WINONA, Minn. – Hands down, nobody in Winona beats the succulence and the firm seasoning of the fried chicken at Tim Beier’s new Pizza Ranch franchise. Too bad it’s the Iowa chain’s formula. We’d prefer a home-grown Winona recipe. But that doesn’t take away from its deliciousness. Our Galloping Gourmands ratings:
Number 1. Pizza Ranch. 405 Highway 14. Buffet service. Delivery and carry-out available. Downsides: No table service. Deplorable acoustics made all the worse by a tinny sound system.
Number 2. Kwik Trip. Eight Winona locations. The convenience store chain’s test kitchen in LaCrosse has come up with a close second in our rating. Juicy although not quite the golden plump of Pizza Ranch. Breading a tad heavy on the salt but still tasty. Downsides: Carry-out only. No table service.
Number 3: KFC. 1558 Service Drive. A weak third. Once was the only game in town andknown formerly as Kentucky Fried Chicken. The namesake chicken has become relatively uninspired compared to the competition and tends to be drier and blase. The chain’s formula dates to 1952, which, while still acceptable, doesn’t measure up. Upside: Drive-through service. Downside: Spartan inside-dining. No table service.
Price comparison
Side-by-side comparisons are difficult because choices have different combinations of pieces and different sides. All, however, are good values.
The Galloping Gourmands roam the region for great places to dine. The panel, a rotating group, pays full fare. To assure dispassionate reviews, the panelists don’t identify themselves.