
More flavor. That`s the power of pressure frying. 🔥🍗
Aug 11
A leader who helped shape Broaster Company into what it is today. 🤝⭐
Since becoming President & CEO in 2005, Jay Cipra has helped guide Broaster Company through years of growth, innovation, and success. Building on the foundation established in 1954, Broaster continues to expand its global market presence, strengthen foodservice partnerships, grow relationships with regional and national chain operators, and introduce new products and programs to support operators around the world.
Under Jay’s leadership, Broaster has expanded its equipment portfolio with innovations like the E-Series 24 Pressure Fryer, launched branded food programs including Broaster Express® and Rock County Smokehouse®, and invested in manufacturing automation to support continued growth.
Today, Broaster continues to build on its legacy of quality and innovation. Thank you, Jay, for your leadership, vision, and commitment to helping move the company, and the Broaster Brand, forward. 🍗
Aug 10
Sweet corn season is here, which means it`s the perfect time for fresh menu inspiration.🔥🌽✨
Pressure Fried Mexican Street Corn takes a seasonal staple and turns it into a unique menu feature that`s crispy, flavorful, and perfect for summer.
With Broaster Equipment, the menu possibilities are endless.
Aug 8
They say admitting it is the first step…
but we’d rather say we’re just dedicated to supporting local operators daily. 😋🍗
Aug 6
What makes Genuine Broaster Chicken® different?🍗
It starts with a process that`s been perfected for over 70 years. Genuine Broaster Chicken is prepared using proprietary marinades and coatings, then pressure fried in a Broaster® Pressure Fryer to create the crispy texture and juicy flavor customers know and love. It`s this unique combination of ingredients, equipment, and preparation that makes Genuine Broaster Chicken one of a kind.
That`s why there`s only one Genuine Broaster Chicken. 🙌
Aug 5
Not your typical smoker.🤤🔥🥩
The Smokaroma® Pressure Smoker helps operators create flavorful smoked menu items with less time and less hands-on labor than traditional smoking methods.
✅ Smoke up to 45 lbs. of ribs in under 90 minutes
✅ Hot smoke or cold smoke
✅ Reduce product shrinkage by up to 40%
✅ No basting, turning, or constant monitoring
From ribs and brisket to cheese and vegetables, the Smokaroma Pressure Smoker gives operators more ways to add unique smoked flavors to their menu. 🍖🧀🌽
Aug 3
