Ah, but Guthrie's -- in the current format -- originated in Auburn and therefore can be considered an Auburn original. The first Guthrie's chicken finger restaurant opened in AU in 1982. So eating there would be unique. It would be like going to the very first McDonalds or the very first Arby's. Yes, the food would be familiar, but the location would at least be historic.
Nobody answered the Byron's question, BTW. Chain or local?
A little info on Guthries for those of you who are familiar
Chris Guthrie opend the first Guthries not located in Haleyville (where they are from) in AU in 1982. He then moved on a few years later to open the one in Athens. His brother Hud got to AU around 88. And then Joe around 90? I think the little sister finally made it ther in the early 90s. The original still stands today where it always has, but it's now owned by a friend of the Guthries kids. I think the one out by Kroger is owned by Joe and the drive thru out by Wal-Mart is owned by Hud. I think Hud opened the one in tuscaloser also.
Sadly, about a year or 2 ago, Chris Guthrie was driving back to Athens from Tallasee, where they had just opend a new Guthries, and had a car accident and was killed.
They now franchise the place all over. I have eaten at many of the franchise places and still have a hard time passing any of them up.
For any of you who are wondering, I know the recipe for the secret sauce. But I only know how to mix it up 5 gallons at a time.
So Guthries is a chain, But how hard is it to fry the fingers the same way everywhere?