Veselovaelena/Getty Images. Among the once-thriving chicken chains that have vanished over time, Chicken George holds a special place in our hearts. Founded by Theodore Holmes in 1979, it quickly became a sensation, expanding to multiple locations across several states. The fast-food concept centered around homestyle fried chicken along with Southern and soul food staples such as collard greens, rice, buttermilk biscuits, and sweet potato pie.

Roots and Inspiration

In a 1981 interview with The Baltimore Sun, Holmes revealed that he named the restaurant after a character in “Roots,” a 1976 novel based on his family's lineage. The novel gained massive popularity with its TV miniseries adaptation in 1977. In the story, Chicken George was portrayed by Ben Vereen, and the character's hat and scarf became part of the restaurant logo. This connection added a unique cultural element to the brand.The success of Chicken George was remarkable. According to The Baltimore Sun, it was once the largest Black-owned fast food company in the US. In a 1982 issue of Black Enterprise magazine, Holmes expressed confidence, stating, “With our research and assembled management team, the competition struggles to keep up and even maintain their own.” However, financial issues and competing chains began to take a toll. In 1986, Chicken George filed for bankruptcy protection and was auctioned off in 1987. Although new owners tried to keep it going, it never regained its former glory and was dissolved in 1991.

The Recipe and Dedication

Theodore “Ted” Holmes dedicated a lot of time and effort to perfecting the recipe for Chicken George's famous fried chicken. It came in both regular and spicy varieties. He told The Baltimore Sun that he had tested 300 chicken recipes across the country before finding the winning one. His commitment was evident, and we can only imagine how delicious it must have been based on the memories of those who had the pleasure of dining there.The Washington Post reviewed one of its locations in 1981 and praised the chicken as “plump and succulent.” The review also mentioned that the management was considering removing fries from the menu to make the signature rice side more unique and set it apart from competing restaurants. This attention to detail shows the level of care and innovation that went into the restaurant.

Remembering the Taste

Today, Chicken George is mostly a thing of the past, and most of us can only reminisce about this short-lived but beloved restaurant. Commenters on local Baltimore Facebook groups fondly recall their experiences at Chicken George, raving about the drool-worthy rice, spicy gravy, and chicken that was worth waiting in line for. Although many chicken fast food joints like KFC and Popeyes serve similar Southern fare now, Chicken George had a distinct identity rooted in soul food. It was a fast-food concept that we wish had endured for longer, leaving a lasting mark on the Baltimore food scene.