Here's how a Chick-fil-A classic stacks up against NYC's trendiest chicken sandwich
Fuku delivers via the delivery app Caviar, but only for a limited window of time during the day, so I made sure to get it fast. The sandwich is so popular, lines at the store itself often wind their way onto the sidewalk.
Fuku's sandwich, on the left, comes in a shiny foil pocket, while Chick-fil-A's, right, is nestled within a branded one.
So, how do they compare?
In terms of size, looks can be deceiving.
Fuku's chicken looks humongous, but it's much thinner than Chick-fil-A's. The breading on Chick-fil-A's is more colorful, sporting a fiery orange glow.
Let's take a closer look at the sandwiches: the spicy version of Chick-fil-A's classic chicken sandwich comes out of its pocket practically pristine.
Inside, usually two or three pickle slices compliment the thick chicken breast. Chick-fil-A's chicken has an even breading that's somehow between crispy and soft, with a buttery rich flavor.
And the chicken itself is juicy and dense — the meat is very thick and compact, with little to no fat or gristle. The pickles are decidedly sour, but lightly so. But where's the spice? I find almost no hint of heat, apart from some black pepper in the breading; the ingredients online list paprika as the main spice — no peppers to be found— as well as the coloring for the breading.
So while the chicken itself is as satisfying as ever, the Chick-fil-A sandwich disappoints in one area: heat. With paprika adding the only spice, it's big on flavor but lacking in any amount of adequate spice. But at $4.49, it's delightfully cheap.
Fuku's arrived super hot and fresh, but the bun is completely smushed. Yikes. But that huge expanse of chicken is enough to forgive a crushed bun.
Open it up, and I find four thin pickles on a light slathering of "Fuku butter", the recipe for which is closely guarded. The chicken's breading looks sturdy and super crispy.
First bite: the chicken is fibrous but not dry. There's a definite heat to it — much stronger than Chick-fil-A's. Fuku uses habanero to add a kick, so it's stronger than your typical spicy chicken. The heat isn't unbearable, but it makes its presence known.
It's a delicious sandwich, for sure. But the chicken is oddly fatty and tough at times, and rather thin like schnitzel. The bun is so easily flattened — and for $8 plus delivery fees, it's a pretty pricey sandwich. Much spicier than Chick-fil-A's, though.
So, which spicy chicken sandwich comes out on top?
It's a tough call: Chick-fil-A's amazingly has the better chicken, but without the heat. Fuku's sandwich is big, hot, and crispy, but the chicken is somewhat fatty and tough. But considering the large price difference — Chick-fil-A is more than $3 cheaper — I have to say Chick-fil-A's sandwich is ultimately more satisfying. What it lacks in spice, it makes up for in tender, thick chicken.
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