Would have gave 5 stars but didn't have the first two things I wanted. Was out of fried chicken breast so went with the 5 wings instead. Had good flavor but weren't hot. The potato salad was excellent and the baked beans had good flavor and the corn fritters were good also. They have indoor and outdoor dining. Restrooms outside of the building but are kept clean. Friendly staff was apologetic about being out of several items. read more

If you want something to eat, do not go there past 8:00PM. Hours are until 9:00PM but they will not cook you food after 8:00. This has happened on MANY occasions. Tonight we arrived at 8:20, Open sign on in the window but front door was locked. Sat in the drive through for 8 minutes and someone finally took our order, then 5 minutes later someone else says no sorry we don't have any food. If they don't want to cook food past 8, they need to close at 8. read more

I love this place. One of the few Polk County institutions left. Family owned and operated. Crispy chicken, great fried fish, and the most tender gizzards around. My family has eaten here for generations. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - Menu - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

My order wasn't correct. When you call no answer, or voice mail. To far to drive back. Disappointing read more

This is another stop I make when ever I'm required to be in the area... Cleanest "chicken shack" I've ever been in and their food shames all other chucked venders in the area. Their service is fast and friendly, the seating area is quiet and clean, and as I stated...the best chicken around. From their wraps, to their livers and gizzards, to their chicken...you can't beat their food! read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - the dining area - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

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I came here based off of a friend's recommendation for the first time and experienced nothing but obscene attitude, along with disrespect towards my family. As much as the food is good, I definitely will not be returning. First and last time for me & the people I brought. read more

Went their yesterday with my staff, as we were working in the neighborhood. Ordered $65 worth of food, picked up our order, then went to sit down. As I was about to seat myself, I could feel the grime on the bench. Went to speak to the manager, but nothing happened as we were waiting to sit. We looked at the other tables to sit, but everything was consistently dirty. It really seems like no one really cared, as more individuals are lining up for orders. The cleanliness really needs to be addressed, wondering how clean the kitchen really is. read more

So I was at Tom's chicken shack last Saturday that just passed, me and the wife we live 40 minutes away, and we're getting something from Bartow, we are driving down the street and say let's try that place, I'm glad we did, the food was delicious in the service is great, Sorry I don't describe better than that, but we'll be going back again to get their bucket special, and remind you I'm driving 40 minutes out of my way to get something from there 40 minutes back to bring it home that should tell you that it's not bad. Hope this helps read more

Fast, clean and good food Stopped in for lunch. Good variety on the menu. Food came quickly and it was good Entire place was clean and bright pleasant surprise read more

haven't been here in years. I lie we went by there the other day, but we just got jalapeño peppers. Yes you heard what I said only jalapeño peppers and we made sure that they were firm. Don't try to put any soft jalapeño peppers in the container lol. PoPs even asked the chick if she could squeeze one or two for us please to make sure they were. Too funny. And why don't the stores sell full jalapeño peppers anymore? They used to. Now you just have to get jalapeño pepper slices. Anyway, our service was good and the chicken shack was busy as usual. Not sure why they have average reviews. I've never had any problems the past two years. read more

Their chicken livers are always so delicious! Their food is always made to order and the staff is very friendly.

Some of the best fried chicken in the area. My food was out before I could even fill my sweet tea. Very friendly service and a cute seating area. Definitely will be back. read more

Ordered chicken sandwich, fries and coleslaw. Very nice person working register and very helpful. Fast service, but it was about 2:30 pm. It seemed a bit expensive for what I got but it was very tasty. My tabe was not clean which is irritating because the restaurant was not busy. The LG Sandwich was two big chicken tenders. I had to take on off, but my pit bull will be very happy cause I am taking it home to her. I will come back when I am in the mood for chicken. read more

The restaurant was very clean. The sweet tea had a musty taste as if it was from the previous day. The chicken was hot and crispy but didn't have any flavor and tested like it was seasoned with just salt. The roll was dry, and the fries were you standard, generic, frozen French fries. The beans were canned and tasted like they had a little sugar added to them. Besides the tea, the food wasn't bad;it was mediocre. read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - Chicken wing 3 Piece Chicken Dinner - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

I like the look of the place. Could use some pressure washing on the outside floors and entrance..but easily fixed. Service was fine, waiting time for food was acceptable. Food was hot and freshly made and generous in portion size. They have a very thin batter coating on the chicken that covers very well. I was looking forward to some fine chicken strips....even though I had to hold back...cause it was so hot! But here comes the troubling part.... I like my chicken...but I don't consider myself an expert. They have no seasoning mixed in the batter...nor had they marinaded the chicken. It was very ordinary.. I'm sorry but that is the best way to put it. Now I realize some like to smother theirs in hot sauce and if that is your choice...this is a great place....But.....I think it could be a place with people standing in a line outside , if they would add some seasoning or marinade!... read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - Chicken strips - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

This is a new place for me. Take out is best...they have a drive thru. The chicken was perfectly fried...super crispy. I got the two piece dinner and tried the two sides of potato salad....southern yumminess and the macaroni salad was also just as good. Fried food is bad for you but this place is soo good. Check it out. The staff was so friendly and I was in and out in less than five minutes. Awesome sauce. read more

I visited Tom's Chicken Shack for lunch yesterday and tried the Chicken Dinner which came with two pieces of fried chicken (a leg and breast), potato salad, coleslaw, and a roll. The texture of the chicken was decent, tender meat and crisp breading, but the chicken lacked any flavor. I've had more flavorful fried chicken at chain fast food restaurants. The sides were bland as well. read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Coleslaw and a Roll - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

This is a great chicken specialty joint in Bartow with a winner crispy recipe. Things are cooked fresh to order. My chicken was both crispy AND moist inside. Loved that they open at 10 a.m. so that you can do "brunch lunch"...and there was a line at the drive-up at this hour. He has a great recipe for gizzards & liver, so popular he sells 80-100 pounds a day. He also serves fish and shrimp, buffalo wings, salads and wraps. With 37 years, they must be doing something right! I was less impressed with the dry roll (and no butter) and the unseasoned but fresh cole slaw. Fries were fine. They have other sides like onion rings, fried okra, potato or mac salad. The place is very clean, the owner is friendly and you are served efficiently. I did not see an interior bathroom. They do have a patio that allows dogs. Booth seating on the inside, ample parking. I will return often! read more

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If I could give one star I would have. The boy/man working the front taking orders is rude and tells you what they won't do as you order. I like fresh food when I eat out and I ask for my food to be cooked fresh and he refused! These are not McDonalds prices so why would they have a problem cooking fresh food when requested? I'm sure everyone doesn't but If I'm paying I want what I ask for! Horrible customer service! Shut it down! Food doesn't compare to country chicken and fish at all! Management needs to step up! read more

The chicken is cooked perfectly. I have eaten there several times in the past when I was working near by.

The chicken is good, i reallt enojoyed it their fries were also very good. Dont go to later then an hour before closing or else you wont have a selection of food to get. read more

Best gizzards around! Friendly staff. Must try, I'll be back !! Plus cute outdoor patio.

Ordered a 3 piece fish dinner thru the drive-thru at approximately 8:00 last night. Since I waited quite a while after ordering, I was anticipating freshly cooked food. What I found when I arrived home, however, was that I had just wasted $15 on inedible REFRIED fish and fries. They forgot the roll and were out of tartar sauce. The absent tartar sauce turned out to be a moot point since there was no edible fish. They did sound like they were having a good ole time in the kitchen. Having too much fun to produce fresh food, I guess. Wasted $15 and had no supper. Extremely disappointing. read more

Extremely disappointing tonight the lyrics was burned. Potato salad tasted sour. The role was not fresh. The beans were dumped from a can no care at all.. tried to call the restaurant again called 51 times and decided just to drive down there and then get my money back.!!!'. At that time I was informed that the chicken shack does not have a telephone that upset me pretty bad. What restaurant does not have a phone that you can call in an order or a call to complain if you need to be going there long time I don't think I'll be going back anymore. It was just nasty. read more

Everything was good !! Chicken Coleslaw fries! Good fast service. New in the Bartow area looked on Yelp to find some thing hearty to eat in the area and this caught my attention. I was NOT disappointed! read more

Tom's Chicken Shack - Chicken fries and slaw - Chicken Wings Near Me - Bartow, Florida

I went today and got 1/2 of livers and gizzards. Got home the gizzards were so tough couldn't eat them and the livers was so overcooked crunchy. Tried to call them and the phone # can't speak to anyone. Don't know if they have changed owners. Would not recommend this place for livers and gizzards. Sorry tried to call manager but no phone. read more

Tried this place and anyone that thinks this is good chicken has obviously never had good chicken. Absolutely no flavor other than the over used oil taste Baked beans where disgusting and completely dry, no sauce. Coke slaw was dry as well. read more

This "shack" is where you come when you want some good damn fried chicken or gizzards! Do not come here looking for white table clothes, this is more cafeteria booths, and really good fried chicken. Been here several times since working down the road. Always friendly service... good sides... but that chicken!! Oh yeah!! read more

The first time we went the the chicken was fresh and very tasteful. We've tried it a few times after that and the chicken and fries were cold and greasy. Wish things were made to order or a bit more fresh. read more

Visited this establishment a couple of weeks ago and received poor customer service and disgusting food. We couldn't eat it at all. Tried calling the restaurant to make them aware of my concerns and no one ever answered for 2 weeks straight and wasn't able to leave a voicemail as that wasn't an option. Let me inform you I visit this restaurant often. I decided to stop by, because I was in the area to let them know of my experience. When I tell you they have no care in the world and repeatedly told me lies about everything I asked them. Never again!!! I'll travel elsewhere. They asked me to come back in the morning to speak with the general manager. Not quite sure if I want to because I was told the next person is going to tell me the same thing. Seems like they're trained to say the same thing to most, if not everyone. I wouldn't recommend patronizing this establishment because if you're ever dissatisfied, they have no care in the world. Let me add they have no working phone and they are not allowing to give out the managers or owners name and phone numbers. Needless to say, after reviewing other reviews, I see they too have had bad experiences. Shut it down now!!! read more

Stopped in on our way out of town! Chicken was good but cold, French Fries also cold!! Could be a Gold Mine,,,,but some food should be cooked when ordered instead of sitting under heat lamps. Not sure we will return (we go through frequently) staff was friendly read more

I ordered an 8 piece chicken pack and a 6 piece corn nugget. The price was close to $20. I got 5 chicken legs, 1 wing, and 2 breasts. Not worth what I paid for... read more

I heard about this shack from my husband Three times I visited and ordered gizzards to go. they were horrible each time. about half of them were decent, and half of them had a hard horrible tasting outer layer on the bottom. the third time I ordered, I told, the person who took my order about my concerns, and asked what that horrible taste was. he was not surprised about what I said, and actually was aware of it. he told the cook to prepare fresh ones, in other words, freshly cooked. Well, that let me know they were aware of what they were selling; not to mention that the gizzards are exorbitantly over priced; they should certainly give the customer fresh ones. this shows no appreciation of the customer and their patronage. since they cooked fresh ones for me on the third visit, and they were all okay, I thought it would be safe to order from them again, making sure I stayed "freshly cooked". No, not so. about half of them had that hard skin with the disgusting taste on the bottom. in addition, to that, there were livers mixed in. I find the taste of liver disgusting. I find this restaurant very distasteful not customer friendly. this is not the way to shoe the public you appreciate their business. read more

I would be giving you a food review today. But unfortunately I've tried to call the Chicken shack for the last two days to place a to go order and cannot get anybody to answer. I know they were open because I drove by their place of business in order to go somewhere else for lunch. Thanks a bunch. read more

On 7/26/21 I made a special trip from Lakeland, FL just to get some food from Tom's Chicken Shack in Bartow. Unfortunately my customer experience was not good, because a female food service personnel with a short haircut and blue or purple hair tint was rude, disrespectful and very unprofessional. She walked away from me in the middle of our conversation, she didn't say excuse me or anything, turned her back to me, threw her arms up in frustration and started talking loudly to the manager who was on the other side of the kitchen. Then the manager comes to the window, and he failed to defuse the situation. He actually made it worse, because he defended her rudeness. Then he made a feeble attempt at an apology, which lacked warmth, empathy and caring. This all happened around 8:30pm, and they close at 9pm. I saw them being more concerned about cleaning and closing up, than focusing on the customers' needs. I also saw one food service personnel sitting on the same counter that the customers' food is placed on. Very unprofessional!! I was told that they don't give out receipts. Wow that crazy!! I don't plan on ever going back there because they're unprofessional, rude and not customer focused. Good customer service is very important!! I'm African American, and I have never seen an African American food service personnel working at Tom's Chicken Shack. read more

We just came upon this little gem. Wanting chicken we went In and it smelled wonderful. They cook right in front of you and everything was very clean. Food was excellent and service was quick. We will be going back. They also have a drive thru read more

There is no better place for miles and miles to get fried chicken. It's as good as anything my mother cooks (don't tell her I said that!). In fact, you'll eat here then go home and demand to know why your mother never cooked you chicken like this. I take it home to eat with pintos, greens and cornbread. The chain restaurants who sell chicken can only wish they made chicken this good. read more

Got the chicken and waffles. Very bland and subpar. Atmosphere was a little standoffish but not horrible. Little hole in the wall place.

Terrible food. Ordered the chicken gizzard with high hopes. They were cold and soggy along with the fries. My instincts were telling me to cancel the order since they had all the food precooked under warming lights. What a disappointment. read more

Dined December 7, 2016. My chicken sandwich special, $6.49, was cooked to order, came out piping hot & delicious. Tim's is very popular, and definitely way better than what a chain can do. Adding Tim's to my lunch rotation. read more