Thoughts on the Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2019

So, I feel like I need to weigh in on this whole chicken sandwich boom that is going on right now.

There are few foods in life that I enjoy more than a fried chicken sandwich. First off, I love fried chicken, especially when it is boneless, and cooked properly. You need that crispy skin and juicy chicken to make it work as well as it does. But I also like the bun. I like that it is buttered, that it has pickles on it, and for a non mayo person such as myself, I like just a touch of it on a fried chicken sandwich. I have had many of these sandwiches at many different spots. I've eaten them at nice restaurants, at joints, at dives and at fast food places. Hell, I have even had them homemade by friends and family.

What I want to focus on mainly today are the big three chains duking it out right now. I do need to say, right off the bat, I have not had the Popeye's Chicken one yet, but I fully intend on having it, if they are still selling them. Side note, I saw a local commercial that said they still have them, so I still have a chance, albeit slight. First though, I want to talk about Chik Fil A.

For many reasons, all of them personal, I do not eat at Chik Fil A. I despise what they stand for. I loathe that they have been so outspoken with their asinine religious beliefs. I don't care how good the service may be, I do not want to go to a place that has said the things that the people that work within Chik Fil A have said in the past. They live in the stone ages, and the fact that they don't see love as love is nuts. Chik Fil A has so many outside problems that I, and a big portion of my inner circle, will not go there anymore. But, I have had the chicken sandwich, when I did buy food from there. And, it is tasty. They have the bun that I mentioned, the pickles and the chicken is solid. But, they put way too much mayo on the sandwich. Also, I think Chik Fil A is overrated. I think people have such low expectations that they come out happy if they get their order right. It is no better than McDonald's or Burger King. Also, McDonald's and Burger King don't come with the homophobia that Chik Fil A does. So while the sandwich is fine, it is not even near the top of my list. It is no better than what McDonald's does honestly.

Now the Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich is out of this world. It is one of my absolute favorite fast food meals on the planet. I think if I let myself binge eat one day, I could take down 4 or 5 of them no problem. What I like so much about Wendy's sandwich is how spicy it is. This thing burns, in a good way. They have a great spice rub that takes this sandwich to the next level. I also appreciate the fact that they not only give you pickles, but they also have lettuce and tomato as well. They do put an inordinate amount of mayo on their sandwich, but it is easily scrapable. Also, it helps to quell the spiciness a little bit. Wendy's has absolutely nailed it as far as the spicy fried chicken sandwich goes, in my opinion. Right now they are number one, for me, and it isn't even close. No other fast food chain can touch Wendy's in this department.

Which leads me to Popeye's. I feel like the moment I eat their version of the spicy fried chicken I will have a new number one for a few reasons. One, I adore Popeye's. I will take their fried chicken, and sides, over any other fast food place that specializes in chicken. They have the best spice blend, and their chicken is, by far, the juiciest I have ever eaten. Two, I like the practices of Popeye's. They seem to be on the level, they can compete with the big guys, and their commercials are fun as hell. Third, I appreciate the gumption to go out and make one to challenge other places that thought they cornered the market. Like I said, they have the best fast food chicken, so why not make a rival sandwich. Finally, the sandwich looks simple, yet perfect. All the pictures, and commercials I have seen, show a very simple, very solid sandwich. They have the buttery golden bun. They have the pickles. They have an option of regular or spicy mayo. And they have that beautifully fried piece of chicken. The commercials make my mouth water. The pictures look tasty as hell. I don't just want, I need, to try one of these sandwiches. I fully intend on having one this week, and believe me, I will write a follow up.

I just felt like I needed to chime in on this new food debate because it is such a hot topic right now. And I literally cannot wait to try Popeye's version. I hope they still have it when I go this week.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He, along with occasional contributor Tina S, have already talked about the Burger Wars. Ty has his thoughts, and so does Tina.

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