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Written By: Felecia Causey
Photography By: Felecia Causey
One thing I’ve always stood by is this: don’t believe the hype—experience it for yourself. I often remind my readers that my experience may not reflect yours. Every visit is shaped by different staff, different timing, and different circumstances.
Recently, I came across a flood of social media praise for a restaurant called Ocean Seafood and Chicken. The videos were glowing, and the buzz was hard to ignore. Naturally, I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype.
📝 First Impressions
When I arrived, my first thought was that the menu, food presentation, and overall setup felt familiar. After a moment, it hit me—it closely resembled Jaws Hot Chicken and Seafood, from the layout to the offerings.
I decided to try their chicken wings and tender combo and Chinese-style two meats combo, with a side of noodles. The inside of the restaurant was packed, so I opted for the drive-thru, assuming it would be quicker.
⏳ The Wait
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. It took a while for my order to be taken, though the young woman at the window was very kind and professional. She placed a sticky note on my window and politely asked me to park with the other waiting cars. I was car number nine, and the line continued to grow.
As I waited, I noticed both the drive-thru and inside seating area becoming increasingly busy. I reminded myself they had just opened for the day, so I remained patient. But as an entire episode of my show ended, I realized I still hadn’t received my food—nor had several others ahead of me.
Eventually, I saw customers getting out of their cars to retrieve their orders. I considered asking for a refund, but just as I returned to the window, my food was finally ready—after nearly 40 minutes. For a drive-thru experience, that’s excessive. Even most sit-down restaurants don’t take that long.
🍽️ The Food
Before heading home, I checked my order. After such a long wait, I expected the food to be piping hot. Unfortunately, it was only warm. By the time I got home and snapped a few quick photos, the chicken and fries had lost their crunch and were soft.
The seasoning was noticeably missing from both the chicken and fries. The Chinese plate with noodles was disappointing—the noodles were oily, the orange chicken lacked flavor, and the sesame chicken had no sesame seeds at all.
The wings and chicken tender meal came with a canned drink and white bread. While the portion size was generous, the quality didn’t match. I couldn’t help but wonder if the food had been sitting out before being handed to me.
I ordered a meal that included cole slaw, and was surprised to find it served in a small sample-sized cup. While I’m not personally a fan of cole slaw, I know many people look forward to it as a full side—so this portion might be disappointing if that’s what you’re expecting.
If you’re anticipating a generous serving, you may want to think twice or ask ahead. It’s more of a garnish than a true side dish.
⭐ Final Thoughts
Would I go back? Unfortunately, no—not at this time. While many have shared positive reviews, my experience was far from enjoyable. I spent $26 and barely touched the food. The long wait, lack of seasoning, and overall food quality left me disappointed.
Along with my order, I was supposed to receive two complimentary egg rolls—but unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found. It felt like they disappeared into thin air, much like the time spent waiting.
While the rest of the meal was decent, it’s disappointing when advertised items aren’t included. Small details like this can really impact the overall experience, especially when expectations are set in advance.
I always hope for the best when trying new places, but this visit was a reminder that hype doesn’t always equal quality. I’ll continue to support local businesses and give second chances when deserved—but for now, Ocean Seafood and Chicken isn’t on my return list.
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