Our Veteran Food Critic Found “Delicious” Fried Chicken–At a Walnut Creek Gas Station

Following the receipt of several phone calls from friends pertaining to excellent-quality fried chicken sold at a gas station in Walnut Creek, I had to check their suggestion out. Resisting the charms of this American standard is not one of my better attributes.

It seemed improbable that one of my favorite culinary treats could be found in such a pedestrian environment. But what the heck? Enquiring minds want to know.

On a chilly Sunday evening, I showed up at the Circle K convenience store gas station at the junction between North and South Main. Once inside, a clerk at the counter advised me a fresh batch of Krispy Krunchy Chicken (KKC) would be coming out of the fryer in four minutes.

Prior to placing my order, I looked over the menu to determine what might be chosen to accompany their specialty. Chicken tenders are not my thing.

I finally settled on the Krunchy Box, which consisted of four pieces of chicken, a side of red beans and rice, along with freshly baked biscuits. Added to my order was a side of macaroni and cheese, along with five fried shrimp.

What makes Krispy Krunchy intriguing is their Cajun influence. I was told each piece of chicken is injected with New Orleans-style flavorings prior to being delivered fresh (not frozen) to the Circle K.

Identifying myself as a writer for the Bay Area Telegraph, the manager—sporting a COVID-19 mask—fled into a door marked “Employees Only.” She did not emerge while I was on the premises.

My request to take a picture in their kitchen was declined. The clerk at the counter did say preparing the KKC menu was simple. With the exception of the chicken, everything else was frozen.

The entire bill, including tax, came to $25.44. This was a bit more than KFC or Popeyes, but I withheld judgment until tasting their product at my residence.

Arriving home, my wife and a friend formed a nonpartisan Krispy Krunchy tasting panel.

We first eagerly attacked the chicken, which was still warm. As advertised, it was quite good. The outside was crispy, not soggy. The chicken inside reflected being injected with Cajun flavorings. It was delicious. In addition, the bird was of decent quality and not anorexic in size.

In general, we were pleased with our foray into “gas station sushi”—chicken style—at the Circle K.

In addition, the five pieces of fried shrimp ordered were passable. The honey mustard and buttermilk ranch dipping sauces didn’t quite hit the mark enhancing the taste of the shrimp. It needed to be microwaved prior to being served.

The macaroni and cheese cup came well below Kraft standards. The biscuits were passable but were not accompanied by butter or honey, as is the case with most takeout places.

All things considered, we gave a passing grade to our foray into the land of Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Depending on one’s taste profile, it measures up well with KFC and other fast food chains.

KKC is a monument to what likely lies ahead in the “bun and run” world. With the cost of labor rising each year, Circle K, 7-Eleven, AMPM, and other convenience stores will need to rely more on their vendors to do most of their food preparation.

The KKC empire is growing, with nearby locations in San Ramon, Concord, Pittsburg, and over 300 other locales in California. They are especially attractive to gas station venues because owners are not required to pay expensive up-front franchise start-up fees.

For now, Krispy Krunchy Chicken can rest on their laurels of offering a decent product that attracts those who have a yen for consuming close relatives of Henny Penny.

Want to try it? Here are two local locations in the 925 confirmed to serve Krispy Krunchy Chicken:

Circle K / 76 – Walnut Creek (North Main & San Luis)

• Address
  2501 N Main St
  Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Circle K Antioch / Lone Tree Shell – Antioch

• Address
  2838 Lone Tree Way
  Antioch, CA 94509