J&J Seafood and Chicken - Palatka, Florida

L P

Listen up, fried chicken fans. Don't underestimate a place just because it's attached to a gas station. This was hands-down, some seriously good clean chicken quality.

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon after grocery shopping, my husband was feeling peckish (ha!) for some local fried chicken that's not from a fast food chain so I found this place on Google and the reviews were overall positive so we decided to give it a chance.

We used the drive thru, and there was only 1 car ahead of us. My husband ordered the 10 pc. chicken tender fries combo and a Philly cheesesteak.
Between ordering and receiving the food, it took about 10 minutes since it looked like they made the order fresh (no heat lamp trays from what we could see from the drive thru windows). Order cost around $33 with tip.

The aluminum foil covered tray we received from the drive-thru was huge, so we almost thought we got the wrong order until we got home, and I opened it. Check the photos to see how large the chicken tenders are.

What was a tiny bit of a letdown was the size of the Philly cheesesteak since we're used to larger hoagie type sandwiches. What it lacked in size, it made up with an interesting flavor. My husband said it was OK and a bit on the salty side since he's from NYC / PA, which has winning Philly cheeses, but I told him what did he expect getting this type of sandwich from a chicken place in Florida ? (no offense, just think of it like ordering pizza from a diner)

Back to the fries from the chicken tender order, holy potato! The amount of crinkle fries alone could be a meal or two for someone!

Anyway, it's definitely a great place if you want the best bang for your buck. Just don't expect your order super quick since it seems each order is cooked individually vs. typical mass production for fast food places.

Since we brought the food home before eating it, it did get soggy, so reheating in the oven was a must. As with most fried food, it's better eaten fresh! We'd go back to try more chicken ✅️

Tammie Reynolds

I always love coming here. The food is always cooked fresh to order. I usually switch up between a fish sandwich and fried shrimp. My friend, how ever likes to try different foods and she has not been disappointed yet.
The staff is always friendly and makes you feel very welcomed. Love it.
Keep up the good work, yall.

Shawna Petrillo

For coming in at the last minute which I didn't know the food was great ? it was so fresh cover with lemon pepper I love it the cashier was so very friendly and respectful, helpful has well

Mike Minix

Very nice workers and freshly fried chicken and fries. Very good.

Charlotte „Torch“ Rohde

This place is a blast from the past! The menu is very Southern. Great for a quick lunch or dinner in a hurry! Will definitely come here again, when I am pressed for time, but want real food.

Thomas Kessel

The food is great. Very stingy with their condiments. They gave no tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.. I did not want there, dust seasoning on my food. Because it was to go, so they charged me $5.50 for the togo dust seasoning the size of a sauce cup.

2005 Honda Accord EX

Truck driver here. Fell in love with gizzards at a gas station coming into Florida, searched and searched after dropping off my load. Found J&J's on a corner of an intersection. Best environment and some of the most friendliest employees there.

The gizzards were fried perfectly, biggest gizzards I've ever seen, and the seasoning is outta there. Completed my Florida visit. Wasn't that expensive either. Fries wasn't the best, but that's not the main course.

Rhonda Mcentire

I love this fried, fried, fish, fish, fish or wings. The gyros are yummy! And the woman who is there... sorry so not know her name, is so upbeat that she's the coolest thing about going there! I'll get her name for next time. Hugs mama at J&J's (formally Hooks).