Quick Bites: Al Copeland Jr. Secrets Of A Tastemaker

Love that chicken from Popeyes! If you love Louisiana food, it’s a safe bet that you’re a Popeyes lover too.

The company that has grown to over 3,000 stores stretching from one end of the globe to the other, all started right here in New Orleans. Today, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen includes locations in more than 30 countries. You’ll find that chicken in London, Sri Lanka, the Philippines – there’s over a dozen Popeyes in Jamaica for goodness sake! But none of that would be possible if it weren’t for the visionary, one of a kind powerhouse that was Al Copeland. Owned by Restaurant Brands International, and now in its 50th year, Popeyes remains one of New Orleans finest culinary ambassadors. And for the record, it’s not fast food! That chicken is still marinated overnight in those secret seasonings before being hand breaded and fried – delivering that spicy, delicious flavor with every bite. His son, Al, Jr. recently memorialized his father in a cookbook memoir entitled Secrets of a Tastemaker written by Chris Rose, Kit Wohl and the Copeland family. We sat down with Al to hear the whole story.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is a sponsor of Louisiana Eats!