Chicken Out Adds to an Already Great St. Louis Food Scene

I am a sucker for a good chicken sandwich. I have written about my many different spicy chicken sandwich adventures before. I love a good fried piece of chicken between bread with some toppings. It is a delight. So when a friend took me to a local chicken sandwich spot in STL, I was intrigued.

The place is called Chicken Out and it is wonderful. There is a local BBQ spot here called Sugarfire, which is dynamite, and the owners of that own Chicken Out. That, to me, is a very good sign. So when I went the first time, I expected a good visit. It went above and beyond. I was wildly impressed.

The menu is fairly simple. There are about half a dozen or so sandwiches, some salads, a wrap or two and sides. This is another feather in their cap for me. When I go to a restaurant with a massive menu it makes me nervous. My anxiety jumps. To me it shows that you do not know how to make a few things great. It shows me you can make a lot of things mediocre, but not one thing really well. So when the menu is small, like Chicken Out, that lets me know that they know what they do, and they know they do it well.

On my first visit I got a chicken sandwich with cheese sauce and bacon. Again, super simple. I am also a sucker for a liquid cheese sauce, so this was an easy order for me. The sandwich was amazing. The chicken breast is fried to perfection, it is juicy and crisp and fills the sandwich. It is a big piece of chicken, but it also feels like the perfect size. Then they add this cheese sauce, it is liquid gold. It is so tasty. It smothers the sandwich but it doesn't take away from the taste of the chicken. And it is messy, but in all the right ways. The bacon is peppered and thick cut. I love bacon on all things, so this is no different. It is a nice salty addition to this already excellent sandwich. Then they use a potato bun. Potato buns are an absolute homerun. I remember the first time I had potato bread. I was a skeptic. Then I tried it and have been a fan ever since. It is not as heavy as white bread. I am a wheat bread fan, but potato bread takes it down. So a potato bun is perfect for me. They are buttery without butter. They have a hint of sweetness. They are the perfect accompaniment to this delightful chicken sandwich. And this is across the board for this menu. My dad loves the chicken burger. It too is on a potato bun, has lettuce, tomato and Duke's Mayo on it. He loves it, and the taste I have had was great.

I had a chicken parm sandwich on a different visit and it was good. It was on Italian bread, had tomato sauce and mozzarella and was really tasty. My son has had their BBQ chicken sandwich, and what makes it so awesome is the way they hold back and do not overload it with BBQ sauce. It is on there, you can taste it, but it doesn't take away from any other flavors.

The chicken fingers are outstanding. They are massive and taste great. The sides are also dope. I have had mac and cheese before. It is creamy and delightful. The potato salad is strong. The baked beans are good. But the trophy for best side is the fries. Fries are pretty common and pretty good at most sandwich or burger spots. What makes Chicken Out fries even better are two things, they are crinkle cut and they have chicken salt. I adore crinkle cut fries. They, to me, just taste better. But this chicken salt, which I have zero idea what it is made of, I love. It is extra salty. It adds a ton of flavor. You do not need dipping sauces. If you want to dip it in anything, get the cheese sauce that oozes out of the sandwich. They are divine.

I am a big fan of this restaurant. I just ate there yesterday and it was as good as the first time. I told my dad that, if Chicken Out is offered to me right now, I am going to pick it. I have been six times now and have gotten the Cheep N Cheddar sandwich three times. I will be trying everything on this menu in the near future. Check this place out if you live here in STL. For non STL residents, find a spot like this to try. Go to local chicken spots and support them. Their food is so much better than chain restaurants and they need your business more. Chicken Out is awesome.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.  

Ty Eats McDonald's New Chicken Sandwich

It is time to spice you up

I assumed the spicy chicken sandwich wars were over. I personally declared Morning Glory Diner here in Saint Louis the overall winner. In the whole fast food game Popeye’s was the clear winner. To me it’s better than Chik Fil A or Burger King or Wendy’s, among many others. Popeye’s is still the winner, and by a lot. But my father informed me that McDonald’s had a new spicy chicken sandwich, and he heard it was as good as Popeye’s. I, naturally, had to test this.

Today I took the shot. My wife and I picked up our daughter from school and decided to pick up lunch from McDonalds. I got the spicy chicken sandwich meal, and saved the sandwich for last. This isn’t about the sides or drinks, but the fries were great, as always, and McDonalds has the best fountain Diet Coke. They won that years ago. Those were expectedly wonderful. Now was the time for the sandwich.

Upon opening it, it looks like all the other fast food spicy chicken sandwiches. The bun is glistening with what I assume is butter. There is a big hunk of beaded chicken, two pickles and a spicy sauce, most likely a sriracha mayonnaise. On the surface they are doing what the other spots do. The sandwich itself was solid. The bun was very tasty. It was covered in that butter like substance, and that’s always good. The pickles add a nice crunch and cooling element. And the sriracha mayo was fine. The chicken itself was fine. It was probably the weakest part of the sandwich, but it was still solid. It was a little dry, but the mayo helped. I am not a big pickle guy, but they work on these sandwiches. As I said, it’s a nice cool down. It gives you a break from the heat. It’s needed. The mayo was fine too, but there was far too much of it. I think they slop it on because that’s where the heat comes from. I’m not a big mayo guy in the first place, and when it’s covering every portion of my sandwich, it’s a bit of a turn off. It’s why I’m not a huge fan of Wendy’s chicken sandwiches. They smother their sandwiches with mayo. There was so much that my wife and I both scrapped some of it off. That helped to finish the sandwich.

I know it may sound like I’m dogging on it, but I did enjoy the sandwich. I ate the whole thing pretty quickly after removing some mayo. It’s tasty. But, it’s not as good as Popeyes or Burger King. It’s not close to Morning Glory Diner. But I do like it more than Chik Fil A and Wendy’s. I think a fourth out of sixth place finish is solid for McDonalds. They do so much other stuff so well, like the aforementioned fries and Diet Coke. They also have the best fast food double cheeseburgers and their quarter pounder is a classic. The chicken game is done better at other places, namely Popeyes, who specialize in chicken. It’s a solid sandwich, just not as good as others I’ve had.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

The Best Chicken Sandwich is at St. Louis's Own Morning Glory Diner

Today I took my daughter and folks out for coffee and treats. We do this pretty much every Friday. My dad and I like to try new coffee shops, my mom likes the different teas or Italian sodas, and my daughter likes the treats. It's a fun and easy way to get together and hang out. And, as added bonus, we usually go to a local diner here in Saint Louis for brunch, or lunch, called Morning Glory Diner. It's a nice spot on a cool street, and the food is absolutely delicious. And, it just so happens that one of their specials this month is a spicy chicken sandwich.

As you all know by now, I have been on the hunt for the best spicy chicken sandwich around. I deemed Popeye’s the best a few weeks back when I had theirs, and while I still think it is one of the best, the spicy chicken sandwich from Morning Glory Diner is like the fancy version of the Popeye’s sandwich. What separates Morning Glory’s sandwich from all the other spots I’ve had them is the quality. The chicken is better. So is the breading. The bun is better. And the condiments are light years ahead of any other spot.

Let’s start with the chicken. The breading on the chicken has the texture of cornmeal, which I’m a huge fan of. And the spice rub is wonderful. It’s more peppery than the other places, and I like that. I’m a big fan of pepper. The chicken itself was perfectly juicy and hot, just as it should be. The first bite was so hot I had smoke coming out of, not only the chicken, but my mouth. It was great. The bun was smaller than the other restaurants, and that’s good because it let the chicken and condiments shine. But don’t get me wrong, the bun was good. It was the perfect compliment to cool down the spiciness.

Now, the condiments. This chicken sandwich had the requisite tomato and pickles, but they felt much more fresh, and were very tasty. What made these condiments so much better, first of all the lettuce was field greens. I’m a big time advocate of field greens. They’re just better in my opinion. And there was a wonderful aioli on this sandwich that was better than any mayonnaise that the fast food places slather on their spicy chicken sandwiches. There was just enough aioli that you could taste it, but it wasn’t overpowering. That’s key to making a great spicy chicken sandwich. The aioli puts this sandwich at the top of my list.

Another thing that puts Morning Glory’s spicy chicken sandwich at the top, they have it. I had to go to Popeye’s multiple times before lucking out and getting one, and now, they’re apparently sold out again. I haven’t, and won’t, go to Chik Fil A anytime soon, but I bet they’re having a hard time keeping them in stock. And I’m sure, when people can’t get Chik Fil A or Popeye’s, they go to Wendy’s or Burger King or any other fast food place that may sell them, and are disappointed, or maybe even those spots are sold out. Morning Glory Diner doesn’t have that problem. They have a top of the line spicy chicken sandwich, at least for this month, that they won’t sell out of, or you won’t have to wait hours and hours to get.

This sandwich was spectacular. I will definitely go back this month to get it again. While I love Popeye’s and Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwiches, Morning Glory Diner’s is a much better quality, and better tasting sandwich. This diner is one of the best in Saint Louis, their breakfast, especially their sausage, is second to none, and the fact that they’re doing their own spicy chicken sandwich is another feather in their cap. Seriously, if you are craving a spicy chicken sandwich, go get one from Morning Glory Diner. You’ll be very happy you did.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty has tackled burgers and chicken sandwiches. What’s next? Ty may get knee deep into the chicken tender wars.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Popeye's Has Won the 2019 Chicken Sandwich Wars

I was able to get myself a chicken sandwich from Popeyes this afternoon.

I pulled up to the restaurant around noon, there was a line in the drive thru, I waited it out and ordered my spicy chicken sandwich. I felt like I got a golden ticket when the employee gave me my bag. As stated, I got the spicy one because I prefer spice to no spice. Also, I had a choice of plain mayo, or spicy mayo. I opted for spicy. I was so excited to eat the sandwich that I texted RD, told him I would call him shortly to record the pod because I wanted to eat it in the car on the way home. I pulled out of the drive thru and got stopped at a red light.

This is where I opened the sandwich, and it was like angels singing. It looked as good as I thought. It also looked very simple, as expected. It had that beautifully buttered bun that I was hoping for. The spicy mayo was simply slicked on the top part of the bun. There were 3 pickles, all perfectly sized. And the chicken had that golden crust and looked amazing. It was also piping hot, which is another feather in its cap.

The first bite was nearly euphoric, at least from a food standpoint. It was everything I was hoping for, and so, so much more. It was a perfect bite. I was able to get every piece of food on the sandwich in the first bite. And it ruled. The bun was great. It was totally worth the carbs. The pickles were crunchy. The spicy mayo had the kick I wanted. And the chicken, my goodness was in masterful. The crust that Popeye’s has on that chicken is wonderful. It had that great spice rub that I love so much, seemingly, on every nook and cranny. It crunched when I bit into it as well. The inside was so juicy and so tasty. I kid you not, it looked like water was running off of it because it was so juicy. From the first bite to the last, all of which took me less than 5 minutes to eat, it was tremendous. The crust, which I do like, wasn't overly coated on the chicken. It was a light breading, and being that I am a low carb eater, I appreciated that fact. It put the chicken forward, and the chicken was great. Not only was it juicy, but it was flavorful. It had that perfect bite to it, and I loved it. The pickles, even being on a hot sandwich, still had that crisp that I look for. They weren't sad and droopy like you see from other fast food restaurants. It was a pickle chip, and it tasted like it was straight out of the jar. The spicy mayo was such an added extra kick of spice that I really enjoy. It gave the sandwich even more zip, and it was so good. It was a very nice compliment to the sandwich. And that bun, man was it buttery and delicious. While it wasn't as good as their biscuits, it is the next best thing. It was perfect.

I had high expectations going in, and Popeye’s not only met them, they exceeded them. This is now, without a doubt, the best fast food chicken sandwich out there. Hell, it may just be the best chicken sandwich I have ever had. Popeye’s is always good, and this sandwich is another much deserved feather in its cap. If you can get one, and it is very hard to do so, I highly recommend it. I don't know that anything will come close to this sandwich in the fast food world. I loved Popeye’s before, and now I love them so much more.

What a great, great sandwich.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Now that Popeye’s has perfected the chicken sandwich, Ty is looking for the perfect wing sauce. Buffalo Wild Wings is leading in the clubhouse with a sauce new to Ty but old to the rest of the world.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

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.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.