There is a lot of conflicting information as to whether or not Chicken on the Run was in the same location, but a former employee tells me it was in fact in the same location as the original Popeyes and not across the street like I mention in the video.

@gerardpicou

6 жыл бұрын

It WAS in the same building as Chicken on the run... He only changed the sign and the recipe,,, When he saw the Movie , the French Connection, He was with My father and Mother , at The Houma Bijou Theatre.... ( MOST people do not realize that he LIVED IN HOUMA at the time he started Popeyes either) ,,, But .. in fact,, HE DID!,, He was , at the time , also a franchisee of his brother,, Gilbert Copeland's company, Tastee Donuts , and owned the Houma store ,,, Gilbert asked him to also take over an underperforming Tastee shop IN ARABI,,, because he made the Houma store so successful,,, and when He couln't make the Arabi Tastee shop profitable as he wanted,, Is when he painted the roof red (From the bright yellow Tastee roof) and called it chicken on the run( If you notice , the old Tastee Donut Shops and Popeyes had the exact same mansard roof line, and that is why..lolol),,,,After seeing the movie and already had JUST changed the recipe to a more spicy type,,, is when he decided that the NAME POPEYES ,,"POPPED"!~His 1st wife was my cousin,, and My Mom and Dad and Al and Mary Copeland were best of friends,, He sold my father the Houma Tastee shop right about when he opened the 16th Popeyes location!~He actually opened 24 stores in 23 months time,, something that would be near IMPOSSIBLE to do today , with the regulations and building permit nightmares of today! His rise was METEORIC and He was a one of a kind and a ONE in a MILLION kind of guy who was DEARLY LOVED by anyone who met him!~If you go into the Clearview or Houma location of Copelands Restaurant,, there is a picture of Him,his wife Mary, and Al ,jr and Bonnie (his only 2 children at the time),, cutting the ribbon on the Houma Tastee Donut shop,,, which is where his 1st start in business was!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

You are a plethora of info!! Where were you when I was making this video! haha!! :) Very cool info, thank you for sharing!!

@thebackofthemenu3010

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the video @noladeej, I love it. A few months ago I started a website called backofthemenu.com where I tell the stories of restaurant chains and provide a lot of additional info. I'll be highlighting your video in my story. Do you know the street address of the Chicken On The Run / Popeyes? (@gerardpicou)

@beckyinnola3613

4 жыл бұрын

@@gerardpicou Mr. Picou, thank you for sharing your story with us. It is very much appreciated!!

Eating some Popeyes fried chicken while the Saints are beating the Falcons its so delicious and the biscuits are just mouthwatering plus tasty

@NOLADEEJ

4 жыл бұрын

Haha yes indeed!

It's amazing that the tile floor is still holding so strong in the elements... a haunting sight.

Those floor tiles could be collectibles. awesome video, thanks for making.

I lived on Sable Dr, just two blocks from it. Love that Chicken from Popeyes!!!

OMG! They tore it down! I used to pass all the time from cross the canal. I remember the Black Rock facade on the building. I used to go to his house in Metairie for Xmas and even went trick-or-treating for Halloween! I remember when he got married to on Fox8. He was a nice man.

@NOLADEEJ

4 жыл бұрын

That's really cool! Good memories!!

Popeyes is the Shiznit! So awesome

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Tampa Jay so delicious!!

@cemsengul16

4 жыл бұрын

So much better than KFC!

@ThomasBMawn

4 жыл бұрын

Haha movie quote! 'Little nicky, demon line' ! \m/

My mom, aunts and grandma were there when Popeyes first opened in Arabi. They had to be served in the parking lot since the floor inside caved in due to the crowd. Miss that store and back home!

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

Oh wow!!

Right before Katrina hit I worked at Fire and Ice one of Copeland's newest concepts, he came in all the time and would pick up trash off the floor, run food, and work in the kitchen. It was a leadership model I continue to this day, you are never too important to get dirty!

I teared up at 4:16...so many good memories of his Christmas lights. It was our first stop for Christmas. We even brought our boys there until they shut it down...I remember being completely shocked to see an empty lot there 2 years later. The smell you experienced is probably from the grease that absorbed into the soil over the years, Lol! Popeye's is our family's favorite chicken and we eat at Copeland's often. Thanks for a great video!!!

Your video's are the best! So informative and fun! We just had a Popeye's build not to far from my house. Will have to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Aw, thanks so much Susan!!

You have no idea how impressed I am by this video... Absolutely amazing job my friend.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Dude, thank you so much!!

Great stuff as usual.

Great video man! I never knew the history of Popeye's. Thanks so much!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

DjTechnoid Thank you!!

Love this place! Their biscuits are super good!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Chris the Shrinerdawg they melt in your mouth!! :)

@29thizzle

5 жыл бұрын

I heard through the New Orleans grapevine that he used to cook in a chicken place with a black woman and that is where he got his famous receipe from. Again, this is a rumor and hasn't been proven true.

Who remembers when the Christmas light displays were spread out in the park in front of the state capital and the electricity was donated by Entergy for the duration of the exhibit.

Heck it Deej! Now I want Fried Chicken! Lol! Love me some Popeyes!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Right?? I've been craving it!!

Thanks for doing that. That was awesome. 👍🏽

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Brian!

Loved Popeye and Pals! Great childhood memories.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

I wanted to be on that show so badly! lol!

This brings back memories!

this should be a historical site

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!! I wish the building was still there, though.. :(

Wow deej great story loved it we have had only 1 popeys here in my hometown since man i think late 70s it just recently moved a few feet down with the new style building they use the old one as a store now looks just like popeyes in your vid an now they are building another one here

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! Popeyes has the best fast food style chicken in my opinion.

I remember a Popeyes in East side of New Orleans back in the mid 80's near the cold Howard Johnson's motel site now a Motel 6. And the weird thing was it was a walk up Popeyes no dining room . you had to order at the window and go. And in New Orleans they served different from. All others. Red beans and rice and boxes of onion rings.

Thanks for sharing fam😀😀😀

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rob&Nea!! :)

Nicely done! I knew the story already but this sums is up beautifully. I never have been to the Arabi location. I guess I should make that pilgrimage one day, seeing as I love Popeyes more than any other chain on Earth. I immediately recognized the Popeyes you showed at the beginning - in Metairie, Transcontinental at West Esplanade. I hit that one up all the time. Really enjoy your videos - keep em coming!

@Rocket_scientist_88

6 жыл бұрын

PS I've spent some time in Japan in the past decade, and there are Popeyes over there - but only on the U.S. bases. I had to settle for KFC there but it really was terrible. Just like the KFC here in the states. I really should look into opening a franchise in Tokyo... 😊

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks B! I was really hoping the building was still there, but unfortunately it wasn't. And yep, that's the one! I hit it on my way back from the location of his old house.

Great video. Used to live behind Dorignac's in Metairie. Only realized how good Popeye's was when I moved to NC and had to deal with Bojangles. Thankfully franchises are spreading across the state and with each one opening they have at least two weeks of major crowds.

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

Popeyes is great as far as fast food fried chicken :)

Yummm, thanks Deej! Delicious history 👍🏻

I remember when Popeyes first opened in New Orleans. I remember the place in Arabi, across the river, and the second one that opened in Metairie. The history of what I heard in the early 1970s is that Popeyes offered two types of fried chicken: the main "regular" recipe that wasn't spicy and the spicy version as an alternative. Copeland found most people preferred spicy so it became the main recipe and the regular was offered only if someone asked for it. Popeyes also offered onion rings which were to die for. I used to buy a box of 12 pieces as well as a family-size bag of onion rings. This would last through at least 4 to 5 days. I didn't care if the chicken and onion rings got cold. They were still delicious and stayed crispy in the fridge throughout the week. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

Love 💜 Popeyes Rice! Yummy 😋 Always enjoy a little lagniappe from my who dat NolaDeeJ! ☮️💜

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rosey :)

Wow this is a great video. I need to do a Popeyes video.

Great vlog! I prefer Popeyes over KFC personally. The chicken is juicy and always cooked to perfection! I also like thier mashed potatoes!

Lived in Chamette for a bit and went to school in Arabi for 1st grade. My aunt’s real estate company was Nextdoor or close to that Popeyes. I knew it well as a kid. And I loved watching Popeye and Pals. Prior to Popeyes I think they served Burger King? I wanted to be on the show. 😂 Don Westbrook also hosted?

@NOLADEEJ

5 ай бұрын

I wanted to be on that show too! I watched it every Saturday morning!!

Popeyes had the best chicken in the 80s

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

I still love them!

It's a familiar site to me to see just a slab like that.. Was all I saw for about 2 years when I worked Katrina clean up. And an interesting side note, that Pink excavator at 4:19 demolishing the building is most likely owned by "Demolition Diva" in New Orleans. A friend of mine worked for her for a while, they are a big company and all of their equipment is pink.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Katrina really did change the landscape around here.. Yeah Demo Diva really has made a name for herself!

His second store was opened in Kenner in 1973. I remember this. I just realized that the Kenner location, on Vets and W. Esp., is the oldest location (the store itself was remodeled years ago) still in existence.

@russelljones6716

3 жыл бұрын

Who knows who opened the first five popeyes before Copeland moved to New orleans from Houma

@russelljones6716

3 жыл бұрын

It was on williams blvd no drive thru it was the second popeyes

The building design reminds me of a taste donuts. If I'm not mistaken, I think tastee was owned by Al's brother Gil.

Wow I did not no he owned Popeyes awsome and informative content

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Frankie!!

🎼🎶💓LOVE THAT CHICKEN..FROM...POPEYES!!💕🎤🎶🎼

I love Popeyes!

@JoshJX

6 жыл бұрын

Honestly, I remember when Popeyes disappeared briefly and then they started sprouting up all over the place again.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Josh JX me too!! :)

@cemsengul16

4 жыл бұрын

Who doesn't?

There was a Super Popeyes Buffet in New Orleans @ the corner of Canal & Carrollton years ago.

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

I remember the Super Popeyes on Veterans, but I didn't know there was one there. Super Popeyes was more of a restaurant than fast food place and had all kinds of other food other than the normal Popeyes chicken. I wish it was still around.

That's amazing! Now I am hungry for Popeye's Chicken and Church's Chicken! Rest in peace Sir!

@NOLADEEJ

4 жыл бұрын

Hah yeah I may go get some today :)

Popeye's are my favorite but if you go to Memphis, Jack pirtles chicken is a Memphis staple.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Oooh I need to try that!!

I never realized that it was named after Popeye Doyle from The French Connection (1971). By the way, the photo of him was from the sequel, French Connection II (1975), not the original 1971 film, right. Love both films, man. I going to the restaurant soon.

*4:24* that house is gorgeous 💕

I really miss Popeyes man.. The best. I need to get me some of them fried chicken tomorrow

Why does Popeyes taste watered down outside of NOLA. I LOVE Popeyes, but ever since I started visiting NOLA for Essence Festival, I can't eat it when I get back to California because the taste is not as rich. I used to think it was me but I've heard others say the same thing.

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

I've never tried it outside of new orleans, lol! But I have heard others say this!

@Renee_nf094e

5 жыл бұрын

@@NOLADEEJ That makes sense, why would you go to Popeyes when visiting somewhere else when you can get it anytime at home? Thanks for your reply.

@beckyinnola3613

4 жыл бұрын

It's the water here. Just saying...makes our food taste good!

The 1st Popeyes I can remember when I used to visit N.O. as a kid was somewhere just north of where AP Tureaud (then London Ave) and St Bernard split. I'm pretty sure that was back in the 70's. Do you know anything about that location? What number franchise that was? I remember their spicy chicken being super spicy back then!

Which chicken do you prefer? Popeyes or KFC or something else?

@TampaJay

6 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ so difficult to decide but I really love Popeyes Spicy Chicken

@conchettam6861

6 жыл бұрын

popeyes☺

@steveo6622

6 жыл бұрын

My wifes makes the best fried chicken..😉 Thats my story and i am sticking to it..🐔🤕

@groovypurp8926

5 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ Popeyes a million times better and they have everything you need. Popeyes has some good fish and shrimp 🔥

@groovypurp8926

5 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ but best fast food chicken to me is canes mhm mhm mhmm 😍 that stuff is crack

One of the best things in my home state

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

Hard to heat Popeyes when it comes to fast food chicken!

I love on Opelousas Louisiana which is like 30 minutes away from Baton Rouge and and 1hour away from the nola

Roll 'em!

And now I'm hungry. Thanks.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Hah! I have been craving chicken since I made this!!

Wow! I am going to NOLA in July and thought that I would eat at the first ever Popeye's thinking that it might be a thing. I see that is not going to happen. I guess eating at the first KFC will always be my pride and joy.

@cambui8541

5 жыл бұрын

Aaron Hill ME TOO!! I’ll be there July 1 and I was hoping to try the original spot :(

@aaronhill443

5 жыл бұрын

@@cambui8541 I will be there the 11th-15th

This is real news. Being raised in Arabi, this was across the street from old Chateau Food Store, and the old fire station & the dentist office on Judge Perez Ave in subdivision Carolyn Park. No place to sit, only a counter to order take out.

being vegan of course I'm not much interested in chicken but it's still a very interesting story and you just have a way of making it sound interesting. LOL I was at a loss for words there. thank you for the details and just thank you for history. You don't have to eat chicken to just be interested in history. Especially if it's done well and that you do! take care thanks for another good video see you soon!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gomez! :)

Great vid and narrative! 👏😎We used to have ONE Popeye's here in Flint, but it was in an area that I don't frequent - I've never had it! 🙊 But I've heard nothing but positive reviews through the years! 👍 KFC's are everywhere. I used to like them in spite their high prices... 🙄 However, the whole KFC 'corporation' has recently lost my business due to diminishing/poor food quality and rising prices. 🤦🏻‍♀️

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, KFC really went downhill.. It's weird because I see commercials for them ALL THE TIME. LOL

@SherrySherry

6 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ They made me so mad a few months ago... the local manager was awesome, she tried to make it right, but it was obviously a "corporate" problem... very unfortunate too, because they used to be a reliable favorite of mine, ever since I was a kid. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Beautiful

I used to live near there in chalmette great food in New Orleans some of the people weren’t so great

I have a popeyes near McDonald’s but are moving it a bit farther and they are updating it we have the first Popeyes in Baton Rouge but are gonna close and move farther

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

Popeyes definitely isn't what it used to be though

@russelljones6716

3 жыл бұрын

The first popeyes is still in the same place i opened it in 1976 and it's still across from the old charity hospital

The taste is still the same after over 40 years.. I can remember eating Popeyes when I lived in New Orleans 40 plus years ago when al still was in control..and you go to Popeyes today.. same taste.. good job!

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah the chicken there is the best! 😁

@theemeraldfox7779

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry but no it doesn't

Interesting, my aunt actually created most of his Christmas lights

@NOLADEEJ

6 ай бұрын

Wow that’s awesome!!

You know Al's brother, Gilbert, started Tastee Doughnuts, right? Very franchising family!

Oh! We have a Church's too (I think it's still open?) But I've never been there either 😂

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

I never really liked Church's much

@SherrySherry

6 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ Good to know... now I have even more reason not to go there! Lol

It’s always cool to learn about the companies we frequent. Thanks for this. New sub and hope you can come by and meet the fam on our channel.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Curt and Care Family Vlog Thanks so much! I’ll definitely come check y’all out!

I was on popeye and pals with my Boy Scout troop. We ran the obstacle course and won a board game. Still have it somewhere.

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

Oh nice! Man I always wanted to be on that show, lol. I was so envious of the kids that got to be on there :) I mean, eating fried chicken and watching cartoons at 8am? Heaven! Lol

@coug741

5 жыл бұрын

NOLADEEJ ya man, it was in the later days of the show when it was at space jump or space walk....I don’t remember exactly. I’ve got it on VHS somewhere probably long gone or taped over. LOL we won the board game “sorry”.

@NOLADEEJ

5 жыл бұрын

If you find it, you should upload it to KZread! I’d watch that! Hehe

What is the exact address ...Please. I'm traveling to New Orleans next month and want to stand on that exact location that you shot your video from...

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

PL Brown shoot me an email - noladeej@gmail.com

love that chicken from popeyes

POPEYES 4 LIFE!

I thought it was named after the Popeye cartoon! I had no idea it was after Popeye Doyle!

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

All my life I thought that as well! :)

I work there!!

A buddy of mine used to order a single jalapeno pepper in the Popeye's drive-thru -- which was a menu item at the time -- and then demand he be allowed to pay by credit card.

Actually,Popeyes Chicken Founder Al Copeland passed away on March 22,2008 at the age of 64.

I tried other later Copeland places in Louisiana and what I had was delicious. Of the fast food Fried Chicken places, Popeye's is my favorite. Churches was bland until Copeland took over, but it never had the goodness of flavor nor the good taste in the sides that Popeye's had. The Popeye's where I live tend to overcook everything till the chicken (or crawfish, or shrimp) is hard, dry and uninviting. Only the sides are still good. I would frequent them more, if not for that faux pas. I know they are not supposed to cook that way, but the cooks here where I live, do not seem to care. I know they have no idea of the taste and texture Louisiana fried food is supposed to have. Too bad.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Copeland's other restaurants are really good! Popeye's is definitely the best ;)

Popeyes doesnt have the same flavor that it did in years back! too bad , like many New Orleans staples.

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah it does taste a little bit different than what I remember as a kid

"Chicken on the Run" was the inspiration for the movie, "Chicken Run." True fake fact. Oh, and Popeye Doyle hates chicken BTW. ;-)

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

HAHA!!!

oh dam I actually didn't see that was already a comment

I want some coushcoush and now I want Popeyes damn you

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Lol! Yeah, making this video really made me crave chicken, haha!

Are they still open?

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

At that location? No, but other Popeyes are

No more Cajun Rice baby! Popeyes ain't making it any more!

@NOLADEEJ

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah that sucks!

@theemeraldfox7779

3 жыл бұрын

Sadly no and they've changed the menu,sucks!

Update: they have just finished work and opened, so I got a chicken sandwich for dinner.

@NOLADEEJ

4 жыл бұрын

How'd you like it?

Those black bricks used to get SO HOT!

It’s quite expensive

Fact: That's NOT butter being spread on those biscuits. Don't believe me? Ask a Popeye's employee for some butter (any butter at all). You will receive nothing, cuz they don't have any.

Popeyes mol, ill 10-28-21 gave me in a 15 piese box. Cost 25$ i got 5thighs. 5wings 5drumsticks! Crooks employed these places

So ur telling me Popeyes wasn't made by a NI-nice black women

Excuse me everybody knows Popeyes Chicken tastes way better than Kentucky fried Chicken

@NOLADEEJ

4 жыл бұрын

I do love them both, hehehe

@billyshity4045

4 жыл бұрын

@@NOLADEEJ great job making the video I do too

You should consider trimming that neckbeard. It makes your face look bigger, makes you look older and isn’t very smart looking.

@NOLADEEJ

6 жыл бұрын

Lol, thank you?

I live for stuff like this 😩😩ITS SAD U WORK SO HARD AND LEAVE STUFF TO YOUR KIDS AND THEY THROW IT ALL TF AWAY 🙄🙄🙄 son need his ass kicked ‼️ Sad they didn’t save that Popeyes ❗️❗️❗️

I heard he got his cooking from black women

@Vancovermycity

5 жыл бұрын

Popeyes wouldnt exist if it was true

@naekemuel1991

4 жыл бұрын

@@Vancovermycity lol

He made the chicken spicy and added a little big of rat just for extra flavor😋