Eat My Florida

I’ve been eying the new McDonald’s sandwich creation since it was launched a few weeks ago — fried chicken, pickles, on a “buttery tasting” bun. Sound familiar? Yep, it’s a direct shot across the bow of Chick-Fil-A’s signature sammy. In the interests of full disclosure, my first job was at the Chick-Fil-A in the Sarasota Square Mall when I was 15. Even after coming home drenched in aerosolized grease for six-months, I was more than willing to put away a sandwich and container of waffle fries. It’s still one of my favorite fast-food joints.

Today the NYT discussed the tendency that big fast food has of stealing good ideas from little fast food, so I thought it was high time to do a little head-to-head taste test. The results of my scientific research are after the break -

McDonald’s Southern Chicken Sandwich - It’s noticeably smaller than the CFA version and the bun has an odd brownish tint to it, although it’s not advertised as whole grain or wheat. On first bite, the “all white meat” chicken has a reconstituted texture, although not nearly as egregious as other McD chicken products. The two pickles are weak, but the breading on the patty is damn crunchy. The biggest flaw is the bun, which tastes like it’s been held just shy of stale by weird food science arts, that buttery flavor a vague chemical overtone in the back of my mouth. On the fast food scale of tasty, guilty goodness it rates about 2.5/5.

Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich — The bun is noticeably fresher, with that steamy, almost gooey Wonder quality. The breading is not nearly as crunchy as McD, except at the edges, but the chicken still ends up the star. Even after all these years and through the growth of the chain, CFA has managed to leave its chicken be. It still tastes and feels like meat you could buy in the store, moist and a bit innocuous. There are three pickles and their juice leaks into the toasted bun, which is more “buttery” than buttered, but still better than the McD. I want another one. Clear winner. 4/5.

(Thanks to J. Reed for the CFA image.)

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