Church's Texas Chicken (Two Omaha Locations)

[Coyote]

World-renowned fried chicken restaurant opens location in Omaha

A world-renowned fried chicken restaurant is now open in Omaha. Church's Texas Chicken has opened a location in northwest Omaha, near North 168th and Sprague streets. Opened in 1952, Church's serves fried chicken, chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders — "hand-crafted in small batches." The restaurant started in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952 and now has over 1,700 locations around the world.

[Greg S]

Based on a picture I saw in Omaha Food Lover's, there was quite a line of cars just trying to get in. Tied up traffic pretty bad.

Greg

[ricko]

Wasn't there a Church's Fried Chicken on 72nd back in the 70's or 80's?

[Busguy2010]

I thought I heard Church's has been here before. Where were they?

As to this location, as I said in the Fast Foot Talk thread, I went by there just to go to the Walmart last night, and I could barely get through all the muck. There were literally double lanes of traffic into the drive thru coming from both directions, wrapped around both streets at 10 PM!. I don't know if that was coordinated by staff or if it was just a free-for-all. But I was just totally taken aback. Like fried chicken is good. There's a certain floor that fast food fried chicken can't go below, so I wonder if Church's is really that far above and beyond KFC for instance?

I have my doubts for sure.

[ricko]

I thought I heard Church's has been here before. Where were they?

As to this location, as I said in the Fast Foot Talk thread, I went by there just to go to the Walmart last night, and I could barely get through all the muck. There were literally double lanes of traffic into the drive thru coming from both directions, wrapped around both streets at 10 PM!. I don't know if that was coordinated by staff or if it was just a free-for-all. But I was just totally taken aback. Like fried chicken is good. There's a certain floor that fast food fried chicken can't go below, so I wonder if Church's is really that far above and beyond KFC for instance?

I have my doubts for sure.

I always scratch my head when mobs of people show up to try these places. Are peoples’ lives that empty that they feel like they have to wait forever in their cars for fast food chicken? It’s chicken, not a cure for cancer, cripes. I tried it when I lived in Texas, but it probably wasn’t that special, because I don’t remember going back.

I think it was on the west side of 72nd between Dodge and Pacific. I can even remember what the store looked like.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Church’s Chicken was in Omaha in the 70’s and 80’s- They had from what I remember, multiple locations in Omaha. The one I remember most was right at 40th and Dodge. There was also a location on North 30th street just north of Lake St. I believe..

Church’s is solid; but is honestly not any better than Popeye’s imo.. The hysteria over them coming back into the Omaha market is amusing to me.. Of course, I could understand it if it was a Whataburger …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I always scratch my head when mobs of people show up to try these places. Are peoples’ lives that empty that they feel like they have to wait forever in their cars for fast food chicken?

Church’s is solid; but is honestly not any better than Popeye’s imo.. The hysteria over them coming back into the Omaha market is amusing to me.. Of course, I could understand it if it was a Whataburger …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Yeah, its nuts to me... I won't even spend more than 30 minutes in line for Time Out. As ricko said, its not some lifesaving remedy. And admittedly, I'm most excited for Whataburger to enter Omaha, if ever, but I'd never wait in one of those hours long cattle lines. Its comical.

Like I said earlier, Fried chicken has a certain floor, and its a pretty high floor... Its really hard to screw up and go below that floor, and its almost always at least good. So its not like Church's could be some sort of fried chicken messiah, as the mob of customers would suggest. I hope they all enjoyed it.

[Greg S]

Omaha had both Church's and Bojangles previously.

Greg

[Omaha Cowboy]

I always scratch my head when mobs of people show up to try these places. Are peoples’ lives that empty that they feel like they have to wait forever in their cars for fast food chicken?

Church’s is solid; but is honestly not any better than Popeye’s imo.. The hysteria over them coming back into the Omaha market is amusing to me.. Of course, I could understand it if it was a Whataburger …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Yeah, its nuts to me... I won't even spend more than 30 minutes in line for Time Out. As ricko said, its not some lifesaving remedy. And admittedly, I'm most excited for Whataburger to enter Omaha, if ever, but I'd never wait in one of those hours long cattle lines. Its comical.

Agreed..

I waited at least a year before I headed to an Omaha Chick Fil A drive through once the hysteria died down a bit.. Admittedly, I had eaten at Chicck Fil A several times before they entered the Omaha market 11 years ago..so I knew what to expect…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha had both Church's and Bojangles previously.

Greg

Indeed true..

I remember the Bojangles location on 108th St just south of L back in the mid 1980’s. I used to get food there quite a bit- really good fried chicken and Cajun Rice which they called “dirty rice” on their menu. I wish they would have stayed in the Omaha market…

CIO..LiO…Peace

[MadJack]

I forgot that Bojangles was in Omaha. I do remember going to Church's at 40th & Dodge back in the late 80s.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I forgot that Bojangles was in Omaha. I do remember going to Church's at 40th & Dodge back in the late 80s.

Yes..I miss Bojangles. I wish they’d re-enter the Omaha market at some point..

Shortly after Church’s pulled out of the Omaha market in about 1990, that 40th & Dodge location became a Popeye’s for several years…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

I forgot that Bojangles was in Omaha. I do remember going to Church's at 40th & Dodge back in the late 80s.

Yes..I miss Bojangles. I wish they’d re-enter the Omaha market at some point..

Shortly after Church’s pulled out of the Omaha market in about 1990, that 40th & Dodge location became a Popeye’s for several years…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Was the Church's/Popeye's also in the same spot where Boston Market was located on Dodge? That would have been just west of Saddle Creek's bridge, maybe closer to 45th? I actually miss Boston Market - their mac n cheese was tasty. Unfortunately another one of those chains that had a few around the metro that seemed to all close down at once, except for the lone store on 114th and Dodge. But even that one fell apart and went by the wayside.

Kinda reminds me of what happened to Blimpie - I know the guy that opened the first one in Omaha (which ironically was also close to Saddle Creek). That first store was in front of the Albertson's on Saddle Creek by California St. He opened a bunch and they seemed to do well - then they all closed up except for one in old Millard. That location closed up within the last year, I believe. I always thought Blimpie had the best meatball sub (when compared to Subway, for example).

Anyway, going back to Church's - their sign used to give me a total 1980's vibe (which I suppose makes sense since that's the last time we had one, LOL)

[Greg S]

The Bojangles I remember the best was about 53rd and Center which I believe is the same building Arby's is in now. I think there might also have been one at 72nd and Howard (a building that housed a variety of different places like WC Franks, Pizza By The Slice, and has McAlister's now).

Greg

[Omaha Cowboy]

I forgot that Bojangles was in Omaha. I do remember going to Church's at 40th & Dodge back in the late 80s.

Yes..I miss Bojangles. I wish they’d re-enter the Omaha market at some point..

Shortly after Church’s pulled out of the Omaha market in about 1990, that 40th & Dodge location became a Popeye’s for several years…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Was the Church's/Popeye's also in the same spot where Boston Market was located on Dodge?

No, it was on the north side of Dodge St off 40th across the streeet from the Bucky’s gas station on the south side of Dodge at 40th…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Greg S]

Went by Church’s last night at 9:45. Drive thru was full and cars lined up just to get in to parking lot.

[Coyote]

Church’s Fried Chicken in Omaha, Nebraska…

Nov 18, 2022
They just opened up a Church’s Fried Chicken in Omaha, Nebraska…

CHURCH’S TEXAS CHICKEN®
4042 N 168TH STREET

[nativeomahan]

This thread is so funny!
A year or two ago they opened a Church’s Chicken about a 15 minute walk away from our home in México. We have never set foot inside as we don’t eat fast food, but when 2 friends from Georgia came to visit earlier this year they decided to have lunch there, foregoing the numerous taco stands and other nearby restaurants offering full lunches for about US$3.
I asked them later about the experience. They said they spent the equivalent of about US$10 apiece and were disappointed in the food.
Duh!

[ChadJK]

I must say the "Church's Texas Chicken" threw me off. I just have no memory of the word "Texas" in the brand, so when I saw it was opening I though it was a different, albeit similarly named, chain. So, it is the "Church's Chicken" from years ago?

[djc311]

I must say the "Church's Texas Chicken" threw me off. I just have no memory of the word "Texas" in the brand, so when I saw it was opening I though it was a different, albeit similarly named, chain. So, it is the "Church's Chicken" from years ago?

Regardless, it's just chicken... just like Chick-fil-A is just chicken. Blows my mind when I drive by the location on 175th and Center and the drive thru lane goes around the building, probably 30-40 cars deep counting both lanes. It's NOT THAT GOOD!

[ChadJK]

It's NOT THAT GOOD!

Well, Church's certainly wasn't good enough to keep them in business in Omaha years ago. They exited this market for a reason. Chick-fil-A I like, but I never understood the obsession with it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I posted this last week in the fast food talk thread, but got no response-

Has anyone weathered the long line of cars at the drive thru, or actually went inside, to sample Church’s Fried Chicken and their sides circa 2022?..

If it’s anything like the 1980’s or 1990’s before Church’s bailed on the Omaha market, one might do better just going to a less crowded Popeye’s..

So for those that have tasted the 2022 version of Church’s- What say you?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ChadJK]

Has anyone weathered the long line of cars at the drive thru, or actually went inside, to sample Church’s Fried Chicken and their sides circa 2022?

I have not. Given it's distance from where I live and work and the reports of long lines it seems like quite the hassle for some fast food chicken. Perhaps if they open one in the southwest quadrant of the Omaha metro I'll give it a try. However. I'm not about to drive across town and wait in line to try the latest fast food chain. I just don't care that much.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Has anyone weathered the long line of cars at the drive thru, or actually went inside, to sample Church’s Fried Chicken and their sides circa 2022?

I have not. Given it's distance from where I live and work and the reports of long lines it seems like quite the hassle for some fast food chicken. Perhaps if they open one in the southwest quadrant of the Omaha metro I'll give it a try. However. I'm not about to drive across town and wait in line to try the latest fast food chain. I just don't care that much.

I’m pretty much in the same boat here. I live in sw Omaha, so it’s a bit of a drive. But I’ll say at some point, once the hysteria dies down, I’ll venture that way and see if Church’s has changed in any way from what it was in the 1980’s-1990 when they were still operating in Omaha..

Until then, if anyone has weathered the long lines of hysteria and tried them out, let me know what you think…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebugeater]

I posted this last week in the fast food talk thread, but got no response-

Has anyone weathered the long line of cars at the drive thru, or actually went inside, to sample Church’s Fried Chicken and their sides circa 2022?..

If it’s anything like the 1980’s or 1990’s before Church’s bailed on the Omaha market, one might do better just going to a less crowded Popeye’s..

So for those that have tasted the 2022 version of Church’s- What say you?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Looks like everyone is waiting on your review to risk it!

[Omaha Cowboy]

I posted this last week in the fast food talk thread, but got no response-

Has anyone weathered the long line of cars at the drive thru, or actually went inside, to sample Church’s Fried Chicken and their sides circa 2022?..

If it’s anything like the 1980’s or 1990’s before Church’s bailed on the Omaha market, one might do better just going to a less crowded Popeye’s..

So for those that have tasted the 2022 version of Church’s- What say you?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Looks like everyone is waiting on your review to risk it!

And I don’t blame them a bit if that’s the case, lol. They may be waiting awhile however…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[guy4omaha]

I went several weeks back at 11am since I live close by. Drive thru was an hour wait. The staff was really superb when you consider how busy they were and for how many days straight. The Chicken and Sides? Not bad but nothing to write home about. I didn’t go for the spicy version. Maybe that would have been better.

[Omaha Cowboy]

What I expected. An experience about on par with a Popeyes..Thanks for the response..

Eventually, I’ll make it over to their location. But like I stated, after the hysteria calms itself down..

60-90 days…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I might never unless they open one up somewhere near Central/North Central Omaha. Honestly, for the sake of convenience, lately I've just been getting Family Fare's fried chicken. Its pretty darn good for little to no wait.

So what if anybody goes to this place what are you getting? What is your favorite piece? I'm a thigh guy.

[ChadJK]

Church's Texas Chicken (168th & Maple)
4042 N 168th St
Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 934-3291
https://locations.churchs.com/ne/omaha/ ... 8th-street

Church's Texas Chicken (90th & Blondo)
2310 N 90th St
Omaha, NE 68134
(531) 466-2190
https://locations.churchs.com/ne/omaha/ ... 0th-street

The first location opened in November 2022 and the second location in November 2025.