first impression | For the past few years, it seems like the chicken sandwich has been having a big culinary (and cultural) moment—not that I’m complaining. Last summer, Mike Johnson, Charlie Down and Ben Hill threw their hats into the ring with Chicken Out. Taking over the former Piccione Pastry on The Delmar Loop, the fast casual spot has a fun and welcoming interior. The star of the menu is, naturally, the chicken sandwich, which comes in a selection of intriguing varieties.
wash it down
The beverage offerings include bottled and fountain soft drinks, iced tea, beer and wine. There also are milk shakes. Along with the classic stand-bys (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry), Chicken Out offers seasonal flavors. The Coffee Cake Shake ($6) was a winner, offering a delightful combo of vanilla and cinnamon.
must try
» buffalo chicken salad: $12; One of three salad options, it comes with chopped chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce, cherry tomatoes, cornbread croutons, mozzarella and ranch dressing served on romaine lettuce. It’s a pretty classic flavor combination, and everything works together. The chicken, as it was in all offerings, was juicy and tender. The buffalo sauce had a pretty big kick, but it was tempered nicely by the cheese and dressing.
» cheep and cheddar: $8.50; Sandwiches come in grilled and fried options. This one’s pretty simple: chicken, peppered bacon and cheddar sauce on a potato bun. But what more do you need? The bacon had nice flavor that paired well with the cheese. For the chicken, I went full-on indulgence and opted for fried. If you’re not worried about the extra calories, it’s definitely worth it.
» mo parm mo fowl: $8.50; This is a take on the classic chicken parm, topped with marinara and arugula. The sauce was bright and flavorful, offering a refreshing kick of spice that wasn’t overwhelming. The real star of the show, however, is probably the cheesy garlic bread it’s served on.
» faux hawk: $8.50; A vegetarian option, this sandwich uses Hungry Planet’s plant-based chicken paired with classic toppings: shredded lettuce, pickles and mayo—all on the same bun as the Cheep and Cheddar. I confess, the simplicity had me a little worried about the sandwich being bland. But even on its own, the Hungry Planet chicken was very flavorful, and it only was amplified by the fixings.
» fruit pie: $3; This is like a high-class Pop-Tart. The selection changes, and it was apple when I went. The filling was tasty, but the real standout was the pastry. It was thin and flaky, and the sugared edge offered a caramelized flavor that worked especially well with the apple.
overall
It’s not surprising that another Chicken Out location is set to open in Kirkwood this summer. If you enjoy chicken (fried or otherwise), there’s nothing not to like. The real appeal is the variety on the menu and all of the different plays on a chicken sandwich. Sure, you can get a traditional fried chicken sandwich or a Nashville hot one, but there is much more to explore.
6197 Delmar Blvd. | 314.384.1010 | chickenoutchicken.com
Pictured at top: Mo Parm Mo Fowl – chicken parmesan with marinara, mozzarella and arugula on cheesy garlic bread
Photo: Bill Barrett
