The Pecking Order

Sanibel, United States

4.5

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 239-472-2534
Website:
www.thepeckingordersanibel.com
Address:
2496 Palm Ridge Rd, Sanibel, FL, 33957
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.5 miDing Darling Tram
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
Yes
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Quiet
Alcohol
Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
No
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Sanibel) 11:00 Thursday, 12 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Jersey’s own Mother Budd would be proud knowing that her famous fried chicken lives on. The Pecking Order’s signature marinade and batter bring out the unique flavors in every piece of chicken we cook. Starting with Grade A Prime chicken, we treat our food with tender loving care to the peak of yum.

History

Established in 2014.

Everyone needs a little slow-​cooked, comfort fast food.

Meet the Business Owner

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B.

Business Owner

Long-​time Islanders, Dan and Bridgit welcome you!

The Pecking Order also recommends

Jensen’s Twin Palms Resort & Marina

13

reviews

Boating

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B. says,

«Love these people!»

The Bailey-​Matthews Shell Museum

20

reviews

Museums

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B. says,

«Great places to see while you’re here!»

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

5

reviews

Public Services & Government

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B. says,

«Find out where to play, stay, shop and eat on the islands!»

Tarpon Bay Explorers

31

reviews

Boating

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B. says,

«Get to know the island!»

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

71

reviews

Parks

,

Hiking

,

Zoos

Dan Budd and Bridgit Stone-​Budd B. says,

«Great places to see while you’re here!»

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Nearby

Near this location:
80
ft
La France Alterations & Dry Cleaners
2496 Palm Ridge Rd Ste C
360
ft
Goodwil
2440 Palm Ridge Rd Ste 3
360
ft
Goodwill Industries of SW Florida
2440 Palm Ridge Rd Ste 3
370
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Great White Grill
2440 Palm Ridge Rd
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ft
Wooster TV
2422 Palm Ridge Rd
630
ft
Tips & Toez
2418 Palm Ridge Rd

20 reviews of The Pecking Order

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Newport, RI
Damn tasty chicken! Delicious, crunchy and moist… can’t eat just one piece! We had a superb lunch. Super nice and fun owner and staff (Go Pats!)
Place rating: 5
Antioch, CA
Amazing side dishes here from greens, to grits, to blackeyed peas and cornbread. Everything is amazing and very very good. The owners, Bridget and Dan are friendly and welcoming to everyone and the broasted chicken is to die for! Best I have ever had anywhere in Florida.
A must stop in Sanibel… oh and they deliver as well. stop in and say hello and tell them Rick sent you
Place rating: 5
Modesto, CA
Food was a 10/​10, Very clean atmosphere, well organized, and great costumer service. If you’r on Sanibel Island I would highly recommend giving this place a try! AMAZING!
Place rating: 5
Myrtle Beach, SC
Our family of 6 adults are a late lunch today. We ordered a 16 piece bucket of breasted chicken, cheese grits, macaroni and Harlem special (collards with rice and beans). We are to our hearts content on the porch counter. Everything came out quickly and smelled wonderful. The portions were large. We did end up with 2 breast portions to bring home, which we will most likely fight over for lunch tomorrow.
The only improvement on the meal would be some tables outside.
Place rating: 4
New Cordell, OK
This restaurant has a very casual take out or out door seating experience. The chicken tasted great and the biscuits were amazing. There are several options for dipping sauces and the staff/​owners were great to talk to. It is definitely recommended as a place to get away from the long lines and chaos of Periwinkle Drive.
Place rating: 5
Port Charlotte, FL
Simply outstanding chicken and wonderfully nice staff. I had the cool luke salad tonight and it was AWESOME. Would definitely suggest this spot for lunch or dinner to anyone out on the island. The outdoor seating is peaceful and relaxed.
Place rating: 5
Sanibel, FL
One of my favorite restaurants on the island, I’ve visited The Pecking Order more than a half dozen times and have been delighted with every dish I’ve tasted. Favorites on the menu are the broasted fried chicken (of course) and the recently-​added Cool Ranch Luke Salad: chicken tenders on top of crisp romaine lettuce, served with shredded cheddar cheese, smoked bacon bits and toasted sunflower seeds and topped with their house buttermilk dressing. My favorites also include their homemade mashed red potatoes and gravy (which reminds me of the delicious gravy my grandmother used to make… anything that comes close to that closely guarded secret recipe gets a huge thumbs up from yours truly!), Wisconsin fried cheese curds, cheesy shell mac and what owner Bridgit calls the Harlem Special: slow-​cooked collard greens topped with black beans and rice. Unusual, yes, but oh-​so-​good… you’ve gotta try it! And, if you’re lucky enough, they might also be offering their Little Cluckers, individually-​sized mini chicken pot pies. Top them with a bit of their savory gravy and you’ll be in heaven!
Place rating: 5
Hainesport, NJ
Yummy chicken and super friendly personal service. These are the types of small businesses that you want to support. The menu is decent and prices reasonable. The chicken smelled so good we couldn’t stay away. Picked up a bucket for the family to take to the beach. We would definitely come back!
Place rating: 5
Sanibel, FL
I have been here four times now and I can highly recommend it. They have a lunchbox special that is just $ 4.99 it includes a chicken breast and thigh with one side of your choice, A homemade biscuit and a very large fountain drink. I haven’t tried all of the sides but the mashed potato and gravy is very good as well as the mac & cheese. The chicken is very good fried chicken crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I have seen a good many people walking to the subway store next-​door. Well you might find your very predictable five dollar foot long at subway you’re clearly missing out on the better value and great experience at the pecking order. This is a nice little low-​key place serving up homestyle fried chicken and sides that is a very good value on this island.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
So glad we stumbled on this place. Too bad we are almost done with vacation or we’d be back tomorrow! The chicken was well seasoned and very tender — even the breast piece. Got the collards and cheesy grits — both amazing. Must go here while on sanibel when you are ready for a break from grouper! And don’t pass up on the black Betty cupcake — basically a chocolate lava cake with a wonderfully salty-​sweet top.
Place rating: 5
Sharon, MA
Very good fried chicken, great alternative to the mainly seafood on the island. When you come for MA/​ME where seafood is much better that in this part for FL, this place is great. Lots of food for a great price, very tasty chicken, great mash potatoes their gravy is very very good taste homemade not like KFC or other fried chicken place. Their biscuit was very delicious. The Mac and cheese not the best but they have lots of sauces for the chicken. They are also very nice and welcoming. We got a 12 piece combo and it was plenty of food with left over for two adults and two big eater kids. I would definitely go there again if we are in the area.
Place rating: 4
Cecilia, KY
The fried chicken here was the best I’ve had in a long time, and the sides were all great, very flavorful! My one complaint would be the lack of seating, but the food made up for it!
Place rating: 3
Tujunga, CA
Our first meal in Sanibel. Decided to come here to pick up chicken to go. Ordered 16 pcs. Combo which comes with 8 biscuits, 3 large sides. We don’t like wings so ordered breast instead, paid extra. Unfortunately when we got to our hotel, we got wings still. And they forgot our biscuits too. The fried chicken were good and so are the sides. Came up to $ 70 including tip, upgraded to breast (which we didn’t get) and an order of fried green tomatoes (3 pcs.). The place was clean, friendly service, just wished they check order to see if it’s right, especially for 15% tip on to go.
Place rating: 4
Franklin, TN
Father’s Day gave me the right to pick dinner and I had a hankering for some good fried chicken. Unilocal!led us to The Pecking Order and I was not disappointed.
Friendly service. Really good food. All we missed was an area to sit inside and enjoy the dinner. However, this is a take out place and considering we are near some of the most beautiful beaches, why be indoors! Get it to go and enjoy a sunset at Sanibel or Captiva. We sat at the bar and watched an afternoon storm develop in the distance.
We had the chicken, slaw and baked beans. My wife went for the chicken and waffles. (She is now a fan.)
Slaw was freshly cut and made well. Beans had been stewing awhile and tasted like someone really prepared them as opposed to just canned baked beans.
Fried pickles were good, but not great. The dipping sauce, however, made them better than good.
Biscuits were flaky, layered and complimented the rest of the meal. For casual, good eats, this is the place. We will return for the collards, I promise.
Place rating: 5
Valrico, FL
Wonderful meal. Chicken is fresh, juicy and cooked perfectly. Fried coating is crispy and well seasoned. We had collard greens (to die for), macaroni and cheese (cheesy, gooey, comfort food) and cole slaw (cold, crispy and just the right amount of sweet). Meal was delicious. We will be back next year.
Place rating: 4
Powell, OH
Food is really outstanding. Definitely in the top three chicken places I’ve ever experienced. Collard greens were fantastic — don’t miss them. Seating can be tight at the outside «bar» (this is really a carry out restaurant, with a few stools out from), but we didn’t see anyone who couldn’t get a place to sit.
Young man behind the counter was nice and pleasant, but was way to «zen» for me. I want to see some sign that my order is understood and that things are happening. Maybe I need some more time on the zabuton!
After fighting to get into other restaurants and then spending too much, I ask why not come to the Pecking Order? We’ll add this to our list of favorites.
Place rating: 5
Sanibel, FL
Just stopped by for the first time and I was not disappointed. The chicken was very moist and delicious. I ordered 4 small sides and I cannot say which I liked best. The only problem — I brought it home for dinner and it never made it out of the kitchen. I just stood at the counter and ate! The baked beans had just a bit of a kick — it was a surprise — I really liked it. The owners are locals and can be very proud of the business they have put together here. They sent food to be served at our fund raiser house tour last weekend and those who attended love it !
Place rating: 5
Cape Coral, FL
Excellent freaking food!!! This is a place you must stop and try if you’re ever on the island.
I ordered white meat chicken breast, fried pickles and mashed potatoes and gravy and all if it was excellent. Reasonably priced for the island and for the great food.
I will definitely be back here and I would recommend this place to anyone. Nothing better than good food and good people.
Place rating: 5
Vancouver, Canada
My wife picked up take out so I can’t comment on the interior of the restaurant.
I can say that the fried chicken was delicious. Finally a place that has good fried chicken. I don’t know if you have spicy spicy would have been nice but we just got regular the batter had very nice spices and it was perfectly cooked.
The price was reasonable and the sides were very good I fully recommend this place.
My wife said the woman there was super friendly. I tried several fried chicken places and this was the best.
Place rating: 1
Lexington, KY
We really wanted to love Pecking Order Fried Chicken because it’s a great idea and the type of restaurant that Sanibel /​Captiva needs; affordable, take-​and-​go food.
Unfortunately, we didn’t like the food. We ordered a 12-​piece basket which includes 2 large sides and six biscuits. Our sides were the Black Eye Peas (with kidney and pinto beans, green onions, on rice) and coleslaw. It was a very reasonable $ 32 — we were feeding two and expected to have chicken leftovers for another meal.
The chicken was cooked perfectly, the white and dark meat was tender and juicy but the batter was ultra-​salty. I like salty food but the saltiness of the batter overwhelmed me. The coleslaw dressing was thin and flavorless. I thought the rice+beans was over-​cooked and the biscuits were too dense.