Jahnke Road’s Golden Skillet among the last few from almost 200 locations
Stephanie Ganz at Richmond Magazine has the story of Richmond native Clifton William (“C.W.”) Guthrie Sr.’s Golden Skillet Fried Chicken chain:
When Thalhimers VP Newman Hamblet tasted Guthrie’s delectable fried chicken in 1963, he was such a fan that he added it to the menu at the store’s restaurant, the Richmond Room. Four years later, Thalhimers and Guthrie drew up a $70 million agreement to franchise the business, and in 1968 the first location opened its doors right here in Richmond.
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In 2021, the final remaining corporate store in Portsmouth, operated by Richard “Chicken Man” Oglesby for most of its 35-year run, shuttered. It was the last of Hampton Roads’ 45 Golden Skillet locations. Now, just a handful of independently owned Golden Skillets have endured, including stores on Jahnke Road, where the dining room feels like a time capsule of the past; Williamsburg Road in Sandston; and Washington Street in Petersburg.
I have all ways love golden skillet, it was like KFC use to be, now that zI know that there is still one left in Richmond I’ll be there.
Please don’t shut this down
Love this place so much .
My mother who is deceased love this place so much .This is the last one left here in Richmond,Va.
I had a college classmate from NJ who would ask me to stop at Golden Skillet for chicken on the way to homecoming at Hampton University.
It is strange that I would see this article a few minutes ago when I had discussed this very subject earlier today with a friend. I was longing for some Golden Skillet fish or chicken livers. I wasn’t aware that another location was so close by since the location I generally went to closed. I know where I’ll be going soon.
Golden Skillet chicken is number 1 in taste. I suggested a golden skillet be the logo for this chicken and Mr. Guthrie liked and approved that it would be.
I grew up eating Golden skillet. It was the go to spot any day of the week. As a child my mother worked there. My sister and I loved the food there. One might think between mom bringing food home from work and sometimes going there with our grandmother we would be tired of eating it but that wasn’t so. As I got older and even when I was grown I still craved Golden skillet food up until the doors closed for good. I miss going there. Ihope if any stores are still open they remain that way. The world needs that type of family dining. I would travel wherever to be able to have the foods I grew up on.
I go to Golden Skillet at least twice a week for myself and my sister who can’t do for herself. Please don’t close it down. That is the only original one left. Let us keep something of value.
I live in Farmvile and every time we use to come to Richmond we would stop by the one on Hull St and get to take home. It beats KFC chicken every time. I didn’t know of this one but I’m going to find it and get me some before we go home. Please don’t close the doors..
Please 🙏🏾 don’t shut them down in Richmond I was raised on Golden Skillet and raised my children on this place we love the chicken.
I live a few blocks from the Golden Skillet on Janke Road I go there every Sunday after church to get my wings
Please don’t close the Golden Skillet. That’s One of my favorite places. I always enjoy going Sandston on Williamsburg Rd. Please, Please keep it opening. I wish you would bring back to West Point Va.
That’s history like the white tower burger joints that was in mostly Virginia.
The only chicken restaurant I enjoy eating at. Please let it be.
After purchasing a new car from my father’s Chrysler dealership in Caroline County during the ‘60’s , nice Mr. Guthrie insisted on cooking our family a chicken dinner! I remember him coming to our house bringing a BIG pressure cooker . He fried up a huge platter full of his amazing chicken and we all sat around the kitchen table together! He even left my Mom some of his spices. Our kitchen never smelled so good!!
We had Golden Skillet catered 600 wings for our wedding appetizers,thank you Sandston, Va. Location. Only 3 stores left in the Petersburg/ Richmond vicinity. Awesome customer service.
I went to one in Brookneal several years ago. We still stop at the one in Petersburg to get fish and chicken livers. Before Imoved to Virginia there was one in Kenbridge. That was an excellent date on the weekend to stop and get a good fish or chicken dinner before the dance. I stop whenever I can. It still tastes the same. Maybe better. If they bring back White Tower I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I worked at Golden Skillet 2 blocks from home in Hampton, LaSalle Ave.16yrs old to early 20s became a manager. Loved that chicken and Big Skillet sandwich!