Chicken-N-Spice's New Chicken Sandwich: Better Than Popeyes?

JOLIET, IL — In 2019, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen took the world by storm by adding the new chicken sandwich to its menu. Now, one of Joliet's best known local restaurants, Chicken-N-Spice, is adding a breaded chicken sandwich to its menu. In fact, Chicken-N-Spice has added three different sandwiches: the classic chicken, spicy chicken and jalapeño cheddar.

The question that needs to be answered is whether Chicken-N-Spice's new sandwich is in the same league as the Popeye's sandwich that has received national acclaim.

Based on my lunch-time experience in downtown Joliet at the North Chicago Street restaurant, the answer is definitely yes. I don't think I'm wrong in proclaiming Chicken-N-Spice's new sandwich tastes better than the one I got last November at the Popeyes on Jefferson Street.

Heading into Chicken-N-Spice, 251 N. Chicago St. to place my to-go order, I was wondering whether Chicken-N-Spice might be pushing its luck by expanding its menu. After all, practically everybody visits Chicken-N-Spice for one thing: its beloved chicken chunks.

Well, after trying the original breaded chicken sandwich, I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed. The new sandwich tasted great. It was fresh. It did not have a dry taste to it like some fast-food chicken sandwiches can have.

My chicken sandwich included lettuce, a few small pickle slices and mayonnaise. My sandwich cost me $4.79 and as you can see from the photo at the top of this food column, this was a pretty good size portion of chicken.

Last November, here's what I wrote about the new Popeye's sandwich:"I thought the new Popeyes chicken sandwich was good; it comes with a pickle and a tasty sauce, but I don't believe the new chicken sandwich will become the go-to staple for Popeyes. I will be surprised if I'm wrong. I just didn't feel like the sandwich lived up to all of the marketing hype surrounding Popeyes and this new chicken sandwich."

Tuesday's lunch-time experience at downtown Joliet's Chicken-N-Spice left me convinced that we now have a new prize winner when it comes to the top-tasting fast-food chicken sandwich in the Joliet area.

Move over, Popeyes, I'm crowning Chicken-N-Spice as the new champion.

One more thing: if you can't get to the downtown Joliet Chicken-N-Spice to order your new chicken sandwich, head over to the Shorewood restaurant on Route 59. As I finished this food column, I called the Shorewood restaurant and sure enough, they also have added the chicken sandwiches to their regular menu.