Memorable | One of the Best
AQ Chicken House
Review by: Michael Stern
*This restaurant is permanently closed*
NWA, locals’ shorthand for Northwest Arkansas, produces tons of poultry; and there are several restaurants in the region that make a big deal out of chicken dinner. AQ Chicken House, opened in 1947, is the daddy of ’em all. Now a big, family-friendly outfit with a broad menu that includes ribs, brisket and blue plate specials, it sets the highest possible standards for pan-fried chicken. Each piece seems to be nearly as much crusty skin as supple meat. A great alternative is to have the chicken charcoal cooked, a process that yields spicy skin imbued with the flavor of smoke and a vigorous lemon-pepper smack. Barbecued chicken also is available. If you can’t make up your mind, the menu does offer a sampler platter of three pieces, each cooked a different way.
Meals start with featherweight, glossy-topped cloverleaf rolls hot from the oven; and among essential side dishes are a slightly spicy sweet potato casserole, batter-dipped French fries (insanely, deliciously oily), seasoned green beans, smoky baked beans, and real mashed potatoes. When you order your meal, be sure to put in an order for dessert. Fried peaches take a good 15 minutes to cook, and they must not be missed. Fresh — yes, fresh — slices of peach are battered and fried and served hot under a pile of ice cream.
There is a second location on Highway 71B in Fayetteville. 479-443-7555.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $$ |
| Seasons | All |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | No |
What To Eat
AQ Chicken House Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of AQ Chicken House?
4 Responses to “AQ Chicken House”
P. Gelvin
July 19th, 2023
I’m sad to report that after 75 years, the AQ Chicken in Springdale was permanently closed in March of 2023. You can read the story about its closing at the following Webpage:
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/mar/02/legendary-aq-chicken-house-to-close-after-more/
Kaarina
July 20th, 2023
Hi there- thank you for letting us know!
Tracy Crawford
May 28th, 2021
Arkansas Restaurant
Kathy Anderson
February 9th, 2011
We try to stop here on the way to OK and regularly go 100 miles out of the way. One of the locations (I can’t remember if it is Springdale or Fayetteville since we have been to both) does have a take-out shack out back.
The lemon pepper seasoning is perfect. Unfortunately, like all really good places, its quality has been its curse: AQ is so popular there is always a long wait to get in. Last time we resorted to take-out just to have some great chicken to munch on.