CONFIRMED: Popeye’s is Returning To Gull Road in Kalamazoo

YES! FINALLY, the east side of Kalamazoo is getting some proper fried chicken again. Nothing against the ones that are already here, you've been great, but the news that a Popeye's is going back in on Gull Road has me giddy.

I love me some spice, I love me some southern cooking, and Popeye's is the epitome when it comes to this in the fast food realm. Sure, KFC was fine, but we don't have one of those over here anymore. So... bring on the spice!

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A while back, the plot of land at 3800 Gull Road started showing some activity after quite some time being empty, and a bit of an eyesore. Back in May, the initial structure went up, and people began speculating as to what it could be.

One keen eye, though, caught on, and predicted it would be a Popeye's. Sure enough, the signage is up on the Building now, and YES, that is a Popeye's going in on Gull Road.

Good eye from our own Lauren Gordon who picked up on the clues.

But now, it's go-time. YES, I know, there's other Popeye's around the area, but the fact that one is coming into my neighborhood is exciting. Keep in mind, in the great Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2019 and 2021, Popeye's was overwhelmingly deemed the winner. In fact, it was so popular, restaurants were routinely sold out, and fights would break out between customers, and employees, just to get their hands on the coveted sandwich.

But it was worth it.

Their chicken had spice, the sauce had flavor, the pickles were perfect, and the bread felt homemade. And to this day, it is still my favorite fast food chicken sandwich.

When comparing Popeye's to other fast food chicken joints, it's as if Popeye's is run by your older, southern grandma, who has passed down these hand-made recipes for generations... vs. someone who LOOKS like Granny from the old Loony Toons cartoons, attempting to make something "spicy" with extra black pepper in her recipe.

The two are not the same.

No official open date is confirmed, but job listings show they have hired a manager, and are taking on staff soon, which means it's likely it'll be open fairly quick.

For me, it can't come soon enough!