Nothing beats a cozy family meal with delicious, crispy chicken as the perfect centerpiece. In 2022, the average person in the United States consumed approximately 100.6 pounds of chicken, making it the most popular meat.
From Anthony Bourdain’s favorite Popeyes and Kentucky Fried Chicken to the best and worst grocery store rotisserie chickens, there are numerous ways to get the dish on your table.
However, if you ever find yourself in Michigan, you must visit the award-winning restaurant known for its all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinner.
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is a highly rated establishment with over 17,000 Google reviews and a 4.4 rating. It also received a James Beard America’s Classics award in 2020, which honors regional restaurants that serve “quality food that reflects the character of its community.”
In a video posted on YouTube by the James Beard Foundation, Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, said of the restaurant, “It’s all about family, sharing, and getting together.”
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth’s all-you-can-eat chicken dinner
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth first opened on Mother’s Day in 1929 and has since served millions of guests worldwide. The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the family, who have grown the brand to include a hotel, country club, and marketplace. But at the heart of it all are the restaurant’s famous chicken dinners, which Grandma Zehnder invented.
The all-you-can-eat chicken dinner, available in fried or rotisserie-style, includes four courses and costs $29.99 per person. Children under 12 receive a discount.
First, there is a bowl of noodle soup with crackers, or for a small fee, the restaurant’s signature Vidalia onion soup au gratin. Next, a variety of appetizers are served, including fresh bread, creamy cabbage salad, large-curd cottage cheese, house-made cranberry relish, cheese spread with garlic toast, and house-made chicken liver pâté.
The chicken is served with mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, dressing, buttered egg noodles, and vegetables. Dessert options include soft serve ice cream or sherbert.
Friday through Sunday, the restaurant serves a larger family-style chicken dinner complete with breaded jumbo shrimp, prime rib, and fruit strudel. In addition to chicken dinners, the restaurant serves traditional portions of steak, sausage, and chicken dishes, as well as some vegetarian options.
