In a tiny little town east of Memphis, not 10 yards off the main drag, sits a roadside shack with a broken-down sign and a packed parking lot. After almost 60 years in business, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken is more of a tradition than a location, more an identity than a restaurant. The original location has spawned a chain of successful franchises. Even in today’s rocky economy, lil’ ol’ Gus’s is “too big to fail” among local lovers of this local icon.
Regular patrons are fond of saying that Gus’s “is not fast food.” Be prepared to wait, or call ahead with your order. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken has the style and attitude of an old-school, blues-infused southern eatery. Wait your turn, pay your money, stay out of the way, make yourself at home. Do your time, and your reward will be a spectacular specimen of southern fried chicken glory.
