Fowl

[eggwards]

Sometimes mornings like this one are hurried, and while forgetting to buy more milk, I sometimes decide to grab some breakfast on the way to work. most often this means Chic-fil-A.

Chick-fil-A, which in my mind should still be pronounced "Chick-phill-uh", has the most awesome chicken biscuits around. I like mine with cheese. Recently both Whataburger and McDonalds have put out their own chicken biscuit, but these pale in comparison with the mighty Chick-fil-a. Mainly, the McDonalds chicken incredibly bland (a couple of years ago they test marketed one with a spicy chicken patty that was much better), and the whataburger one uses a chicken strip instead of a chicken breast, leaving a whole lot of biscuit. Chick-fil-a seems to do it right with a soft biscuit and lots of chicken.

Now I eat breakfast biscuits a lot. I often have Jimmy Dean sausage biscuits in the freezer, and heat them up in the morning. Many years ago Owens Sausage sold some frozen chicken biscuits, but i guess they didn't sell well. Occasionally I'll by Owen sausage Kolaches. Not as good as the ones made by real Czechs (or at least their Texas descendants).

I do have a couple of problems with Chick-fil-a. the first one is that everything else they do, sucks. I know people who swear by their chicken sandwiches, but the bun isn't any good, and it's usually served soggy with a pickle underneath the chicken, so it's soaked into the bun. It's gross, and they've been under the heat lamp way too long. I never go to Chick-fil-a after 10:30 am.

The other part is the religious connections the fast-food chain has. sure, there's always the problem of having the desire for a chicken biscuit on sunday morning when they are closed, but it's also knowing that you're helping to fund the founder's various programs, all tied into themes of the Southern Baptist Church. Sure, they make a big deal about their work to give scholarships to their employees, and that's good, but they also run children's day camps and marriage counseling centers.

It's known that the company supports Focus on the Family, and has helped out such productions as Veggie Tales. They also support Campus Crusade for Christ. I'm not so sure I really want to help them with this. Can I please designate where the money goes from my chicken biscuit purchase?

It's interesting that the company spotlights it's founder more than most, but then again, he's why they have such a Christian focus. The founder may not be out on the familiar cow commercials, but his picture is in every store...sometimes several times. Sure, there's a plaque to Ray Krock in every McDonalds (thought he didn't actually found McDoanlds, he just bought them and started franchising them), and Dave Thomas with Wendy's was in their ads from the beginning, but C. Truett Cathy seems to have an odd presents in each store. His foundations are the core of a lot of in-store advertising.

Side note, Burger King seems to have been created by the King himself, and Jack-in-the-Box has run commercials for years with "Mr. Box."

Can I live with myself for enjoying the biscuits but not liking the company? I suppose. Hopefully with more competition selling chicken biscuits, one of the other chains will get it right and I'll have an alternative. Luckily Chick-fil-a has the worst chicken nuggets of any of the fast food chains, so after breakfast, they're awfully easy to pass by.

Comments

[bendawg.livejournal.com]

All the Chick-Fil-A stores in Utah were in malls (except SouthTowne) so I had no idea they made breakfasts.

I miss having them around, but that is because I actually liked their nuggets- sort of shake and bake-esque.

I suppose it's okay our opinions differ. :)

I don't spend much money there. It's sort of like how In-n-Out Burger is also owned by a very Christian family but yet is the best burger around.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

They've been expanding outside of the malls, especially through the South and Texas. We have one about 5 blocks away, so it's unfortunately convienent.

I really hate their nuggets, they are to small and soggy. It's like chicken bites. I like nuggets with good, flavorful and thick breading and good chicken underneath - I think the best are the chicken strips at Whataburger. McNuggets are terrible, but the Chicken Selects at MickeyD's are better. I usually hate Wendy's, but the spicy nuggets are good.

Yes, you're opinion may vary, and that's just fine.

Is it In-and-Out, or Carl's Jr that prints the Bible verses on the bottom of the cups?

[jamesbeary.livejournal.com]

Chick-Fil-A has poor rendition of a grilled chicken sandwitch. Whataburger's grilled chicken sandwitch put them to shame and YOU can even customize what topping you want on it, too! I usually like mine with mustard, pickle and onions and just that. :-)

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Hey James! Long time no see!

I rarely get a grilled chicken snadwich, so I'm not a very good judge. I like breading! Still, with grilled chciken it's all about the toppings and marinades and condiments, so I can see how Chick-fil-A wouldn't do well there.

I'm a big Whataburger fan, but I have a hard time ordering smaller portions there because I love a good double cheeseburger.

[jdvsqz.livejournal.com]

How is Chick-Fil-A pronounced?

[verucabear.livejournal.com]

Chick - Fill - A .... kinda like chick filet

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on all fronts. I have the chicken biscuits like every morning. I had no idea you could get them with cheese!

Anyway, I just said to someone tonight that I need to cut out the Chick-fil-a. Its not because of the weird religious angle, it's just not granola and fruit. My bowels are becoming resistant to wholesome food.

Damn those chicken biscuits, even if they are trans-fat free.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Yes, everything's better with Cheese! Well, most things.

My body is well used to poor eating habits, so I think it would be more of a shock to the system if I ate something better. Still, I could probably eat a little more cereal for breakfast, and a few less Pop-Tarts.

Yes, Chick-fil-A is trans-fat free already, and that's a good thing, but they are cooked in peanut oil, so I guess the people with peanut allergies have to stay away.

[owenthomas.livejournal.com]

Um, yeah, biscuits ... not so much a fit with your other goals, eh?

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

In my goal to enjoy breakfast and get my metabolism started for the day, yes, it fits in perfectly!

Again, the eating thing...working on eating less, not necessarily better right now. For example, Chick-fil-A has a combo with a biscuit, little hash-brown tater-tot things and a drink. Well, I don't order that becuse I don't need the hash-browns. It's a small difference, but different than what I would have ordered a few years ago.

Healthy food makes me run away - Hey, more exersize!

[verucabear.livejournal.com]

OMG I LOVE the breakfast chicken biscuits!! I just wish there was a Chick-fil-a closer to my place!!

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Well, you can always move back up to North Dallas, we have them all over the place!

I think they serve to direct people towards Prestonwood Baptist Church.

[venturebears.livejournal.com]

That's one of the many reasons I LOVE going to the south (apart from visiting marchreaver) - biscuits. I noticed KFC in the States sells biscuits by the box. The only places in Canada that sell any food with biscuits are Timmy Hos (Tim Horton's) and Popeye's.

Now I'm craving biscuits. :(

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Well, you definitely have good reasons to visit. Here's something, KFC biscuits are really horrible. They are hard and taste like - well, biscuit mix. Popeye's are better.

Really, if you want a good biscuit, get the Pillsbury Biscuits in the refrigerated case - you know, the Poppin' Fresh kind. The buttermilk ones are pretty good, you just have to watch the cooking time. They always tell you to bake them longer than you should.

[venturebears.livejournal.com]

I'd have to agree with you on KFC's biscuits. They were really bland, and Popeye's were a step up, but all the best biscuits have come from my trips to Atlanta. There's a restaurant called the Flying Biscuit that does them REAL well. Cracker Barrel's are great, too. (Please tell me that's not taboo... I hope I'm not listing places that people are horrified that anyone could enjoy them...)

I think the next time I'm visiting, I'll have to try more of these breakfast chicken biscuits. I remember having them once from Burger King (I thiiink...)

I just realized I still have a recipe for biscuits from my baking and pastry class a few years back. They do take a bit of effort to make though, so I'd rather do the Pillsbury kind. :)

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Well, scratch are the best, but Pullsbury means you don't mess up the whole kitchen.

Cracker Barrel used to be on the bad list as they fired some lesbian employees years ago just for being lesbian, but supposively they have made up for that and they are "OK". It's been a long time since I've eaten there. I think I have an avarsion to country ktochkies.

As for breakfast biscuts, well, Burger King isn't likely your best choice.

[polomex.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever eaten at a Chick-Fil-A. The only one I've ever seen was at the mall in Colorado Springs, but I don't remember ever eating there.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I think they are slowly making their way up the east coast. I know there are a few in Maryland now, and they are all across the south and southwest. I'd say Las Vegas, but apparently they will not franchise a store in Sin City because of the gambling.

[metacub.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I do love Chick-Fil-A, but I think it's mostly from the childhood memories of them handing out free samples in the mall. I manage not to give them more than $5/year due to them refusing to franchise to anyone in the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah I call home. :)

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Ahh, so the Bay Area and Las Vegas...they really do hold to those principals, don't they?

Yeah, they're moving out of the malls, and they don't seem to have samples anymore.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

We have to get you out of Minnesota more often!

mmm

[arkanjil.livejournal.com]

R & I jhave fallen unde thier spell, and had much the same conflictions. I really like their breakfast bagels, tho :P

[jerrycakes.livejournal.com]

To answer the question: It's In-N-Out that does the Bible verse thing. (Read their article on Wikipedia.)

I happen to like (not LOVE) Chik-Fil-A -- although if the company's founder was a real good Christian, he'd close his restaurants on Saturday and not on Sundays.

("Sabado" is Spanish for "Sabbath".)

I'm partial to the lemonade and the waffle fries. ;)

I can't really knock Chik-Fil-A for anything, though -- they sent me a free stuffed cow. ;)