We tried Shake Shack's new answer to Chick-fil-A next to the real thing - and the winner surprised us
Of course, before you even get your hands on either sandwich, the first difference is price: The Chick'n Shack is a whopping $6.29, while the Chick-fil-A Deluxe sandwich comes in at $4.45. And keep in mind, these are New York City prices.
Compared side to side, there are some noteworthy discrepancies. The Chick'n Shack on the left sports a thick chicken breast that dwarfs the rest of the sandwich — even the bun looks puny wrapped about such a hunk of meat. The Chick-fil-A Deluxe on the right seems downright stately and elegant in comparison, proportioned perfectly and delicate corners of cheese peeking out.
From above, it becomes a little confusing. The Chick'n Shack on left has a much smaller bun, but the chicken itself bulges out, barely contained by the spongy potato bun. But the CFA Deluxe looks larger on the whole, with a big, beautiful, and pristine toasted bun that keeps the ingredients under wraps.
Let's take a good look at this Shake Shack upstart. Upon closer inspection, you can see this sandwich leaves little to the imagination. The chicken breast is enormous — the size is almost comical considering the small bun and pickle slices peeking out from underneath.
Under the hood, things get interesting. I still can't get over that hulking chunk of chicken, but hidden underneath it are a healthy handful of green pickle slices, some shredded lettuce, and, most importantly, a perfect amount of buttermilk herb mayo.
The chicken breast itself appears to be generously seasoned. However, my concern is crisp: Too often, "crispy" chicken sandwiches lead us astray with sweet whispers of crunchy, crispy bites that amount to nothing.
The first bite is taken, and my mind is instantly put at ease. A crisp, crackling breading on such a meaty and juicy piece of chicken is a rare bird, indeed, and the Chick'n Shack delivers this wrapped within its mellow potato bun.
The seasoning is perfection. Tangy buttermilk and a dash of black pepper meld delightfully in every juicy bite. The pickles are a key element – crunchy and tart, they add a welcome savory complexity. The herb mayo is smooth yet piquant, rich with thyme and chives. The lettuce is ultimately a nonplayer here: It's a nice touch, but it doesn't add anything.
A bite of the Chick-fil-A Deluxe to compare, and my mind is made up. Of course, Chick-fil-A knows how to make a great chicken sandwich — there's no doubt. The chicken is moist and tender, but the breading doesn't have as satisfying a crunch.
The cheese adds a nice savory note, but the tomato seems to fall flat without any sauces — now that I've had the Chick'n Shack's incredible herb mayo, the Deluxe just seems lacking.
Of course, these sandwiches aren't exact corollaries, so comparison is tricky — and personal taste always comes into play. Plus, with over 1,900 locations in the US alone, it's much easier to find a Chick-fil-A than a Shake Shack. But for my money ...
Source: Chick-fil-A
... despite being considerably more expensive, I'd have to go for the Chick'n Shack sandwich if given the choice. It's a perfect storm of flavors and crunch that simply blows all else out of the water.
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