We compared Chick-fil-A to Raising Cane's to find the best chicken chain - and the winner is clear

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We compared Chick-fil-A to Raising Cane's to find the best chicken chain - and the winner is clear

Chicken sandwich chick fil a raising cane's comparison

Katie Canales/Business Insider

Does Raising Cane's or Chick-fil-A come out on top in a stand-off of chicken fingers and sandwiches? We went to find out.

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  • But on the flip side is another fast-growing opponent: the Louisiana-based Raising Cane's, with its no-nonsense chicken finger-centric menu and deliciously mysterious sauce.
  • Business Insider recently visited Raising Cane's and Chick-fil-A to compare apples to apples ... or rather chicken to chicken. Here's why we thought Chick-fi-A was better.
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First up was Raising Cane's.

First up was Raising Cane's.

We visited a location in Austin, Texas, near the University of Texas campus. It's one of the chain's more than 400 nationwide stores.

We visited a location in Austin, Texas, near the University of Texas campus. It's one of the chain's more than 400 nationwide stores.

Source: USA Today

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Longhorn paraphernalia fills the space.

Longhorn paraphernalia fills the space.

The restaurant features four possible combos to order, all of which involve the infamous chicken fingers.

The restaurant features four possible combos to order, all of which involve the infamous chicken fingers.
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We went with the basics: The 3 Chicken Finger Combo and The Chicken Sandwich Combo. The total was $12.36.

We went with the basics: The 3 Chicken Finger Combo and The Chicken Sandwich Combo. The total was $12.36.

We grabbed a booth in the back and waited for our order name to be called ...

We grabbed a booth in the back and waited for our order name to be called ...
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... but after 15 minutes, we went to the counter to see where our order was. We had to remind them what the name was before waiting a couple more minutes.

... but after 15 minutes, we went to the counter to see where our order was. We had to remind them what the name was before waiting a couple more minutes.

There weren't even many customers there at the time. But to be fair, we went the afternoon of New Year's Eve, so holiday staffing may have had something to do with it.

There weren't even many customers there at the time. But to be fair, we went the afternoon of New Year's Eve, so holiday staffing may have had something to do with it.
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And when we finally got our food, we didn't care anyways — it was time to chow down!

And when we finally got our food, we didn't care anyways — it was time to chow down!

This is what our set-up looked like. Even when you dine in, your food is presented in these Styrofoam to-go-looking containers.

This is what our set-up looked like. Even when you dine in, your food is presented in these Styrofoam to-go-looking containers.
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We surveyed the sandwich: three golden chicken fingers nestled between two Kaiser Rolls.

We surveyed the sandwich: three golden chicken fingers nestled between two Kaiser Rolls.

The chain's mysterious sauce was slathered on one side of the bun. We could have ordered lettuce with the sandwich, but opted to keep it nice and simple.

The chain's mysterious sauce was slathered on one side of the bun. We could have ordered lettuce with the sandwich, but opted to keep it nice and simple.
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It was a good sized sandwich.

It was a good sized sandwich.

The bread-to-chicken ratio was proportional, but there was also a substantial thickness to both of them.

The bread-to-chicken ratio was proportional, but there was also a substantial thickness to both of them.
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It warranted a hefty bite to grab equal parts bun and chicken.

It warranted a hefty bite to grab equal parts bun and chicken.

But it was worth it, especially thanks to the flavorful and spicy Cane's sauce, the recipe to which is "top secret" and made daily in-house.

But it was worth it, especially thanks to the flavorful and spicy Cane's sauce, the recipe to which is "top secret" and made daily in-house.

Source: Raising Cane's

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The sandwich also wasn't too greasy. Our fingers came away grease-free after taking a bite out.

The sandwich also wasn't too greasy. Our fingers came away grease-free after taking a bite out.

All in all, the Raising Cane's chicken sandwich was good. The thickness of the bun seemed to give each bite too much fluff, but it was balanced with equally thick slices of chicken.

All in all, the Raising Cane's chicken sandwich was good. The thickness of the bun seemed to give each bite too much fluff, but it was balanced with equally thick slices of chicken.
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Before diving into the single chicken fingers, we indulged in the crinkle-cut fries. They weren't bad, but weren't exactly memorable either.

Before diving into the single chicken fingers, we indulged in the crinkle-cut fries. They weren't bad, but weren't exactly memorable either.

What was memorable was the buttery goodness that is the accompanying slice of Texas Toast. It melts in your mouth.

What was memorable was the buttery goodness that is the accompanying slice of Texas Toast. It melts in your mouth.
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Without the buns to shield them, the pieces were very greasy. The chicken finger combo came with a container of the Cane's sauce. We dipped liberally.

Without the buns to shield them, the pieces were very greasy. The chicken finger combo came with a container of the Cane's sauce. We dipped liberally.

The chicken pieces were fried to golden perfection and held a notably thick breaded exterior. They were delicious except for one problem ...

The chicken pieces were fried to golden perfection and held a notably thick breaded exterior. They were delicious except for one problem ...
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... they were piping hot to an uncomfortable degree.

... they were piping hot to an uncomfortable degree.

But to the rescue was, once again, the Cane's Sauce. It cooled the otherwise burning hot poultry.

But to the rescue was, once again, the Cane's Sauce. It cooled the otherwise burning hot poultry.
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The sauce was really the standout element of eating at Cane's, though the chicken fingers, sandwich, and french fries were still good.

The sauce was really the standout element of eating at Cane's, though the chicken fingers, sandwich, and french fries were still good.

But how do they compare to Chick-fil-A? All we had to do was cross the street to find out. The two restaurants were located right next to each other.

But how do they compare to Chick-fil-A? All we had to do was cross the street to find out. The two restaurants were located right next to each other.
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This particular Chick-fil-A didn't have an indoor seating area like most of the chain's other 2,100 locations do. Customers ordered from a window and sat at shaded tables.

This particular Chick-fil-A didn't have an indoor seating area like most of the chain's other 2,100 locations do. Customers ordered from a window and sat at shaded tables.

Source: Chick-fil-A

We ordered the same menu items that we did at Raising Cane's — a 3-piece Chick-n-Strips combo, with some of Chick-fil-A's divine lemonade, and a chicken sandwich a la carte. Our total was $11.73.

We ordered the same menu items that we did at Raising Cane's — a 3-piece Chick-n-Strips combo, with some of Chick-fil-A's divine lemonade, and a chicken sandwich a la carte. Our total was $11.73.
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And unlike at Raising Cane's, our name was called in under three minutes. This is what our order looked like.

And unlike at Raising Cane's, our name was called in under three minutes. This is what our order looked like.

We started to unpackage the food.

We started to unpackage the food.
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The sandwich, the sea salt-encrusted waffle-cut fries, ...

The sandwich, the sea salt-encrusted waffle-cut fries, ...

... and of course the chain's original Chick-fil-A Sauce.

... and of course the chain's original Chick-fil-A Sauce.
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It's known for that flavorful taste with a hint of honey mustard.

It's known for that flavorful taste with a hint of honey mustard.

We reached for the incomparable waffle fries first.

We reached for the incomparable waffle fries first.
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Mmmmmm!

Mmmmmm!

Next, it was time for the chain's iconic sandwich.

Next, it was time for the chain's iconic sandwich.
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It features a chicken breast and dill pickles in between two toasted buns.

It features a chicken breast and dill pickles in between two toasted buns.

Here's a close-up for a better look.

Here's a close-up for a better look.
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Simple, yes, but always delicious.

Simple, yes, but always delicious.

It looked considerably smaller than the sandwich at Raising Cane's, but seemed to sport an equal bread-to-chicken ratio as well.

It looked considerably smaller than the sandwich at Raising Cane's, but seemed to sport an equal bread-to-chicken ratio as well.
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The bread and chicken also weren't too thick.

The bread and chicken also weren't too thick.

We didn't bite through as much fluffed bread as we did over at Cane's.

We didn't bite through as much fluffed bread as we did over at Cane's.
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The sandwich doesn't come dressed in sauce, but you can of course take your pick from Chick-fil-A's seven options for your dipping pleasure if you'd like.

The sandwich doesn't come dressed in sauce, but you can of course take your pick from Chick-fil-A's seven options for your dipping pleasure if you'd like.

We ate the sandwich sans sauce. Needless to say, it didn't last long.

We ate the sandwich sans sauce. Needless to say, it didn't last long.
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Finally, we turned to the chicken strips.

Finally, we turned to the chicken strips.

They were deeper brown in color and were less breaded than the chicken fingers at Cane's.

They were deeper brown in color and were less breaded than the chicken fingers at Cane's.
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We dunked them in the Chick-fil-A sauce ...

We dunked them in the Chick-fil-A sauce ...

... and proceeded to devour them, this time without burning our mouths.

... and proceeded to devour them, this time without burning our mouths.
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From the fries, to the sauce, to the sandwich and the chicken strips, everything about our Chick-fil-A meal was on point.

From the fries, to the sauce, to the sandwich and the chicken strips, everything about our Chick-fil-A meal was on point.

In fact, overall, the 30-minute time period we spent at Chick-fil-A was great: The ordering process, the short waiting time, the meal, and the customer service.

In fact, overall, the 30-minute time period we spent at Chick-fil-A was great: The ordering process, the short waiting time, the meal, and the customer service.
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Chick-fil-A is well known for its pristine customer service. Employees are attentive to customer needs and do it in as cheery a fashion as it gets.

Chick-fil-A is well known for its pristine customer service. Employees are attentive to customer needs and do it in as cheery a fashion as it gets.

Source: Business Insider

At one point an employee came out and asked each patron, including us, if we were doing alright and if there was anything we needed.

At one point an employee came out and asked each patron, including us, if we were doing alright and if there was anything we needed.
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We can't say the same about Raising Cane's. We didn't even spot a smile from any of the employees while we were there. So Chick-fil-A wins in the customer service department.

We can't say the same about Raising Cane's. We didn't even spot a smile from any of the employees while we were there. So Chick-fil-A wins in the customer service department.

Comparing the food at both restaurants isn't as black and white. Let's do a recap ...

Comparing the food at both restaurants isn't as black and white. Let's do a recap ...
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If you prefer thickness in the bread and chicken of your sandwich, you'll like Raising Cane's. But Chick-fil-A's lighter and more gourmet-style sandwich, with thinner layers of chicken and bun, wins this round.

If you prefer thickness in the bread and chicken of your sandwich, you'll like Raising Cane's. But Chick-fil-A's lighter and more gourmet-style sandwich, with thinner layers of chicken and bun, wins this round.

As for the chicken fingers, both were tasty. But while the ones at Raising Cane's were juicier and more tender, the Chick-fil-A strips weren't as heavy or greasy. They also had less breading than the chicken fingers at Raising Cane's, so Chick-fil-A wins here as well.

As for the chicken fingers, both were tasty. But while the ones at Raising Cane's were juicier and more tender, the Chick-fil-A strips weren't as heavy or greasy. They also had less breading than the chicken fingers at Raising Cane's, so Chick-fil-A wins here as well.
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As for the fries, that's a no-brainer: Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are a wonder to behold.

As for the fries, that's a no-brainer: Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are a wonder to behold.

There is one arena where Raising Cane's wins ... and that is the sauce arena. Maybe the recipe isn't so secret anymore — there are reports that it contains Worcestershire sauce and ketchup, among other things — but the sauce's flavor is incredible.

There is one arena where Raising Cane's wins ... and that is the sauce arena. Maybe the recipe isn't so secret anymore — there are reports that it contains Worcestershire sauce and ketchup, among other things — but the sauce's flavor is incredible.

Source: Business Insider

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The presentation of our food at Chick-fil-A looked a little more appealing though. We also had more options when ordering, since Chick-fil-A's menu is much bigger than that at Raising Cane's.

The presentation of our food at Chick-fil-A looked a little more appealing though. We also had more options when ordering, since Chick-fil-A's menu is much bigger than that at Raising Cane's.

Overall, when you consider the chicken, sauce, french fries, customer service, wait time, presentation, and menu variety, the chain with the most wins is Chick-fil-A ...

Overall, when you consider the chicken, sauce, french fries, customer service, wait time, presentation, and menu variety, the chain with the most wins is Chick-fil-A ...
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... but Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's are both making big moves in the US restaurant chain scene, and we certainly understand why.

... but Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's are both making big moves in the US restaurant chain scene, and we certainly understand why.

Source: Business Insider and Business Insider

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