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Fast Food Review: McDonald’s Southern Style Chicken Sandwich

March 1, 2009 By Jeff 56 Comments

schicken2
A few months ago
I noticed McDonald’s had started offering a “southern style” chicken biscuit on their breakfast menu.

“Wotta ripoff!” I hollered, like my mother-in-law at Easter Mass.  It was clearly an attempt at replicating the kick-assness of the Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwich.  And while I was mildly intrigued, I refused to play along.  To do so would’ve been a betrayal, a fast food treason.

When I lived in Atlanta I took Chick-fil-A for granted, I now realize.  They were inside every mall, and the free-standing restaurants (known as Dwarf Houses, for some reason) weren’t too difficult to find, either.  So, their excellent food was readily available, and no big deal to me.

But when we moved to California, and had no access whatsoever, everything changed.  Chick-fil-A became almost holy in my mind.  When it was wrenched from my life, I realized how much I liked it, and missed it.

One time during those years, while on a business trip in Maryland (or somesuch), I stopped at a McDonald’s along a highway.  I shouted my order into the electronic order-catcher, sighed with resignation, and pulled around to the first window.  And as I turned the corner, I glimpsed a Chick-fil-A halfway down the block.

Holy crap!  I had no idea they were so far north; my heart literally skipped a beat — this time before I’d had a chance to polish-off a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.  What had it been, two years?  Two years since I’d last experienced the magic of a Dwarf House?

But I’d already placed my order at McDonald’s, and was waiting to pay.  What to do?  Yeah, that problem required roughly two seconds to resolve itself.  I whipped the steering wheel violently to the right, and rocketed away from Mickey D’s.  Screw ’em.  You can get their swill anywhere.

So, when I learned McDonald’s was doing their best to copycat an old favorite, my reaction was predictable.  And I still haven’t tried one of their chicken biscuits.  I refuse to be a party to it.

More recently, however, I was waiting in line to purchase a Big Mac combo meal, and noticed promotional materials for a “southern style” chicken sandwich.  Just like the one at Chick-fil-A.  I couldn’t believe it.  Those people are McShameless!

But it sounded mighty good…  The original version, anyway.  I realized I didn’t want McDonald’s food at all, I wanted a good ol’ Chick-fil-A sandwich.  And by the time I reached the counter I’d somehow justified purchasing the impostor, along with an outsize vessel of their pretty-good sweet tea.

Maybe I could write a review of it?  It wouldn’t be a betrayal really, it would be research.  Yeah, that’s the ticket.

The sandwich was served in a cardboard box, like the Big Mac.  When I flipped open the lid I noticed the bun was shiny, as if it had been buffed and waxed.  Weird.  Eventually I decided the bread had been brushed with butter, or whatever passes as butter in such a setting.

I removed the top bun, and saw only chicken and two or three pickle slices.   Just like at Chick-fil-A…  No additional condiments were present, and that’s probably a negative for some people.  But not for me.  I don’t use food as a transport system for mayonnaise, a surface with which to move Thousand Island.

I peeled the pickles away (nasty!), and lifted the sandwich from its housing.  And it didn’t feel right in my hands, it was kinda limp and lifeless.  The original Chick-fil-A version is perky and tall, but this thing seemed incapable of withstanding the forces of gravity.

I inspected the meat itself, and it was shaped like a real chicken part.  Similar, once again, to Chick-fil-A.  But it was flat and, I suspect, fashioned from a mold at the McDonald’s factory (or whatever).  I don’t have proof of it, but I think they have three or four different casts that they use to crank out chicken approximations.

This wasn’t starting well…

I lifted the sad thing to my mouth, took a bite… and was pleasantly surprised.  The taste wasn’t bad, not bad at all.  The chicken was juicy, and looked like real breast meat inside its breading shell.  Diabolical!

I continued eating, and while it was nowhere near as good as the fresh and delicious original, straight outta Georgia, it was close enough to satisfy a craving up here in Yankee territory.

The overall listlessness of the sandwich was disappointing, and a little disturbing, but I thought the taste was better than it had a right to be.

And so, I give the McDonald’s Southern Style Chicken Sandwich a B-.  It’ll do in a pinch, I think, whenever I’m experiencing a hankerin’ for Chick-fil-A.  But will it replace the original?  Don’t make me laugh.

Further fast food shenanigans

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Comments

  1. Dr Fatenbald says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    No way…I’m watching bowling…1st?

    Reply
  2. harry homard says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    Southern Style… I would not be surprised if their R&D team got to thinking about “the economy” and gave y’all a McSkwerl sandwich. With mayo.

    Reply
  3. Jason says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    I’ve had the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich several times and it’s a real crap shoot. The first time I thought it was just like Chic-Fil-A, just cheaper. The next time it’s like they used the chicken to wipe the counter before they put it on the bun.

    Reply
  4. T. Farty McAppleass says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    Sorry, forgot to use my new name.

    Reply
  5. Pagan says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Top 10? Now I can go back to school learn how to read & find out what this is all about!

    Reply
  6. jim britton says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    Food quality seems to depend on the shift.

    Reply
  7. other kristin says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    I’m suspicious of chicken for breakfast. It’s just not right.

    And I know that doesn’t make sense, because eggs are from chickens, but it’s still just not right.

    Reply
  8. kenju says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    None of them can beat a Bojangles southern chicken biscuit!!

    Reply
  9. Poops says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    top ten?

    Reply
  10. Pagan says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    I have bocome addicted to playing fallout3 lately & the guy on the WSVR cam is one of the characters!

    Reply
  11. Joe T. says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    If you can have steak and eggs for breakfast, there’s no reason you can’t have chicken. It’s one of “society’s norms” that we have to break.

    Reply
  12. T. Farty McAppleass says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    I eat normal food for breakfast every day. Tacos, hotdogs, fried chicken – whatever I’m hungry for. The only thing that I would consider “gross” if eaten at breakfast is salad.

    Reply
  13. Yo says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Chick-fil-a is average at best.

    Yeah, I said it.

    Reply
  14. Kevindust says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Here it is folks!

    The first leak of the secrets…

    Mist Of Blood covers The Trooper

    The Kay parentals have tried to keep this on the down-low because of obvious prog rock influences but it is too good to file away. Dad will just have to suffer while his son(s) play extra notes…HA!! Take that you Camry driver!

    (follow the link in my name)

    Reply
  15. vegasrandall says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    IN&OUT sets the standard for fast food.they pay their people more and they have the best burger and fries

    Reply
  16. Mrs. Dave in Sammamish says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    Top 20!! Whoo hoo!

    Reply
  17. Pagan says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    I thought chick fil a was a euphamism for a penis:)

    Reply
  18. Brandy says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    I’ve had the southern style chicken sandwich from McDonald’s twice. The second time was to reassure myself that the first time wasn’t just a bad fluke… nope, both times I spent approximately 4 hours scraping chewed up waxy bun out of my teeth. That chicken shaped crap doesn’t hold a candle to chic-fil-a. D+ at best.

    Reply
  19. aminnev says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Right on about In-N-Out burgers . . . they do set the standard.

    I’ve had the McD southern style chicken sandwich but I have nothing to compare it to . . . but I will put in a good word for McDonald’s spicy chicken wings. The last time these were being sold was 1st quarter 2004 and haven’t seen them since. Man, those were good!!!! Bring them back

    Reply
  20. Big Bear In OH says

    March 1, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    if It ain’t chic-fil-a, it ain’t southern style fried chicken sammich. and that sir, is the bottom line.

    Reply
  21. Dave says

    March 1, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    As a Floridian, the Chic-Fil-A is way better, McD’s tried to over-doit and made crap!

    Reply
  22. Doug says

    March 1, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    A Sunday update? Has the world gone mad?

    Reply
  23. Willie Williams says

    March 2, 2009 at 12:08 am

    Chicfila – not a fan. Dry and limp everytime I’ve had one. Same goes for their waffle fries. I’ll take any KFC or Popeyes chicken in any form over the Chic anytime.

    Reply
  24. poppajugs says

    March 2, 2009 at 7:56 am

    Jeff,

    You write as if there are no Chick Fil A’s near you, but their store locator says otherwise.

    http://www.chick-fil-a.com/restlocator/statesearch.html

    In fact, if you’re willing to go to the “DeNaples Student Center” there is one within Scranton.

    Reply
  25. Kathleen says

    March 2, 2009 at 8:28 am

    I can not relate to this as I don’t eat at McDonald’s and have never even seen a Chik-Fil-A.

    However, when I worked at BK back in the 80s, I always put pickles on my chicken sandwich.

    Reply
  26. Limey says

    March 2, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Some crazy-ass dude in a Camry just skidded into the Scranton Chick-Fil-A parking lot and damn near slipped up in his own drool as he whipped his hand through his hair trying to find his wallet.

    I agree about In-N-Out. Just about the only thing I miss from California.

    Reply
  27. scarymary says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:17 am

    In the St. Louis area we had Chic-fil-a only in mall food courts. So getting it was a real treat because unless you’re a teen or a douchebag you probably don’t hang out in the mall much.
    Then we got a freestanding one in fancy pants “west county”. The line during the lunch break time wrapped around the building about twice. Emotions run high and there are a lot of hands whipping through hair. It’s a big deal to announce to your co-workers that “I’ll be going to chic-fil-a” today. Might as well be announcing that you’ll be playing frogger across the highway. Some people want in and others only tongue cluck at the thought. The high price, the insane wait.
    I used to love the McChicken. I got one the other day and it was AWFUL. The patty had an orangish hue and the meat was like a chicken nugget I had on vacation in Mexico…dry and weird… I thought about sending an email to “corporate” but that fizzled out.
    Not only was that frustrating but they aren’t putting enough ice in the soda. I’m American. I like my cup half full of ice even on the coldest days. They need to adjust their automatic ice/soda machine to reflect international and regional tastes. Do Canadians like a lot of ice too?
    Every so often the McRib comes in town (right after Monopoly time) and people either love it or hate it. I love it but only when it’s a “good one” which is about 30% of the time.
    I could write a whole blog about McDonalds.

    Reply
  28. Tammie says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:39 am

    Normally I like the McChicken , but this past weekend when I was in Ohio, I ate one and it sat in my gut like a rock.
    When I took a crap later in the day, it felt like I was giving birth to a rubber dolly through my ass.

    Reply
  29. bennigan's nazi says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:44 am

    The McD’s chicken sandwich varies greatly by location. Even if you get a really good one it can’t hold a candle to chik fil a.

    Plus a chik fil a milkshake beats the shit out of anything at mcdonalds and contains enough fat, cholesterol, and sugar to nourish an entire african village for six months.

    Long live chik fil a.

    Reply
  30. Brandy says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:46 am

    scarymary, you and I have the exact same opinions about McDonalds. Whenever I eat there, I immediately get home and add more ice before my Diet Coke is warm and the cup is falling apart. (don’t ask why I’m ordering Diet Coke at McDonalds, I know its pointless)

    I got a McRib once and they forgot to put BBQ sauce on it (how is this even possible? I thought the “ribs” were floating in the brown stuff). Seeing it in its naked form is enough to make you not eat one ever again.

    Reply
  31. 2Tall says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Mmmm…Chik-fil-A Chicken biscuits…I could eat about eight right now. I cannot see myself EVER ordering the McD’s version.

    Reply
  32. 2Tall says

    March 2, 2009 at 9:58 am

    Jeff-
    McD’s appears to be on a bun, rather than a biscuit. Blech!!
    When I worked at a certain Round Rock Texas-based computer company, they would accasionally bring in a cooler full of the chicken biscuits. Could’ve stuffed my pockets with them.

    Reply
  33. Joseph says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:20 am

    I think the shapes for the ChickenMcNuggets serve as labels for inner contents. The one that is shaped roughly like an hourglass is “white meat”, the elongated blob with the nodule coming out of one end is “dark meat” and the round one is clear meat. Or at least it used to be that way.

    Reply
  34. Jeff says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:21 am

    I knew about the Chick-fil-A in Scranton, but it’s within the University mess down there. I’m not even sure if it’s open to the public, or just students. In any case, it’s not convenient.

    And beyond that… there are no Chick-fil-As in our area. At least not that I know about. I generally don’t travel 50 miles to buy a sack of fast food, ya know?

    And In ‘n’ Out makes good burgers, but Five Guys is better. So, I don’t find myself longing for them, like I did Chick-fil-A after we left Atlanta. I have some controversial opinions about In ‘n’ Out…

    And I’ve never had a McRib in my life. I did, however, purchase something called a McToberfest kielbasa sandwich once. It looked like human waste on a hotdog bun, but tasted pretty good.

    Reply
  35. scarymary says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Yesterday I got a coke from Mcdonald’s with 1 ice cube in it. ONE! Oh the humanity!!

    We used to have toasted ravioli at the McDonald’s here in St. Louis back in the 80’s.

    Reply
  36. ashton says

    March 2, 2009 at 11:15 am

    I refuse to eat a McRib. That’s just nasty, but I know people that swear by them.

    I spent a summer in Maine many years ago, and the McD’s up there had lobster rolls!! They were like 6 bucks, but they were mostly just mayonnaise delivery systems.

    Reply
  37. Limey says

    March 2, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Chicken for breakfast is just wrong. With the exception of perhaps a leftover chicken salad sandwich, I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten chicken for breakfast. While I have many times enjoyed steak and eggs for breakfast, that also feels wrong. The only acceptable breakfast meats are all from pigs, and pig meat in one form or another is somehow acceptable for every meal. What a magical animal! [/homer]

    Reply
  38. scarymary says

    March 2, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Joseph,
    dark meat, white meat and “clear meat”
    LOL!!!!!

    Reply
  39. kristin says

    March 2, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    2Tall – I was thinking the same thing – that is no biscuit!

    Reply
  40. Jeff says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    McDonald’s sells both a chicken biscuit, for breakfast, and a chicken sandwich, for lunch and dinner. The picture above is the sandwich.

    If you guys think I don’t know what a biscuit is, you don’t know me very well.

    Reply
  41. oblvios says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    I live just outside San Francisco and we’ve had Chick-fil-A since the early 80’s, though the local one is in the mall, which is the only saving grace to the size of my ass. I tend to avoid mass retail establishments that attract the Great Unwashed.

    However, after reading this update, it’s going to take all I have not to suck up, jump in the car, and brave the riffraff at the mall. I’d really like them to (re-)introduce Chick-fil-A on a biscuit with a heap of bacon. (yes, bacon AGAIN – ’cause everything’s better with bacon. No. Matter. What.)

    My sodium levels are precariously low today, I think. Perhaps I should so something about that before my system starts to shut down.

    Reply
  42. oblvios says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    @Brandy – it’s perfectly acceptable to order a Diet Coke at McDonald’s or anywhere else for that matter. Why would you want to ruin a good meal by inducing gelatinous saliva via a regular Coke. It’s hard to taste your food if your phlegm is choking you.

    Reply
  43. Sam says

    March 13, 2009 at 1:56 am

    There is a heretic loose in the cyber world!

    http://www.misanthropytoday.com/2009/03/12/chick-fil-a-sucks/

    Reply
  44. dan d says

    March 14, 2009 at 9:02 am

    try Arbys new ROAST BURGERS there actually good theres some coupons out there for free sandwich with purchase of fries n drink for like $3.oo you get a meal

    Reply
  45. Andrea Register says

    July 11, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Freestanding Chick-fil-As around Atlanta are called Dwarf Houses because Truett Cathy’s first restaurant was the Dwarf House. This is where he came up with the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. There is still the original Dwarf house close to the Atlanta airport, and it is still in operation.

    Reply
  46. Jambalaya says

    July 23, 2009 at 10:21 am

    While Chick Fil-A is a southern-based company and most certainly has a good chicken biscuit, Mickey D’s is a rank newcomer to the arena of chicken biscuits. Their’s is nasty. Anyone who has lived in the south and really understands the south knows who the REAL fast-food chicken biscuit ruler is. I’m talking about no matter what little, one-horse, podunk town in the south you go to, you will probably find one of these restaurants serving up their tasty chicken biscuits. Hardee’s. A workin’ man’s chicken biscuit.

    Reply
  47. Strangel says

    July 29, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    Man, when we found out Chik Fil A was coming to our area… I about deafened everyone in the car. I was born in California, raised in Texas on such quality foods as CFA, Popeyes, Po’Folks, Sonic, and a good ol’ BBQ house whose name I can’t remember. Now I live in the Sacramento area and haven’t seen Texas goods in over fifteen years – since my last visit. We now have TWO CFAs within driving distance AND one full Sonic. We also have an “add-on” Sonic at a gas station, but they suck. They never fail to get all of the order wrong, undercook the tots, etc. We’ve also got a Popeyes (thank heavens).

    Now, to just get Po’Folks and the BBQ place moved out here… hmmm.

    Reply
  48. cress says

    August 9, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    McDonalds Southern Chick. Sndwch. SUX compared to CHICK-FIL-A. McDs’ version is decent copycat of CFA, but it is definitely not as juicy. And McD uses the AWFUL pickles they put on their DBL cheeseburgers. I have always hated pickles, but extremely enjoy the ones on their Original sandwich. I even ask for extra pickles when I get this sndwch. Chick-Fil-A also toasts their buns. GREATEST CHICKEN SANDWICH EVER!

    Reply
  49. steve says

    August 17, 2009 at 11:58 am

    shut yall asses up mcdonalds is the shitttttttttttt dont hate

    Reply
  50. Arielle says

    October 7, 2009 at 2:22 am

    I live in North Carolina but went to visit family in New York for a month this summer and probably told them once a day how much I wanted some chik fil a. By the end they wanted to shove me down a flight of stairs I’m sure.

    Reply
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