What Happened To Long John Silver’s?
Long John Silver’s built its reputation on crispy fried seafood, but after years of struggling, it made a surprising move: adding chicken to the menu. Why would a seafood restaurant bet big on chicken? And could it save one of America’s most recognizable fast-food chains from drowning?
In this episode of Weird History Food, we dive into the history of Long John Silver’s to try and make sense out of its rise, decline, and the unexpected menu changes that may just turn the tide.
Does chicken from a seafood chain sound like something you’d like to try? Let us know in the comments.
(Much like real history, this video was produced entirely by human beings.)
#noai #fastfood #weirdhistoryfood
22 Comments
The crispies are life
They need to bring back the buttered mini corn on the cob and their original fries.
In the late 90s they did a wrap. It was freaking amazing. Rice, crispy lettuce, fish, some kind of sauce wrapped up in a huge burrito. I've tried unsuccessfully to replicate it. BRING BACK THE WRAP.
We used to go to the one in puente hills near Rowland Heights, my cousin Anita used to love that place, now it’s gone and she’s with The Most High.😢
Do they keep the chickens on the poop deck?
The biggest and most odd problem today is they only reside in the most random middle of nowhere places in the country. We have three of them in Missouri and all three of them are in the worst locations possible.
Ah, my first ever job. All the ones near me closed down, Captain D's took their business away. But I do miss the hushpuppies and newer items when I was there, particularly the salmon on seasoned rice and fish tacos.
As long as there is the fried fish, I’m all for it. LJS is genuinely fire, though super location dependent
I still go to a Long John Silvers on occasion that's about 15 minutes out. I do still really like their fish filets, if nothing else they're unique compared to most of the other fast food fish places. But the distance and my suspicion that if I ate it more often my stomach would file a lawsuit keeps me from going there more often. 🤷🏻♂
P.S. And holy cow, I haven't hear the name Arthur Treacher's in forever! There's definitely none of those near me.
“Good fish FRY-day.” Well played.
NGL the chicken has always been legit. Whenever I go back to my hometown I always get the LJS chicken.
their batter was very good
H Salt Fish and Chips was way better
I love LJS!
The only time I've gone to LJS was at a crummy location in Tucson, AZ some time around 2011. My experience was… uncomfortable. The food items left much to be desired. I think the owners of LJS missed the mark by not properly expanding the items to better options like wraps or tacos, they could have made much more that would have felt fresh and still nautical themed. Fast food chain Rubio's is a great example of that route.
I love LJS!!!
TLDW: Chicken is a cheaper protein to source and has less price volatility than sea-caught fish.
there're just so many chicken options in the US. with only like 400 locations, Long John Silver's deep association with fish and chips, promoting chicken isn't going to save them.
Houston doesn't have but 2 left. Hurt my feelings I love Ljs😢
A million and one chicken restaurants and they pivot to chicken.
I always wanted to try Long John's as a kid and didn't get it until I was in my 20s. It was the most disgusting seafood I've ever had. So I went to another location. Experienced the same. People had warned me but I had to try for myself. Disgusting.
From chicken of the sea to chicken of the chicken.