Tue, 05 May 2026 16:14:35 +0000

You’re Eating Nothing But Rubber When That Fried Chicken Isn’t Local? Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve ever taken a bite of what you thought was classic Southern fried chicken—only to find it dry, knotty, or worse, tasting odd—you might be asking: Am I really eating real fried chicken? Or am I actually just eating rubber? The short answer? You could be. In a growing number of restaurants and fast-casual chains, authentic regional fried chicken is being replaced by mass-produced imitations designed more for consistency than flavor. The result? A sandwich or bucket that doesn’t deliver the melt-in-your-mouth experience of genuine fried chicken—because it’s not made with fresh ingredients, proper brining, or traditional techniques. ### Why Local, Authentic Fried Chicken Matters