I visited Canadian cult favorite restaurant Swiss Chalet, and was shocked to find a chicken sandwich that rivals the best in the US

Mary MeisenzahlMay 6, 2022, 18:17 IST

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I visited Canadian chain Swiss Chalet and was impressed by the quality and price.
The beloved Chalet sauce was the perfect addition to a crispy chicken sandwich.

I stopped by Swiss Chalet on a recent trip up to Canada from my home in Western New York.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The casual dining chain has just under 200 Canadian locations, with 162 in Ontario, where it was founded in 1952.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain used to extend into border cities in the US, but the last locations were closed by parent company Recipe Unlimited in 2010.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Recipe Unlimited owns 20 chains in addition to Swiss Chalet, including fast food restaurant Harvey's.

Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images

In 2021, Recipe Unlimited logged $2.7 billion in sales across all restaurants. It did not break down sales by chain.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

From the entryway, there were two ways to enter. One was for takeout orders only while the other was a dine-in restaurant.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I walked in and noticed some subtle details in the Swiss Chalet style, like chandeliers and fireplaces.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It wasn't especially busy, so the hostess seated me immediately.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The menu highlighted rotisserie chicken dishes, which are the signature items at the chain.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was also a surprisingly extensive alcohol menu, which made the restaurant feel closer to an Applebee's more-so than a fast-casual chain.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My waitress suggested the Canadian Sangria, which includes Canadian maple syrup.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I can't say I would have noticed the maple syrup specifically, but it did taste pleasantly sweet and I was happy that I ordered it.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

One of the entrees came with cheese pierogies, which were brought to the table ahead of meals as an appetizer.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They came with "zesty Cajun sauce," which was good but much milder than the name implies.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The pierogies themselves were delicious and hearty, full of cheese and potatoes.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Next, our entrees arrived. We got two chicken dishes to try what Swiss Chalet highlights on the menu.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The half chicken dinner came with a breast and leg of a rotisserie chicken, plus a roll and a choice of side — in this case Caesar salad.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I got the crispy chicken sandwich, which comes with slaw and mayo, along with a side of fries.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain offers fries and "Chalet fries," which come with extra seasoning. I'm not sure exactly what the seasoning was, but they were delicious.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Entrees also come with Chalet sauce, a secret recipe that's both spicy and sweet, perfect for dipping fries.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Chalet sauce is so popular that there are dozens of copycat recipes online, and Lays has even released a limited edition Chalet Sauce in 2016.

PepsiCo

Americans who live near the border and miss Swiss Chalet have been known to go to Canada just for a meal and stock up on sauce, even bringing gallon jugs to fill with the condiment.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Americans who live near the border and miss Swiss Chalet have been known to go to Canada just for a meal and stock up on sauce, even bringing gallon jugs to fill with the condiment.

The highlight of my meal was easily the crispy chicken sandwich.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The combination of slaw and Chalet sauce, plus a crispy yet juicy chicken breast, was perfect.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It was quite messy, as most of the best sandwiches are.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I've sampled all the big US chains' chicken sandwiches in covering the "Chicken Sandwich Wars," and I think Swiss Chalet can hold its own against any of them.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Two entrees and drinks came out to about $51 Canadian dollars before tax, or just under $40 US dollars.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I thought that was a very fair price for a meal that left us full for hours, and I'll definitely be stopping in next time I'm in Canada.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Recipe Unlimited hasn't given any indication that Swiss Chalet is coming back to the US, but if it does I'll be first in line.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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I visited Canadian cult favorite restaurant Swiss Chalet, and was shocked to find a chicken sandwich that rivals the best in the US

I stopped by Swiss Chalet on a recent trip up to Canada from my home in Western New York.

The casual dining chain has just under 200 Canadian locations, with 162 in Ontario, where it was founded in 1952.

The chain used to extend into border cities in the US, but the last locations were closed by parent company Recipe Unlimited in 2010.

Recipe Unlimited owns 20 chains in addition to Swiss Chalet, including fast food restaurant Harvey's.

In 2021, Recipe Unlimited logged $2.7 billion in sales across all restaurants. It did not break down sales by chain.

From the entryway, there were two ways to enter. One was for takeout orders only while the other was a dine-in restaurant.

I walked in and noticed some subtle details in the Swiss Chalet style, like chandeliers and fireplaces.

It wasn't especially busy, so the hostess seated me immediately.

The menu highlighted rotisserie chicken dishes, which are the signature items at the chain.

There was also a surprisingly extensive alcohol menu, which made the restaurant feel closer to an Applebee's more-so than a fast-casual chain.

My waitress suggested the Canadian Sangria, which includes Canadian maple syrup.

I can't say I would have noticed the maple syrup specifically, but it did taste pleasantly sweet and I was happy that I ordered it.

One of the entrees came with cheese pierogies, which were brought to the table ahead of meals as an appetizer.

They came with "zesty Cajun sauce," which was good but much milder than the name implies.

The pierogies themselves were delicious and hearty, full of cheese and potatoes.

Next, our entrees arrived. We got two chicken dishes to try what Swiss Chalet highlights on the menu.

The half chicken dinner came with a breast and leg of a rotisserie chicken, plus a roll and a choice of side — in this case Caesar salad.

I got the crispy chicken sandwich, which comes with slaw and mayo, along with a side of fries.

The chain offers fries and "Chalet fries," which come with extra seasoning. I'm not sure exactly what the seasoning was, but they were delicious.

Entrees also come with Chalet sauce, a secret recipe that's both spicy and sweet, perfect for dipping fries.

Chalet sauce is so popular that there are dozens of copycat recipes online, and Lays has even released a limited edition Chalet Sauce in 2016.

Americans who live near the border and miss Swiss Chalet have been known to go to Canada just for a meal and stock up on sauce, even bringing gallon jugs to fill with the condiment.

The highlight of my meal was easily the crispy chicken sandwich.

The combination of slaw and Chalet sauce, plus a crispy yet juicy chicken breast, was perfect.

It was quite messy, as most of the best sandwiches are.

I've sampled all the big US chains' chicken sandwiches in covering the "Chicken Sandwich Wars," and I think Swiss Chalet can hold its own against any of them.

Two entrees and drinks came out to about $51 Canadian dollars before tax, or just under $40 US dollars.

I thought that was a very fair price for a meal that left us full for hours, and I'll definitely be stopping in next time I'm in Canada.

Recipe Unlimited hasn't given any indication that Swiss Chalet is coming back to the US, but if it does I'll be first in line.