Summer has arrived, and Chick-fil-A is embracing the barbecue season with a new sandwich.
The Smokehouse BBQ Bacon sandwich is the chain’s first foray into seasonal entree items and was developed in part by Ford Fry, an Atlanta-based and James Beard Award-nominated chef.
Gilded with candied bacon and a specially formulated bun, this sandwich is decidedly more complex than the majority of Chick-fil-A’s menu.
After successful testing in several Southern markets, the sandwich is debuting on May 22 and will be available through August 19.
But the question stands: is it worth ordering? We managed to get our hands on one, and we’ve put it to the test.
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Immediately, one can tell this is no ordinary Chick-fil-A sandwich. Specially prepared bacon, a new bun, and barbecue sauce adorn the iconic grilled chicken — a far cry even from the deluxe sandwiches or the grilled chicken clubs.
First off, the bun is a departure. It's a sweet Hawaiian-style bun, specially made for this sandwich. The sweetness concerns me at first, as this is where many barbecue sandwiches can go awry; sweet buns and sweet sauces can become a treacly mess.
Let's delve deeper. Oven-roasted bacon glazed with brown sugar and pepper lays beneath the bun, looking resplendent in its crispy, candied glory. It's not a big amount, but since it's so infused with flavors, I'm glad for it.
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