Canadian Spicy Chicken Sandwich War Heats Up

 

So the other day I went out and tried the much hyped Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwich which finally released in Canada on Monday after waiting a year:

The sandwich was pretty good, but not life changing. Check out my full review. But this heavily marketed sandwich was just the first shot in what I call, The Canadian Spicy Chicken Sandwich Wars.

Not to be outdone by Popeye's, most of the major franchises out here have introduced their own versions, some with specials. Now unfortunately due to my circumstances I won't be trying all these (I'm actually sad about this) but you can go out and try for yourself.

KFC

The KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich. Is this one famous? I have not had this one, but it seems to be fighting right along with Popeyes. 

"Triple breaded, buttermilk marinated chicken fillet, drizzled with buttery garlic oil, 3 sweet pickles, double spicy mayo on a potato bun."

So they've gone with a chicken mixed in with garlic oil, and a potato bun. There's spicy mayo there too. It looks good to me. And TODAY ONLY - WEDNESDAY SEPT 16th 2020 you can get it for $2!!!

KFC Famous Chicken Chicken Sandwich

MARY BROWN's

Mary Brown's has been doing a big chicken sandwich for years called the Big Mary. Earlier this summer she rolled out the Spicy Big Mary, and even more recently the Buffalo Mary:

Spicy Big Mary:

"The new Spicy Big Mary sandwich features a Signature Big Mary whole breast fillet amped-up with a cayenne kick, cool crunchy pickles and spicy mayo on a sesame seed bun."

Buffalo Mary: 

"It’s our Signature Big Mary® whole breast fillet, slathered in spicy Buffalo sauce, paired with blue cheese or ranch dressing and topped with crunchy lettuce! Serve it on a brioche bun and it’s a handful of awesome!" 

Now every Monday the Big Mary is on sale for $3.99 - that's when I tried it and it was really good.

Not only that, you can get a free Big Mary if you download their App!

Mary Brown's Big Mary Options

McDonald's

This is almost in a different category. McD's has brought back their Spicy McChicken Challenge

Last year McDonald's introduced a vamped up McChicken sandwich; they slowly raised the heat starting with the Spicy Jalapeno, the the Spicier Habanero, and finished off with the Spiciest Ghost Pepper McChicken. I only did the Ghost Pepper McChicken, but it was actually spicy!

This year McD's dropped the Jalapeno and introduced the Scotch Bonnet McChicken available from September 1st-28th:

"If you love our spicy Habanero sandwich but want to kick things up a notch, this spicier McChicken® is for you! Topped with our creamy Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce. Perfectly breaded seasoned chicken and crisp shredded lettuce – all on a freshly toasted sesame bun."

Compared to the other chains, this sandwich brings the heat. But the chicken is not a breast fillet, but formed patty product. I like a good McChicken, but the sandwich is just not on the same level.

Spicy McChicken Challenge

WENDY's

Wendy's has had a Spicy Chicken sandwich for a while:

Last year they even had a Bacon Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich which I really enjoyed (especially with their Bacon Jalapeno topped fries). But just to be different during the CSCS War, they went with a BBQ & Bacon Chicken Sandwich:

"Sure, pickles are great but why does a chicken sandwich have to stop there? The BBQ & Bacon Chicken sandwich adds crispy onion tanglers, cheddar cheese and melty cheese sauce plus three strips of our signature Applewood smoked bacon. Oh and also pickles."

I mean it sounds good, I'd get it, and I understand trying to pivot the spicy chicken sandwich battle with something different, but this was the time to bring back the Bacon Jalapeno chicken sandwich in my opinion.

Wendy's BBQ & Bacon Chicken Sandwich

A&W

A&W is coming a little late to the game with a new Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: 

"5 oz of crispy, crunchy chicken, sweet pickles and nashville-style aioli, all on a brioche bun. Only available at Toronto locations for a limited time."

I've not had this one, but it sounds good. The problem is that it's only available in Toronto right now. I hope that's just a test market for now and will expand. But I don't know.

A&W Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

So, what sandwiches have you had? What do you want to try? #lotwwants2know