Mary Brown’s Famous Chicken & Taters

If you’re looking for a fix of deep fried chicken goodness, come to Mary Brown’s!
The chicken is more flavourful, crispy and definitely less greasy than KFC. Many East Coasters I know rave about Mary Brown’s, and after tasting the chicken, I understand why. The taters are also great. I usually don’t consider myself a fan of taters because I find them to be bland and soggy, but not so here; MB’s taters are crispy and nicely seasoned. The coleslaw is made of real cabbage (no neon green colour here) and the mac & cheese is cheesy goodness.
I recommend not looking at the nutritional information at any point, as it will give you a scare. But hey, sometimes you just need to satisfy your deep fried food craving. I know I will be back in several months time when my craving hits again.

I’m from Georgia, and I’ve been searching for good fried chicken. I did not find it here. Bland, tasteless, cardboard-​flavored chicken. Don’t waste your time. Or money.

I worked here for a year when I was 13, yes 13! (I’m 27 now) I wasn’t «legally» supposed to be working there, so they hid me in the back so no one could see me.
They had opened up a year previous to my hire and the employee turn around rate was super high, so they were taking anyone they could get!
Before I forget to say, the coleslaw arrives in a bag shipped from some place in the USA. So it’s definitely not made at each location. Same with the mashed potatoes in the other side dishes. The only thing they technically make is the chicken and the taters.
When I worked there at age 13 I was in charge of cutting up the chickens into drumsticks, breast, etc.
I can’t express to anyone enough how BAD this food is for your body! After I would cut up the chickens, I would put them all in a large plastic container (double the size of a 4L ice cream bucket). I would fill it with water till it was just about full, then I would add LOADS and LOADS of salt into the bucket with the chicken and water. Then I would have to place it in the fridge marinating in the salt for 2 – 3 days. I’ll spare you the rest of what they do to their food.
Trust me, it gets even more gross! Don’t ask about the deep fryer. Ick!
One day I was opening a bag of coleslaw there with a knife (they had no scissors) and another employee accidentally bumped into me. This caused me to slice my hand up pretty badly. The manager came back and actually yelled at me for getting blood all over the floor, counter and the brand new bag of coleslaw. My hand wouldn’t stop bleeding so he said I could go «home for the day» without pay AFTER I cleaned up all my blood. Well I was bleeding everywhere (and my hand was really hurting!) so it took me a good 30mins to tidy up. I ended up getting 7 stitches in my hand. I went back to work the very next day because I was SO afraid of loosing my job. I arrived back and he told me he was «letting me go» because I didn’t listen to him the previous day about cleaning up my blood, before I went home for the day. I KNOW I cleaned up my blood perfectly because the manager/​owner told the other employee that the area was «already cleaned for the day» so that employee didn’t have to clean that area. So if I did such a bad job, why didn’t anyone else aside from me clean it? Now remember I was 13 and I didn’t know all the workplace rules, but all I can say is I was crushed. I even begged him to let me have a second chance. Anyways I’m 27 and over it! I just want this to be a warning if anything if you’re ever thinking of working there.
They would use «taters» they were expired, and they really only seemed to clean when they knew they were getting an inspection. Also believe it or not they had mice in the back of restaurant where the food was prepared.
So please do your body good and DON’T eat here. Take it from someone who’s seen it first hand!

This place is SO much better than KFC! The last time I’ve had KFC I felt horrible and didn’t venture far from the porcelain alter! Best chicken I’ve ever had! I’ve ordered from here about once a month and it’s never greasy. The food here is always hot and fresh! Treat yourself to Zest Mustard pickles from the shop next door and you’ve got yourself a helluva feed!

My hubby comes from Newfoundland and this Mary Browns tastes like home!!! The staff are always friendly and remember our family when ever we make the trip across town!!! My Mudda in law agrees that it’s just as good as it was back on the rock when ever she comes for a visit.
I would give it more stars if I could this is by far the best Mary Browns in Edmonton!
Always get the taters they are great!

This chain that originates in Newfoundland is a step up from KFC. Its the same kind of deep fried breaded chicken with a few less spices. It often less greasy than KFC. The tators (potato wedges) are a good change from having the regular fries. The potato and macaroni salad are nothing special. If you like KFCs Big Crunch you may like the Big Mary here. The prices are a little higher than KFC on most items. The service was friendly.
There is also a separate are for Newfoundland based Purity products like biscuits, crackers and jams. They also have hard ice cream for dessert. You will also find a pop called Birch Beer made by Crush that you usually find only in Newfoundland.

Pretty basic fried chicken. I prefer it over KFC, the chicken is less greasy and the coleslaw is more vinegary. Otherwise very similar.
One thing this location does have is Scoops next door and a little nook that sells things from Newfoundland, e. g Purity syrup and meatballs and gravy.

Since KFC has always been an option of regret, post-​consumption that is, Mary Brown’s seemed to be the only other comparable choice.
While I wasn’t blown away by the quality and lack of flavor, it somehow presented itself to be a somewhat healthier choice than KFC.
Had a bucket of chicken and some fries with my order. My recommendation would be to just stick with the chicken as the fries are as plain and simple as white walls in a house.

I tried a chicken and fries combo a while back.
I thought the chicken was ok… Greasy like KFC, but not quite as tasty. And I’m not even really a big fan of the Colonel.
In all honesty, it’s really difficult to get a decent piece of fried chicken in Edmonton, and most places serve exactly the same greasy, non-​crispy chicken.
The fries are also pretty typical and nothing to write home about.

The first time I went to Mary Brown’s I was comparing it with KFC a lot when I first walked in the door. The chicken itself was okay. Wasn’t as greasy as KFC’s chicken. But it was kinda dry and didn’t have the taste I was used too (from KFC). They give you the option of fries or wedges. I had both before but they aren’t as good as KFC’s fries. And the gravy seems to be a cheaper version of KFC’s too. It all seems like cheap knock offs. But I know people who enjoy Mary Browns more because it’s less greasy. But honestly if you are a fan of KFC just stay with it. If u don’t like kFC because it’s greasy but still like chicken. Give Mary Brown’s a chance: D

Mary Brown’s tries to be KFC but lets face it. no chicken place can compare toe greatness of the chicken, gravy, fries or burgers at KFC.
I found their chicken to be dry and a bit tasteless. The gravy wasn’t great either. In all honesty, this place didn’t really have a chance because from the moment I stepped in I was comparing it to KFC in every aspect and I love KFC when it comes to things chicken related.
Overall everything here is just sub par. Nothing to write home about and nothing to even recommend.

The battle of who has the best FRIED CHICKEN!
Ok…maybe there is no battle but I was introduced to Mary Browns.
I’ll admit, I ate from the other brands that we are familiar with its bucket of chicken and the old man smiling at you.
Let’s see, this particular brand of fried chicken is alright, not as greasy as the others… but still greasy. Myself i like to drench the chicken with gravy… so good! I usually eat this in the privacy of my home. The chicken with a scoop of fresh cooked riceand then covering it with gravy. i know… it may not sound appetizing but its great!
I will eat this in front of you if you like to see it and believe it… hehehe.
The food is alright, I usually just get the chicken and gravy.
Remember:
Chicken + Gravy + Rice = Satisfaction!