By Will Bumgarner and Briggs Brown
Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer

Popeyes

    Popeyes is a known staple when it comes to national chicken brands, and we had high expectations for such a popular sandwich. While the battered crisp and crunch of the sandwich was otherworldly, the excessive grease and mayo felt like a one-two punch from heartburn. Fortunately for Popeyes, their quality chicken and a perfectly toasted bun made up for the soggy consistency. With a more modest portion of mayonnaise and a little less grease, this sandwich could be a real contender. 

Will’s score: 7.1/10

Briggs score: 7.0/10

Bossy Beulah’s

    As a local chain that hangs its hat on a high-quality chicken sandwich, expectations were lofty. However, our feelings about the sandwich varied greatly. While we both agreed the chicken was clearly dry, we had opposing opinions on practically every other facet of the sandwich. A $10 price point puts Bossy Beulah’s at the high end of the spectrum regarding cost; nonetheless, their local brand and product’s authenticity provides a strong argument to back it up. The sandwich’s crisp and high-quality meat is indisputable, but the argument of flavor all comes down to personal preference, making this our most contested review EVER. 

Will’s score: 8.1/10

Briggs’s score: 6.2/10

Chick-fil-A

    Chick-fil-A surely comes to mind when you think of a classic chicken sandwich. Typically, the sandwich is a crispy, warm, vivacious meal with hints of pickle juice, but this particular sandwich was different. Dark specs of pepper littered the sandwich, overpowering the melody of flavors and leaving us with a harsh, unpleasant aftertaste. The service at Chick-fil-A was excellent as usual, and while the high quality and freshness of the sandwich were evident, we expected more from a sandwich regarded with such esteem and prominence. 

Will’s score: 6.7/10 

Briggs’s score: 6.8/10

Career Center KFC

    Without a doubt, it is the most conveniently located chicken sandwich joint on the list. A mere three steps from the Career Center parking lot, this is an opportune spot for a midday snack for students traveling throughout the school day. This sandwich was reminiscent of the nostalgic flavors of a childhood KFC dinner. The bun was toasty and fresh, topped with a dollop of too much mayo. Nonetheless, this was a quality sandwich capable of competing with many of the industry’s heavy hitters. 

Will’s score: 7.5/10

Briggs’s score: 7.4/10

Special guest Mac Murphy: 8.5/10

Bojangles

    A regional favorite for southern fried chicken, the cajun flavors of Bojangles brought a new dimension to the chicken sandwich conversation. The location and appearance of the Stratford location were underwhelming, along with the unhandsome sandwich packaging. However, upon the first bite, we were knocked out of our shoes. The golden crisp of the filet gives way to juicy, well-seasoned chicken—bold with Bojangles’ signature Cajun spice, a slow-building heat that lingers just enough to keep you coming back and craving their iconic sweet tea. From the dinner table to the tailgate, one thing is for sure: It’s Bo time!

Will’s score: 7.7/10

Briggs’s score: 7.8/10

McDonald’s

    We opted for the classic between the McCrispy and the less expensive and traditional McChicken. However, we are unsure if the sandwich actually included chicken. The first bite welcomed a “chicken” patty with a texture parallel to that of a fried flip-flop. The bun was stiff, and the attempt to overcompensate for the dryness with an excessive amount of mayo was a disastrous fail. We’re not lovin’ it!

Will’s score: 2.8/10

Briggs’s score: 2.5/10