A Texas-Based Chain Is Making One of the Best Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

There are plenty of fried chicken chains out there these days (practically one on every corner), and some of the big names like Popeye’s, KFC, and Chick-fil-A are pulling in most of the business. But there’s an up-and-coming name that got its start right here in Texas that we should be paying attention to. Golden Chick originally opened in San Marcos, TX, in 1967, and it has been expanding its reach over the past few years, now venturing into Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida. The chain is slinging fried chicken, chicken tenders, and fried catfish, and they make some of the best rolls in the business. In addition, they are putting the competition to shame in the Chicken Sandwich Wars with one of the best clucking sammies out there.

This comes in two varieties: the Big & Golden and the Big & Wicked. And since spicy food is my thing, I stopped by recently to try the latter. It comes with a crispy, marinated breast filet seasoned with their Lotta Zing seasoning and packed into their extra-large, freshly baked yeast roll with spicy Lotta Zing sauce and pickles. The Big & Golden is basically the same thing, but without the Lotta Zing seasoning and spicy sauce.

To start with, this sandwich includes a big piece of chicken, comparable to what Popeyes used to offer before shrinkflation hit that company (as I found with their Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich). The crust has a good crunch, and it’s well-seasoned, while the thick filet is flavorful and juicy throughout. The Lotta Zing spice definitely kicks up the flavor, while the sauce delivers sweetness, creaminess, and a bit of a bite. The pickles add the expected tang, and I got my sandwich with cheese (for a sixty-cent upcharge), which brings extra creaminess and sharpness. But most importantly, that fresh-baked bun is soft, pillowy, buttery, and oh-so-luscious. It definitely elevates an already excellent sandwich to the next level.

As for the heat, this only gets to about Mild on my scale. But that’s okay because, taste-wise, this is one of the best chicken sandwiches available in the drive-thru. Between the well-cooked filet, the seasoning and sauce, and that top-notch bun, this sandwich delivers a flavor explosion with a nice kick. Feel free to add some hot sauce if you want to amp up the heat (a habanero variety would be a good choice), or ask for them to add some jalapeños (expect an upcharge), but I’m okay with this one just the way they serve it.

I don’t see the calories for the chicken sandwiches mentioned on the website, but I’m guessing this doesn’t count as diet food. Considering the size of that filet, the generous breading, the mayonnaise-based sauce, and the buttery roll, I’m estimating this is in the 750-calorie range. If you get the mashed potatoes as a side, that only adds 79 calories. But I opted for an order of their perfectly fried okra (317 cals), so I had to pay some penance at the gym.

And speaking of paying, at only $8.99 for a combo with a side and a drink in my area, that’s a good deal for fast food these days—especially for this quality of chicken sandwich. The Big & Golden sandwich is a menu regular, but I believe the Big & Wicked comes and goes. The non-spicy one is still a darn good sandwich, though, and worth a trip to the drive-thru. You can check for a location on their website, and if there’s a Golden Chick near you, I highly recommend supporting this growing chain.

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