I tried a famous fried chicken sandwich at Maine's oldest diner. It was worth the trouble to actually get it.

Erin McDowellAug 17, 2024, 20:06 IST

I tried the fried chicken sandwich at Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine, and understood why it's known to sell out early.Erin McDowell/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>While on a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/road-trip-food-stops-in-every-state">road trip</a> from Connecticut to Portland, Maine, I stopped at <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-palace-diner-oldest-restaurant-biddeford-maine-2024-8#">Palace Diner</a> in Biddeford.</li><li>I had hoped to try the diner's famous <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fried-chicken-sandwich-fast-food-ranked-2021-6">fried chicken sandwich</a>, which is known to sell out.</li></ul>On a recent <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/road-trip-food-stops-in-every-state">road trip</a> to Maine from Connecticut, I stopped at <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-palace-diner-oldest-restaurant-biddeford-maine-2024-8">Palace Diner, the oldest diner in the state</a> with a reputation for long wait times but a fried chicken sandwich that makes it all worth it.Palace Diner offers burgers, breakfast plates, and sandwiches. However, the fried chicken sandwich stands out as one of the restaurant's most popular and famous menu items.Featured on the Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil" and referred to by travel website <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maine/massive-fried-chicken-sandwich-me/">OnlyInYourState</a> as "the most delicious chicken sandwich" its reviewers had ever tried, the sandwich is rich in history and, admittedly, a little difficult to get your hands on, which only adds to its allure.The first time I tried to order the chicken sandwich, I struck out. After waiting over an hour for two seats at the diner's 15-seat counter, I was told they had sold out of fried chicken.Luckily, I had time the next morning to finally try the sandwich — only to be completely blown away.

Palace Diner is considered Maine's oldest diner and one of only two surviving Pollard railway dining cars in the country.

The exterior of Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

My party of two arrived around 11 a.m. on a Saturday, which we thought would be the perfect time between the breakfast and lunch crowds.

Palace Diner's interior featured a tiled floor and a 15-seat counter running the length of the restaurant.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When we finally sat down, we were told that the diner was still serving its famous flapjacks, but it had sold out of fried chicken.

Palace Diner's menu had breakfast plates, sides, sandwiches, and drinks.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

We got there early, two days later, to put our names on the waitlist and get the chance to try the sandwich.

A sign outside Palace Diner explained how to get a seat or order takeout.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When the sandwich arrived, we were taken aback by how large it was.

I tried the fried chicken sandwich at Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine, and understood why it's known to sell out early.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

This was the best chicken sandwich I've ever had.

Palace Diner fried chicken sandwich came with slaw.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I tried 3 chefs' loaded baked potato recipes. They were all good, but my favorite tasted like a pasta dinner.

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