News Luverne’s Chicken Shack Wins Bama’s Best Fried Chicken Contest

Luverne’s Chicken Shack Wins Bama’s Best Fried Chicken Contest

Luverne’s Chicken Shack Wins Bama’s Best Fried Chicken Contest
September 19, 2018 |

Every week in the small town of Luverne, 2,000 pounds of chicken are marinated, deep-fried and served up to happy patrons at the Chicken Shack.

The popular poultry purveyor, located along U.S. Highway 331, recently claimed the title of Bama’s Best Fried Chicken in a contest hosted on “Simply Southern TV’s” Facebook page.

“We always knew we had a good product, but we were overwhelmed to see so many people vote for us,” said Chicken Shack co-owner Michael Money. “Even people from out of state voted because they stop here on the way to the beach. It seems like once people have tried our chicken, they always come back.”

The Chicken Shack has been a Luverne staple since Nick and Dot Nichols opened it in 1968. Henry Money was the restaurant’s second owner before he handed the reins over to his sons, Michael and Drew.

“Since 1968, we’ve used the same marinade and breading for our chicken. It hasn’t let anybody down, so we’re not going to change it,” Drew said.

Contest sponsors Alabama Poultry and Egg Association (AP&EA) and the Alabama Poultry Producers awarded a plaque and $300 to the Chicken Shack. 

“A restaurant that serves a ton of chicken every week is definitely doing something right, and we’re proud to recognize the folks at the Chicken Shack for all the work they do to keep people well-fed with quality meals,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Poultry Division Director Guy Hall. “Poultry is an important business in the state. Alabama is second in the nation in producing broiler chickens.”

The Chicken Shack beat out seven other restaurants in a bracket-style tournament to claim the title of Bama’s Best Fried Chicken. Finalists were selected through Facebook nominations.

In its three contest matchups, the Chicken Shack racked up nearly 12,000 votes. For comparison, Luverne’s population sits around 2,800 — one of which is AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn.

“I’ve been a loyal customer of the Chicken Shack through the years, and I’m very proud of the Money family. They have done so much for the Luverne community,” Hilburn said. “We process 21 million chickens a week in Alabama. Poultry is an affordable, healthy product, and no one makes it better than the Chicken Shack.”

The Chicken Shack’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Guests can dine in, call in or order at the walk-up window. The restaurant also caters and has a private dining room for special events. 

Watch show 426 at SimplySouthernTV.net for a segment on the Chicken Shack.

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