By Donna Price

dprice@americanpress.com

Story, photos by Donna Price

dprice@americanpress.com

Several days ago I realized that as 2019 was quickly coming to a close, I still had not tried the Popeyes chicken sandwich, the famous newcomer to the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen line.

The sandwich was introduced back in August and then discontinued two weeks later when a two-month supply of the sandwiches disappeared in two weeks.

People went crazy over it.

Popeyes regrouped and reintroduced it back on Nov. 3. I decided back then to wait until the long lines had shortened some before I tried one. After all, I had read an online comment or two that basically said, “Yeah, it’s good, but it’s not worth waiting in line for an hour to get one.”

Thinking the crowd storm had surely passed by now, my husband and I headed to Popeyes at 901 Country Club Road on a recent Friday night to finally partake. The plan was to go through the drive thru. But that idea was quickly scrapped when we saw how long the line was. It was all the way around the building and almost out in the street. So we parked the car and I lost the coin toss to be the one to go inside and stand in line.

Inside the restaurant I encountered yet another long line. I walked in the door and took one step. That was the back of the line. I could not even see the front counter yet. It was up a ways on the right on the other side of the
rest rooms.

I looked around as I stood in line. It was apparently date night for one older couple at a table by the window who were each enjoying a pair of chicken sandwiches.

I wanted to walk over and ask them what they thought about them but I wasn’t about to lose my place in line.

As I waited, I wondered if the Popeyes employee who came up with this chicken sandwich got a promotion. Or at least a raise. I thought about what a shot in the arm for Popeyes it has been. Not that the restaurant needed a shot in the arm around here because everyone seems to love their chicken from Popeyes.

The line moved along pretty quickly, thanks to the efficient employee up front who was taking orders and payment and keeping things moving at a brisk pace.

When it was my turn, I ordered two classic chicken sandwiches for $3.99 each (A spicy version is also available). I was handed my to-go bag in less than a minute and I was on my way.

Back home, we opened the bag with anticipation. Curious after hearing all the hype, we took off the top part of the buns to examine the sandwiches before we ate them. We saw pickles, mayo and one huge piece of fried chicken under each. The official Popeyes description of the sandwich is: “A tender all-white meat chicken breast fillet, marinated in an authentic blend of Louisiana seasonings, then hand battered and breaded in our all new buttermilk coating. Served with crisp, barrel-cured pickles and classic or spicy mayonnaise, served on a toasted buttery brioche bun.”

That all sounds pretty good, but not being ones to leave well enough alone, we each did a bit of improvising. My husband added a slice of cheese to his. I added a handful of fresh baby spinach to mine. And then we ate. And were blown away. It was undeniably the best chicken sandwich either of us had ever eaten. Hands down. The brioche bun was fresh and pillowy. The fried chunk of chicken breast was incredibly juicy. A friend of mine suggested that surely they must brine the meat before frying it to get it so juicy.Perhaps so.

Things got pretty quiet while we ate because the sandwiches were just too good. Eating them took precedence over dinner conversation. One thing I would have to disagree with is that previously mentioned comment that these sandwiches are not worth waiting an hour in line for. I’m thinking that an hour wait would be quite doable. Hats off to Popeyes for hitting one out of the ballpark. This new menu item is just about as perfect as a fried chicken sandwich can be.