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Welcome to Pioneer Chicken - LA

LOCATIONS

Welcome to the delicious world of Pioneer Chicken - LA, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Los Angeles at 904 S Soto St. Known for its nostalgic flavors and vibrant atmosphere, this beloved establishment has been serving up mouthwatering fried chicken that takes patrons back to their childhood.

Pioneer Chicken is not just about food; it’s an experience. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by the tantalizing aroma of perfectly fried chicken and the familiar tunes from the 90s that create an inviting ambiance. The restaurant is well-maintained, featuring fresh paint and clean carpets, enhancing your dining experience.

So, what can you expect from the menu? The fried chicken is undoubtedly the star of the show. Locals rave about the crispy exterior that gives way to juicy, tender meat. The unique, thicker batter sets Pioneer apart, with customers comparing it favorably to competitors like KFC and Popeyes. One regular, Peter C., describes it as having a “stronger aroma” and “higher quality,” while others echo the sentiment with reviews highlighting the satisfying crunch and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

  • Menu Highlights:
    • 2 Pc. Basket Leg & Thigh with a small side: $8.99
    • 4 Pc. Strips Dinner with two sides and a biscuit: $14.99
    • 12 Pc. Chicken Bucket (3 of every piece): $34.99
  • Sides: While the chicken steals the spotlight, the side dishes play a supporting role. Although reviews note that the individual sides can be smaller portions, they still complement your meal. The buttermilk biscuits are particularly mentioned as heavenly, “melting in your mouth.”
  • Customer Experience: Regulars like KAMILAH G. appreciate the friendly service, stating that staff checks on guests regularly, making for a pleasant dining atmosphere.

For those craving a bit of nostalgia, Pioneer Chicken checks all the right boxes. It’s not just about satisfying your hunger; it’s about honoring memories and creating new ones with each delicious bite. Customers like Susan T. share stories of bringing Pioneer Chicken to gatherings, underscoring its status as a staple in the community.

Whether it's a quick bite or a family feast, Pioneer Chicken - LA is a place where flavorful meals meet bright memories. So if you find yourself near Soto Street, don’t miss your chance to indulge in this iconic culinary destination that promises not just great food but also a slice of nostalgia with every meal.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Pioneer Chicken - LA
Nicole P.
Nicole P.

Come here a lot. I don't care for the fries. The individual sides are pretty small cups. They charge $1.00 extra for breast with the combo. I have never been charge until today. The location is right on the corner of Soto Street and Whittier Blvd. Share parking with Western Dental. The restaurant is always clean. The staff comes out as soon as someone leaves a table and clean.

Jaime M.
Jaime M.

Just as I remember as a child juicy on the inside crispy on the outside. Restaurant was clean while playing classic music from the 90's. Service was great staff came around and asked how everything was.

Santino
Santino

the food great the service great the music great! kfc could never! if this place ever closes i will burn this planet to the ground.

Peter C.
Peter C.

This place is my JAM and will be the death of me. Batter: Pioneer uses a thicker, crispier batter. Almost tastes like beer batter, and has a very satisfying not overly seasoned aroma. This applies to gizzards, fish, and chicken. the batter. Chicken: the chicken here is a higher quality than KFC. The meat is firmer and you can taste the intra-muscular fat. The aroma of chicken is stronger than KFC or Popeyes, who's birds tend to be tender, but somewhat flat tasting. Fish: How is it they can have fish of this quality for $3.50 a piece? This is my place now for fish and chips now, thick, juicy and paired with an excellent batter. Biscuits: Melt in your mouth AND hands. They're buttery and tasty, and are quite loosely structured. It's something entirely different than I'm used to. Personally I prefer a more structured dough but I believe most will find Pioneer biscuits to be superior. Gizzards: So rare to find gizzards, I believe they boil ahead of time to break down the tissue before frying, so they're extra tender. Pairs with the hot sauce and batter sooo well.

Susan T.
Susan T.

did someone say "fried chicken"? omg, if you have a unstoppable craving for fried chicken, run don't walk, to the one and only, pioneer chicken! it is without a doubt, the best of the best. worth the drive. there are just two locations left in greater los angeles. and trust me, it is delicious with a capital D! it is the most requested item that i bring to gatherings. in fact, when people see me at the gathering...first words outta their mouths = did you bring the pioneer?! more of a demand vs. question. the delight that this fried chicken brings to folks is hard to describe. suffice to say, it is always the go-to. get you some!

Billy P.
Billy P.

pioneer chicken has nostalgic Value for me . From eating there as a kid . Someone fixed this one up It's nice in there . It's clean and fresh And they we're playing good music. Also I noticed that the chicken was less greasy and less salty. Leave a tip . They have a tip jar in the counter.

KeOni L.
KeOni L.

Food: 4.5 Mics Service: 5 Mics Ambiance: 3 Mics Nostalgia rules this place. The is feeling said going back in time. Food: The fried chicken is an overwhelming satisfying crunch in every bite. The meat was juicy and melts in your mouth. This chicken goes to 11. The side are mid level and the Orange Bang takes you. Service: The service was excellent. There were smiles and friendly workers. My friend went hard on the bottomless orange bangs. Ambiance: The restaurant was clean but also reminded me of a scene from Pulp Fiction. The seated area was carpeted. There were no restrooms that I was aware of. All in all, stop by this 5 mic fried chicken joint. Skip the sides and fill up on more chicken.

KAMILAH G.
KAMILAH G.

We decided to come down today as an ode to our childhood and satisfy a craving for bomb fried chicken! Well the restaurant is located on the corner with a nice sized parking lot. The place is maintained excellently! Super clean...new carpet, fresh paint... just plain clean! The guy that took our order was polite and nice. Food came out in about 20 minutes! It's made fresh to order. We ordered 12 pc value Pack which includes 12 strips and 2 large sides... we got regular fries and mashed potatoes and gravy... an order of biscuits and 2 breasts. Everything was hot, fresh, delicious! Like just really delicious. We paid $70, a deal considering the amount of food. All of the staff were friendly and checked on us every 15 min or so.

Angela N.
Angela N.

ooooh brother! This place is amazing! My fiancé took me here as tour of chidhood. His mom use to take him here as kid and raved about their food. I am please to report the quality of food has remained the same decades later. Service was good. They took their time with each customer and did not rush anyone while ordering. The restaurant is quaint and clean. Now.. what you came for.. the fried chicken. OMG! it was flavorful and fried to perfection. Each bite was juicy and delicious. The biscuit with ketchup! yummmy

Bonnie S.
Bonnie S.

‼Krabby Patties FOUND‼ Shhh! Pioneer Chicken - Boyle Heights manager Ernesto dressed up like Mr. Krabs and tricked SpongeBob SquarePants to be a fry cook at Pioneer Chicken off of S Soto Street. I saw SpongeBob behind the food window. I was shocked! SpongeBob right now has no clue that he is at Pioneer Chicken instead of The Krusty Krab in Bikini Bottom. This Krabby Patty has crispy chicken patty, slaw, pickles and special sauce sandwich between two soft buns. The Krabby Patty does have a kick to it because it's spicy. Love it! Served with some crispy seasoned fries and a pineapple whip! Come check them out whiles supplies last until October 27, 2024!