The highly anticipated Chick-fil-A in Placentia finally opened its doors for a soft opening last week, giving residents a first bite of what soon will be one of the city’s busiest new restaurants. I was able to cover the soft opening for The Wrangler after my friend, Amr Elmaghrabi (12), who worked at the Brea store, extended an invitation to me. The affair gave the community members a sneak peek at the food, service, and atmosphere of the restaurant before the official grand opening the following day.
As soon as I arrived, it was clear that the Placentia Chick-fil-A employees had been preparing for weeks. The line was out the door, but surprisingly, everything flowed quite well. Staff greeted guests with smiles, the kitchen was in overdrive, and steaming food trays kept coming out like clockwork. Amr, wearing his red Chick-fil-A polo shirt and headset, was both fatigued and beaming. “It’s been nonstop since we opened the doors,” said Amr Elmaghrabi (12). “Even though it’s just the soft opening, we’ve been busier than I ever imagined”. But seriously, it’s been a blast having everyone get so excited about this new site.
I got the kids’ five-piece chicken nugget meal, and much to my surprise, it was just as fulfilling as any of the bigger menu items. The nuggets were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and they were well-seasoned. Paired with waffle fries and a miniature lemonade, the meal hit that happy balance of comfort and flavor that Chick-fil-A is renowned for. While it was a more compact offering, it didn’t taste like a kids’ meal; it tasted like the perfect snack to inhale while soaking up the culture of the grand opening.
The service at the restaurant did not disappoint. All the employees I met seemed genuinely glad to work there, even with the chaos of first-day crowds. My dad, Scott Weaver, who joined me at the event, couldn’t rave enough about how professional and polite the employees were. “I’ve never seen a restaurant get that many people through there with such great service,” Scott Weaver noted, “Everyone was courteous, quick, and made sure you left happy”. It truly shows how well they are trained.
Overall, the Placentia Chick-fil-A soft opening was a definite success. With multiple friendly staff members, delicious food, and speedy service, it’s no surprise the restaurant already has the feel of a community favorite. With its official opening now underway, Placentia residents have one more reliable spot for quality food and quality experience to look forward to.
