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
Remember and Honor this Memorial Day 🇺🇸
May 25
We are taking it back to 1979 ⏪ for another piece of our #BroasterHistory that you might not know about.
Broaster/Alco purchases the rights to manufacture and sell the Clark Broiler, a countertop plugin electric radiant broiler unit. ⚡ #BetterBeBroaster
May 22
Our smallest unit can still get the job done right! This is our Broaster 1600 Pressure Fryer 💪
This is our smallest footprint, most cost-effective medium-capacity pressure fryer available. Compact, reliable and easy to use, this unit uses only 3.2 square feet of floorspace under the hood.
Contact your local distributor to learn more!
@rmd_5_2_8_0
@tsbldistributingmn
@taylorfreezerscalifornia
@midwestequipmentco
@woodfoodsystems
@taylorfreezermi
@taylornewengland
@smokendudesbbq
@laneequipment
May 21
Our team is gearing up for the National Restaurant Association Show starting this weekend in Chicago, IL!
Will you be there? Stop by Booth #3801 and schedule a demo with us🍗 #2026RestaurantShow
May 14
We hear today is National Eat Whatever You Want Day so… we`re obviously eating Genuine Broaster Chicken! 🍴🍗
Today is the perfect day for you to grab some, too. Visit broaster.com to find a store near you! #NationalEatWhateverYouWantDay #BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
May 11
Where are all our FOODIES at? Today is #NationalFoodiesDay. What`s our favorite food, you ask? All things #BroasterFoods 😋♥️👏
May 9
Golf AND Genuine Broaster Chicken? ⛳🍗 Count us in!
This week’s Operator Spotlight is Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club in sunny Sarasota, Florida ☀️ Known for top-tier food and exceptional service, this club truly has it all.
Thanks for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken operator! 🙌 #BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
May 7
Our Smokaroma Pressure Smoker is a fan favorite nationwide 🔥
Get that rich, juicy smoked flavor in a fraction of the time while also reducing shrink by up to 40% and saving space with its compact footprint.
Ready to see it in action? Contact your local distributor to schedule a demo or get yours today!
@rmd_5_2_8_0
@tsbldistributingmn
@taylorfreezerscalifornia
@midwestequipmentco
@woodfoodsystems
@taylorfreezermi
@taylornewengland
@smokendudesbbq
@laneequipment
May 5
Today we`re heading back to 1977, a big move for Broaster! 🏡
After outgrowing our Rockton, Illinois facility, we leveled up and relocated all operations to a brand-new, 56,000 sq. ft. headquarters on 3 acres in Beloit, Wisconsin. #BroasterHistory #BetterBeBroaster
May 4
Chicago, we’re ready! 🍴 The @nationalrestaurantshow is THIS MONTH! 🤩
We are so excited to be back at Booth #3801 serving up all our Broaster favorites and showcasing our top quality equipment. 🍗✨
Schedule a private demo with us today! Visit us online at broaster.com
May 1
Regular or Spicy? Why choose when you can have both 🔥
Our Breaded Chicken Fillets are made from tender, 100% whole breast fillet - never formed, chopped, or processed. Just premium cuts, done right. 🍗
Now available nationwide through @dotfoodsofficial
Apr 30
This week’s Operator Spotlight goes to The Inn Restaurant and Bar in Cedar Rapids, Iowa ⭐️
From Genuine Broaster Chicken to pizza, Friday night fish fry, and calzones...there’s something delicious for everyone on the menu! 🙌
If you’re in the area, stop by and give them a try. Thanks for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken operator! 🍗 #BetterBeBroaster
Apr 28
Meet the Broaster® 2400 🔥
This machine is built for high-demand operations that need speed, consistency, and serious output. With the capacity to cook up to 64 pieces of fresh bone-in chicken in as little as 11 minutes, this pressure fryer keeps your rush moving and your customers coming back.
More product. Faster service. Bigger sales. 🍗💥 Learn more from your local distributor:
@rmd_5_2_8_0
@tsbldistributingmn
@taylorfreezerscalifornia
@midwestequipmentco
@woodfoodsystems
@taylorfreezermi
@taylornewengland
@smokendudesbbq
Apr 27
Genuine Broaster Chicken has been a staple in supper clubs, bars, convenience stores, grocery stores, food trucks, colleges & universities, and more! For over 65 years, we’ve delivered a proven fried chicken solution operators trust 🍗✨
Adding a chicken program to your location is a big decision, but we`re here to make that decision easy. Visit us online at broaster.com to get started!
Apr 24
The Broaster Team is out at the Dot Innovations show in Houston sampling from our delicious ready to cook product line. Be sure to ask about case credits booked at the show! @dotfoodsofficial
Apr 23
Golden, crispy, and built for the lunch rush 🔥🥔
Our Savory Crunch Wedges deliver thick-cut Idaho potatoes coated in a bold, zesty pepper-seasoned crunch your customers will crave. Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside—every bite hits.
✔️ Frozen & ready to cook
✔️ Quick cook time = faster service
✔️ Excellent hold time for peak hours
The perfect side to keep up with your busiest days without sacrificing quality or flavor. Now available nationwide through @dotfoodsofficial
Apr 21
