Jimmy Madonna still remembers the first customers that walked into his dad’s Chicken Delight store on Post Avenue 50 years ago.
“I was 10 years old and at the counter. The first customers were a father and son, they looked like they were blue collar workers,” Jimmy recalled. “After that, it took off a lot.”
Decades later, thousands of customers have passed through the doors of Chicken Delight. While some things have changed, such as the store’s location and look, much has also stayed the same, such as the quality of the food and the Madonna family’s commitment to satisfying customers with delicious poultry.
The Chicken Delight franchise first burst into nationwide popularity in the 1950s, capturing the attention of Westbury’s Vincent Madonna, a Navy veteran. He went to a three week course to learn more about operating his own Chicken Delight, hoping to bring the restaurant to his hometown. After mortgaging his house and financial help from his mother, he was able open a storefront on Lafayette and Post Avenue in 1965.
The business met with success and five years later, Vincent bought property on Maple Avenue from then mayor Ernest Strada. The building was designed by his nephew and over the years expanded to include a dining room and more storage.
Today, the eatery continues to thrive and is run by Vincent’s children Jimmy and Martha. His other son Paul owns Wings and Things in Hempstead, another popular chicken spot. Jimmy said taking over the family business was a natural progression for the Madonna children.
“We spent our whole lives in this store,” Jimmy said. “I was always learning procedures and how to order.”
“Growing up I would want to spend time with my dad and he was always down here, so I would come here,” said Martha. “He worked seven days a week.”
Though Chicken Delight has roots in a national franchise, the Westbury location is a family business through and through. Throughout the years, Jimmy and Martha’s uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members have all worked in the store and Madonna family relics fill the restaurant. In the entry way are wooden signs that Vincent crafted, as well as a quilt that used to hang in the Madonna home. A wall in the dining room is dedicated to Vincent and decorated with family photos.
On Sunday, July 12, the restaurant will celebrate 50 years in business—a feat that would not have been possible if not for the hard work of the Madonna family patriarch, who passed away in September 2012.
“It was a lot of work, but my dad always said failure was not an option,” Jimmy said. “He was always down here.”
Jimmy also attributes the eatery’s success to the staff’s diligence and hard work. While many small businesses come and go, Jimmy said Chicken Delight’s staff is meticulous about maintaining the store and equipment. They also make it a point to set their food apart from other chicken restaurants in the area.
“Probably the biggest difference between Chicken Delight and other chains is that we still use a wet battered chicken,” Jimmy said. “We have a certain cooker that will accept it. Other cookers use a dry breader that couldn’t use a wet battered chicken because the chicken would stick together. The cookers we have are 50 years old from our Post Avenue store and we maintain them.”
Chicken Delight restaurants are few and far between nowadays, however, many people are still familiar with the brand and its jingle, “don’t cook tonight, call Chicken Delight.” And being a staple in the community for 50 years, Martha said the restaurant provides a family environment.
“We know most of our customers by name. I know their order as soon as they walk in,” she said.
As for the future, the Madonnas are unsure of who will take over the restaurant, as Jimmy’s two children are well established in other fields.
“We’re not ready to retire and we don’t know what’s going to happen. But people would be devastated if we left. And this business is part of us, our whole lives were here,” Martha said.
Celebrate Chicken Delight’s 50th anniversary with complimentary food and giveaways on Sunday, July 12, starting at noon. Chicken Delight is located at 476 Maple Ave. in Westbury. For more information, call 516-334-2220.
