August is National Sandwich Month, and few foods inspire the kind of devotion reserved for a well-built chicken sandwich.
What began at diners and fast-food drive-thrus now fuels fierce competition among chefs, restaurant chains and celebrity restaurateurs alike.
Palm Beach County is no exception.
Whether piled high with pickles, layered with slaws or dressed in house-made sauces, today’s iterations prove there’s more than one path to poultry perfection.
Here are a few of our favorites worth ordering right now.
C.R. Chicks, multiple locations
Simply called the chicken breast sandwich, this one is a straight shooter. No frills or gimmicks, it comes right at you and knocks you down with ridiculous, powerful, great taste. Take their perfectly seasoned, tender rotisserie chicken breast (removed from the bone only when you order it), combined with lettuce, tomato and mayo on their buttery, house made bread and you’ve got a little bit of heaven right here on Earth. Seriously, when you get to heaven you can tell the angels that you never tasted goodness so singularly portrayed as you did in the chicken breast sandwich at C.R. Chicks. ~Eddie Ritz
Details: seven locations in Palm Beach County including Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Wellington. crchicks.com
Dixie Grill & Brewery, West Palm Beach
Much like the fine line between early Sunday morning and late Saturday night, the California Chicken Club sandwich at Dixie Grill & Brewery straddles the zone between good healthy fare and seriously hedonistic bliss. Yes, it features grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado on the one side before jumping the railing and making you forget all of that with decadent Southwest pepper jack cheese, chipotle aioli and thick bacon. Yes, bacon! All on a perfectly toasted brioche bun. Sure, they have multiple options for sides, but you know you want their crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside fries. Just do it. ~Eddie Ritz
Details: 5101 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. 561-586-3189; dixiegrillandbrewery.net
Fuku, West Palm Beach
The creation of chef, author and restaurateur David Chang, the O.G. chicken sandwich at the newly opened Fuku at CityPlace is a taste and texture bomb. Nestled in a soft Martin’s Potato Roll, the sandwich has excellent crunch thanks to their Asian-style breading system (dredged in batter and then in seasoned flour) and it is ridiculously flavorful and tender thanks to the habanero-infused brine used at Fuku. Available in mild or spicy and topped with your choice of sauces, including the popular Fuku mayo, this is a powerfully delicious sandwich. ~Eddie Ritz
Details: 407 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. eatfuku.com
Honor Bar, Palm Beach
Honor Bar’s crispy chicken sandwich arrives sliced into thirds, a presentation that’s as practical as it is distinctive. The bird’s breast is topped with kale-studded coleslaw, a surprisingly thick slice of Swiss cheese and served on a sesame-seeded torta bun that manages to hold everything together without getting in the way. It’s gloriously messy — perhaps not ideal for a first date — but worth every napkin (I needed two.) Fellow patron Matthew Abate, who drove from Southwest Ranches for the sandwich, praised its “tenderness, crispiness, the way the sandwich is put together, the bread. It’s amazing and delicious.” ~ Diana Biederman
Details: 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach, 561-209-2799, honorbar.com
Moxies, West Palm Beach
At the perpetually packed CityPlace hotspot, Moxies’ crispy chicken sandwich arrives looking more like a burger, served on a glossy brioche bun with a pickle perched on top. The chicken is juicy, the coating crunchy and the people-watching top-notch. But the real surprise might be the fries, which are worth ordering all on their own. ~ Diana Biederman
Details: 565 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-537-7872, moxies.com
Publix chicken tenders, multiple locations
Part of the appeal is making it your own. Diana’s go-to starts with a white roll piled with crispy chicken tenders, then gets loaded with cucumber, spinach and ranch. Onions make occasional appearances, depending on the day’s schedule. It’s customizable, familiar and consistently satisfying. ~ Diana Biederman
Details: Multiple locations, publix.com
Rosie’s Pizza & Restaurant, Wellington
Rosie’s Palermo Focaccia leans heavily into Italian comfort. A crispy chicken cutlet is layered with broccoli rabe, garlic, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and provolone on focaccia that soaks up every bit of flavor without falling apart. The slight bitterness of the broccoli rabe cuts through the richness of the cheeses, creating a sandwich that feels hearty without becoming heavy. It’s messy, satisfying and impossible to eat politely. ~ Diana Biederman
Details: 13860 Wellington Trace, Wellington, 561-888-6223, rosiespizzafl.com
Tavolena Bakery, Jupiter
Tavolena Bakery’s Chicken Milanese proves that great sandwiches don’t need gimmicks. A pan-fried chicken cutlet, lemon aioli and peppery arugula on toasted ciabatta deliver the kind of balance that keeps you coming back. The chef-driven bakery’s Italian roots show in every bite. Before you leave, grab one (at least) of the almond cookies dusted with powdered sugar. You’ll thank me later. ~ Diana Biederman
Details: 185 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter, 561-850-4156, tavolenabakery.com
WhatSub, Palm Beach Gardens
WhatSub’s Chicken Milanese skips the heavy-handed approach in favor of simplicity done well. A crisp, oversized chicken cutlet is layered with fresh greens and served on excellent bread that holds everything together without stealing the spotlight. The result is light enough for lunch but substantial enough to satisfy. It’s the kind of sandwich that reminds you why Italian-style delis continue to inspire fierce loyalty among regulars. A new Boynton Beach outpost is expected to open in August. ~ Diana Biederman
Details: 10800 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-284-6099, whatsub.com
Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz cover food, dining and more at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Have a tip about the local restaurant scene? Reach out to dbiederman@pbpost.com or eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chicken sandwiches we’re craving across Palm Beach County
Reporting by Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
