So, in an experiment, I visited a Chick-Fil-A for the first time yesterday - making my own tonight. [View all]

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

Mostly to do some recon on this "Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich" that we've all seen the homemade doppleganger recipe floating around the net lately (Google "Chick-Fil-Gay Recipe" for background info). I think that the copycat homemade recipe looks very good and I love to cook so I decided to buy the ingredients and make one myself. I actually think substituting the recipe's flour for light seasoned cornmeal will improve.

Just one problem: I'd never been to a Chick-Fil-A so I really had no idea about my objective. For the most part, I've never been to the Chick-Fil-A because ours is right near a Chipotle, Taco Bell, and Five guys... very little incentive to eat at a fast food fried chicken place with three of my favorite fast foods next door. Not to mention their limited operating hours don't jive with my schedule and theres a KFC within a 1/4 mile of my residence.

I must say, since I've never been to one I'm not sure if it's always that packed or it was benefiting from increased media exposure... but it was PACKED. I had to do a doubletake to see if another event was using the Chick-Fil-A parking lot as overflow or there were any crazy events/promotions happening. Nope, it was just packed. So instead of finding a spot in the packed lot I just decided to use the drive through (pretty long line there too). So immediately I'm thinking, "This place must make pretty good chicken." I ordered a regular chicken sandwich and a small order of chicken nuggets to get a fair sampling of chicken. Service seemed all-smiles and cheery and food was hot.

For the most part, given that it's a fast food restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised with the chicken nuggets and chicken patty. They seemed reasonably natural and not very processed, if at all; almost like cut up chicken tenders unlike your typical uber-processed McNugget or McChicken patty. The sandwich, considering it was over $3 seemed pretty modest. (just bread and pickles) and could have used some lettuce, mayo, mustard and hot sauce. Flavor was pretty good however and I liked the place, overall... I just thought value was on the low side. I'd probably consider eating there in the future, albeit rarely (Chipotle is, after all, directly across the street and a $6.50 veggie burrito beats two bare chicken sammiches).

I'm actually pretty excited about my pending homemade experiment because I do think homemade almost always tastes better. Additionally, I can make about 6 sandwiches for $10 (a much better value). I'll keep the post updated with results of my Chick-Fil-A knockoff sandwiches hopefully tonight.