Updated

Updated · Eat This, Not That · Aug 25

Chick-fil-A Launches 2 Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches Nationwide as S’mores Milkshake Returns

Updated

Updated · Eat This, Not That · Aug 25

Chick-fil-A Launches 2 Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches Nationwide as S’mores Milkshake Returns

Q: Why did Chick-fil-A's highly anticipated new waffle sandwich leave the original chicken flavor tasting like an overly sweet mistake?

It tasted like an overly sweet mistake because the Original filet did too little to offset the sandwich’s heavy sweetness. Reviews of Chick-fil-A’s new Chicken & Waffles Sandwich consistently found that the maple-flavored waffles, honey butter spread and optional syrup created a very sweet base. In the Original version, that sweetness overwhelmed the savory notes from the breaded chicken and bacon after only a few bites. Tasters described it as rich and novel, but also unbalanced, with the classic filet not bringing enough heat or sharpness to keep the sandwich from leaning dessert-like. That is why the Spicy version emerged as the better choice in multiple tastings. The peppery heat from the spicy chicken gave the sandwich contrast, cutting through the maple and honey butter and creating a more balanced sweet-savory profile. By comparison, the Original version lacked that counterweight, so the flavors blurred into something cloying rather than layered. The sandwich itself is built to be indulgent: chicken filet, applewood-smoked bacon, honey butter, syrup and waffle “buns.” Chick-fil-A introduced it as part of its fall “Newstalgia” strategy, meant to reinvent familiar comfort foods in unexpected ways. Reviewers generally agreed it succeeds as a limited-time novelty, but the Original flavor was the weakest of the three because the sweetness dominated the experience.

3 articles · Updated · Eat This, Not That · Aug 25

Chick-fil-A rolled out Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches nationwide, offering a breakfast version until 10:30 a.m. and a larger lunch-and-dinner entrée from 10:30 a.m. to close.
The sandwiches pair an original, spicy or grilled chicken filet with applewood-smoked bacon, honey butter and syrup between two maple-flavored waffles.
The chain also added a S’mores Milkshake and S’more Frosted Coffee, extending the launch beyond food with fall-themed drinks built around toasted marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate flavors.
Chick-fil-A said strong response in test markets helped drive the national debut, part of a broader push to rework familiar comfort foods into limited-time menu items with wider all-day appeal.