My old fishing and hunting buddy, Ed Dent, was the first to tell me how good the chicken was at Payton’s Grocery in Stanardsville. Ed worked at Swift Air Delivery at the time, a mile or so from the small Citgo/Grocery/Deli and made near daily lunchtime trips to get his chicken fix.
“I’m addicted,” Ed said. “It’s the best fried chicken you’ve ever tasted.”
The next time I passed through Stanardsville on Spotswood Trail, I stopped in, ordered a couple pieces and Ed was right. Their fried chicken is out of sight.
It’s funny how you can sometimes find really good food at out-of-the-way places. Payton‘s is such a diamond in the rough.
In Greene County, Payton’s chicken is the stuff of legend. They cater large parties or small. One customer said they ordered 200 pieces with only one day’s notice and it was no problem.
The store has an active deli and puts together interesting subs and sandwiches, but the Fried Chicken is where it’s at. Their Cole Slaw is also excellent, and they make some of the tastiest Potato Wedges anywhere. Fried perfectly, never greasy.
Also, it’s getting harder and harder to find a place that cooks chicken livers. KFC stopped offering them a few years back, but every Wednesday and Friday, the chefs at Payton’s will cook up a big batch of deep-fried chicken livers.
Payton’s also offers breakfast items and opens at 6 am, Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday at 8 am. They close up shop on 8:30 throughout the week and at 5 pm on Sundays. They only do take-out, but you can call ahead at 434- 985-3699. The address is 9658 Spotswood Trail.
If Fried Chicken is your thing, make sure to stop by Payton’s next time you’re passing through Stanardsville.