I had this once in Louisiana and am married to a Cajun so I was happy when Cane's came to Longview. It doesn't disappoint.
Parking is as much as you would expect for a fast food place and would be ample if Cane's wasn't so popular. Unfortunately, there is no parking on the street so if the parking lot is full you have to cheat from a business across the street. When the news wears off it may be easier to park. Parking is complicated by the long drive through line. It is not in an ideal location, but that makes it all the more amazing that it is always busy.
The restaurant is clean and well run. The staff are so friendly and helpful I don't know where they found young people who are that nice. Definitely a cut above most places.
The food is excellent. Chicken is made to order, not left to get soggy on the outside and dry on the inside. Batter is always very hot and crispy and chicken is always tender. The fries are good. Crispy and salted just right. The slaw is fresh. The drinks are carbonated correctly and arrived (in drive through) just done. In the restaurant you get your own. The menu is basically chicken, bread, fries, and slaw. A very basic menu that they do very well. The sauce is fresh tasting but I really don't understand the gushing reviews over it. It is tasty but a combination of common ingredients that can easily be found on the Internet. In any case, all ingredients of everything taste fresh and just cooked. Very good. Even though the main menu items are fried, the restaurant did not smell like a grease trap and the food was not dripping with oil.
The bathrooms are clean and checked often.
I had a problem with the drink dispenser (no ice) and a staff person had a manager at the machine in less than a minute. I was given a cup of ice and an apology before I could ask for either. People were constantly cleaning the restaurant. While the entire operation seems very smooth and well trained to get food out and keep turnover high, I did not feel rushed or in the way during any of my visits. I am absolutely sure that if I had a problem with a meal they would whisk the offending meal away and replace it immediately. This place has amazing customer service. I also noted that every single container of food is checked by someone who did not cook or contain it before it is handed to a customer.
The drive through is slow because food is prepared per order. It seems a little slower than it should be. When I get food to go, I walk in and order it to go and always beat the drive through by half.
The price is a little high for fried chicken. But consistent quality and moist, tender, chicken is worth the premium, I think. Still, it is high enough that you know you are not getting standard food and probably won't be buying it all the time. About 9 dollars a person is what I seem to always spend. Other local chicken restaurants have to have noticed a dip in their business just based in the constant crush at this place.
In sum, a good place. Very good. I wish it was a little bigger and could handle the demand a little faster, but that will come in time. For fast food this is very high quality. Business may drop a bit when Chipotle Grill opens close by.
Why not five stars if I think it is so good and well run? Just the crush of people, time to get your order, and maybe a little bit too much in the price. Nothing major. I would call this 4.5 stars for the type of restaurant it is. I would give local competitors chicken express and golden chick maybe 3 stars. read more