The roast beef icon also serves good chicken sandwiches.

If you remember my review of the Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich from Arby’s, you know it made a great impression on me. The chicken filet is tender, juicy and well seasoned, topped with delicious thick-cut peppered bacon, Swiss cheese and honey mustard. On a good day, with everything fresh and cooked just right… it’s one of the few chicken sandwiches that can approach the same level of satisfaction as my beloved Chick-fil-A. If you have an Arby’s close to you, drop by and try it.

And, if you like the Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss, you’re probably also going to like this Chicken Cordon Bleu. There’s two differences: the bacon is replaced by slices of ham, and the honey mustard is replaced by mayonnaise. The chicken filet, Swiss cheese and bun remain the same. Although the two items share the same base ingredients, the different ’secondary’ meats and sauces do a good job of creating fairly distinct sandwiches. In the end, the chicken breast filet is juicy and delicious on both, and I think ‘total’ satisfaction depends on your preference of bacon or ham.

I would say the taste and texture of Arby’s ham puts it in the same ‘class’ of meat as their roast beef. You won’t mistake it for a top quality freshly baked honey ham, but it’s on par with many packaged processed meats at the supermarket. The Swiss cheese has a smooth subtle flavor and provides a healthy amount of real cheese goodness. The chicken breast is moist and flavorful inside, with a light crunchy breading outside. A hunk of real breast meat with natural layers that tear away with each bite.

I rate the Ham/Swiss combination slightly lower than the Bacon/Swiss, because I feel Arby’s peppered bacon makes a bigger, better impact than their ham. That being said, the ham tastes fine. It has a decent flavor, slightly sweet, it’s tender and sliced very thin. The classic combination of Ham and Swiss is usually a winner, and it doesn’t disappoint here. The mayonnaise is certainly not a problem, but after several times eating the Cordon Bleu I decided to try ordering it with honey mustard instead, and they were happy to oblige. It was excellent — an improvement in my opinion.

On the whole, from store to store, I’ve found Arby’s quality control and consistency to be above average compared to industry competition, but you’re still more likely to get a bad sandwich there than a place like Chick-fil-A. Of course Arby’s has a bigger menu to maintain, including over 20 different sandwiches. Chick-fil-A has only 3 sandwiches. Considering the exceptional success and high quality of CFA, it makes a person wonder if some fast-food menus are too crowded, with the focus and resources of the companies spread too thin. Oh well, that’s another topic for another time.

The Chicken Cordon Bleu from Arby’s is a very good sandwich. Arby’s is best known for their Roast Beef sandwiches, but their current line of chicken products are worthy of sharing space alongside offerings from traditional chicken kings like Chick-fil-A, KFC, Popeyes and Church’s. Depending on what part of the country you’re located, Arby’s may also offer a “Grilled” version of this sandwich with less fat and calories.

Price: $3.19 / Website: Arbys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

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Nutrition Facts - Arby’s, Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich (Crispy).

Calories - 590
Calories from Fat - 232
Total Fat - 25 grams
Carbs - 48 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 76 milligrams
Sodium - 1986 milligrams
Protein - 37 grams

Chick-fil-A is best known for one thing — the classic chicken sandwich.

But, have you tried the other Chick-fil-A sandwich? Chargrilled Chicken? Don’t feel bad if you said no. I’ve met people that have eaten at Chick-fil-A for 20 years, and never ordered anything except the classic. Not because something is wrong with the other CFA food, they simply love that original sandwich so much they can’t imagine eating anything else. And while that breaded, pressure cooked version remains the most popular and famous item on the menu, it’s chargrilled cousin is a worthy alternative with a unique taste and character of it’s own. Currently available in 2 varieties, the standard “Chargrilled Chicken” and the “Chargrilled Chicken Club” which adds Provolone cheese and smoked applewood bacon. Let’s take a look at the Club.

The first thing you’ll notice is the big black carton, instead of the classic’s foil envelope. Once you open the lid, you’re greeted by a wholesome looking golden wheat bun. It’s hearty bread, the type your mom wanted you to eat as a child, instead of always using white bread. A couple large whole leaves of lettuce are overflowing the carton, as if happy to be released from their packaging prison. There’s a plump little corner of grilled chicken breast visible, peeking out from underneath. The edge of a bacon slice is snuggled up next to the chicken, with a hint of melted cheese between. It’s not the classic CFA sandwich people are used to, but don’t be afraid… it’s still good.

The wheat bun is fantastic and has a wonderfully hearty taste and texture. It might not be my choice for everyday eating, but it’s great for a change of pace. It’s lightly toasted, but lacks the buttered treatment of the classic’s bun. The chicken breast filet is naked and grilled, instead of being breaded and pressure cooked. As usual, CFA has used their bag of magical seasonings and marinade to give this bird a terrific flavor, slightly similar to the classic but different enough to be unique. The grilled chicken is very tasty, but I have to be totally honest… it’s not as juicy or delicious as the breaded filet on the classic. In short, I would describe the flavor as being Chick-fil-A “lite”.

The most intriguing things about this sandwich are the smoked applewood bacon and Provolone cheese. Despite the obvious attraction of such tasty things, they’re simply unheard of among eaters of the classic. I’m hoping that might change, because I’d like to see these toppings made available on the classic sandwich. I really enjoyed the extra depth they added to the grilled version. There’s just enough of each to create an excellent balance of rich, mellow flavors. The bacon is thin and tender, without being slimy. It’s almost like ham, as opposed to the crispy strips found on many fast-food sandwiches. And even though it’s a strip too, it’s wound up and cooked into a circular shape. I’m not sure how they do it so neatly, but it looks cool and tastes great.

In addition to the lettuce, there’s a few slices of tomato and dill pickles. The veggies are fresh and taste good. There is no sauce or other condiments on the sandwich, but it comes with a packet of barbecue sauce on the side. One thing that I find unusual, even humorous, is the size and amount of lettuce leaves included. The first time I tried this sandwich a long time ago, I assumed they gave me a double portion. But I’ve eaten it many times between then and this review, and it’s usually the same. I feel like there’s enough lettuce to build a small salad, and I end up removing about half of it. That’s not really a complaint, just a curious observation I wanted to share.

The Chargrilled Chicken Club from Chick-fil-A is a very good sandwich with a nice variety of flavors and ingredients. It’s not the same finger-licking love-fest I have with the classic, simply because I don’t like the grilled chicken as much as the breaded, pressure cooked bird. That’s the bottom line, and the reason this doesn’t get as high of score. However, this version has less fat and calories, includes extra veggies, and gets credit for being the healthier choice. The problem with making the best chicken sandwich on the market, is that even your own company’s alternatives are faced with trying to match it’s quality and success. Still, I feel certain that Chick-fil-A, CFA fans, and founder Truett Cathy would agree with me… it’s a good problem to have.

Price: $4.19 / Website: Chick-fil-A.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

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Nutrition Facts - Chick-fil-A, Chargrilled Chicken Club.

Calories - 370
Calories from Fat - 100
Total Fat - 11 grams
Carbs - 34 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 75 milligrams
Sodium - 1590 milligrams
Protein - 35 grams

I’ll tell FFC readers upfront, there’s no mystery or uncertainty with this one. The Gold Rush Chicken Sandwich from Roy’s is flat out delicious. Sorry if that makes this review boring, but I don’t have many bad things to say about it. Lucky for me I guess, because the Roy Rogers Corporate Headquarters is literally right around the corner from the store where I had lunch. I’m safe from any corporate goons that may be monitoring what is said about their franchises. No worries suits, you’ve got a winner here.

If you aren’t familiar with Roy Rogers Restaurants, their menu is primarily burgers, roast beef sandwiches, and fried chicken. A fix-ins’ bar is available at each location, meaning your eat-in order comes with the basic items, and you’re able to pile on as many or as little extra toppings as you like. Lettuce, tomato, raw onion, pickles, and an array of standard condiments will be at your disposal. Go ahead, help yourself.

Today I decided to go for a chicken sandwich that has rarely ever disappointed me. I’ve ordered the Gold Rush chicken sandwich so many times that it’s become like comfort food to me. This is one sandwich that can be enjoyed as-is. No extra condiments or LTO needed. The Gold Rush is a slightly fried, barely breaded chicken patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese, bacon and sweet barbeque sauce. Roy’s calls it a “sweet barbeque sauce” but honestly, there really isn’t anything “barbeque” about it. I’ve always considered it some sort of honey, and I figured that’s where the Gold Rush name came from. Whatever it is, it’s what makes this sandwich so good, and I say the more sauce the better. Make sure to stock up on extra napkins because this operation can get messy. As you can see from the pictures, my order was loaded with it.

The chicken is tender, juicy and not overly breaded. There isn’t a fried chicken type skin on the Gold Rush, which is good because it really isn’t needed. The bacon has just the right texture, it’s very flavorful, and makes a great compliment to the chicken. In fact, I normally don’t care much for bacon on chicken sandwiches but it works with the Gold Rush. The Monterey Jack cheese is subtle but tasty. The bun is nothing special, but all the ingredients work together to create a stellar chicken sandwich. Match the Gold Rush with a Big Round Up (supersize) holster of fries and beverage, and you’ve got yourself pure satisfaction. My combo, (#5 by the way) came out to $6.79 total, with $4.09 being for the sandwich alone. A little steep, but it’s worth every penny.

I know some of you may be thinking there’s no such thing as a flawless meal. Well, if you really want me to be nit-picky, I’ll give it a shot. As I said before, I’ve ordered the Gold Rush from Roy’s many times. The only occasions where it hasn’t been up to par is when my sandwich had too little of the sweet honey sauce, and once in a while the bacon was a little overcooked. Minor complaints. You can’t avoid a subpar creation of your favorite sandwich from time to time. It happens. Oh, I should also warn you to prepare for sticky fingers. It’s almost impossible to avoid when eating this.

Unfortunately for a lot of FFC readers, there may not be a Roy Rogers nearby. This is an east coast thing. For those of you within 100 miles of a Roy’s location, I definitely recommend you stop by on your next road trip. As far as chicken sandwiches go, in my humble opinion, the Gold Rush is golden, and worthy of an “A+” review score.

Price: $4.09 / Website: RoyRogersRestaurants.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A+

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Nutrition Facts - Roy Rogers, Gold Rush Chicken Sandwich.

Calories - 558
Calories from Fat - 270
Total Fat - 30 grams
Carbs - 51 grams
Saturated Fat - 9 grams
Trans Fat - N/A
Cholesterol - 35 milligrams
Sodium - 1326 milligrams
Protein - 22 grams

Editor’s Note: During this week’s update to the FFC website and server, there were a couple files found to be corrupted, which had been causing problems. In the process of deleting those files, 2 reviews accidently got trashed. Both reviews (Arby’s / Hardee’s) have been recovered, and are being re-posted below.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect since Arby’s is primarily known for their Roast Beef sandwiches, and my past experiences with their chicken products was hit and miss. But I’m pleased to report they hit the nail on the head with this one. It’s excellent.

The heart of the sandwich is pure white-meat 100% natural chicken breast filet. It’s not a very large sandwich to begin with, but it’s a nice size chunk of chicken. And it was cooked just right, with a thin crispy crust and a tender moist center. The crust has a light coating of black pepper. As soon as I took a bite, I rejoiced in the wonderful texture of natural chicken meat flaking away in layers. No formed or pressed mystery-meat inside. This is a very tasty piece of chicken for a fast food place, and dare I say a little similar to a Chick-fil-A, which is a big compliment in my opinion.

Sitting atop the chicken are two thick pieces of peppered bacon (3 if you’re lucky). They are cooked well-done, crispy and delicious. The bacon adds as much flavor to the sandwich as the chicken. Bacon lovers will be very happy, though hard-core eaters will find themselves disappointed if they only get 2 strips. Next is a slice of Swiss cheese, which unlike many fast-food products, actually tastes like real cheese. It’s a great anchor of subtle, mild cheesy flavor for the bacon and chicken to build on.

Finish off with a little honey mustard for a smooth kick, and pack it all into a warm toasted sesame seed bun that compliments the goodies inside without masking their flavor. The bun appears thick, but it’s soft and fluffy, compressing into the perfect size once you grab it and take a bite. The lack of lettuce or other veggies results in a rather plain looking sandwich, but that won’t matter once you have your first taste.

I should state that I’m a big fan of Chick-fil-A. In my mind, it’s been the Gold Standard for years. To find another sandwich I enjoy this much is rare. Today it happened.

The $4 price tag is not cheap in the world of fast food, but it’s worth every penny. And you won’t need to eat a whole bag of these to be satisfied. Next time you want a fast food meal, look past all those $1 menus and treat yourself to something better.

The Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich from Arby’s is delicious. It has a wonderful combination of flavors, and each component is tasty on it’s own. It’s made from quality ingredients, a cut above the average. I look forward to having it again.

Price: $3.99 / Website: Arbys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Arby’s Crispy Chicken Bacon and Swiss Sandwich.

Calories - 556
Calories from Fat - 212
Total Fat - 23 grams
Carbs - 51 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 68 milligrams
Sodium - 1683 milligrams
Protein - 33 grams

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past couple weeks, you’ve probably seen and heard the advertisements for McDonald’s new “Southern Style” chicken sandwich and biscuit. You might have even tried it already. And if you’re a fan of Chick-Fil-A, you are probably thinking that Ronald McDonald found a way to infiltrate the CFA headquarters and sneak away with the secret recipe, because the new sandwich from McDonald’s is so similar it could be the long-lost brother of the legenday Chick-Fil-A sandwich. How did this happen? What does CFA think about it? That’s what I wanted to know, so during my recent conversation with CFA’s Corporate PR man, Mark Baldwin, I gathered up enough courage to ask him.

FFC: Let’s get right to it — McDonald’s copied Chick-Fil-A. I know it. You know it. McDonald’s knows it. Everybody knows it. — How does that make you feel?

CFA: We are flattered that McDonald’s is enamored enough with our products to be willing to clearly imitate our original Chick-fil-A Sandwich and Biscuit. Based on the reactions we’ve seen from customers thus far, they are making good choices and realize the superiority of Chick-fil-A’s products and people.

FFC: Have you tried their new sandwich? What did you think about it?

CFA: Yes, we all have tried the Southern Style chicken biscuit and sandwich and, to be honest, they did a good job copying our products. It will probably do well on Sundays (when Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed)!

FFC: It seems McDonald’s was very thorough when replicating the CFA sandwich.

CFA: There are, however, some key differences in the two products. Since Truett Cathy created the first chicken sandwich in the early 1960’s, Chick-fil-A has been preparing each sandwich fresh daily at the restaurant. We hand bread our chicken sandwich and breakfast filets in the store, while our competitors have frozen, pre-breaded chicken shipped to their restaurants. We even make our biscuits from scratch every morning.

FFC: They seem to have done a good job in duplicating the seasoning and flavor. Did they hire a team of food spies to steal the secret recipe? Maybe they tied up and kidnapped Truett Cathy (CEO) and forced him to spill the beans? (laughing)

CFA: No, they didn’t tie Truett up to get the recipe, but two of their Atlanta franchisees finally realized the impact Chick-fil-A was making, and convinced their corporate folks to try a chicken sandwich. You might be interested in this article that explains McDonald’s entry into the chicken sandwich market.

FFC: Very interesting stuff. Mark, I want to thank you and Chick-Fil-A for being gracious enough to visit with me today. I realize the circumstances are a bit unusual. In closing, is their anything new and exciting coming up for CFA?

CFA: We will be releasing some pretty significant news ourselves next week — basically, 180 degrees different from the Chicken Sandwich and Biscuit hype. You may want to fast over the weekend, because there will be plenty to try!

My thanks again to Mark for the candid converstaion.

I love Chick-Fil-A, and I’ve been eating at McDonald’s since I was a kid. It’s an odd feeling for me, to see one copy the other. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. So considering that McDonald’s is the #1 fast-food chain in the world, and they are copying somebody else, this would seem to confirm my belief that Chick-Fil-A is, and has been for many years, the best chicken sandwich in fast-food.

How do I think the new offering from McDonald’s compares? I’ve tried it once, and it was a very good sandwich. I’m going to have it again soon, and bring some friends along with me. I will follow-up with my review, plus the opinions from my guests.

I remember trying KFC Snackers a couple years ago, and it seems like they have gotten bigger since then. I could be wrong about that, but either way — I was happy to see the size of the current version, that was delivered to me via the drive-thru.

They only cost 99 cents, and they’re called “Snackers”. Even the name is warning me it’s only a “snack” and not a full-size sandwich. I was expecting only 2 or 3 bites, but after two good size mouthfuls, the sandwich was barely half eaten. That made me happy. There’s nothing better than finding a real bargain, especially when it’s edible.

These little sandwiches are indeed are bargain, not just because they are larger than expected, but because they actually have a nice piece of chicken inside, and they taste good. The chicken strip was just as tender and flavorful as any other chicken item on their menu. It’s a natural hunk of meat too, with character, texture and the occasional flaw. Better than some pressed and formed glob made of chicken mush. It’s not a breast filet though, instead KFC calls it “all white meat”. That’s fine. There’s lots of good white meat on chicken besides the breast. For that matter, there’s a lot of good dark meat too, but most people are obsessed with breasts. (no joke intended)

I had two different flavors: Fiery Buffalo and Ultimate Cheese. The only difference in the two sandwiches is the sauce. They both use the same chicken, lettuce and bun. There’s not much lettuce but it’s crisp, fresh and torn into large pieces, as opposed to shredded. The bun is lightly toasted, rectangle shaped like a dinner roll, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. There’s really nothing special about the bun, but it tastes fine, it’s the perfect size and it’s better than I expected on such a cheap sandwich.

Fiery Buffalo - My lips had not fully closed from the first bite and my taste-buds were already popping from the flavor. They dip the chicken strip in Fiery Buffalo sauce and it’s completely coated. It was mildly hot for the first couple bites, and then my mouth adjusted and things finished smooth. It’s a lively sauce, and gives this little sandwich a nice size punch. If you like hot and spicy wings, you’re going to like this sandwich.

Ultimate Cheese - Instead of dipping the entire strip in Fiery Buffalo sauce they pour on a cheese sauce. They say it’s a blend of Cheddar and Swiss, and it was fairly cheesy tasting, but there wasn’t much of it. I’m not a big fan of cheese “sauce” or liquid-cheese in general, but this was OK. You get a lot more sauce (and flavor) on the other version. I’m bewildered and amused by the “Ultimate” tag. It’s a tiny bit of cheese on a small 99 cent sandwich. There’s nothing ‘ultimate’ about it — but it’s still good.

The KFC Snackers are tasty, cheap and filling. Those looking for a light meal or snack will be satisfied, and those with a bigger appetite can pick-up 2 or 3, because the low 99 cent price makes them affordable even for the most budget minded. With items like this from KFC, and the Double Decker Taco from Taco Bell, the parent company of both (Yum! Brands Inc.) should be feeling pretty confident with their dollar menu(s).

Price: $.99 / Website: KFC.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - KFC, Snacker Sandwich, Fiery Buffalo.

Calories - 260
Calories from Fat - 80
Total Fat - 8 grams
Carbs - 31 grams
Saturated Fat - 1.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 25 milligrams
Sodium - 860 milligrams

Nutrition Facts - KFC, Snacker Sandwich, Ultimate Cheese.

Calories - 280
Calories from Fat - 100
Total Fat - 11 grams
Carbs - 30 grams
Saturated Fat - 2.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0.5 grams
Cholesterol - 25 milligrams
Sodium - 780 milligrams

In case you haven’t heard, McDonald’s has introduced a new “Southern Style” chicken sandwich that is remarkably similar to the Chick-Fil-A sandwich. They also have a breakfast version, and they are offering customers a chance to try them both for free, with the purchase of any medium or large beverage. The event will take place on May 15th, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. customers will receive a Free Chicken Biscuit, and then from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. a Free Chicken Sandwich.

It’s no secret I love the Chick-Fil-A sandwich and named it Editor’s Choice, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the McDonald’s version compares. I will be standing in line with the rest of you on the 15th. The only thing better than food – FREE food.

Chicken — Bread — Pickle.

So simple. So basic. Yet so brilliantly executed in quality and taste, three ingredients combine to make what is arguably the best Chicken Sandwich in the Fast Food World. I’m talking about the classic chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A.

How can a sandwich that looks so plain, be so special? It’s all about the chicken my friends. I’m talking about chicken that’s so moist and tender, seasoned so perfectly, your mouth will water and you’ll slap your knee proclaiming… “Damn, that’s good chicken!” …I’m talking about chicken that’s so tasty and delicious, you won’t care that your team is losing the big game, as long as there’s another bite left to enjoy.

In case you can’t tell — I love this sandwich. Though, I suppose it would be more accurate to say I love this chicken, that happens to have a bun and pickles attached. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fine bun. The perfect size and density to compliment the chicken, without swallowing it up. Lightly buttered, freshly baked and fluffy.

The dill pickle chips taste good, about like any other good pickle, but the surprise is the delightful contrast of flavor they provide to the chicken. I had never eaten pickles on chicken before Chick-Fil-A, and for a long time I would actually remove them. The truth is I’m not a big pickle fan. I don’t dislike them, but they are not something I desire on my burgers or sandwiches. But one day, after years of picking-off the pickles, I found myself so hungry that I ripped into my chick-fil-a sandwich without thinking, and then it hit me! They actually tasted good. The rest is history, and now I eat the pickles.

The main attraction is the wonderful chicken breast filet, a big meaty natural hunk of REAL chicken. Starting with choice cuts, each one is breaded by hand and seasoned using CFA’s secret recipe. They are pressure cooked in refined peanut oil, which not only makes them taste good, it makes them healthier. The bread and pickle serve as perfect compliments to highlight and showcase this great piece of meat. It’s been the same delicious high quality experience all these years, from way back when I was kid, to the sandwich I’ve just finished eating for this review. The Chick-Fil-A simply tastes better, and more natural than most other chicken sandwiches on the market.

The breading on Chick-Fil-A’s is not very crisp or crunchy, nor was it designed to be. It’s soft, light and seems to fuse itself to the breast meat and become-one with the chicken. It’s all part of what makes the Chick-Fil-A so tender and juicy. If you’re the type person who only likes crunchy coated chicken you might be disappointed to hear that, but don’t despair. I think most crunchy lovers will be pleasantly surprised.

The Classic Chicken Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A is simple, pure and scrumptious. This is a shining example of less-is-more. There’s no cheese and no bacon strips. No lettuce or tomato. It’s not very exciting to look at. It’s actually rather plain and dull. But this is not about being fancy, the number of ingredients, or a spicy new sauce. This is about high-quality simple food, prepared and served with care. It’s something that Chick-Fil-A does better than most, and they’ve been doing it for a long time.

Price: $2.69 / Website: Chick-fil-A.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A+

Click here for rating system details.

Nutrition Facts - Chick-Fil-A, Classic Chicken Sandwich.

Calories - 410
Calories from Fat - 150
Total Fat - 16 grams
Carbs - 38 grams
Saturated Fat - 3.5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 60 milligrams
Sodium - 1300 milligrams