I don’t agree with chick fil a stances but mostly I think their food stinks. I just don’t get it.
But it was the go to for the end of season soccer party. They are beyond gracious and only charged me for drinks yet gave everyone who wanted a shake. And let you loiter for hours if you wanted.
I’d never choose to voluntarily eat there. I don’t get it. But the world loves them. Always mobbed.
I’m a big fan of Shake Shack as the shack burger is a nice small size and tastes delicious! I don’t like giant burgers.
Shake Shack is yummm! 
When Popeye’s hit the chicken sandwich advertising hard and other joints started with the craze as well, I made a concerted effort to go try as many as I could. I like Zaxby’s, Chick Fil A, KFC and Arctic Circle’s the best. Popeye’s was the worst to my way of thinking.
Oh wow, don’t know how I missed this yesterday. So much…
If you are a fan of Popeye’s spicy chicken sandwich, you need to stop whatever you are doing and get a spicy deluxe sandwich at Chick-fil-a, posthaste. Popeye’s is decent, but their spicy and regular sandwich versions use the exact same (thin, marginal-quality) chicken breast, with the “spicy” version just drenched in an orange sauce and the regular version dry. Whereas at Chick-fil-a, the (fatter, higher-quality) chicken breast itself is breaded with a spicy mixture - no external sauces required, though I do put a bit of mayo for creaminess to offset the spice. Not to mention the slice of pepperjack melted onto the chicken and the lettuce/tomato to really fill out the experience. Utterly delicious.
I too am on an El Pollo Loco kick, as they have good coupons that make their family-style meals pretty cheap. For the newbies, note that it’s grilled chicken, not fried; they have excellent wraps, quesadillas, and the like. A weird mix of Mexican sides (black beans, Mexican rice) and homestyle sides (steamed broccoli, mac-cheese, mashed potatoes).
The chicken is just okay, but I have a soft spot going back to childhood for KFC sides, esp. cole slaw.
We don’t have Bojangles or Zaxby’s around here, haven’t tried them.
Raising Cane’s is popular here in TX, but a little overrated to me. Tenders are pretty good, but sides are meh. And no sandwich option.
Off-topic, but since it was mentioned: I do not get Shake Shack. It opened in DFW to great fanfare a few years ago, but the burgers are tiny, dry, and expensive. Like if White Castle was quadruple the price.
Ok, here in the midwest, Culver’s has the best chicken tenders. My kid loves Chik Fil A but I think that’s mostly about chik Fil A sauce which you can buy in the grocery store. The rest of us don’t usually get anything when we pick that up for him on occasion. Although younger S does like their milkshakes. Culver’s is a burger place but we really love their chicken tenders.
I didn’t know Culver’s has tenders. There’s one near me, but I never go.
Have you tried their mac and cheese? It’s pretty good.
Popeyes, because besides the spicy chicken and biscuits, their red beans & rice are awesome.
There is not another fast food place where you can get anything with actual gumbo file in it.
Prove me wrong!
(I’m also in the won’t-buy-CFA camp, fwiw.)
Once in a while we also order from Zankou Chicken
Can’t say i have - but the thread is about chicken.
Even the Crazy Chicken (El Pollo Loco) - I get the same thing every time - quarter chicken breast and wing with salad and corn.
The sides are definitely average or sub average but the chicken and avocado salsa outstanding.
Haven’t had the mac at chick fil a or don;t remember so - Usually I get the salad with fruit and chicken - and i don’t like the waffle fries.
But this one is about chicken
I was just reassigned to Charlotte - and I’m pumped I go Monday - I’ll have Salata for lunch (different thread, but the best salad restaurant) and Viva for dinner - both are there!!!
I find it interesting that Chick Fil A has many who dislike it on here. Whenever we go by one or eat at one they’re always quite full.
Of course, I see a lot of people at McDonald’s too (not as many as Chick Fil A, but a lot) and I can’t recall the last time we ate at one of those because there are so many better (to us) options. We all have our own preferences. I suspect that’s a good thing keeping a variety out there to choose from.
Getting back to fried chicken, have many tried Church’s? One fellow lunch table co-worker loves theirs and despises Popeyes - the exact opposite of our taste buds which put Popeye’s up top and Church’s on the “yuck” list. I have to wonder if it’s a combo of specific taste buds we inherit or something else - perhaps merely what we grow up with thinking fried chicken “should” taste like?
I only eat at Popeye’s when I am at the RDU airport. Love their red beans and rice and can live with their chicken.
Bojangles for me. Ordered like a true local – quarter white with slaw and sweet tea. Anyone who says 2/3 piece is not a true local.
A fabulous Peruvian joint in RDU is Alpaca. Try it if you are in Raleigh, Cary or Durham.
Chick Fil A is definitely popular. So are Hobby Lobby and Home Depot. They are all doing well, I’m sure, and don’t need my business. I do sometimes pay a little attention to what a business does, what they support, how they supposedly treat their employers, customers, etc. There are so many businesses out there, including chicken places, that there is a place for everyone to figure out what places they want to support.
I love KFC extra crispy chicken. I haven’t had it in the last 10 years. When kids were young we used to order it few times a year on Sunday movie night. They thought it was a real treat to sit in front of the TV with a tray.
There used to be a KFC by my apartment in NYC, but now the closest one is about a mile away.
This thread is making me crave some fried chicken!
I miss Zankou chicken
My daughter makes some mean chicken nuggets. She uses Panko for the breading. They are nice and crispy.
Trying next week. Thx !!
H planned our return trip from CA to MD based on Culvers locations and who had the best Flavor of the Day ice cream.
Now that there are several near relatives in GA, H is noticeably happier about visiting my family!
Haven’t had their chicken. Had the mushroom swiss burger once and was in heaven. Good thing there are no Culvers near us.