Chick Fil A Union Avenue Memphis Tennessee

There’s a spot on Union Avenue in Memphis where the chicken is crispy, the lemonade is sweet, and the drive-thru line is longer than a Grizzlies postgame rant. It’s the Chick-fil-A at 1770 Union Ave, and it’s less of a fast-food joint and more of a Midtown ritual. You don’t just eat there; you experience it, usually while wondering if you’ll ever escape the parking lot.

Union Avenue itself is a street that tests your car’s suspension and your patience. The potholes are legendary, and the traffic can make a turtle look like a speed demon. But then you see those red letters and the cow billboard, and suddenly everything is right with the world.

A Beacon for the Hangry and the Hurried

This location sits near a cluster of hospitals, which means you’ll often see nurses in scrubs, doctors on a quick break, and medical students who haven’t slept since 2019. They shuffle in like zombies, order chicken minis, and walk out with a little more life in their eyes. It’s basically a medical miracle, but with waffle fries.

The parking lot is its own ecosystem. You’ve got the person who parks like they’re driving a tank, the guy who waits five minutes for a spot that’s clearly not opening, and the brave soul who just does the drive-thru. Pro tip: the drive-thru moves faster than you think, even when it wraps around the building like a confused snake.

Inside, the place is spotless. I mean, spotless. You could perform surgery on those tables, which is convenient because there’s a hospital down the street.

The employees greet you with a smile that seems almost suspiciously genuine. Then they hit you with “my pleasure,” and you suddenly want to be a better person. It’s a little unsettling, but in the best way.

The Menu: A Love Letter to Chicken

Let’s talk about the food. The original chicken sandwich is a masterpiece of simplicity: a pickle, a bun, and a chicken breast that’s been pressure-cooked into submission. It doesn’t need fancy aioli or a brioche bun that costs more than your rent.

Then there are the waffle fries. They are not waffles, but they are the best thing to happen to potatoes since someone decided to fry them. Dip them in Chick-fil-A sauce, and you’ll understand why people drive across town for this stuff.

Chick-Fil-A, Union Ave. Memphis TN Construction Project - Dimension

Breakfast is a whole other beast. The chicken minis are tiny, buttery rolls of joy that you can eat by the dozen. You tell yourself you’ll stop at four, and then you’re ordering six more.

The lemonade is another highlight. It’s sweet, tart, and cold enough to make a Memphis summer feel almost bearable. Pair it with a sandwich, and you’ve got a meal that screams “I’m treating myself” without actually screaming.

And let’s not forget the cows. The billboards tell you to “Eat Mor Chikin,” which is terrible spelling but excellent marketing. Those cows have been convincing people to eat poultry since before you had a driver’s license.

The Sunday Situation

Here’s the twist: Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. Yes, the Lord’s day. In Memphis, that means you’ll see people pull into the Union Avenue location on Sunday, stare at the dark building, and experience a moment of profound grief.

Then they remember Memphis has barbecue, and they go get pulled pork instead. This Sunday closure is a company-wide policy, rooted in tradition. It’s also a gentle reminder that even chicken empires need a nap.

Chick Fil A Union at Francisco Bush blog

So if you’re craving a sandwich on Sunday, you’re out of luck. Monday morning, the line will be epic. Plan accordingly.

The Local Flavor

The Union Avenue Chick-fil-A is a melting pot. You’ll see Rhodes College students, Overton Square hipsters, hospital workers, and that one guy from the office who orders 30 sandwiches for a meeting. Everyone waits together, united by the smell of fried chicken and the promise of “my pleasure.”

It’s also a great place to people-watch. You’ll spot a Mercedes behind a beat-up Honda, a mom wrangling three kids, and a Grizzlies fan still complaining about a bad call from last season. Chicken is the great equalizer, my friend.

And the employees? They handle the lunch rush like a NASCAR pit crew. They take orders, fill drinks, and bag fries with military precision. You’ll be in and out before you can finish your podcast episode.

So if you’re in Memphis and you’re hungry, head to 1770 Union Ave. Just avoid Sunday, bring your appetite, and prepare to say “my pleasure” to everyone you meet for the rest of the day. It’s contagious. And yes, the waffle fries are worth the hype.