This weekend, we went up to Westchester to visit friends who were celebrating their child's second birthday. Once the kids were tucked in, the adults chatted over beers, which of course induced hunger. One of our friends was fixated on taking a ride to a local Burger King. As thirty-somethings, our friends are healthy eaters and rarely consume fast-food. I don't drink, so I offered to take everyone's order and escort a friend to come along. He hadn't seen a Burger King menu in a while and wanted the full-on drive-thru experience.
As we crept toward the drive-thru box, he asked for a few minutes to review the latest and greatest Burger King offerings. After placing the order, we approached the window. There he insisted on adding an "Original Chicken Sandwich" to the order. The cashier began to rattle off toppings such as lettuce, tomato, mayo, etc. I agreed to everything when suddenly my buddy stopped me. "NO! There is never tomato on the Original Chicken Sandwich," he exclaimed. He was right. I had totally forgotten about that, though I didn't think it mattered.
The Original Chicken Sandwich was introduced in 1978 as part of Burger King's "Specialty Sandwich" line and successfully helped Burger King increase sales by 15%. As we drove back to our friend's house, I realized that it had been more than 20 years since I had ordered one of these signature chicken sandwiches from Burger King. The Original Chicken Sandwich is unique compared to the other fast food chicken sandwiches -- unlike most fast-food chains' chicken sandwiches Burger King's resembles a chicken cutlet in length and shape and isn't round or shaped like a patty.
Remember the long seeded bun, mayo and the shredded lettuce? How about when Burger King would spice things up and serve the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich with slices of ham and Swiss cheese or the Italian Chicken Sandwich, their idea of Chicken Parmesan, which came with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Although I've never ordered these varieties, I do remember them.
I'm sure most of you no longer eat Burger King and I expect a flood of nasty comments. I'm not promoting that you all run to your local BK, but the idea that this friend ordered this sandwich brought back memories. We joked about how it's the only fast-food chicken sandwich with that unique shape and he sliced a sample for each of us to savor as we reminisced about the old days of Burger King and their traditional menu items.
I don't really remember this which is odd because my family and I did like eating at Burger King sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI haven't eaten at Burger King is years. The one closest to our house recently went out of business. But I do remember the "original chicken sandwich" and I loved it. Not any of the later versions, but the original.
ReplyDeleteI may have to seek out another local BK and see if I still like it as much.
There is nothing wrong with fast food...once in a while. I remember this sandwich, and I thought it was pretty good. They just put too much mayo.
ReplyDeleteThe original chicken sandwich was the only thing I would eat at Burger King when I was a kid!!! YUM!!! Haven't had one in a VERY long time!
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager I used to work at Burger King. I think I lived off of those chicken sandwiches! I always asked for tomatoes and cheese because they weren't included on there.
ReplyDeleteI will admit that we occasionally eat there.
I have had all of those! It's what I order when I go to BK (rarely) but I get no mayo, not a fan of it!
ReplyDeleteoh my god: i missed dinner today and i just clicked the link to your blog and god DAMN it, that looks super good. like, i'm THISCLOSE to sending my husband to burger king... :)
ReplyDeleteI love Bk's chicken sandwiches!! There fries are the best too, since they changed them a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit it, I'm a fan of the BK chicken sandwich, and definitely without tomatoes! I would totally eat one right now but no BKs in France :-(
ReplyDeleteI was never into the chicken stuff at the fast food places. Give me good ol' red meat (or what they pretend is real meat, anyway) any day! HA!
ReplyDeleteThis chicken sandwich is the only thing I would ever eat at BK. I think the rest of the food is nasty - not because it's fast food, I do indulge in fast food more than I should. I just think BK is gross.
ReplyDeleteThis was my very favorite thing to get at the BK. Don't remember the tomato thing though.
ReplyDeleteComing by to say: Hi. I miss you.
ReplyDeleteBe well.
xoRobyn
PS I liked those chicken sandwiches.
I so remember this because I used to get it all of the time. They do put way too much mayo on it usually so I end up scraping most of it off. Wow! I haven't had one of these in ages. I have had issues with BK ever since they changed their fries years ago. There is something about the oil that they cook in that gives me the runs. And yes you are welcome for that thought. But occasionally I do stop by a BK since the hubs and my kids love it. But I usually get the Grilled Chicken Sandwich or BK Broiler or whatever they call it now. Now I want BK and their onion rings with the sauce!
ReplyDeleteI still love Burger King but am still lazy and forget I even live near one. Them and Wendy's always have a home with me when I do eat that stuff.....
ReplyDeleteI love Whoppers too much to ever order anything else at BK. It's funny you mention the tomato thing because recently there was a tomato shortage in Canada and BK stopped putting tomatoes on their Whoppers because they were too expensive. I didn't think I'd miss them, but I did! I think the same would go for if they weren't there but then suddenly were.
ReplyDeleteI have a BK near me, and will occasionally go when I'm too lazy/tired to cook. Just a note though: The Italian Chicken Sandwich is BACK! It was gone for a while, during which time I boycotted BK because that's the only thing I get, but it's back!!
ReplyDeletePS. I'm your newest follower. Loving your blog!