Slim Chickens, known for its fried tenders, plans another Manatee County restaurant
Arkansas-based Slim Chickens, which opened its first Manatee County restaurant last year, has plans for a second in the Bradenton area.
Florida’s Best Chicken, LLC recently filed paperwork with Manatee County Development Services for the eatery. Planned is a 4,252-square-foot restaurant with double drive-thrus on a 1.13-acre parcel at 8427 Moccasin Wallow Road, Parrish.
The Parrish restaurant would be similar in size and design to the one in Lakewood Ranch in the Braden River Shopping Center, 14529 State Road 70 E.
The planned restaurant would be located west of Bayshore Community Church and south of the Del Webb Bayview community.
Florida’s Best Chicken, LLC, has its principal address in Mishakawa, Indiana, according to paperwork filed with the Florida Department of State’s Sunbiz web page.
Slim Chickens is noted for its lightly breaded chicken tenders soaked in a buttermilk marinade.
Slim Chickens restaurant planned in Parrish
The menu includes a variety of chicken tender or wings meals, including mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, sandwiches, bowls, wraps and salads.
Sides include fried okra, coleslaw, potato salad, fried pickles and more.
On the sweet side, Slim Chickens serves a variety of milkshakes, and, served in a jar, chocolate brownie pudding, strawberry cheesecake and Oreo cheesecake.
Tom Gordon and Greg Smart, who struck up their friendship in high school, launched the first Slim Chickens in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2003.
“Our mission was (and is) simple: to make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only the freshest ingredients, served in a friendly atmosphere where people can relax and feel at home,” the company web page says.
“From the onset, 100% all-natural premium tenders have been the building block for our entire menu,” the company says.
When Slim Chickens filed paperwork for the Lakewood Ranch restaurant in 2022, the company web page showed only six locations in Florida. The web page now shows 14.
There are 200 Slim Chickens restaurants open in 32 states and internationally.
