Tri-Cities clamors for taste of Popeye’s chicken. Long lines prove it
Cars lined the block for two days in a row as drivers clamored to try the Tri-Cities’ newest restaurant.
The first Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen in the Tri-Cities opened on Thursday in Kennewick, and was met with wild enthusiasm from diners.
Just minutes after opening on Friday morning the drive-through line already circled the building and stretched the length of the neighboring Econo Lodge hotel along Dennis Street.
Popeye’s was ready though with attendants keeping drivers from backing up highway traffic by blocking off the Highway 395 entrance, and helping diners queue along the street out back.
“Popeyes at your own risk the line goes all the way behind the Econo Lodge so I’d say about 30-45 cars,” one passerby posted on social media Thursday.
Another person posted this report from his mother who was in the line: “Shout out to Popeye’s. I hope they anticipated this lol. They have an employee standing at that side street to make sure no one turns right and cuts the line. ....She’s crazy for waiting in the line but I LOOOOVE that chicken from Popeyes so im excited lol!!
Popeye’s has been a fixture in the fried chicken business for decades, but shot to a new level in 2019 when they took aim at Chick-Fil-A with a gourmet chicken sandwich.
The Kennewick location is at 240 N. Ely St. on the northeast corner where 395 intersects with Vista Way and Clearwater Avenue. A second location in Pasco is under construction.
This story was originally published August 5, 2022 at 12:19 PM.
