Who doesn’t love a great chicken sandwich? Chicken sandwiches are an American staple, and some great spots around Virginia Beach (VB) offer these tasty treats. The review crew taste-tested and reviewed four of the most praised chicken sandwiches in the area. The four restaurants whose specialty is the chicken sandwich included Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Bay Local, and Bobo’s—two popular American fast-food chains and two local establishments.
The crew ordered the four sandwiches from each restaurant and ranked each in order, beginning with the lowest rating to the highest. It was decided that the beloved Chick-fil-A sandwich came in fourth place, a surprising spot to some, but the other sandwiches were elite in comparison. Although Chick-fil-A has the most basic-looking sandwich, it still packs a punch with its different flavors and sauces. The pickles made the sandwich both tangy and crunchy, but the chicken and bun looked flat in comparison. Chick-fil-A sandwiches are generally a go-to for many high school students, but it was determined that they don’t really “Sell the Sizzle” when it’s taken out of the bag. All the other sandwiches looked more mouth-watering, whereas the Chick-fil-A sandwich almost looked fake because of its small size.
Coming in third place was BoBo’s Fine Chicken Restaurant. This came close to second place, but there were mixed reviews on BoBo’s sauce. Some believed the sauce was too much for the sandwich, and its tang left an aftertaste that was not appealing. Bobo’s prides itself on making all of its food fresh and in-store, giving it a traditional Southern taste. The bun and chicken at BoBo’s were homemade, and upon taking a bite, the tenderness and crunch of the BoBo’s specialty chicken is worthwhile. Sadly, at least two of the crew members were not big fans of the sauce, knocking BoBo’s down a notch. Again though, there was a close three sandwich race that included BoBo’s, Popeye’s, and Bay Local.
The first and second place contenders were a close split but Bay Local seems to have edged out Popeye’s. Popeye’s sandwich had the crispiest chicken sandwich and was topped off with pickles and mayo. The combination of the three flavors at the same time was heavenly. One of the most important things in crafting the perfect chicken sandwich is the crispiness of the chicken, and Popeyes is the gold standard in this department.
Unfortunately for Popeyes, the Bay Local chicken sandwich came with tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, and a delicious zesty, aioli sauce that gave it more flavor than the Popeye’s sandwich. Bay Local is also more of a traditional, family friendly, local’s dining experience whereas Popeye’s is considered fast food. The difference in quality was, due to the more refined dining experience was evident at Bay Local. This could be considered an unfair advantage, as it is a local favorite, but in this case it still came in as #1.
This was an enjoyable review for the team as they were able to enjoy many different restaurants’ chicken sandwiches at one time. Chicken sandwiches have become a staple of American cuisine, and the boys were able to experience them all in one sitting.
All of the restaurants are terrific spots, but specifically Bay Local, Popeye’s, and Bobo’s.
