Tastes Like Chicken Sandwich: Who Has the Best in the Lincoln-Way Area?

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Our area has no shortage of gyro-hot dog joints. But what if you're not in the mood for red meat or fried food? A grilled chicken sandwich is a good alternative.

This week, I tasted chicken sandwiches from three Lincoln-Way take-out restaurants better known for their beef sandwiches, hot dogs and gyros.

Pop's Italian Beef, Mokena

At Pop's, the chicken sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato and mayo (unless you specify otherwise). There's plenty of thinly shredded lettuce and one tomato slice (mine was thin and overripe). The bun was a bit crumbly and dry, although the chicken breast was tasty except, of course, for the side that was charred to carcinogenic proportions. 

The good: Pop's uses a tasty piece of chicken for their sandwich (especially good if you like your chicken extra-charred).

The bad: Burnt chicken plus a mushy, overripe tomato made this a disappointing sandwich.

, Frankfort

This was my first visit to Rosie's, and I was greeted by Elvis Presley as I walked in. (Sadly, it was just the radio, so I only got one song). I ordered the chicken sandwich--again with lettuce--tomato and mayo. This sandwich came on a seeded hamburger bun, which was lightly toasted. Thankfully, the chicken wasn't burned and had just a hint of flavor from a marinade. The lettuce was leafy and not shredded, and the tomato was good, too! 

The good: Fresh tomato, well-cooked chicken and a toasted bun made this a tasty sandwich.

The bad: Some people might not be pleased with a seeded bun for their chicken sandwich.

, New Lenox

Perhaps the nicest bun of the three, AJ's uses a nice, unseeded sandwich bun; it was tasty even though it wasn't toasted. AJ's chicken sandwich comes with lettuce and tomato (mayo packets are available next to the silverware). The chicken breast had perhaps the most flavorful marinade of the three--I could see Italian herbs on the meat. Unfortunately, the piece of chicken breast in the sandwich was very thin, dry and tough, making half of it inedible. 

The good: AJ's doesn't scrimp on tasty buns.

The bad: The thin breast of chicken in the sandwich was overcooked and tough.

THE WINNER: in Frankfort. Rosie's serves a big, flavorful chicken sandwich with fresh ingredients and a toasted bun.

Future Chowdown challenges will include milkshakes, Italian red sauce and chowder (corn, clam, other—you tell us!) Where should we go in Lincoln-Way for any (or all) of these items? Let us know in the comments and be automatically entered in our drawing.

Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.

• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments