This previously ran in our December 2022 print issue.

Quick, cheap, and delicious: Popeyes has undoubtedly solidified its position as a chicken sandwich giant and proven itself as the Chicken God’s gift to humanity. 

Biting into one of these delicious sandwiches is like taking your tastebuds to a Beethoven symphony. There are four movements of flavors with the first being the soft, chewy potato bun that adds great contrast in texture to a sandwich that has an overwhelming amount of crunch. The bun adds a bit of sweetness to the whole experience which balances out the savoriness of the second movement and the sourness of the third. 

The second movement – a filet the size of a chicken breast – will take you on a little trip to the Niagara Falls of chicken juices and whatever place you consider to be tender. The crunch of this fried chicken is undeniably one of the most satisfying of any chicken sandwich you’ll ever sink your teeth into, and the seasoning in the batter gives a slight Louisiana flare comparable to Cajun crawfish or gumbo. 

Unlike the ever so popular Chick-fil-A fried chicken sandwich, which is dryer than the Sahara, the Popeyes chicken sandwich has the classic flakiness of a traditional authentic fried chicken sandwich. 

The third movement of this sandwich is the two perfect pickle coins that accompany the bun and filet. Amongst the sea of fried goodness, carbs, and savory chicken, the pickles shine through like a French horn solo. It counteracts the sweetness in the buns and gives consumers some breathing room from the overwhelming amount of fried goodness of the sandwich. 

An emotional end to a beautiful musical work of art, the sauce ties the whole symphony together as the fourth movement. The rich creaminess of either the mayo or the spicy sauce – depending on which sandwich you opted for – acts as the foundation and glue for all the other movements to come together and make one cohesive unit. The spicy sauce is just the right amount of heat with a taste that seems to be a combination of cajun seasoning, mayo, and possibly some sort of chili powder. 

Regardless of which aspect makes the sandwich, it tastes great and does an even greater job of tying everything together. 

Just like Beethoven’s symphonies, the Popeyes’ fried chicken sandwich is perfect every time, never missing a beat. At a mere $4.49, Popeyes will always have your back, and I’ll bet you won’t be able to find a better chicken sandwich for the price.