This story has been updated since it was originally posted on 2/14/2023 to include customer reviews
Plant-based options continue to crop up in fast food establishments across the country. From Burger King’s Impossible Whopper to Beyond Meat at Taco Bell, there’s never been a better time to be a vegetarian fast food-lover. And now, Chick-fil-A has joined the ranks of those offering up meat-free sandwiches–but they’ve gone a different route than most, and it’s a pretty controversial decision.
Rather than going with one of the more popular plant-based proteins, such as Impossible Burgers or Beyond Meat, the restaurant has developed their own cauliflower sandwich, and it’s available in select regions now—but not everyone is impressed.
Today, Chick-fil-A announced the test of a one-of-a-kind plant-forward entrée, the Chick-fil-A™ Cauliflower Sandwich. Beginning Monday, Feb. 13, the sandwich will be available in three select markets. Read more: https://t.co/rqX4FrUsEy pic.twitter.com/wSERDJloTL
— Chick-fil-A News (@ChickfilANews) February 9, 2023
Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich
Vegetarian Chick-fil-A fans are in luck—if they like cauliflower, that is. And as it turns out, some people aren’t the biggest fan of eating this veggie as a sandwich.
The new Chick-fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich is now being tested in Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and Greensboro-Triad, North Carolina. It’s basically just what it sounds like: a breaded cauliflower filet that’s been marinated and seasoned to get that Chick-fil-A flavor we all know and love, topped with dill pickles and sandwiched between a toasted bun.
Adding this to the menu was no spur-of-the-moment decision. In fact, the Chick-fil-A culinary team has been developing the cauliflower sandwich since 2018 in an effort to meet the rising demand for plant-based meals.
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Culinary developer Stuart Tracy spoke about the sandwich in a product preview in Atlanta, according to Nation’s Restaurant News: “A lot of this started with noticing a trend in the marketplace of people eating more vegetables/eating less meat. We see a lot of products in retail that address this need that has now shifted to new products in the marketplace like Beyond and Impossible appearing heavily at other fast-food brands. We looked at ‘what does that mean for us?’” he said, explaining that the first prototype was created in October 2018, followed by dozens more until the sandwich reached its final cauliflower form. Stuart says it “checks all of the boxes [Chick-fil-A] consumers wanted–something that tasted like Chick-fil-A, that was identifiable and that was delicious.”
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Early April Fool’s joke?? Even if it is just in test markets, well,
— Krewbie (@Krewbie) February 9, 2023
Chick-fil-A Customers React To Cauliflower Sandwich
Unfortunately, some are less than pleased with this addition to the menu. In fact, when it was announced on Twitter back in February, one user even asked if it was an “Early April Fool’s joke.” Yikes! “Even if it’s just in test markets, well,” they wrote, adding a vomit emoji.
“Nah I’m good,” wrote another Twitter user. They even offered alternative options for veggie-lovers: “If people want more veggies then add more to the sandwich, or the option to swap out fries for veggie sticks. Don’t get rid of the chicken.”
One Tweeter went as far as to rate this sandwich a “solid 2/10.” That’s rough.
Some customers took to TikTok to give test the sandwich, and the reviews aren’t exactly glowing.
@morganchompz would you try for $7? @chickfilapsl #DanceWithTurboTax #chickfila #chickfilasandwhich #newfoods #foodfinds #fastfood #foodreview #foodcommentary #tastetest #tryingnewfoods #morganchomps original sound – morganchompz
TikTok foodie @morganchompz said she mainly tasted the breading, the pickle, and the bun. After taking the bite of the cauliflower alone, she noted that “the texture’s not bad, but taste-wise, it still didn’t add to the overall flavor.”
Many are begging for a different veggie burger. “Ok chic Fil a just partner with beyond or another vegan meat producer and make us a good vegan chicken sandwhich with your breading, it’ll sell,” one person commented on the TikTok.
However, another TikToker, @newmoonvisuals, rated the sandwich a “nine out of ten” after one bite in her review, so that’s not to say that everyone hates it.
The main complaint from many people is the price. “It’s literally a veggie and bread why is it $7,” one user questioned under @morganchompz’s video. While it’s typical for vegetarian fast food alternatives to cost more than their meaty counterparts, it is fair to question why cauliflower is more expensive than a chicken sandwich.
For now, this cauliflower sandwich is still just a test in select markets, so there’s still hope that the restaurant will listen to the pleas and complaints of fans and come up with a different option—or do away with the plan altogether.
What do you think? Do you want to give it a try despite the price, or will you be sticking to the Impossible Whopper?
