It’s gotten a little crazy, hasn’t it, folks?
The Popeyes chicken sandwich has become a thing, and by “a thing,” I mean — it’s a thing. People are fighting over it. Killing each other over it. Even worse — waiting in line for an hour for it.
The sandwich — launched earlier this year and returning last week after a brief hiatus — has been declared the best thing the fast food industry has to offer.
And with Sanford set to get a Popeyes in the not-so-distant future (despite rumors, we have no tangible evidence to believe this news has changed), we felt it was our obligation as Sanford citizens and warm-blooded Americans to venture out and try this sandwich ourselves and report on our findings.
Is it really the best fast food sandwich out there? Does it really blow Chick-fil-A out of the water? Is it worth waiting in line? Is it worth losing your life over?
The short answer is: Yes. Except for the death part … that’s certainly debatable.
I was — as I am with many things — skeptical when I pulled up to the Popeye’s on Old Stage Road in southern Wake County at 10 a.m. recently. Despite it being nowhere near lunch time, I was still fifth in line at the drive-through. Still, I ordered my sandwich with zero hassle and nary a broken bone.
And I unwrapped it already with the mindset that I was going to be disappointed.
But then I took a bite. The disappointment grew wings and flew far away. It was replaced by golden flaky goodness, a chicken breast so juicy I didn’t need a drink, warm bread that served its purpose but didn’t get in the way and the perfect pickle/mayonnaise ratio that I only assume took three years to develop.
It was fantastic. The idea that I was going to take notes and tear this thing apart was replaced by animal instinct, and I ate the thing in about three minutes. The previous paragraph is about all I could remember from the experience.
So, yes. It’s a damned good sandwich, as far as fast food chicken sandwiches go (and I’m a fan of many of those). PDQ does a great chicken sandwich. Chick-fil-A can, at times, make a great chicken sandwich. Neither are on this level.
And at $6 for a combo, it’s not a bad deal either.
I’m sure the long lines and the fighting will eventually fade, but Popeyes has just about made the perfect fast food chicken sandwich (understand, “fast food” is a necessary qualifier here … there are better chicken sandwiches out there, I’m sure).
So go early and get one. Or wait until Sanford joins the party (if it does), and get one then.
GRADE: 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔 (out of 5)
— By Billy Liggett
I had literally just walked out of a Popeye’s in Graham when this article/review popped into my inbox. I had gone out of my way while in the area to try this much hyped sandwich. My personal experience was mehh, it didn’t live up to the hype for me. It was good. I’d like to try another. But for me I’ve had better or at least as good on many day’s traveling between customer locations. But maybe it was the location…anyways I look forward to more food reviews by the Rant, it’s good to hear about new food items or restaurants!
Once again The Rant risking life and limb to bring us the facts!!!