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It’s official. The Chicken Shack of Luverne has been declared by Facebook voters from near and far as the home of Alabama’s best fried chicken. The local restaurant beat out seven other competitors—Ruby’s in Abbeville, Charlotte’s and Zack’s Family Restaurant, both in Dothan, Martin’s Restaurant in Montgomery, Champy’s in Muscle Shoals, Sam’s Kitchen and Grill in Eufaula and Red’s Little Schoolhouse in Grady—as part of Simply Southern TV’s search for “Bama’s Best Fried Chicken.”

After an intense week of voting, with the Chicken Shack ultimately going up in the final round against another beloved small-town eatery, Red’s Little Schoolhouse, the Shack ended up winning 55 percent to 45 percent for Red’s, with nearly 10,000 voting in the final round alone.  The winner was announced on July 20 with much excitement  shown on Facebook by local fans and travelers who make regular stops at the Luverne restaurant.

Maricia Brown, Chicken Shack manager, isn’t really surprised at the outcome. After all, she knows chicken and she knows the restaurant, which is open seven days a week, is all about consistency (along with cleanliness, friendliness and plenty of good southern cooking going on).

“I know what’s good, and I know ours is the best,” Brown said.

However, the Shack is about a lot more than delicious fried chicken, chicken tenders and chicken salad, she adds.

“We also make a really good hamburger—you can’t beat it.”

As the winners of the competition, the Chicken Shack was awarded a plaque along with $300.

Visit their Facebook page, and you will now see a graphic stating the restaurant has been “Rated Alabama’s Best Chicken.”