It is 190 miles from Charlottesville to Greensboro via Rt. 29. I know the stretch well, as my daughter Angelin and her family live in North Carolina and there are grandchildren there that require regular visits. There is also one place to eat along the way that has the best fried chicken you have ever put in your mouth. And that is the Chicken Coop at the Nelson Food Market.
The Chicken Coop occupies the back end of an otherwise ordinary convenience store/gas station. You would never in your life imagine that such delicious chicken lies within this store, but it really does. It is so good, that Nancy and I often stop either coming from or going to Greensboro. We stopped there last Sunday, in fact, and ordered chicken.
Nancy got the 2 Piece Meal. I think it was $8.95, but it came with 2 pieces of chicken, potato wedges, 2 sides and a roll. The thing that impressed me was when I asked which 2 pieces of chicken came with the meal, the friendly waitress said, “Whichever two you want.”
Normally, a 2 piece meal would include a wing, or for sure a leg, but if you want two breasts or two thighs, just give the word, at no extra charge.
The Chicken Coop uses pressure fryers so the chicken is crispy on the outside and exploding with juices on the inside every time. The batter they use is excellent and the girl operating the fryers in the back has been there at least ten years that I know of.
Another nice thing, they are all friendly people, glad to have your business. There are a number of places that serve fried chicken in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, but none of them comes close to the Chicken Coop. This is as good as it gets.
The Chicken Coop is located at 40 Front Street in Lovingston, just off Rt. 29, across the highway from the small strip mall and a MacDonalds. There is a stoplight there and you turn left if you’re heading south on 29.
Allow about ten minutes for your order because they cook everything fresh, no chicken fried ahead and put aside under a heat lamp. It is piping hot and super good every single time.
Next time you’re heading down 29 south, stop at the Chicken Coop and treat yourself to a couple pieces of hot, deliciously fried chicken. You won’t regret it and you will be back.