You know what’s beautiful about a chicken sandwich? It doesn’t even have to include chicken to be a chicken sandwich. Like at Ima. You can get the chicken sandwich, sub tofu for chicken, and it’s still a chicken sandwich!
Street Beet’s chicken sando never even had chicken to begin with.
And, no, it’s not a tofu sandwich. Even if that’s what it’s technically called on Ima’s menu. Tofu sandwich is dumb unless it’s a banh mi with tofu. In which case, it’s still not a tofu sandwich. Neither is it a chicken sandwich, but it is still a thing of beauty. I digress.
This is an ode to the chicken sandwich.
Do you ever think about chickens? I do. Every time I eat a chicken sandwich, I hold an image to my mind’s eye of the pitiful, dinosaur-like creature and watch it wander aimlessly over cage-free pastures. Sometimes there are two, entwined in a prehistoric boxing match with no hands.
I think about eggs. I think about being forced to do the chicken dance in middle school and then I try to think of something else. Because that is a terrible thought.
Until now, I did not think of the Looney Tune’s character Foghorn Leghorn, but ever since my colleague brought him up (5 minutes ago) I will now make sure I will. Every time I hear the word chicken sandwich, I promise to see Ol’ Foghorn and smile in gratitude.
I am grateful for chicken sandwiches. Remember, they come in the vegan variety.
Detroit pop-up Khana Detroit recently announced the debut of their Fried Tandoori Butter Chicken Sando. The thought of which makes my chicken hungry mouth water. Do you think there will be a vegan option?
Truth be told, I’m not that into eating the meat variety of chicken, but I respect those who do. And occasionally do myself (Example: Takoi).
For these reasons, I have created a list of places to find chicken sandwiches in Detroit. No, I have not tried them all—many come recommended from friends and Internet acquaintances. By no means is it an extensive list. Or one in any particular order. Number two might possibly be my favorite—and I haven’t even tried it. That description, tho.
I encourage you to try one or two or three and write to share your experience. Am I missing a spot? Do reach out. This is a list in progress.
IMA MIDTOWN
Karaage Fried Chicken — $11
Crispy fried thigh, cabbage slaw & house pickles, furikake kewpie, brioche roll, lemon
Karaage Fried Tofu (still a chicken sandwich!) — $11
Crispy tofu cutlet, cabbage slaw & house pickles, furikake kewpie, brioche roll, lemon
KHANA DETROIT (POP-UP) — catch them when you can!
Fried Tandoori Butter Chicken Sando — $10
Juicy panko-breaded, tandoori spice marinated chicken breast bathed in butter chicken sauce, topped with a vinegary slaw and cucumbers on a brioche bun, slathered in herby chutney aioli
STREET BEET inside THIRD STREET BAR
FAKE Chicken Sando — Price Unknown
Bun, fried fake chicken, pickles, spicy mayo [GF option]
ROCCO’S ITALIAN DELI
The Breast Chicken Parm — $12
Fried chicken cutlet, marinara, mozzarella, grilled parmesan
TAKOI — only Wednesdays
Thai Fried Chicken Sandwich — $8
Brined rice flour, breaded deboned thigh on grilled brioche with papaya salad, pickled chilies, cranch, sweet garlic sauce, cilantro.
*What makes a happier hour than an $8 chicken sandwich? Full disclosure: this is my comfort food.
Fat Daddy’s HOT Chicken & Waffles
The Fat Daddy — $11
Jumbo boneless chicken, slaw, comeback sauce, pickles or peppers, served on a buttered brioche bun with your choice of heat.
*Two other varieties of chicken sandwiches are available but not listed here
CENTRAL KITCHEN + BAR
Buttermilk Fried Chicken — $14
Gruyère, pickles, ranch, lettuce, bacon, tomato, brioche
*For reasons unknown to us, this sandwich is listed under the ‘Burger’ section of their menu. While a chicken sandwich may be served in a bun, it is never a burger. Someone, please pass this information along to the fine folks at Central Kitchen + Bar.
DURDEN’S CATERING — located beside Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
The Yung Gripper — $10
Spicy, crispy, crunchy chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, coleslaw, pickles, bang bang sauce, on a toasted garlic buttered brioche roll
*Takeout only
SAFFRON DE TWAH
Moroccan Fried Chicken Sandwich — $8
Fried chicken, caramelized honey butter, berbere spice, harissa slaw, challah bun
Worth traveling for: MA LOU’S FRIED CHICKEN
The Hot Chicken — $9
Nashville hot baste, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno ranch, basic bun.
*So many options of chicken sandwiches to choose from, each made with your choice of breast, thigh or marinated tofu
