It was with great joy that I learned that chicken sandwich giant Chick-fil-A will open their first Lincoln location sometime this year. I love me some Chick-fil-A. I love the chicken, the waffle fries, the sweet tea, and their sauce.
Oh that sauce…it’s one of those magical condiments that makes anything else taste better.
Plus, it will be a nice upgrade from the other chicken-only chain in town: Raisin’ Canes. This may be sacrilegious to some, but for a place that only does chicken fingers, the chicken at Canes isn’t all that great. Heck, I’d argue the chicken is middle of the pack in the food they do serve:
- Cane sauce. It’s an odd BBQ-ranch hybrid, but it works.
- Fries. A good mix of crispy, crinkly, and salty.
- Sweet tea. Until Chick-fil-A arrives, it’s the best sweet tea one can get in Nebraska.
- Texas toast. Good, but not great.
- Chicken fingers. It’s not that they’re bad, but they’re definitely not a standout.
- Cole Slaw. I’m not a cabbage and mayo sauce guy, but the Cain’s version is not very good.
Don’t mind if I do.
The biggest challenge will be getting to eat there. The location particularly close to home or work, and given the way Lincoln loves its chain restaurants, the place will probably be packed for months and the drive-thru line will be 15 cars deep – even on Sundays.*
*Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. Get it?
Like anything else, there is some bad that comes with the good. Aside from a dramatic spike in Chick-fil-A commercials, we’ll also get a front row seat whenever the next political controversy involving the chicken chain arises. The conservative Christian company leadership will be favored and respected by many Nebraskans. Personally, I just want to enjoy a #1 combo without having to weigh the sociopolitical implications of my lunch choice.
Feit Can Write 