Fast & Fresh: Paramaribo's Go-To for Broaster Chicken & Late-Night Bites
A homegrown C-store-meets-kitchen serving Suriname's only Genuine Broaster Chicken, pizzas, smoothies, and fast fixes just off Pengelstraat.
Why Go
Somewhere between a corner store and a proper kitchen, Fast & Fresh has quietly become one of Paramaribo's most reliable comfort-food stops. Locals swing by for the crackly, pressure-fried Broaster Chicken (a 65-year-old American brand they hold the exclusive Suriname franchise for), then linger for pizzas, sandwiches, smoothies and slushies. It's not fine dining, it's not aiming to be, and that's exactly why it works: quick, consistent, and open when you need it.
The Experience
The Johan Adolf Pengelstraat 218 branch sits on one of Paramaribo's busier arteries, so expect a steady flow of taxi drivers, office workers on lunch runs, and families grabbing a bucket to take home. Order at the counter, watch the chicken come out of the pressure fryer glossy and golden, and grab a cold slushy from the freezer wall while you wait. Seating is casual and functional rather than atmospheric ??? the vibe is more neighborhood pit-stop than sit-down restaurant. Service is friendly and moves fast, and the C-store side means you can walk out with a full meal plus drinks, snacks, and even a last-minute pack of chips for the road.
What to Try
The Genuine Broaster Chicken is the obvious headline ??? get a two-piece with fries, or commit to a family bucket if you're feeding a group. The marinade and homemade breading are what set it apart from any other fried chicken in town. Beyond the bird, the pizzas are solid for a quick fix, the sandwiches make a good lunch grab, and the fresh-fruit smoothies and slushies are exactly what you want in Paramaribo's heat. Don't overlook the drinks-and-snacks wall on your way out ??? it's convenience-store gold if you're stocking up for a road trip inland.
Insider Tip
Broaster Chicken is pressure-fried to order, so if you swing by at a quiet moment you may wait 10???15 minutes for a fresh batch ??? worth it. If you're in a rush, call ahead to +597 400003 and they'll have it boxed and ready. And remember there are three Fast & Fresh branches around Paramaribo (Industrieweg Zuid 32, Pengelstraat 218, and Sir Winston Churchillweg BR 135), so if one is packed, another is usually a short drive away.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Johan Adolf Pengel Straat 218, Paramaribo. Phone: +597 400003. Open daily, generally long hours ??? good for late lunches and early evenings. Price range: $$ (moderate; a chicken combo lands in casual-lunch territory). Payment: cash SRD is safest; card acceptance can vary, so ask before ordering. Parking is available on-street along Pengelstraat. Order at the counter; takeaway is the norm, but there's casual seating if you want to eat in. No reservations needed.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A short hop from Pengelstraat 218 ??? handy if you're basing yourself nearby and want a no-fuss dinner within walking or a quick taxi ride.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Grab a Broaster bucket and cold slushies to fuel up before or refuel after a muddy day out on the trails ??? it's the kind of hearty, portable meal an adventure day calls for.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — After a sun-soaked afternoon on the water, Fast & Fresh's fried chicken, pizza, and ice-cold slushies are the perfect no-brainer post-activity refuel.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — If you're picking up a rental to explore beyond Paramaribo, stock up here first ??? the C-store side means snacks, drinks, and a hot meal for the drive, all in one stop.