I tried Bojangles' new fried-chicken sandwich, and it's better than any other fast-food joint's attempt at the menu item
- Bojangles launched a new fried-chicken sandwich on Monday.
- The Southern chain brought a truck to New York City so non-Southerners could have a taste.
- I tried the sandwich and think it's one of the best I've ever had.
The regional fast-food chain Bojangles has always been known for its chicken, but it's reinventing itself with a new fried-chicken sandwich.
I've heard of the Bojangles fast-food restaurant before, but never tried it out for myself. The chain is currently in 14 states plus Washington, DC, and none of those states are in the Northeast, where I live.
I've embarked on a quest to try as many fast-food fried chicken sandwiches as possible, so when I heard that Bojangles was bringing its new $4 menu item to New York for two days, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
The truck, parked in Times Square for two days in July, offered free Bo's Chicken Sandwiches to anyone who walked by. (I got my sandwich delivered downtown as part of press outreach.)
When I first opened the box, I was impressed. The sandwich was reasonably large without being overwhelming and looked like I could comfortably bite into it.
I also noticed that the bun looked just like the one used by McDonald's. But thankfully, it tasted much fresher than the nationwide chain's. I got the same notes of sweetness without any of the soggy density I experienced with McDonald's bun.
As soon as I took my first bite, I knew this was one of the better fried-chicken sandwiches I've eaten. The coating was crunchy and flavorful, the chicken was moist and juicy, and the pickles were perfectly sized and added just the right amount of briny acidity.
There was a spicy element to the sandwich, too, which came from within. Instead of a spicy sauce or glaze, the chicken was marinated in something that gave off a hot-pepper-sauce-esque heat. It was well-balanced and the best use of flavor I've seen in a fast-food fried-chicken sandwich.
The soft, sweet bun was a great vehicle for the spice, and both mayo and pickles complemented the flavors as well.
While the bun is lightly buttered, my hands weren't greasy at all after gripping it directly, which is a huge plus and something that stood out after having severely buttery hands while tasting the sandwiches from other chains.
Overall, I was both impressed and saddened - impressed by how crunchy and flavorful this sandwich was, and saddened that I knew I wouldn't get to eat it again anytime soon.
But I know that the next time I'm within a few minutes of a Bojangles, I'm taking advantage and placing an order.