Chicken sandwich week: These local places will give Popeye’s, Chick-fil-A a fight
Kentucky is pretty much synonymous with “fried chicken” the world over.
So when everybody started getting all hot and bothered about chicken sandwiches last year, a Lexington chef decided locals need to show the chains what’s what.
Azur chef Jeremy Ashby, along with his “Food, News & Chews” radio show co-hosts Sylvia Lovely and Z-Rock 103 morning DJ Twitch have launched Chicken Sandwich Week, Jan 25-31.
For only $5, you can try special versions of Kentucky chicken sandwiches at 11 local restaurants.
“Originally the idea was to create a Kentucky Fried Chicken Week on a grand scale. I was hoping and still hope to grow this into something like the Sorghum Festival or the BBQ festival,” Ashby said in an email.
“Kentucky is synonymous with fried chicken and the association is recognized worldwide. I think it could be huge and very ‘Kentucky.’ The Fried Chicken Sandwich Week is a start and helps us test the waters to grow this idea.”
Chicken Sandwich Week menu
Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle: Orange honey butter and red chili-dipped fried chicken sandwich topped with shredded lettuce, gouda cheese, Pops pickles and smoked garlic mayo.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, 321 E. Vine St. : Two jumbo chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese and housemade buffalo ranch sauce on buttered cheese toast.
J. Render’s, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle: Fried chicken breast tossed in hot chicken sauce then topped with tangy slaw and housemade pickles on grilled Texas toast.
Lexington Diner, 841 Lane Allen Rd.: Nacho cheese Dorito-crusted and fried chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese and avocado ranch.
Magee’s Bakery, 726 East Main St.: Fried chicken breast on Magee’s bun topped with lettuce and pickle and choice of three sauces.
Mr. Brews Taphouse, 220 Ruccio Way: Beer batter chicken filet topped with a spicy coleslaw and drizzled with an Ale-8-One honey mustard BBQ sauce.
Pub & Grill in South Elkhorn, 4379 Old Harrodsburg Rd: Lightly breaded fried chicken, bacon, ham, melted mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and homemade ranch on a buttered grilled brioche bun.
Schlotzsky’s, 117 West Tiverton Way: Roasted chicken breast with cheddar cheese, black olives, roasted red peppers, lettuce, tomato, red and green onions and chipotle mayonnaise, served on toated housemade jalapeno cheese bun.
Southern Deli & Tavern, 207 South Limestone: Chicken sausage and hash brown grilled cheese, oozing cheese, crispy hash browns and savory chicken sausage.
Windy Corner Market, 4595 Bryan Station Rd. : “Italian Stallion,” crispy Kentucky Proud breast of chicken layered with scratch-made marinara sauce, Provolone and Parmesan cheeses on a garlic toasted kaiser roll.
Zim’s Cafe, 215 West Main St.: Spicy fried Kentucky Proud breast of chicken brined in pickle juice and buttermilk on a DV8 brioche bun with chipotle aioli, pepper jack cheese and scratch bourbon-pickled red onion with a drizzle of local honey.
