Internet Vigilantes

[AtascAstro]

It is a crazy world that we live in.

So a guy in Tuscon decides to counter-protest Chik-fil-A by ordering a water in the drive thru and berates the very friendly girl working the window.  He is so proud of himself that he posts a video of his exercise of "Free Speech" on youtube.  The video gets noticed and within 24 hours, he's getting phone calls and e-mails from people he's never met.  But it doesn't stop there.  He is CFO of a medical device company, the company gets so many calls that they actually shut down their website.  He's fired by the end of the day.

His self-made video
Public Notice of his Termination

What a crazy world we live in.  No doubt he was a jerk, and C-level jobs cary C-level expectations in and out of the office, but the speed of the consequences is just shocking.  I'm starting to notice online communities, in this case a national Rivals message board, engaging in this sort of vigilanteism more and more frequently.  Within 20 minutes of someone posting the video, his home and work addresses and phone numbers were posted.  They even found his CEOs facebook page and somebody called his house.  I find it an interesting and disturbing insight into the modern "community".   

Rivals Message Board Post (subscription required)

[Ron Brand]

Idiocracy is real and it's already here.

[jbm]

I really haven't read much about this Chik-fil-A "story," just seen the headlines.  Seems like typical American culture war shit.  Anyways, I have no idea which side the drive thru berater is on, but this society has may too many true believers on all sides.  If any get knocked down a notch for their zealotry, I'm comfortable with it.  

[OregonStrosFan]

I find it an interesting and disturbing insight into the modern "community".

Every once in a while I'll see something posted somewhere on the internets that reminds me of some of the REALLY stupid stuff I did when I was younger.  And as I recall some of this really stupid stuff, I find myself grateful that I 'grew up' in the pre-YouTube days/days before everyone carried a camera (or videocamera) phone with them at all times.

[Fredia]

care to expound?

[OregonStrosFan]

Solid retort there Fredia!

[EasTexAstro]

Every once in a while I'll see something posted somewhere on the internets that reminds me of some of the REALLY stupid stuff I did when I was younger.  And as I recall some of this really stupid stuff, I find myself grateful that I 'grew up' in the pre-YouTube days/days before everyone carried a camera (or videocamera) phone with them at all times.

+1

And I'm sure there will be more +s coming.

[Andyzipp]

Morons with video cameras.

[EasTexAstro]

I would like to take a moment to point out what a wonderful server he had.

[AtascAstro]

I really haven't read much about this Chik-fil-A "story," just seen the headlines.  Seems like typical American culture war shit.  Anyways, I have no idea which side the drive thru berater is on, but this society has may too many true believers on all sides.  If any get knocked down a notch for their zealotry, I'm comfortable with it.  

Intentional Ambiguity, was more interested in the social implications of an internet world than the ideological battle du jour.

[AtascAstro]

Morons with video cameras.

Yes, scarry part is that this particular moron was a CFO and a college professor.  An apparently successful person who undid his entire resume in the drive thru at Chik-fil-a.

[subnuclear]

A lecturer is pretty far from a professor.

[chuck]

They should have fucking fired the IT manager instead. Fucking pussies.

[AtascAstro]

They should have fucking fired the IT manager instead. Fucking pussies.

I don't think that they took it down for technical reasons.  I think this was a mitigation strategy to avoid being further associated with Smith.  In their business they can probably afford to go dark for a week or so while this blows over.

[NeilT]

I hope no one finds out I think the waffle fries really suck.

[austro]

I hope no one finds out I think the waffle fries really suck.

Probably depends on whether you berate the drive-thru folks.

[remy]

I hope no one finds out I think the waffle fries really suck.

They used to be good okay, I don't know what happened. Now they're always limp, undercooked, and soggy.

[BizidyDizidy]

I think they piloted sweet potato waffle fries in some markets, but didn't take.

[Waldo]

I'm starting to notice online communities, in this case a national Rivals message board, engaging in this sort of vigilanteism more and more frequently.  Within 20 minutes of someone posting the video, his home and work addresses and phone numbers were posted.  They even found his CEOs facebook page and somebody called his house.  I find it an interesting and disturbing insight into the modern "community".   

4chan does that a lot.  It's a scary place.

[94CougarGrad]

I hope no one finds out I think the waffle fries really suck.

I think they do, too. Let's picket.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

When I order a chicken sandwich, I don't want to have to put on the condiments. I want my sandwich made, I don't want the parts for me to assemble. I'm not buying it in parts, I'm buying the whole unit, I want it delivered that way.

[mrpink]

When I order a chicken sandwich, I don't want to have to put on the condiments. I want my sandwich made, I don't want the parts for me to assemble. I'm not buying it in parts, I'm buying the whole unit, I want it delivered that way.

That chicken's normally so good you don't need condiments, imo.

[BizidyDizidy]

The condiments are pickles

[Waldo]

When I order a chicken sandwich, I don't want to have to put on the condiments. I want my sandwich made, I don't want the parts for me to assemble. I'm not buying it in parts, I'm buying the whole unit, I want it delivered that way.

Get the deluxe spicy chicken sandwich then.  Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and pepper jack.

[Andyzipp]

When I order a chicken sandwich, I don't want to have to put on the condiments. I want my sandwich made, I don't want the parts for me to assemble. I'm not buying it in parts, I'm buying the whole unit, I want it delivered that way.

If you're putting something on your CFA, you're doing it wrong.

[MusicMan]

Get the deluxe spicy chicken sandwich then.  Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and pepper jack.

Burn the heretic!

[AtascAstro]

Burn the heretic!

Disagree.  Pepperjack is a worthy, nay indispensable, addition to the SPICY chicken sandwich.  The original may be enjoyed as served or not at all, IMO.

Resume Burning(heretic)

[Navin R Johnson]

Never understood the Chick Fil A cult.  It is good, for fast food, but a piece of chicken on a bun with a pickle isn't something to get really excited about.

[subnuclear]

Never understood the Chick Fil A cult.  It is good, for fast food, but a piece of chicken on a bun with a pickle isn't something to get really excited about.

Fried chicken is an amazing form of food and Chick-Fil-A serves it in the most convenient form possible that's somehow palatable to people who would never eat at KFC or Popeye's. The waffle fries are pretty terrible though.

[das]

They used to be good okay, I don't know what happened. Now they're always limp, undercooked, and soggy.

You let one limp waffle fry thru and soon, you're overrun with limp waffle fries.  Nothing limp should have ever been allowed at a fine, red-blooded american establishment such as Chik-fil-a.

[Guinness]

Fried chicken is an amazing form of food and Chick-Fil-A serves it in the most convenient form possible that's somehow palatable to people who would never eat at KFC or Popeye's. The waffle fries are pretty terrible though.

If you don't like Popeye's, you don't like chicken.

[subnuclear]

If you don't like Popeye's, you don't like chicken.

I don't think its a matter of how the food tastes, but middle-class inhibitions about greasy food that's bad for you.

[Noe]

Fried chicken is an amazing form of food and Chick-Fil-A serves it in the most convenient form possible that's somehow palatable to people who would never eat at KFC or Popeye's. The waffle fries are pretty terrible though.

You forgot to include the world "Southern" in "Fried Chicken". All three chains make their claims to the southern region of the good old USA. Popeye's to Louisianna, hence it's spicy flavors and very traditional southern and louisiana side dishes. KFC lost their way a bit and Chick-Fil-A just hit on something that KFC never thought about: The Southern Fried Chicken on a bun. Usually, it would be on a bisquit (which is much more traditional in the South), but when you combine the SFC with the Bun and pickle, you've made something a Southern can and will relate to.

Suck it rest of the country!

[Guinness]

I don't think its a matter of how the food tastes, but middle-class inhibitions about greasy food that's bad for you.

Bourgeoisie!




(except that's why we hardly ever eat Popeyes at our house either...)

[Guinness]

You forgot to include the world "Southern" in "Fried Chicken". All three chains make their claims to the southern region of the good old USA. Popeye's to Louisianna, hence it's spicy flavors and very traditional southern and louisiana side dishes. KFC lost their way a bit and Chick-Fil-A just hit on something that KFC never thought about: The Southern Fried Chicken on a bun. Usually, it would be on a bisquit (which is much more traditional in the South), but when you combine the SFC with the Bun and pickle, you've made something a Southern can and will relate to.

Suck it rest of the country!

And man, Chick-Fil-A is all over the fucking place in Atlanta and lines are always huge.

[MusicMan]

You forgot to include the world "Southern" in "Fried Chicken". All three chains make their claims to the southern region of the good old USA. Popeye's to Louisianna, hence it's spicy flavors and very traditional southern and louisiana side dishes. KFC lost their way a bit and Chick-Fil-A just hit on something that KFC never thought about: The Southern Fried Chicken on a bun. Usually, it would be on a bisquit (which is much more traditional in the South), but when you combine the SFC with the Bun and pickle, you've made something a Southern can and will relate to.

Suck it rest of the country!

Chicken biscuit is the best breakfast in the world.

[Noe]

Chicken biscuit is the best breakfast in the world.

I watched the Best Sandwich in America contest on Travel Channel and when they featured a southern fried chicken breast on a biscuit (with a slice of cheddar), I thought "Winner!" (without the whole chicken dinner part).

[hostros7]

You forgot to include the world "Southern" in "Fried Chicken". All three chains make their claims to the southern region of the good old USA. Popeye's to Louisianna, hence it's spicy flavors and very traditional southern and louisiana side dishes. KFC lost their way a bit and Chick-Fil-A just hit on something that KFC never thought about: The Southern Fried Chicken on a bun. Usually, it would be on a bisquit (which is much more traditional in the South), but when you combine the SFC with the Bun and pickle, you've made something a Southern can and will relate to.

Suck it rest of the country!

Another important distinction is that CFA doesn't serve chicken on the bone. While discussing boneless fried chicken, it would be selfish not to mention that Zelko's might serve some of the best I've ever had. 

[Ron Brand]

Chicken biscuit is the best breakfast in the world.

And yet, the Honey Chicken Biscuit at Whataburger is a gooey mess of blecch, especially when you're driving.

[subnuclear]

You forgot to include the world "Southern" in "Fried Chicken". All three chains make their claims to the southern region of the good old USA. Popeye's to Louisianna, hence it's spicy flavors and very traditional southern and louisiana side dishes. KFC lost their way a bit and Chick-Fil-A just hit on something that KFC never thought about: The Southern Fried Chicken on a bun. Usually, it would be on a bisquit (which is much more traditional in the South), but when you combine the SFC with the Bun and pickle, you've made something a Southern can and will relate to.

Suck it rest of the country!

This is a good point, though I think northerners make a bigger deal out of it than people from say, North Carolina, where there are other fried chicken product options.

[Gizzmonic]

This is a good point, though I think northerners make a bigger deal out of it than people from say, North Carolina, where there are other fried chicken product options.

Now you're making me nostalgic for Bojangles!

[ybbodeus]

Underwood's out in Brownwood has some damned fine fried chicken, should your travels take you over there.

I miss Youngblood's over in Lugkin and Leslie's Chicken Shack in Waco--both have been gone for too long.

There's a place about 20 or so miles out of Waco in Riesel, I believe it is, that's worth a stop. It's connected to the Exxon station there--a chain called Bush's chicken. Keeps the kids quiet for 30 minutes or so while they wolf it down.

[ybbodeus]

Forgive the egregious "Lugkin for Lufkin" error above. I would fix it there but have been advised that editing is frowned upon here.

[Ron Brand]

Nashville Hot Fried Chicken is supposed to be good stuff, but I haven't had it. Yet.

[NeilT]

I'm spoiled by the original Frenchy's, by U of H, and not often enough use lunch with BudGirl as an excuse to go there.  That's good fried chicken.  I read recently that the Barbecue Inn on Crosstimbers has Houston's best fried chicken.  If it's true, I could imagine that after fried chicken a trip down Crosstimbers to Flying Saucer Pies would make just about the most decadent food experience I could imagine, short of body parts that shouldn't appear on a plate.

[Duke]

Lucy's in downtown Auistin is pretty darn good.

[Ron Brand]

...short of body parts that shouldn't appear on a plate.

Table quality.

[Fredia]

if you want fried chicken or for that matter amazing fried cat fish in a true dinner dive fashion go to country boys in many la

[MikeyBoy]

Gus's Fried Chicken in Memphis is outstanding.

[ybbodeus]

Gus's? Have to hit that next time I go to hometown. Was it featured on the "Drive thru/Diners" show? North side of town not too far from Rhodes?  The pla e they featured on that episode pan fries the bird versus dumping it in a fry basket.

Supposed to be a great spot just a little south of Graceland, but the name escapes me.

I like the bird at any Frenchy's, Nt, but the original is special.

Jack Pirtles is horrible, but like the rendezvous is somehow renowned. At least "The 'vous" is a fun place to eat.

There's a place about 45 to 50 minutes northwest of OKC that claims to be the oldest restaurant in the state.  It had some of the finest chicken I've ever had anywhere, but you are nearly guaranteed to get a bit ill if you eat the skin. Grease issue versus a cleanliness one. We doubled down and got the fried okra. Death to lower internal health for three days.  My buddy, a food machine, missed his flight the next day. We're talking depth charges.

[BudGirl]

Now you're making me nostalgic for Bojangles!

My sister just had to try that place. I'll live not eating there again.

[MusicMan]

And yet, the Honey Chicken Biscuit at Whataburger is a gooey mess of blecch, especially when you're driving.

Whataburger is hopeless with chicken.

[Noe]

I'm spoiled by the original Frenchy's, by U of H, and not often enough use lunch with BudGirl as an excuse to go there.  That's good fried chicken.  I read recently that the Barbecue Inn on Crosstimbers has Houston's best fried chicken.  If it's true, I could imagine that after fried chicken a trip down Crosstimbers to Flying Saucer Pies would make just about the most decadent food experience I could imagine, short of body parts that shouldn't appear on a plate.

A very long time ago, there used to be a place near downtown (on what now sits the MMPUS actually) that had the best Fried Chicken I've ever had. I was just a kid, may be 12 or so, but I would work with my Dad during the summer to make some spending money. During lunch, on rare occasions, my Dad would take the ten minute drive down to this place and we'd sit down and eat the chicken plate. It was two pieces of chicken with a side salad (French dressing) and some fries (and iced tea... unsweetened of course). Something like 2 dollars if I remember correctly, maybe 2 and a half. I would eat the whole thing without a problem and my Dad would just smile at me with that proud papa look. I can't remember the name of the place, but it was so darn good. The chicken was not only deep fried, but it had a sort of tomato sauce blended it as they fried it.

Yum!

P. S. I used to trek over to Ervin's Chicken in Temple when I would have to commute there to work on a project. That was good stuff, but trust me, you don't eat there every day... lessen your days be numbered on this here earth.

[Noe]

Gus's Fried Chicken in Memphis is outstanding.

We had a two day stopover in Memphis a couple years back on our family vacation trek to Washington D.C. and we were going to make a stop there, but wound up leaving without finding the place. I was so looking forward to it too.

[Guinness]

How about Ron's Krispy Fried Chicken?  Do they sitll exist?  There was one up in Spring when I was just out of high school and a friend and I ate there all the time and loved it...awesome chicken, and their dirty rice was the greatest.  Of course that was nearly 30 years ago so it was probably crap, but the memory of it is the gold standard for chicken.

[Mr. Happy]

If you don't like Popeye's, you don't like chicken.

+∞

[Fredia]

this whole thing is torture..need to make a trip bakc to the country

[ybbodeus]

My brother in hometown says there are numerous Gus's in town now and that it wasn't the place featured on food channel's drive-in diner dives.

Says he's no great fan of the place but couldn't name a better one, save for his country club's chicken..

[Waldo]

I don't think its a matter of how the food tastes, but middle-class inhibitions about greasy food that's bad for you.

Fried chicken on the bone is the only fried food that I can't eat (digestion wise), regardless of where it's from.

[Fredia]

all i can say is you poor thing

[drew corleone]

A very long time ago, there used to be a place near downtown (on what now sits the MMPUS actually) that had the best Fried Chicken I've ever had. I was just a kid, may be 12 or so, but I would work with my Dad during the summer to make some spending money. During lunch, on rare occasions, my Dad would take the ten minute drive down to this place and we'd sit down and eat the chicken plate. It was two pieces of chicken with a side salad (French dressing) and some fries (and iced tea... unsweetened of course). Something like 2 dollars if I remember correctly, maybe 2 and a half. I would eat the whole thing without a problem and my Dad would just smile at me with that proud papa look. I can't remember the name of the place, but it was so darn good. The chicken was not only deep fried, but it had a sort of tomato sauce blended it as they fried it.

Yum!

P. S. I used to trek over to Ervin's Chicken in Temple when I would have to commute there to work on a project. That was good stuff, but trust me, you don't eat there every day... lessen your days be numbered on this here earth.

Holy shit, this x 1,000,000. Love Ervin's (née Williams). There is a newish one right down the street from Drayton's house.

Tenders, mashed taters and a fried pie... That's a meal that is damn hard to beat. They opened a Bush's on 31st and that place sucks compared to Ervin's.

[ybbodeus]

Nashville Hot Fried Chicken is supposed to be good stuff, but I haven't had it. Yet.

Nashville is the Dallas of Tennessee. They can't POSSIBLY do chicken right.

[Bench]

 Has anyone been to Raising Kanes? One opened a little while ago on Ella just outside the loop. I haven't stopped by but a buddy of mine from New Orleans swears it's the best fast food fried (boneless) chicken around.

[HudsonHawk]

Oh man...four pages on chicken sammiches.  I'm never going on vacation ever again.

Don't care for CFA's politics, but their chicken is top notch.  No need for lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sauce, etc.  Their buscuits are pretty good too. 

Someone mentioned Bojangles...man I miss those.  When I lived in North Caroliona, it was assumed you'd start your day with a biscuit, and Bojangles was the traditional stop first thing in the morning when working in the field.  The mantra was, "I dont' work without a biscuit".

[HudsonHawk]

If you don't like Popeye's, you don't like chicken.

Popeye's would be ok, if not for that disgusting spice crap they put in it.  That shit has no business around a piece of fried chicken.  Ever.

[Fredia]

daughter part of raising canes tour...mississippi on the freeway, lafayette, alexanderia, college station, houston, waco, shreveport, and soon to be in cedar park

[Phil_in_CS]

Has anyone been to Raising Kanes? One opened a little while ago on Ella just outside the loop. I haven't stopped by but a buddy of mine from New Orleans swears it's the best fast food fried (boneless) chicken around.

It's alright but nothing great. They do a promo w/ A&M basketball for a buy one get one free if the Aggies score 70pts, so we go w/ the coupons. I wouldn't pay full price for it. Breaded tenders done reasonably well, w/ very average coleslaw and fries.

[Fredia]

dont forget the secret dipping sauce

[EasTexAstro]

Breaded tenders done reasonably well, w/ very average coleslaw and fries.

I've heard several people recommend Raising Canes. I've only been to the one in Nacogdoches and Phil nailed my impression. Maybe it varies a lot by location, but I'm not ever tempted to try again.

[94CougarGrad]

If you're putting something on your CFA, you're doing it wrong.

Mayonnaise isn't acceptable?


ETA:: My boys love Raising Cane's. When we moved up here and they found out there was one down the highway in Lewisville, they got excited. It was always what they requested I bring to school for them on those "Hey, mom, can you bring me lunch today?" days.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Mayonnaise isn't acceptable?

It depends on how you redefine sandwich.

[AtascAstro]

Not to sidetrack a solid discussion of fried chicken and the purveyors therof...

but Mr. Smith has offered an apology.  As public apologies go, it comes off pretty well and he seems to regret his behavior.  He would do well to take RMPL as guiding principle from here on out.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Has anyone been to Raising Kanes? One opened a little while ago on Ella just outside the loop. I haven't stopped by but a buddy of mine from New Orleans swears it's the best fast food fried (boneless) chicken around.

I was a fan before I even knew it: there's a place in CS called Layne's, which sells chicken fingers battered exactly like Cane's, with a dipping sauce exactly like Cane's.  Somewhere, there's a Chinese car company that's blown away by the audacity with which Cane's model was ripped off.

[Duke]

My wife insists that Guthire's chicken fingers are the best forget the rest.  Being from Austin I never heard of them.  I don't think they have franchises outside Alabama.  Then we wen't to an Auburn v Georgia football game one year and she was right.  Damn good.

[Andyzipp]

I was a fan before I even knew it: there's a place in CS called Layne's, which sells chicken fingers battered exactly like Cane's, with a dipping sauce exactly like Cane's.  Somewhere, there's a Chinese car company that's blown away by the audacity with which Cane's model was ripped off.

On Texas in College Station, Layne's, Cane's and something called Fowl Digits are all the same restaurant about 100 yards from one another. 

[NeilT]

On Texas in College Station, Layne's, Cane's and something called Fowl Digits are all the same restaurant about 100 yards from one another. 

They heard Aggies liked it, but got confused about what it was exactly that the Chicken Ranch served.

[Andyzipp]

They heard Aggies liked it, but got confused about what it was exactly that the Chicken Ranch served.

Aggiieiessees are stupid.  Noted.

[Duman]

My wife insists that Guthire's chicken fingers are the best forget the rest.  Being from Austin I never heard of them.  I don't think they have franchises outside Alabama.  Then we wen't to an Auburn v Georgia football game one year and she was right.  Damn good.

+1 one of my pilgrimage places when I go back home.

[Phil_in_CS]

I was a fan before I even knew it: there's a place in CS called Layne's, which sells chicken fingers battered exactly like Cane's, with a dipping sauce exactly like Cane's.  Somewhere, there's a Chinese car company that's blown away by the audacity with which Cane's model was ripped off.

Layne's predates Cane's by 20 years. In College Station, anyway. Cane's chose to build next door to an established and popular place selling the same thing.

[Andyzipp]

Layne's predates Cane's by 20 years. In College Station, anyway. Cane's chose to build next door to an established and popular place selling the same thing.

Raising Cane's opened in Baton Rouge in 1996 after Todd Graves stopped working on Alaskan fishing boats.  Layne's opened in the fall of 1994 in College Station. I don't think there was a whole lot of copying going on.

Although, scuttlebutt was that Graves opened where he did in BCS because he was told Layne's opened in 98 and had ripped off his concept.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Raising Cane's opened in Baton Rouge in 1996 after Todd Graves stopped working on Alaskan fishing boats.  Layne's opened in the fall of 1994 in College Station. I don't think there was a whole lot of copying going on.

Although, scuttlebutt was that Graves opened where he did in BCS because he was told Layne's opened in 98 and had ripped off his concept.

Wow, that's news to me.  But given the condition and apparent age of the Layne's building, I'll buy that.

[Phil_in_CS]

Although, scuttlebutt was that Graves opened where he did in BCS because he was told Layne's opened in 98 and had ripped off his concept.

And a dumbass just opened Fowl Digits place between Laynes and Canes - three chicken finger places in a row. Laynes does have a new store; The original one in Texas was a run down dump when I got here in 1980.

That section of Texas Avenue eats restaurants. Every year someone plows big money into redoing one of those old buildings into a new place, only to close in six months or less. People figure with 45000 students and 10000 staff across the street they should make a killing selling cheap eats, but there's a lot of know how required to make it work.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

That section of Texas Avenue eats restaurants. Every year someone plows big money into redoing one of those old buildings into a new place, only to close in six months or less. People figure with 45000 students and 10000 staff across the street they should make a killing selling cheap eats, but there's a lot of know how required to make it work.

This.  I think that there were at least 2 different restaurants per year in that location while I was there.