Customers rave about Critchfield’s chicken – an old, favorite recipe in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Have you visited the newly opened Critchfield Meats on Southland Drive in Lexington?

When it was a Save-a-Lot, many people thought it had the best fried chicken on the planet. Well, Critchfield has stayed true to that secret recipe. Many viewers told WTVQ that it’s still perfect.

“Honey, just look at that,” Inza Biggerstaff said. She was a shopping at Critchfield Meats Thursday. Doesn’t that look wonderful? Whew! I love the chicken.”

Seasoned, breaded and fried to perfection – that’s what customers at Critchfield Meats have to say about its chicken.

“You need to come and try it because you are really missing out on a wonderful, wonderful chicken, and you don’t have to cook it,” Biggerstaff said.

In fact, Biggerstaff says she hasn’t fried her own chicken in years – ever since Slone’s first came up with the recipe.

Then, she said when Save-a-Lot bought Slone’s and inherited the recipe, she remained loyal to the dish she fell in love with.

“Then Save-A-Lot sold to Critchfield and now Critchfield, I suppose, got the recipe and so now they are having the best chicken in town,” Biggerstaff said.

President Mark Critchfield says that’s all true, and while the recipe has helped, he says community support has also played a big part.

He says the plan was never to move, only to expand its former location in Zandale Shopping Center, but he’s happy because he feels a part of the neighborhood.

“All that loyalty followed us along with the location and the chicken recipe, so it’s been a good marriage,” Critchfield said.

Misty Stone said she was also around to see the recipe change hands several times. She said it’s more than food though; it’s a communal thing – a rite of passage to Lexington, and also a great way to support local businesses.

“Anything that we can do to contribute to that I’m happy to do it, especially when you’re getting some awesome chicken in the process,” Stone said. Why not?”

ABC 36’s Bobbi McSwine had to try it herself. She approved.