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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Where are you grabbing your Genuine Broaster Chicken® from for the big game this weekend? 🍗
Show your favorite spot some love and tag them in the comments! Also, who are you rooting for? 🏈 #BetterBeBroaster
Feb 7
Your wife doesn`t want flowers. She wants Genuine Broaster Chicken ❤️🍗✨ #BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #ValentinesDay
Feb 6
Football and chicken wings? Say less. 🏈🍗
Chef Ken is in the kitchen showing off six crave-worthy wing options you can run this weekend, or anytime! From bold marinades to crispy coatings and a hot new finish, these flavors are built to win on game day and beyond.
Featuring:
Chickite® Marinade – Product # 96636
Chickite Supreme Marinade – Product # 96504
Slo-Bro® Coating – Product # 96635
Slo-Bro Extra Spicy Coating – Product # 96403
Crispy Cajun Coating – Product # 95013
NEW Nashville Hot Dust – Product # 95239
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Feb 3
Time to turn up the heat 🔥 Our NEW Nashville Hot Dust is here!
Designed to be shaken on post-cook, this fiery seasoning brings the signature kick of Nashville hot right to your menu. Perfectly balanced with smoky spice, cayenne heat, and a hint of savory sweetness, it delivers that craveable flavor customers can’t resist. Ideal for chicken, fries, potato wedges, and more! Contact your local distributor to get yours.
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Feb 2
Need a fast food solution that works as hard as you do—right from the start? 👀 🍔
From plug-in to serving customers, it’s designed for grab-and-go environments, tight spaces, and peak-hour rushes. No hood. No flipping. No mess. Just two perfectly cooked burgers in under a minute—every time.
Whether you’re launching a new menu, adding a high-margin item, or keeping lines moving, Instant Burger® makes it easy to serve hot, fresh burgers fast—even with minimal staff.
Big flavor. Small footprint. Serious speed. #BetterBeBroaster #InstantBurger #ConvenienceStore
Jan 30
Got plans for the big game? We’ve been busy in the kitchen testing out crave-worthy chicken wing recipes—so you don’t have to. 🍗🏈
Stay tuned for a new video next week with Chef Ken, breaking down all the wing varieties you can add to your menu and win on game day.
Jan 29
Chef Ken is in the kitchen making Broaster`s twist on a Canadian favorite, Poutine! 😋
Ingredients:
🥔 Savory Crunch Potato Wedge (Item #96425)
🧀 Battered Cheddar Curds (Item #96324)
🍽️ Top with Gravy
🌿 Garnish with Parsley
That`s it! Grab these items from your local distributor. Give it a try and let us know what you think. #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 27
We get asked all the time, “What IS Broaster Chicken?” Well, we go way back. 👇
Broaster Company started with one simple idea — make better fried chicken, faster. 🍗 In 1953, inventor L.A.M. Phelan combined a pressure cooker and a deep fryer into one revolutionary machine. That invention became the very first Broaster Pressure Fryer — and changed the game forever.
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Jan 26
This week’s Operator Spotlight goes to Pop’s Uptown Supper Club in Antioch, IL! 💯
Where warm hospitality meets uptown charm, Pop’s delivers Supper Club classics with a fresh twist. From hearty sandwiches and comforting pastas to perfectly cooked steaks and seafood straight from the wood-fired grill, every dish is made to impress. 🔥🍽️ Of course, you can`t forget to also order the Broasted Chicken! 🍗
Pop’s Uptown Supper Club is the perfect place to sit back, savor great food, and enjoy a true Supper Club experience. 😎 Thank you for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken operator!
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Jan 22
Meet our Smokaroma, the game-changing smoker you`ve been waiting for! 🔥
At Broaster, we know that great smoked food drives customers back again and again — but waiting half a day for a traditional pit isn’t always an option. That’s where the Smokaroma Pressure Smoker steps in: a compact powerhouse that delivers real smokehouse flavor in a fraction of the time.
Imagine smoking up to 45 lbs of ribs in under 90 minutes — juicy, tender, and full of flavor — without constant watching, turning, or basting. That’s efficient smoking that boosts kitchen productivity and keeps your customers asking for more. 🔥🍖 Request a quote from your local distributor today!
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Jan 20
It’s snowing in Beloit, Wisconsin today! ❄️☃️ What’s the weather like where you’re located?
Jan 16
Best Mozzarella Sticks on the market? Easily Broaster ones! Our cheese pull doesn`t lie 🧀
Made with real Mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano. These cheese sticks are coated with a light breading that will bring your customers back again and again. ✨ Ready to cook in minutes—perfect for appetizers, sides, or quick grab ‘n go!
Now available nationwide through Dot Foods.
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Jan 15
Stock up on flavor! 😋
Our ready-to-cook Broaster Foods® are top-quality and crave-worthy — from classic chicken to bold, unique flavor profiles. Perfect for busy customers, perfect for your bottom line.
➡️ Learn more about our ready-to-cook food lineup at broaster.com
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Jan 14
New year, same great equipment! Our 1800 Pressure Fryer is our most popular model, offering the best combination of production capacity & space efficiency! The built-in oil filtration makes filtering safe and easy, and it can cook up to 40 pieces of fresh, bone-in chicken in as little as 10 minutes.
🔥Designed for max space efficiency
🔥18” in overall width
🔥Available in gas or electric models
🔥Touch screen controller option now standard
Contact your local distributor today to get yours! #BetterBeBroaster
Jan 12
Please join us in welcoming Lance Ellis to Broaster Company as our new National Sales Manager! ✨
Lance brings extensive experience in foodservice manufacturing and distribution, with a proven track record in domestic and international sales leadership, national account management, and organizational development. His background aligns seamlessly with the Broaster Company commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions to operators worldwide.
In his role, Lance will lead national sales initiatives and support strategic growth across Broaster’s portfolio of pressure fryers, ventless solutions, and ready to cook menu items, while strengthening key partnerships and expanding Genuine Broaster Chicken and Broaster Express branded programs. 🍗
Lance is known for his relationship-driven leadership style, ability to align teams around shared goals, and focus on long-term customer success. We’re excited to have him on board as we continue expanding our reach and delivering value to foodservice operators globally.
Welcome to the team, Lance! 🎉
Jan 8
Operator Spotlight! ✨
This week’s spotlight goes to Reinbeck Country Food in Reinbeck, Iowa — a local grocery store with a full-service deli packed with quality meats and delicious prepared foods. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of goodies, including Genuine Broaster Chicken and Broaster Express products, made fresh for customers who want great taste and convenience.
If you’re ever traveling through Iowa, be sure to stop in and check them out! 🔥
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Jan 6
