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
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Happy National Onion Ring Day!🧅✨
Our Beer Battered Onion Rings start with whole slices of sweet Spanish onions and finish with a crispy, golden beer batter coating that keeps customers coming back for more.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our frozen foods!
Jun 22
🍗 + 🥔 = the perfect pair.
Our Savory Crunch Wedges are thick-cut, perfectly seasoned, and built to complement every bite of Genuine Broaster Chicken®.
Crispy outside. Tender inside. Delicious all around. 😋
Reach out to us today for more information.
Jun 19
Operator Highlight @fattscafe 🌟
Serving up Genuine Broaster Chicken® along with smash burgers, paninis, pizza, wings, shrimp, cheese curds, and more, Fat T`s Cafe is a must-visit in Cresco, Iowa! 🍗🍔🍕
Stop in for great food and enjoy a selection of beers, seltzers, and Frisky Fox wines. 🍺🍷
📍 128 N Elm St, Cresco, IA
📞 (563) 547-1060
Have you tried Fat T`s Cafe? Let us know your favorite menu item! ⬇️
Jun 17
Let`s start at the beginning.🍗💡🕰️
Before Broaster® became a trusted name in foodservice, there was L.A.M. Phelan, an inventor driven by innovation. In 1954, he introduced the Broaster® Pressure Fryer, pioneering a cooking method that delivered crispy, juicy chicken while improving efficiency in the kitchen.
More than 70 years later, his invention is still helping operators serve great food every day. Innovation starts with an idea.
Jun 15
MYTH: Frozen food means lower quality.❌
FACT: High-quality frozen products help ensure consistency, reduce waste, and simplify kitchen operations. Starting with a ready-to-cook program doesn`t mean sacrificing quality, it means serving great food with greater efficiency.✅
Broaster Express® is the perfect example, delivering the taste, quality, and convenience operators need to keep customers coming back for more.🍗
Less waste. More consistency. Happy customers.
Jun 12
At some point, you’ve just got to let the chicken do the talking. 🍗✨
The crispy coating. The juicy chicken. The flavor.
Ready to see what the hype is about? Visit our website to find Genuine Broaster Chicken® near you.
Jun 11
Happy National Herbs & Spices Day! 🌶️
When people think of Broaster®, they often think of chicken—but our seasonings bring bold flavor to so much more.
Turn up the heat with Nashville Hot. With the perfect balance of flavor and spice, it`s an easy way to add a fiery kick to chicken, sandwiches, wedges, fries, and more.
What would you try with Nashville Hot Spice? 🔥👇
Jun 10
Did You Know? 🤔🍗
Pressure frying does more than cook chicken, it helps seal in moisture!
By cooking under pressure in a sealed environment, natural juices stay locked inside the chicken instead of escaping during the cooking process. The result? Chicken that`s juicier, more tender, and packed with flavor in every bite. 😋
Ready to elevate your operation with pressure frying? Reach out to us today to learn more about our Broaster® Pressure Fryers.🍗
Jun 8
Celebrating 5 Years at Broaster Company! 🎉
Please join us in congratulating Sam B., IT Manager, and Melinda N., FSQA Specialist, on reaching their 5-year anniversaries with Broaster Company.
We are fortunate to have such dedicated team members whose hard work and commitment help drive our success every day.
Congratulations, Sam and Melinda, on this exciting milestone. We appreciate all that you do! 👏
Jun 5
In Wisconsin, National Cheese Day calls for Battered Cheddar Curds 🧀🍺
Dipped in batter infused with craft beer straight from the keg and par-fried to crispy perfection, these golden bites are the ultimate way to celebrate America’s Dairyland.
Add these crowd-pleasing curds to your menu today!
Jun 4
They say money can’t buy happiness… but I’ve never been sad after Genuine Broaster Chicken. 🍗😏
Ready to find your happiness? Visit Broaster.com to find a location near you!
Jun 3
A big congratulations to Father and Son Pizzeria for earning the Golden Chicken Award! 🏆🍗
For almost 30 years, they’ve been proudly serving Genuine Broaster Chicken® to the Chesterfield community, delivering quality and flavor since 1997.
The Golden Chicken Award recognizes distinguished Genuine Broaster Chicken® operators who go above and beyond—and this recognition is truly well deserved.
If you`re in the area, be sure to stop by and support this incredible operator! 👏
50770 Gratiot Ave.
23 Mile Rd.
Chesterfield, MI 48051
Jun 1
What an incredible 4 days at the National Restaurant Association Show! 🍗
We served over 2 tons of chicken, showcased live demos, connected with incredible operators, and had the opportunity to meet with so many valued clients and partners. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth—we loved sharing what makes Genuine Broaster Chicken® stand out.
Already looking forward to next year! 👏
May 27
This week`s ✨ Operator Spotlight ✨ goes to Richmaid Restaurant in Lodi, California!
Richmaid Restaurant is an iconic dining destination that you just can`t help but love. This restaurant has that old school charm with a delicious menu, including Genuine Broaster Chicken! 🍗 This is a really special spot, be sure to give them a visit!
Thank you for being a loyal #GenuineBroasterChicken operator! ♥️ #BetterBeBroaster
May 26
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
