Popeyes seems to have been appearing all over my socials recently. The New Orleans fried chicken chain has been in the UK since 2021. Since then, it’s expanded rapidly, aiming to have 100 UK stores by the end of 2025.
The branch in Chelmsford, Essex, opened in June 2022: the brand’s first sit-down restaurant in the UK. I’ve walked past the place a ridiculous number of times when back in Essex, visiting family. Now, I’m proud to say I’ve lost my Popeyes virginity – and there will definitely be more visits to come.
The first thing that impressed me was the prices. We ordered using the self-service machines, but I’d also downloaded the Popeyes app beforehand – worth doing, as there are regular special offers available. We paid around £28 for lunch for the three of us – and the adult meals were HUGE.
After we’d ordered, we could keep an eye on progress via screens above the counter showing ticket numbers, and the food was brought to our table, which made things easy and relaxed.
The kids’ meal was incredible value at just £2.99, plus an extra 50p to upgrade his drink to a milkshake. He was absolutely delighted, not only with the portion size, but also the taste. He announced that his milkshake was better than other fast-food chains, and his chicken sandwich disappeared in record time, with just a couple of fries remaining once he was done.
I opted for the large Hot Honey Sandwich Box Meal (£12.29) and was very pleasantly surprised. The portion size was enormous, starting with a soft brioche bun stuffed with a huge chicken breast in a perfectly crunchy coating, topped with Cheddar and pickles, drenched in a sticky-sweet hot honey sauce that balanced spice and sweetness perfectly.
The box meal included fries, and I chose the regular rather than Cajun-spiced variety. They were fresh, hot, well-seasoned and generously portioned; no complaints here.
To round out the meal, you can pick between wings (bone-in or boneless) and tenders. I went with boneless wings, which were spot on: juicy, tender chicken with that signature crisp coating. The meal also came with a refillable soda. Instead of being limited to one option, I was given a cup to fill at the drinks machines (similar to those you’ll find at Five Guys) with a wide range of choices.
Overall, Popeyes Chelmsford delivered a fantastic first experience. The food was generous, well-prepared and full of flavour – in all honesty, it far exceeded my initial expectations. With great value kids’ meals, a varied menu for adults and regular special offers via the Popeyes app, we’ll definitely be back.