Kentucky takes its fried chicken seriously, and Lexington is no exception. Plenty of big names compete for attention around town, yet some of the most loyal fans keep driving past them.
Their destination is a modest, family-owned shack that has been frying chicken for years without much fuss. Regulars stop by once or twice a week, out-of-towners plan detours around it, and a few travelers insist they cannot leave the state without a box in hand.
The menu stretches well beyond the bird, with Southern sides, seafood, and BBQ filling out the board. Prices stay friendly, the drive-thru keeps moving, and the spicy chicken has its own fan club.
There are a few quirks worth knowing before ordering, too. Read on to learn where it sits, what to order, and how to plan a smart visit.
A Roosevelt Boulevard Address Worth Knowing
Some of the best chicken in town hides in plain sight. Grimes’s Fast Food sits at 325 Roosevelt Blvd, Lexington, KY 40508, in the United States.
Google lists it simply as a chicken restaurant. Locals describe it as an old-school fried chicken shack, and that label fits nicely.
The building is small and unassuming. Nobody comes here for fancy architecture or polished decor.
Instead, the appeal is the food and the long history behind it. The kitchen turns out fried chicken alongside seafood, BBQ, and a lineup of Southern side dishes.
Its local standing is solid, with a 4.2-star average across more than 1,200 opinions on Google. That kind of volume points to a place people return to again and again.
A drive-thru handles much of the traffic. A counter inside serves walk-in customers when the dining room is open.
Finding the spot is straightforward for anyone already in Lexington. Roosevelt Boulevard is easy to reach from many parts of the city.
Out-of-town travelers have stumbled across it while searching for fried chicken during a day trip. More than a few left as new fans, which says plenty about first impressions.
So the address is set. Next comes the story of who keeps the fryers running.
Family Roots Behind the Fryer
Family businesses carry a certain weight in a town like Lexington. This one is described as longtime and family-owned, a status it has held while chains came and went.
That ownership shows up in small ways. The owner gets mentioned as very friendly, and some guests say the staff treat them like family.
One past customer even recalled eating at a Saron Drive location. That detail hints at the brand having had a wider footprint in town at some point.
The phrase that comes up repeatedly is cooking with love and pride. Fans traveling from as far as New York City say that care makes a difference, and they rank the chicken above what they find back home.
Kentucky and fried chicken share a famous connection. Here, the tradition feels personal rather than corporate.
Owner responses to online feedback are short and polite. They thank people for their time and say they hope to see them again.
That steady, low-key approach matches the shack itself. No flashy marketing, just a business that keeps showing up for its neighborhood.
History sets the stage, but the menu is where the real fan base forms. And it starts with one very popular choice.
The Spicy Chicken Fan Club
Ask a regular what to order, and the answer often comes fast: get it spicy. The spicy chicken earns its own steady stream of praise.
One weekly customer recommends a 10-piece, always spicy, with a few sides. Their prediction is that nothing will be left over.
A family visiting from Northern Kentucky had a memorable moment here. After ordering, an employee insisted they try the spicy version and brought out four wings as a sample.
They called those wings truly incredible. The place became one of their favorites on the spot.
Wings are the most talked-about item overall, with dozens of mentions. They come crispy, and group orders of mixed wings are common.
Not every batch hits the mark. Some feel the wings could use more seasoning, and one longtime fan once received chicken that was not fully breaded.
Still, many call it some of the best fried chicken in Lexington. Combo meals pair regular or spicy chicken with biscuits and potato wedges.
A chicken sandwich also earns compliments. For a lighter grab, it is a handy alternative to a full box.
Heat seekers have their pick. But the next item proves the potatoes deserve a spotlight too.
Potato Wedges That Convert Skeptics
Potato wedges rarely get top billing. Here, they practically share it with the chicken.
Even people who claim not to like wedges admit these are fantastic. Others call the chicken and wedges outstanding together, and one couple who tried the combos singled out the wedges as very good.
They show up in many combo meals by default. That makes them the side most people try first.
One small heads-up applies. Wedges are cooked in batches, so a fresh round may mean a short wait during busy stretches.
Occasionally, a batch comes out overdone. Most of the time, though, they are the reason people order a second box.
Fans treat them like a signature item rather than filler. It is a quiet win for a humble side.
Wedges are only the start of the side menu. The full list is long enough to cause some friendly indecision.
So Many Sides, So Little Plate Space
Choosing sides here can turn into a small personal crisis. There are so many options that even decisive eaters hesitate.
Mac and cheese is a frequent pick. Greens and yams draw compliments, while corn on the cob and fried green tomatoes appear on many orders.
Baked beans earn praise even from tougher critics. Red beans and rice round out the classic Southern lineup.
Fried cauliflower is a sleeper hit. Fans pair it with yum yum sauce, which carries a little kick.
Opinions vary on a few items. Some feel the mac and cheese or red beans need more seasoning, and the mashed potatoes get skipped by certain regulars.
Fried green tomatoes divide the room. Some love them, while others find the portion small for the price.
Gravy has a house rule worth knowing. It comes on the mashed potatoes, and a separate cup can cost extra.
Condiments such as hot sauce may carry a small charge as well. Planning ahead avoids surprises at the window.
Sides set the table. Yet the menu still has a few deeper cuts waiting.
Livers, Fish, and Peach Cobbler
Beyond the main event lies a menu of loyal-following favorites. Fried chicken livers top that list for certain fans.
Liver lovers talk about a crispy outside and tender inside. For them, the order feels like comfort and tradition in one box.
Seafood fills another corner of the board. Fish dinners are popular, and catfish appears among the most mentioned items.
One food professional questioned whether the fish is truly catfish, suggesting it may be swai. Families who ordered fish dinners still reported enjoying them.
BBQ also appears on the menu. A pork chop sandwich has its own small fan base too.
For dessert, peach cobbler gets called out by name. It makes a natural ending to a Southern meal.
These items show the shack is more than a one-trick operation. There is room to explore on a second or third trip.
With the menu covered, the next question is what the experience feels like on a given day.
Drive-Thru Rhythm and Counter Culture
Most meals here start in a car. The drive-thru carries much of the load, especially during busy hours.
On good days, the food comes out fast. Many guests describe the staff as friendly and engaging.
Experiences are not always uniform, though. Some have waited a long time when an item like wedges was still cooking, and a few found the counter staff stern.
A practical tip from regulars: check the order before driving off. Missing pieces or wrong wing mixes have happened, and calling back is not always easy.
The menu board can feel rushed from the drive-thru lane with cars behind. Knowing the order ahead of time helps everyone.
Inside, the counter serves as a pickup point when open. The setting is casual and practical.
This is a spot for quick pickup, family dinners at home, and lunch breaks. It suits people who value the food over the frills.
Speaking of family dinners, large groups have their own success stories here.
Feeding a Crowd Made Easy
Big gatherings need a reliable plan. Group orders here have a good track record.
One customer ordered for 20 to 30 people. The order was ready on time, and the kitchen added three extra-large sides at no charge.
Another large order came out quickly. The group praised the friendly staff and enjoyed the greens and yams.
Bucket-style counts like 10-piece and 18-piece wing orders are common. They make sharing simple.
Price per person stays reasonable. Google lists the typical range at about 10 to 20 dollars.
For mixed wing orders, it helps to confirm the mix at pickup. That small step keeps the party happy.
Calling ahead also makes sense for very large orders. The shack has shown it can handle the volume.
Crowd or solo, timing matters. The hours come next.
Hours, Budget, and a Fair Verdict
Late cravings have a home here. The shack opens at 10 AM Monday through Saturday and at 11 AM on Sunday.
Closing time is 10 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday stretch to 11 PM, while Sunday wraps at 10 PM.
Meals generally land in the 10 to 20 dollar range per person. Extras like hot sauce or separate gravy may add a little.
The official website, grimessfastfood.com, is useful for checking current details before heading out.
So where does it land overall? A 4.2-star average across a large crowd suggests mostly happy customers with an occasional off day.
Fans praise the spicy chicken, wings, wedges, and livers. Some wish for more seasoning or smoother service at times.
For anyone chasing a family-owned Kentucky chicken experience, this shack makes a strong case. Order spicy, check the box, and grab a side or two you rarely find elsewhere.
Lexington has plenty of chicken. This one keeps earning its spot on the local shortlist.
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