Chicken Sandwich Wars
Waiting is the only constant
As I blocked traffic waiting to pull into Popeyes at two in the afternoon, I should have known that my day was going to be long. When Popeyes launched their sandwich, I read about someone dyign over getting one of them. None of these sandwiches are that good and I am sorry to the family that lost someone. The three places that were pitted against each other are KFC, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A. At each place I ordered two sandwiches (regular and spicy (Nashville hot at KFC)) as well as some fries, biscuits where available, and sweet tea.
Lets start by reviewing this all started Chick-fil-A
Original Sandwich- This was the last stop made so the sandwich was the hottest when tested. The bun was sweet, chicken was well breaded. Seasoned well, especially the MSG which helps make this sandwich so addictive that I could eat two. Could use sauce or mayo to help compliment the dryness of the sandwich.
Spicy Sandwich- Still a dry sandwich overall but the meat had the best flavor hands down. Still would like a sauce or mayo but the chicken because of MSG and vinegar is top notch. Does not pack the same punch as Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich.
Fries-Not as crispy as I would like, very potato forward, needs more salt but still worth eating
Sweet Tea- Smooth and subtle, two thing I appreciate in my sweet tea
KFC
Original sandwich-Temperature was alright, could have been hotter. Tasted like school lunch chicken sandwiches, not a bad thing necessarily. Needs more pickle, the balance was not great. The sandwich was a little dry but the seasoning on the chicken is good, a little sweet.
Nashville Hot sandwich- Better than the Original, the sauce gives it some needed flavor. Would get in a pinch but would not wait the eighteen minutes again for the sandwich.
Fries-Putting the Colonels seasoning saved these fries, for being new to the fry game these fries aren’t bad. Not crispy and the beer battered texture was something different with them. Not a great aftertaste.
Sweet tea- Did not have straight sweet tea but instead got a Mountain dew sweeter dew I beileve it was called, probably wrong about the name. Tasted like mountain dew with peach.
Biscuit- Risen more than the competitors, kindf of like bisquik. Better with honey, helps give flavor and makes delivery less dry. Definantly put honey on them.
Popeyes
Original sandwich- When I cut in half the crunch was audible. AMazing pickle flavor, sandwich was not too dry probably helped by the mayo. Great balance coming from chicken that is properly seasoned as well as breading that is crispy but not oily.
Spicy Sandwich- Has a major kick for a fast food chain, this has me wanting it more than the original. Crispiness is still there but sandwich has more flavor, possibly a chipotle flavor. Pickle bite on the sandwich is amazing, heat makes the mouth burn a little but I like it.
Fries- Seasoning is good, but lacking crisp that is wanted.
Biscuit-Butter galore, so much butter flavor I cant teal if its real but to be forward, I dont care. Enjoyable on the tastebuds but could help itself by not being so dry.
Sweet tea- This was just tea with sugar added, yes I know thats sweet tea but something was different about this. Not great alone, much better with a sandwich.
With confidence I can declare the winner all three of these establishment because I would go to whichever one has the shortest line. Adminently I would not get a sandwich at KFC but instead just the friend chicken. Between the other two I will give a slight edge to Popeyes for the spicy sandwich. But seriosly, there were fights over these? Be better and find a local spot serving a hot chicken sandwich.