Easily one of my worst dinner experiences. Arrived at 4:45 PM, already out of white meat. Service was atrocious. It took almost 45 min to get my food. It wasn't crowded, no more than 10 people sitting down at any given point. No air conditioning, it was so hot I was sweating. I have been eating there since Mr. Gus was still there but never again. read more

Nothing like Gus's fried chicken!!! Mason is my home, I have enjoyed this fried chicken from Maggie's when I was young, later the recipe was handed down to her son Gus and wife Gertrude and I have enjoyed this renowned fried chicken for years in Mason TN. !!! read more

Chicken was GREAT as long as it was hot. Very salty. But still very good. We got slaw and potato salad with our meal. Both very good sides.

I always enjoy stopping here while in Mason, Tennessee. The food is good and so is the beer. read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Restaurant - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

OMG, we love little local food joints, and this is a joint to be sure! We stopped at this original Gus' location while driving across country. As so many reviews have noted, food is prepared per order, so you will wait a bit, but IT WILL BE WORTH EVERY MINUTE! We weren't in love with the Mac-n-cheese, but maybe it's a local flavor thing. And the sweet tea was really sweet, WOW, but maybe a local thing as well. Okay, we actually dropped by for the chicken and there was ZERO disappointment, OMG...not sure I ever tasted chicken like this, so hot, fresh and screaming for us to eat more. While there were plenty of folks stopping by to eat in house, it seems that most call in their orders and pick up to eat at home; actually not a bad idea. So, I'm taking a star because the joint could've been a bit cleaner, we didn't care for the tea or Mac/cheese....but you may love those two items and we all go really for the chicken, right? The staff were working their butts off and were helpful and courteous. We would definitely stop by again if in the area in the future. read more

We got off our route just to try this place. We missed it at first but found it. It's small folks, so you can miss it. The atmosphere is old school and friendly. We ordered the thighs and breasts, Mac and cheese, beans, and fried rice. It was soooo good! So good! The chicken was delicious, the beans were good, the Mac and cheese could've been better, but that fried rice was something else. I would have given this place a 5 if the rice was cooked fully. I can't stand undercooked rice but the thing is, it was rich and savory. I recommend hands down, and will say that chicken is one of the best I've ever had. read more

This place is definitely a house that might be easy to miss. Parking lot is small, but the food is delicious. New to the area so of course I wanted to try some fried chicken, and this place did not disappoint. This is the original location and they are still making good absolutely delicious. I got the breast and leg with baked beans and cole slaw. The chicken had so much flavor, not just the skin. Every bite was amazing. The naked beans were good, although a bit sweet. The slaw is on the wet side and sweet, it was really good. The 4 stars is because they had a few things on their menu that they did not have, so for sure a bummer. I'll probably skip on the fries green tomatoes next time. read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

I have never given a Business one star until today. If you are accustomed to the fried chicken from Gus's in downtown Memphis, or Bartlett, do not expect the same experience at this location. We love Gus's. What makes them world famous is their chicken is moist and juicy inside while crunchy and spicy on the outside. Their fried okra is sublime. This location, however, seems to be operating off of different recipes. We bought takeout from this location on a Friday afternoon in June. The service was terrible. I felt like I was interrupting them. But the worst part of all was the chicken. It was soft, almost like baked chicken. I saw them fry it, but it did not have the batter coating that we love so much at every other Gus's. Everything we ordered was over salted, overcooked, lacked crunch, and was just... bad. This is not to say that people won't like the chicken here. It just isn't what we expected from Gus's. The chicken was closer to black, than the deep golden brown color everywhere else. I was incredibly disappointed because in an effort to save money, we limit eating out to once a week...and I wasted it going to this location. The restaurant is a hole in the wall, which can be charming like the downtown location, but there's a fine line between hole in the wall good and hole in the wall gross. Everything was coated in grease. It has an open kitchen, which looked as though it hadn't been cleaned in years. Even the floor felt sticky. We have been to this location in the past and it was clean and the chicken tasted great. After 2020 something changed in the recipe and the cooking method that made it inedible. We'll stick to Bartlett and downtown. read more

it's a drive but well worth it this is the original gus s still made the way it was when they first opened each order is handed battered and made fresh so u expect the wait it's a quite wait but it's well worth it the pickle chips are thin and crisp fried tomatoes are wonderful don't go is u expect fast in and out service every thing is still mixed with the old recipe not brought in from franchise bags already mixed so this is as close to the orginal formula as u will ever git my buddy flew in from nevada he dreams of this fried chicken to top it all off we ended are meal with the chess pie cool refreshing fill with this amazing crust that just melts in your mouth you can't get any better then a pie made buy a southern women on a beautiful spring day i too will be dreaming about returning again read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

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What are this location official hours!? They never answer the phone so I can ask a simple question

The Gus's in Mason, TN is closed for business. Gus's need to update the business is closed to the public. We drove an hour to eat at this restaurant. When you pull it up on GPS it says open to 8:00 pm which is false advertisement read more

This was by far the best Fried Chicken we have ever had. I thought the Loveless Cafe was the best, but now it doesn't compare. I don't know what the Gus's chain restaurants are like, but the original restaurant in Mason, TN was worth the drive. All orders are cooked to order. This is the original Gus's Fried Chicken in Mason, Tennessee. I loved that the business is still family run. We traveled from California and enjoyed driving around the little town of Mason. BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER! https://gusfriedchicken.com/about-us/ read more

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Best fried chicken I've ever had , the seasonings are perfect. I live outside Mason, TN and tried my first Gus's 7 years ago and I haven't anything better! read more

The food is good & usually fresh. The service is good as well. I've only visited the Mason location. I'm sure the other locations are great as well. read more

This place is total crap. Contributed to build fund years ago when original burned. Liquor bottles in the parking lot. Have eaten in Bartlett and had a great experience. Sat down at a table at 3:45 on a Sunday afternoon, 3 other people in restaurant, and never even got a hey be with you in a minute. What a joke! Nice day so I drove out with windows down expecting a great meal. Hell, I couldn't even get a screw you from the two standing in there. tables covered in trash and no desire to even get me a beverage. Those two must be family because anyone else would be fired. Never again at ANY location! Not getting my money after waiting 20 minutes to not even get a hey. Mama must be so proud! Only gave a one because couldn't post zero. Boycott all locations. read more

We are in Memphis for the weekend (March 4-8, 2022) celebrating my wife's birthday. Among the things we wanted to do (oh wait, what I wanted to do) was make the mini pilgrimage to the original Gus's location in Mason. This place was not easy to find as we passed it without us and google maps knowing. After we made the u- turn outside town, we made sure to drive slowly. Sure enough we found it. Normally, neither of us eat fried chicken, but so glad we did this afternoon (Saturday March 5). It came out hot and juicy! The side dishes we shared (coleslaw, baked beans, and mac & cheese), however, were just ok in comparison. When we drove back to Memphis, we saw another Gus's, but was glad we stopped by the original location. read more

Came here for lunch today (May 3) with coworkers and aside from a few to-go orders we were the only ones in the restaurant. I ordered the 3 piece dark (2 thighs & a leg) with mac-n-cheese and okra. The food was good but nothing to brag about. We waited at least 30 mins for our food and I was kind of disappointed that my chicken came out not pipping hot. Other than that the service was awesome and pricing great! read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Menu - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

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Soooo good!! The original spot! We even met Gus' grand daughter!! Can't say enough about their chicken!! Mac and cheese is tasty!! read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Fried chicken - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

Having moved from the south last year, I look forward to visiting family and having Gus's. The chicken is just the right amount of heat and it tastes even better the next day with waffles. Definitely a go to in my book! read more

The Best fried chicken you can buy. The original restaurant is the best. It's worth the drive and the wait. read more

This location, chicken wise, is the best! The flavor seemed deeper and maybe a touch more pepper than the others. There will be no hour long lines or a bunch of unnecessary fan fair, just great chicken. The staff is friendly, but not overly eager. So, don't expect to be greeted and seated as soon as the door opens, but that adds to the charm of this place. I'd recently fallen out of love with Gus's...I felt the quality declining but this visit to the original gave me a new burn in my heart for the spicy chicken. I will drive to this location for now on to get my Gus's fill. Tourist should be visiting the Mason, TN location for the real experience and taste. read more

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This is always good!! Every time I'm in Memphis. I have to hit it up! Memphis chicken is better than nashville chicken.

Hands down best chicken I've had in my LIFE! My husband who even dislikes fried chicken will eat from this little gem in Mason. Potato Salad, different but delicious! Slaw is spectacular! Mac and cheese is good too! We will be new frequent flyers to this OG location! read more

This is hands down the best Chicken I've ever eaten!!! The coleslaw is a Showstopper!!! The Fried Okra was superb and the fries were some of the best fries I've had to date!!! The beans were good as well even though I'm not particularly fond of beans, our first trip we ordered a Chess pie well they were about to close and we graciously took what was left of the pie & was happy we did!!! We also ordered macaroni and cheese our first visit here but it was not in the bag so our second visit the young lady remembered that there was a order of macaroni left behind and replaced it, now about this macaroni?! It was not to my licking, disclaimer: My son Chris calls me a hard judge when it comes to macaroni and cheese, but my sister Cheryl and Denise didn't care for it as well but EVERYTHING else including the lemonade and Tea/ Arnold Palmer was GREAT!!!! I can tell you like this they're called "Gus's World Famous Chicken Fried Chicken" and this Chicken is something you have to try!!! If you're ever near Mason TN, As a matter of fact we are traveling from Ripley TN?it's 28miles oneway for this Chicken!!! And It's worth the travel!!!! read more

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They have the best chicken I've ever eaten. This is a really great chicken joint because they cook everything to order so that everything is always fresh read more

The food was just as delicious as I remember the downtown Memphis location being! There was only 2 people working, they had people constantly coming in and out for to go orders. It didn't take more than 30 minutes for my family of 10 to get our food. We did have to walk over and ask for refills/ extra napkins and that kind of stuff, but like everyone else they were just busy and understaffed. read more

Very tasty to the bone! It is worth the wait because they cook to order, friendly service! Come early since parking is small, we went on saturday at 11 and it got busy not too soon after that. We will be coming back. read more

Mason is the original location for Gus's so it automatically taste better than the other locations. The chicken is crispy, not too spicy, and is still warm by the time I get home. Sides are good and so was the staff. read more

Best fried chicken. Ever. Absolutely delicious! Enjoyed every bite from fried okra appetizer to fried chicken, potato salad and beans to coconut chess pie. Not a bad bite on the plate! And staff greeted us warmly and made sure we were taken care of. Will be back! read more

The food was so amazing. All I got was chicken, and mac n cheese but it was all so amazing. The chicken was not dry at all. Amazing seasonings 10/10. Workers were very nice as well. The inside was clean, and had a lot of seating as well. read more

Let me start by saying, this place doesn't look like much inside or out, but it is THE original Gus's and that makes it a wonderful dive of a place. We ordered a 12 piece order of chicken, large baked beans, large slaw and French fries. The chicken came with white bread(loaf). It was cooked to order so we waited and got hungrier smelling it- my mouth was watering by the time we left. Service was great- ladies were so nice- I really wanted one of everything on the menu, but knew we'd never be able to eat it all! When we arrived at our destination about 20 minutes later we immediately open everything and stated eating. The chicken was hot and crispy- and so juicy inside- the spice level was perfect- just a little heat, nothing to make you sweat, but some good sweet tea helps wash it down. The beans were fabulous, the slaw nice and creamy and the fries- well I love bed them even 20 minutes after they were cooked! This place is a must do for those of you who love Fried Chicken and all the southern fixins- go- you'll be glad you did! read more

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Out of macaroni during midday on a Saturday is awful. I think the staff is high. They bright us meat with no sides. read more

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - 3 piece chicken tender - Southern Near Me - Mason, Tennessee

Slow service and overcooked food. Waited over 90 minutes to get lunch. Chicken was burnt.

Wonderful food, everything is excellent! Must try potato salad, and mac n cheese. Chicken is a tad bit spicy for those who do not like spicy things. read more

Items Selected: Four Piece + a Breast with Beans, Slaw, Bread Pecan Pie Chess Pie Banana Pudding Now available in a few US Cities, with more to come, the story of Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken began in Mason Tennessee, and located a bit off the beaten path between Nashville and Memphis along Hwy 70 a pilgrimage to the place where it all started is perhaps not on everyone's agenda, yet for those willing to make the thirty minute diversion a rewarding experience is available, the small hall steeped in as much history as it is in oil and spices. Officially built and opened in 1973 by Gus's father, a carpenter named Napoleon who handed a recipe much older than the space down to his son, the small house containing an open kitchen and dining area with décor that seems unchanged since long before Gus's 2007 passing is a homey sort of place and with nothing but locals present as three women cooked while a fourth provided charming service the order essentially wrote itself - one half a bird with sides and two desserts, a complimentary third as an added bonus to take on the road. Fried to order, but merely a fifteen minute wait compared to the hour-long lines at the famous Memphis location, it was largely listening to locals kibitz with one another that we waited and no sooner had we finished our beverages that refills were offered along with the object of our desire, each bite of the juicy bird rife with seasoning and spice without being "hot" and the skin literally shattering to tooth, any bits that fell off placed on a piece of white bread with a dash of hot sauce making a sandwich every bit as delicious as it was debaucherous. Personally finding the slaw to be a bit too one-note and creamy, but impressed by baked beans with a nice nose of smoke, it was onward to desserts that the meal progressed and with each pie emerging from the oven no more than a half hour prior to service the creamy custard of the Chess was just set while the warm Pecan slice was almost entirely lacking in 'filler,' both texture and flavor benefitting tremendously with a buttery nuttiness as opposed to overt sweetness - a descriptor no one would rightfully apply to a jar of pudding that featured bananas at their peak of ripeness in a creamy housemade base with whipped cream and 'Nilla wafers not for lack. read more

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Gus's has got KFC, Popeyes, and the rest all beat in my book, best chicken ever, and also several locations around the Memphis metro area , including one downtown. The mendenhall location is the best also. All are great. read more

Gus's is stupidly good and you should go immediately. You have to wait a minute for your table(generally) because everyone knows how good this place is. Then you wait a minute for your food because they make it to order and don't set it under heat lamps. Then you wait a minute because the chicken is the temperature of molten lava when it gets to the table. Then when you eat it, you realize that it was SO worth the wait. What to order? It doesn't matter, it's all good! I like the tenders because I don't like to work to get the chicken off the bone, but to many purists that is sacrilege. You do you. And all of the sides are really good as well. Especially the Mac n Cheese! Enjoy! read more

Mixed feelings. Glad to make it here but oddly enough I like the chicken at the Gus in Atlanta. Both my 7 year old and I independently thought the chicken had a slight fishy taste to it. I was thinking it when he said something about it later. Perhaps somebody frying some catfish in the oil as well? It didn't make the chicken taste badly but it did not help enhance it either. Just an odd taste. Otherwise it was reasonably juicy with nice crisp on the skin. Not really spicy like the one back home. Cole slaw sorta like the Chick-fil-A version which I don't really like--almost minced cabbage and drowning in mayo. Fries were average. Didn't really touch the bread. Few beers available. People were nice. On a different day maybe I give it 3.5 and round up to 4 but it is what it is. read more

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I've eaten at Oakland, front street, Cordova, and horn lake, but this is my first time here in Mason. This Gus's blows them away and I think I understand why. This is not some franchise that employees cheap labor. This is not a restaurant that people can work here a short time and then move on. This is not just a job to these people. Rather, it is their way of life. As I understand it, Vernon (Gus) and his wife Gertrude Bonner opened a little shack here in 1953. Nobody really knows how they do what they do, but everyone agrees they do it well. They raised their kids here, who then carried out the tradition. They also raised their kids here, who also carried out the tradition. These are not employees, they are owners. This is the life that their grandpa made for them, and I bet he's proud of his granddaughters. There was a fire in 2002, which in the long run might not have been such a bad thing because it allowed them to expand and do what they do even better. Tidbit: I read that the community pitched in to build this building. Nothing fancy, just mismatched chairs and tables. Some chairs even look like hand me downs from a school. The chicken is what is special. It's a legacy more than 60 years old. It's good yall! Thank you for the hard work you do! read more

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The Wife and I stopped for dinner tonight. The place is not new by any means but I'll bet there has been thousands of people through the place. The chicken was outstanding. Not too spicy, very crispy and a ton of flavor. The sides were underwhelming but the service was great. The chicken is made when ordered so we waited about 45 minutes to get our food. We would come back. read more