APU students try to find the best local fried chicken haven
Whether it is wedged in a sandwich or packed into a dinner combo, fried chicken is a staple food item that Azusa Pacific students hold dear.
With so many dining options close to APU that offer it in some shape or form on their menus, I decided to embark on a taste-testing journey to find the ultimate fried chicken.
To avoid bias, my friends and I wrote down Chick-fil-A, KFC, Raising Canes and Popeyes on small pieces of paper. We tossed them into a bag, and let the fate of our dinners be determined by luck.
In visiting the four fast-food eateries, we ranked their most popular food items based on texture and overall taste.
Popeyes: 5/10
The first stop on our journey to find the best fried chicken was Popeyes. The location was definitely not the first on our personal lists, despite the fact that only a few months ago, everyone was rushing to Popeyes to get the chicken sandwich.
The spicy chicken sandwich that we all tried was a classic fried chicken patty with an abundance of sliced pickles and mayo inside a brioche bun. The patty was tender rather than crunchy. There was more breading than actual chicken
Bland was the word we used to describe this famous chicken sandwich. The pickles and mayo really took one for the team; they were able to complement the chicken and help it reach a score of five out of 10. Let’s just say Popeyes is not running out of these chicken sandwiches anymore for a reason.
“It tastes like chicken. That’s all I have to say,” said Molly Ehle, a junior allied health major.
Patrick Munoz, a junior chemistry major, said for a college student, a spicy chicken sandwich is quick and satisfying.
KFC: 6/10
Our next stop was KFC. If you’re the type that doesn’t need the smell of coffee to study, then this could be the place for you since it’s usually empty and has a lot of seating.
We tried KFC’s most popular menu item, which was the two-piece fried chicken drumstick and thigh, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuit, chocolate chip cookie and a medium drink. I must say that the 11 spices and ingredients of the famous original recipe really come through. With no additional sauce needed, their fried chicken was very pleasant and earned a six out of 10.
Chick-fil-A: 8/10
Next was Chick-fil-A, the place you know is always a pleasure to be at and the only one you truly crave on a Sunday afternoon (sigh). Despite this inconvenience, Chick-fil-A didn’t disappoint. They had great service and great chicken like they always do.
No matter how many restaurants and fast food places continue to open near APU, Chick-fil-A remains the top choice of the majority of APU students.
“I think that regardless of the different options that we have nearby, if I am unsure, my go to will most likely always be Chick-fil-A,” Munoz said.
The Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is flavorful, simple and satisfying. The chicken speaks for itself; whether or not you use their famous Chick-fil-A sauce or not, the chicken on its own is able to create the most mouth-watering experience and tangy aftertaste.
“It is very flavorful, honestly no sauce is needed,” Ehle said.
Raising Canes: 7/10
Do you ever wonder how Raising Canes’ drive-thru lines still manage to cause traffic even when they have an extremely simple menu? Their lighting, decoration, colors, and their sauce definitely make a statement.
Their chicken, on the other hand, is a normal chicken tender and fries combo with a Texas toast on the side. Overall, the fried chicken is your typical chicken tender adorned with a good atmosphere that overpowers the actual flavor experience.
The hot and fresh chicken itself really depended on the sauce to create an intensely flavored combo. It’s the chicken’s subtle crispy texture that really puts it above average.
Although each of these locations has its own signature spices and fried chicken recipes, they all continue to strive towards perfecting the experience they offer. Even though some have done this better than others, they all combine to establish the city of Azusa as a fried chicken haven.