Pros 
Cons A Taree Favourite: The Good, The Great, and The Occasionally Grievous at Eddie's Fresh Chickens
Eddie's Fresh Chickens, located at 9/60 Manning St, Taree NSW 2430, has carved out a solid reputation as a go-to butcher shop in the area, boasting an overall rating of 3.7/5 stars. They’re open six days a week (closed Sunday evenings!), with extended hours on Thursday (9 AM–7 PM) making it easy to grab a quick bite or stock up on fresh poultry. Accessibility’s a plus, with both a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot ensuring everyone can enjoy Eddie's offerings. Acceptance of credit and debit cards, plus NFC mobile payments, makes for a convenient transaction experience. However, recent reviews paint a picture of both consistent deliciousness and some concerning quality control issues. Let's delve into the feedback.
Rave Reviews & Signature Delights: Wraps, Sausages & Sustainability
The overwhelming sentiment surrounding Eddie's revolves around their chicken wraps. Many customers consistently praise them as "the best in the area," and the recent addition of pineapple to the recipe has been met with, shall we say, enthusiastic approval! Beyond the wraps, Eddie’s receives strong compliments for:
- Freshness: Customers repeatedly mention the quality and freshness of the chicken.
- Flavoured Sausages: A diverse and appreciated range of sausages.
- Cooked Chicken Pieces: Described as "Yummo!" and a tempting option for a quick meal.
- Friendly Staff: Positive interactions with the staff are frequently noted.
One customer highlighted a particularly pleasing touch regarding their takeaway packaging. They were delighted to receive their chips and gravy with a bamboo fork, noting Eddie's proactive approach to the plastics ban, nine months ahead of schedule. This demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that resonates positively with environmentally conscious customers.
"When ordering my healthy chicken wrap for lunch today, I accidentally order a little treat (chips and gravy on the side. Yum!). I was delighted to see they were served with a non plastic (bamboo, I think) fork. Great to see you jump on the plastics ban 9 months early and I hope to see them stick around. Food was spot on as usual."
Price Points & Processed Product Concerns - A Growing Debate
While many appreciate Eddie's offerings, a recurring theme in the reviews is rising prices and concerns regarding certain products. Some customers have raised issues about the value for money, specifically mentioning pricey baby chips ($3.99) and gravy ($1.25). Others pointed to the presence of “brown meat” in the chicken tenderloins.
However, the most significant and concerning complaints centre on Eddie's chicken mince. Two contrasting reviews reveal a stark disparity in opinion:
| Product | Customer 1 Concern | Customer 2 Rebuttal |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Mince | A "nightmare" - sickeningly sweet, riddled with bone fragments, dangerous. | It’s explicitly for pets; review writer mistakenly consumed pet food. |
This disparity underscores the importance of clear product labelling to avoid confusion and potential harm. The “nightmare” recount is deeply concerning, raising serious questions about quality control and the potential risk to human health if pet food is inadvertently purchased and consumed. The rebuttal suggests a potential marketing misstep – perhaps clearer signage indicating the intended use of the mince is crucial.
Inconsistency & Customer Service – What Needs Attention?
Beyond the mince situation, a few customers have experienced inconsistencies in the wrap quality. One review noted that recent wraps contained only "two very small fillets, not even the size of one of the ones you usually get" and weren't very filling. A related observation involved a lack of standard seasoning: "please ask if customer wants salt and pepper usually doesn’t happen unless you ask.” This signals a need for more attention to detail in the wrap preparation process and a proactive approach to customer preferences.
Finally, one customer expressed disappointment regarding a surprisingly high bill of $41.71 for a chicken salad wrap, tropical juice, and small chips and gravy, suggesting discrepancies in pricing. While they plan to follow up with Eddie’s regarding this specific instance, it points to a potential area for improvement in transparency and accuracy of pricing, particularly regarding combo meals or add-ons. Phone: +61 2 6551 2325.
It seems Eddie’s Fresh Chickens holds considerable appeal with its fresh produce and signature wraps, but addressing these quality control concerns, price transparency, and ensuring consistency in food preparation will be key to maintaining and improving their overall reputation and cementing their place as Taree’s leading butcher shop.