An age-old question among New Trier students, the Chick-fil-A v. Cane’s debate holds a special place in my heart. I would have previously defended Cane’s to the death, but have switched to favoring Chick-fil-A in recent months. The truth: Chick-fil-A just hits different. Here’s why.

Chick-fil-A

Sauce: I am a big fan of the famous Chick-fil-A sauce. To me, it’s the perfect combination of classic sauces like ketchup, mayo, and barbecue sauce, but just a little sweeter. It pairs well with the waffle fries and even better with the chicken.

Chicken: My usual order is either an 8 or 12-count chicken nugget with a medium fry, and I have to say that Chick-fil-A has mastered the art of chicken nuggets (coming from someone who is not usually a fan). They are just the right size, and provide a good crunch-to-chew ratio. I have also tried the chicken sandwich, and I can confirm that it is just as good, just not my style.

Fries: Waffle fries are synonymous with Chick-fil-A. In fact, I cannot think of a time where I have eaten waffle fries that weren’t from Chick-fil-A. These fries are just right: not obnoxiously crunchy but also not as soft as potato wedges. Although many people have complained about their new recipe, I haven’t noticed much of a difference in the quality of their fries.

***It’s worth noting that although I love their food, I am not in support of the company’s political views.

Raising Cane’s

Sauce: The Cane’s sauce confuses me. Some days, I find the salty flavor pleasing and feel that it works well with the chicken and fries. But others, there seems to be no flavor at all. I am unsure whether they change the recipe daily, or whether my tastebuds are to blame, but either way, I’m not a fan of the inconsistency. This was my main reason for becoming a Chick-fil-A convert; the Cane’s sauce simply just doesn’t taste as good as it used to.

Chicken: While the breading of the Cane’s chicken has a satisfying amount of crunch, I often find the inside overly chewy or just dull. I do appreciate that they have chicken fingers instead of nuggets, but the chicken quality is still sub-par.

Fries: After writing about my love for Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries, I had to think for a little while about what Cane’s fries look and taste like. It’s safe to say that they’re not exactly memorable. I like that they have crinkle-cut fries, but they’re just not crispy enough for my taste.

A winner emerges

Though it is definitely a close race, Chick-fil-A beats Cane’s in my book. It is hard to beat the sweet-to-salty ratio of the iconic sauce, along with the perfectly portioned size of the chicken nuggets. I constantly crave Chick-fil-A, whereas I typically only go to Cane’s when with others or for convenience. Chick-fil-A, though it’s not perfect, knows the way to my chicken-loving heart.