Chick-fil-A is testing a new item in three cities, and it doesn’t have any chicken. It is described as “a tender filet from a whole cauliflower that is breaded in our signature seasoning and pressure-cooked in 100% refined peanut oil”. It is served with dill pickles on the same bun as any of the other Chick-fil-A sandwiches.
The sandwich obviously doesn’t have any meat, but Chick-fil-A asserts that it is not certified as vegetarian-friendly.
The sandwich is currently only available for a limited time in three test markets– Denver, CO, Charleston, SC and Greensboro, NC.
I visited the Chick-fil-a on Colorado Boulevard and Yale, where the sandwich prominently stood on the menu. I ordered it just like any other item on the menu.
The sandwich itself costs $7.29, which is $1.90 more than the original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.
I will note that I spent a long time at the drive-thru window compared to some of the other customers, so it definitely takes a little bit longer to put this sandwich together.
Upon first look, the sandwich looks remarkably similar to the original chicken sandwich. It was very crispy, and it smelled great.
Biting into the sandwich, I was immediately surprised by the fact that the inside wasn’t just mashed cauliflower, but instead was a mix of whole and chopped cauliflower stalks. The seasoning and crunch definitely made it feel like a Chick-fil-A sandwich, but the taste of cauliflower was definitely predominant.
If you like cauliflower, like me, this might not be an issue. But if you do not like cauliflower, stay away from this sandwich (if you haven’t already). You can’t escape the taste.
The cauliflower was fine, and made for a decent base for a vegetarian sandwich. The patty crumbled apart just a few bites in, making it difficult to finish the sandwich.
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Overall, while it isn’t as good as the chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A did a good job making a meatless approximation. The cauliflower sandwich seems like a good future addition to the menu, but I think making it certifiably vegetarian or vegan would make it appealing to a wider audience.
I would try it again if I was in the mood, but next time I think I’ll just stick with a regular sandwich.