The Big Chicken Marietta - Image 1
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The Big Chicken Marietta

4
·3k reviews·Marietta, United States

A 56-foot-tall chicken statue housing a KFC, this iconic Marietta landmark is a beloved roadside attraction with a unique history.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, faster service

CrowdLow
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The Big Chicken Marietta - Image 1

The Big Chicken Marietta

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, faster service

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A 56-foot-tall chicken statue housing a KFC, this iconic Marietta landmark is a beloved roadside attraction with a unique history.

4
(3k reviews)

"The Big Chicken is the BEST metro Atlanta landmark! Inside they have a small selection of souvenirs, local artwork, and other photo op oddities."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Snap That Iconic Photo

Don't miss a photo with the giant chicken! It's a must-do for any visitor.

🚗 Parking & Ordering

You might be asked to park and wait for your order during busy times.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Big Chicken Itself

The Big Chicken Itself

Exterior

A 56-foot-tall, iconic roadside chicken statue that's a symbol of Marietta.

KFC Dining Experience

KFC Dining Experience

Interior

Enjoy your favorite KFC meals inside this unique, landmark restaurant.

Souvenir Shop & Photo Ops

Souvenir Shop & Photo Ops

Interior

Grab unique souvenirs and snap memorable photos with quirky local art.

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Planning Your Visit

Iconic Landmark, Familiar Flavors

The Big Chicken is more than just a KFC; it's a beloved Marietta landmark with a unique history. Expect the classic KFC menu, but with a fun, quirky atmosphere. It's a quick stop for a photo op and a meal.

Timing Your Visit

While it's a KFC, the Big Chicken can draw crowds, especially during peak meal times. Consider visiting during off-hours for a more relaxed experience and quicker service. Weekday lunchtimes can be busy.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, faster service
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday evenings
Why
Relaxed atmosphere, good for dinner
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

KFC Bucket Refill Policy?? 😎🍗
@itsallenferrell
3.8M likes • 29.3M views

📸 Snap That Iconic Photo

Don't miss a photo with the giant chicken! It's a must-do for any visitor. Instagram+1

🚗 Parking & Ordering

You might be asked to park and wait for your order during busy times. Reddit

l walked into a black painted KFC
@ramsssees
1.5M likes • 10.7M views
Have you been to the Big Chicken? 🍗 I moved to Marietta when I was 9, and finally made it to the iconic Big Chicken! This cluckin’ legend isn’t just a KFC—it’s the landmark that puts Marietta on the map. Proud to call this quirky piece of chicken history part of my hometown. 🐔#CluckingAwesome #BigChicken #MariettaPride #fingerlickinggood #mariettaga #mariettasquare #cobbcounty
merryinmarietta
31 likes • 738 views

🎁 Unique Souvenirs

Check out the small shop inside for local art and quirky memorabilia. Reddit

🐔 Classic KFC Flavors

Expect your favorite KFC chicken, sandwiches, and sides, often served fresh. TikTokReddit

The Big Chicken Marietta, GA #thebigchicken #thebigchickenmarietta #mariettageorgia #kfc #kentuckyfriedchicken #everything_signage #everythinganimals #signsunited #signcollective #signmongers #insearchofquirk #weirdgeorgia #roadsidepeek #roadsideamerica #roadsideamericana #oddballu ##oddballuniversity #oddlysatifying #scaroadside #signsofinstagram #signseverywhere #signs
david_k747
26 likes • 298 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Snap That Iconic Photo

Don't miss a photo with the giant chicken! It's a must-do for any visitor. Instagram+1

🚗 Parking & Ordering

You might be asked to park and wait for your order during busy times. Reddit

🎁 Unique Souvenirs

Check out the small shop inside for local art and quirky memorabilia. Reddit

🐔 Classic KFC Flavors

Expect your favorite KFC chicken, sandwiches, and sides, often served fresh. TikTokReddit

✨ Clean & Unique Atmosphere

Many find the interior cleaner and more unique than a typical KFC. InstagramReddit

What Travellers Say

4
(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise The Big Chicken for its iconic status and unique atmosphere, often noting the food is fresh and the interior is clean. While it's still a KFC, the landmark building and souvenir shop add a special touch. Some reviews mention inconsistent service or food quality, but the overall experience is generally positive due to its novelty.

"I came here as a kid in the early 1970s. The location is the same, but the Big Chicken grew anew a few times!

I enjoyed the spicy chicken sandwich. Medium fries and drink. Everything was hot, fresh and cooked to order. Nothing on my tray sat around!

At the end of the day, it's still KFC. It's pretty good chicken!

The iconic 🐔 out front just let's me know I'm in Marietta!"

Barnett Fischer

"ordered a 2-piece meal with 2 mashed potatoes and 2 biscuits. I was told to park and waited about 8 minutes, only to receive an incorrect order with just one biscuit and poor presentation. Very disappointed with the service and attention to detail."

cynthia rivera

"The food was ok but that's just me. I think anyone else will really like the food. Inside was very clean and the staff was hard working. Honestly had to say this KFC is no normal KFC it's very unique."

Tiffany Easter (tiffann)

What People Like

Iconic landmark status
Unique atmosphere
Freshly prepared food

What People Dislike

Inconsistent service
Oily chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Big Chicken is located in Marietta, Georgia, easily accessible by car. It's a prominent landmark visible from the road, making it hard to miss. Many visitors arrive by car and utilize the onsite parking. Instagram+1

While public transportation options might exist in the broader Atlanta area, direct public transit to The Big Chicken itself is not widely advertised. Driving is the most common and convenient method. Instagram

There is dedicated parking available at the location. During peak hours, you might be asked to park and wait for your order to be brought out. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, you do not need a ticket to see or take photos of The Big Chicken from the outside. It's a public landmark. Instagram+1

As it is a KFC restaurant, its operating hours generally align with typical fast-food establishments. It's best to check the specific KFC hours for this location before your visit. TikTok

There is no admission fee to view or photograph the exterior of The Big Chicken. You only pay if you choose to purchase food from the KFC inside. Instagram

Yes, you can go inside The Big Chicken as it houses a KFC restaurant. The interior also features a small souvenir shop and photo opportunities. InstagramReddit

📸 📸 Photography & Memorabilia

The most iconic photo spot is directly in front of the giant chicken statue. You can also find interesting angles from the parking lot and inside the restaurant with its unique decor. Instagram+1

Yes, the interior of The Big Chicken often features a small selection of souvenirs, local artwork, and other unique items for sale. Reddit

Absolutely! The Big Chicken is a prime example of a unique fast-food landmark and a perfect subject for anyone photographing roadside attractions. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The Big Chicken is a KFC, so it serves the classic Kentucky Fried Chicken menu, including fried chicken, sandwiches, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and more. TikTokReddit

While the menu is standard KFC, some reviews suggest the food might be handled with greater care or served fresher due to the unique nature of the location. Reddit

There is no policy for free refills on buckets of chicken at KFC. The TikTok video mentioning refills was likely a humorous take. TikTok

Popular items include the Original Recipe chicken, Extra Crispy chicken, chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy. TikTok+2

While the core menu is KFC standard, the experience of eating at this landmark location is unique. Some limited-time offers or regional specials might be available. TikTok+1

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Big Chicken is a fantastic stop for families! Kids are usually mesmerized by the giant chicken statue, making for fun photo opportunities. Instagram Inside, the familiar KFC menu means there's likely something for even the pickiest eaters. The novelty of eating inside such a unique building adds an extra layer of excitement to a family meal. Instagram

Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and allow kids more space to explore the immediate surroundings. The small souvenir shop can also be a fun place for kids to pick out a memento of their visit. Reddit

📸 Roadside Attraction Enthusiasts

For those who love quirky roadside attractions, The Big Chicken is a must-visit. It's a classic example of mid-century Americana signage that has stood the test of time. Instagram+1 Make sure to get your photos from various angles, and appreciate its history as a landmark that has evolved with the times. Instagram

While it's now a KFC, its original charm as a unique roadside beacon is still palpable. It's a great addition to any road trip itinerary focused on unique American landmarks. Reddit

🚗 Day-Trippers from Atlanta

The Big Chicken is an easy and quick day trip from Atlanta. It's a perfect spot for a lunch break or a fun photo stop if you're exploring the surrounding Cobb County area. Instagram You can combine a visit with other local attractions or simply enjoy the novelty of this iconic landmark. Instagram

It's a great way to break up a drive or add a memorable, lighthearted stop to your day without requiring a significant time commitment. Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

History of The Big Chicken

The Big Chicken, a 56-foot-tall fiberglass chicken, has been a fixture in Marietta, Georgia, since its original construction in 1956. It was initially built by Stanley R. "Tubby" Davis as part of his restaurant, Johnny Reb's Chick-Chuck-N-Shake. The distinctive structure was designed by Hubert Puckett, a Georgia Tech student. Instagram

In 1966, the restaurant became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Legend has it that Colonel Harland Sanders himself was not a fan of the giant chicken, finding it a bit too kitschy. Despite this, the iconic bird has survived numerous challenges and renovations over the decades, solidifying its status as a beloved roadside attraction and a symbol of Marietta pride. Instagram+1

Its most significant renovation occurred in 1993, making it stronger and brighter than ever. Today, it continues to draw visitors who are fascinated by its quirky history and its enduring presence as a unique landmark. Instagram

Experiencing The Big Chicken Today

Visiting The Big Chicken today is a blend of nostalgia and fast-food convenience. The exterior remains a striking, albeit slightly weathered, testament to roadside Americana. It's a popular spot for quick photos, with many travelers making it a point to stop and capture the iconic structure. Instagram+2

Inside, you'll find a standard KFC restaurant. While the menu offers the familiar fried chicken and sides, some visitors note that the food seems to be prepared with extra care, and the overall dining environment is cleaner and more unique than a typical KFC. The restaurant also often features a small area with local art and souvenirs, adding to the charm of the visit. InstagramReddit

It's important to manage expectations: while the building is a landmark, the dining experience is that of a KFC. However, for many, the novelty of eating inside a giant chicken makes it a memorable stop, especially for families and those interested in quirky roadside attractions. InstagramReddit

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