Florida’s Favorite Local Restaurant Closes Its Doors Over Multiple Violations

Photo byGoogle review

Uncle Chicken's, a well-known name among locals and tourists alike in New Smyrna Beach, has been temporarily closed following a state inspection. The popular eatery, famous for its pressure-fried chicken and comforting soul food sides, has faced a rough patch as health inspectors cited multiple violations, leading to the temporary shutdown.

The Story Behind Uncle Chicken's

Uncle Chicken's started with humble beginnings as a food truck, winning over hearts—and taste buds—before expanding into a small but successful chain with three locations. Known for its signature pressure-fried chicken, which achieves the perfect balance of crispy exterior and moist interior, Uncle Chicken's quickly became a favorite for those seeking both flavor and comfort.

The menu at Uncle Chicken's offers more than just great chicken. Diners rave about their soul food offerings, including smoked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes. This blend of Southern comfort food has earned the restaurant a loyal following, with the Dixie Freeway location alone boasting over 1,900 Google reviews and an impressive 4.8 out of 5-star rating.

The Inspection That Led to the Closure

The trouble for Uncle Chicken's began on August 21, 2024, when a routine state inspection uncovered six violations at the 440 Dixie Freeway location. These ranged from basic to high-priority concerns, some of which raised serious red flags.

Among the basic violations, inspectors noted that ribs had not been removed from their packaging within 48 hours of being stored, which is a clear breach of food safety regulations. However, the more concerning issues involved high-priority violations, including the presence of live roaches, evidence of rodent activity through droppings, and cold foods like wings, cheese, and hummus being stored above the safe temperature of 41 degrees.

Given the severity of these findings, the restaurant was ordered to close temporarily to address the issues. A follow-up inspection on August 22nd revealed that while progress had been made, two high-priority violations remained unresolved. It wasn't until a final inspection on August 23rd, when the restaurant was cleared of all violations, that it was allowed to reopen.

A Recurring Problem?

This isn't the first time Uncle Chicken's has faced such challenges. The Dixie Freeway location experienced similar closures in January and August of 2022, also due to health violations. While these incidents haven't dampened the enthusiasm of its fan base, they do raise concerns about the consistency of the restaurant's food safety practices.

Looking Ahead

As Uncle Chicken's prepares to welcome back customers, the team will need to ensure that these issues are fully resolved to maintain the trust of their loyal patrons. While the restaurant's reputation for delicious, hearty meals remains strong, it's clear that food safety will need to be a top priority moving forward.

For those who have come to love Uncle Chicken's, the reopening is a chance to enjoy their favorite dishes once again—hopefully with the assurance that all necessary precautions have been taken to keep the food safe and the experience enjoyable.

As the restaurant moves past this hurdle, fans will likely return to savor the flavors they’ve come to adore, keeping Uncle Chicken’s a cherished spot in New Smyrna Beach’s vibrant dining scene.