There’s nothing quite like a chicken pot pie when you’re craving comfort food. But not all chain restaurants get it right, and some honestly miss the mark so badly that you’d be better off with a frozen option from the grocery store. After looking at customer reviews and expert opinions, one chain stands out for all the wrong reasons when it comes to their chicken pot pie.
Marie Callender’s disappoints despite frozen food fame
This one’s pretty surprising, I mean, Marie Callender’s is basically synonymous with frozen pot pies. You’d think their restaurant version would be amazing. But according to customer reviews, the Heartland Chicken Pot Pie served at Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery is a total letdown. One Yelp reviewer called it “awful” and said it wasn’t even warm when they got it. Another customer claimed the quality has gone downhill, describing it as “watered down bland chicken base that doesn’t even taste like chicken.”
And here’s the kicker – multiple reviewers said the frozen version is actually better than what you get in the restaurant. That’s not a good sign. The hand-pressed crust sounds nice on paper, but it doesn’t seem to save this dish from being a disappointment.
What makes a good chicken pot pie anyway
A proper chicken pot pie should have tender chicken, vegetables that aren’t mushy, and a gravy that’s thick enough without being gloopy. The crust needs to be buttery and golden-brown. It’s not rocket science. But somehow chains keep getting this wrong. I’ve noticed that the best pot pies have a balance – not too much filling, not too little crust. Marie Callender’s seems to struggle with this basic concept based on what customers are saying.
Boston Market isn’t much better
While Marie Callender’s takes the top spot for worst, Boston Market’s chicken pot pie isn’t far behind. After trying these, reviewers pointed out some pretty major issues. The pot pie doesn’t even have a bottom crust – it’s basically just soup with a cakey top. One YouTube reviewer gave it a six out of 10, which is pretty generous considering they said the sauce “has no flavor” and tasted like milk. Another customer on Yelp complained the crust was tough and asked what happened to Boston Market, since it used to be decent for pot pie.
And the green beans inside? Kind of an odd choice if you ask me. Traditional pot pies don’t usually include green beans. But at least the chicken was reportedly juicy and the vegetables seemed fresh, so there’s that.
KFC surprisingly delivers on pot pie quality
Now here’s something I didn’t expect. KFC actually makes a pretty solid chicken pot pie according to multiple sources. It’s been on their menu for nearly 30 years, and customers seem to really enjoy it. One YouTube reviewer called it “absolutely fantastic” and gave it a nine out of 10. The crust is flaky, the chicken is tender, and it’s got all the right stuff inside – potatoes, peas, and carrots. For under $7, it’s honestly a pretty good deal.
But not everyone agrees. Some reviewers think the gravy-like sauce is too overpowering and the fillings are soft and mushy. Does anyone actually prefer mushy vegetables though? Still, the positive reviews way outnumber the negative ones for KFC’s version.
The problem with soup masquerading as pie
Several chains serve what’s basically chicken soup with a pastry hat and call it pot pie. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen does this. Metro Diner does this too. And honestly, it’s super annoying. If I wanted soup, I’d order soup. When I order a pot pie, I expect an actual pie with crust on the bottom and everything encased properly. One Reddit user put it perfectly: “If it doesn’t have crust on the bottom, it ain’t a chicken pot pie. It’s chicken stew with a hat and delusions of grandeur.”
Metro Diner’s version also gets complaints about not having enough vegetables. So it’s basically thin soup with a biscuit crust on top and not enough ingredients. Why does this keep happening at supposedly scratch kitchens?
Lazy Dog gets it right with quality ingredients
On the better end of things, Lazy Dog Restaurant serves a chicken pot pie that customers actually rave about. They source quality ingredients and it shows. The pot pie is so popular that when they post photos of it on social media, comments are pretty much all positive with people begging for locations to open near them. They even offer frozen versions to take home, which tells you something about how confident they are in the product.
Every time I’ve seen reviews for Lazy Dog’s pot pie, they mention how flavorful it is. One Yelp reviewer described it as “full of flavor” even though they preferred pastry crust over the version served. At least the ingredients taste fresh and real, not like they came from a can.
Price doesn’t always match quality here
Marie Callender’s charges around $20 for their pot pie. That’s not cheap. And for that price, you’re getting something that multiple customers say is worse than a frozen dinner. That’s totally unacceptable in my opinion. Meanwhile, KFC charges under $7 and delivers something way better. The price difference is huge, but the quality gap goes in the opposite direction than you’d expect. Boston Market’s version comes with cornbread on the side, but that doesn’t make up for flavorless filling. You can’t just throw in a side and call it a day when the main dish is bland.
What customers say matters most
Looking through customer reviews across Yelp, YouTube, and Reddit, the pattern becomes clear. Marie Callender’s consistently ranks at the bottom. People aren’t just mildly disappointed – they’re actively warning others not to order it. One reviewer said it was “disgusting and a waste of $20.” Another urged people to stop getting Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie after multiple bad experiences. When customers are that emphatic about avoiding something, it’s worth listening to them. These aren’t isolated complaints either. The negative reviews pile up across different platforms and locations.
Some reviewers did say the pastry crust was better than the frozen version, but that’s basically the only positive thing anyone mentioned. And that’s not enough to salvage a dish that should be comforting and satisfying.
Better options exist everywhere
If you’re craving chicken pot pie from a chain restaurant, you’ve got way better choices than Marie Callender’s. KFC delivers solid quality for a great price. Lazy Dog offers premium ingredients if you want something fancier. Even Hash House a Go Go serves huge portions that’ll leave you with leftovers. Basically, there’s no reason to settle for watered-down filling and barely warm food. The last time I thought about ordering from Marie Callender’s restaurant, these reviews made me change my mind pretty quickly. Why risk disappointment when better options are right there?
