Back off, fast food chains: These Pensacola chicken sandwiches deserve your attention

Jake Newby | Pensacola News Journal

The chain chicken sandwich frenzy doesn't seem to be dying down, as the trend is now trickling down into Pensacola.

For whatever reason, foodies all over the country are still polarized by the enigma that is the fast food fried chicken sandwich.

It's been about three months since Popeye's launched its spicy and original spins on the American classic, and an all-out war has ensued since. The battle paused only for that month-long period where the fast food chicken hub ran out of chicken somehow.

World class chefs across Pensacola are beginning to capitalize on the trend, while a few others were years ahead of the curve.

The News Journal put together a short and sweet little list of local chicken sandwich takes that you should favor over the chains this fall.

McGuire's spicy chicken sandwich

Arguably Pensacola's most storied restaurant only recently added a spicy chicken sandwich to its hallowed menu.

Harissa powder is the cornerstone spice, according to McGuire's Executive Chef Jason Vinquist, who takes a tenderized 10-ounce chicken breast, dunks it in their dip, flours and fries it. Then they slather their own special hot sauce onto an old fashioned burger bun.

"It's something we developed here, it's mayonnaise based with some more harissa powder, Tabasco and Sriracha," Vinquist said. "To give it a little extra zing and put it over the top."

Straying from the norm, McGuire's uses sweet bread and butter pickles in place of standard pickles.

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"The contrast between the spice and the sweet bread and butter, it's a really nice combination," Vinquist said. "It does differentiate from the Popeye's and the Chik-fil-A. Theirs is not gonna taste like this one."

The McGuire's spicy chicken sandwich is served with a side of kettle potato chips and potato salad. The cost is $12.99.

The 3-D Eats & Tea Food Truck "Chickle"

Even the pickles are fried at 3-D Eats, known for its hearty-sized sandwiches and southern fare.

The "Chickle" recipe at 3-D calls for pickle-brined, fresh fried chicken encrusted with fried pickles and a drizzling of the food truck's house ranch.

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"We had this out months prior to the great 'Chick-Off,'" 3-D owner Sean DeSmet said.

The "Chickle" will be on the daily menu after Thanksgiving on the 3-D trucks, and also at their new 3-D Hub location on 6890 Pensacola Boulevard.

The Nomadic Eats "Not Popeye's" chicken sandwich

There's a caveat with this one, as it's not always on the Nomadic Eats menu.

Owner Randy Russell is known for constantly switching up his menu, but his take on the chicken sandwich has popped up on at least two occasions since October, and he says it could very well be back by popular demand.

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The "Not Popeye's" chicken sandwich is made with pickle-brined, buttermilk Karaage fried chicken, house-made pickles and spicy mayo on a brioche bun. When it is available, it comes both mild and spicy and usually with collard greens on the side.

Follow Nomadic Eats on Facebook and Instagram with hopes high that Nomadic Eats breaks this elusive sandwich out one day again soon.

Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538.