The Top 10 Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Manila, Ranked

(SPOT.ph) The fried chicken sandwich is simultaneously the most obvious thing in the world—to the point that it is probably considered as much a fact of eating as the ubiquitous hamburger—and the most kindergarten mishmash of things. I mean, how can it not be good?

It’s one of those dishes that one could treat like an artifact; this particular sandwich is a summary of what settler colonialism will take and convincingly market as its own. In reality, however, the fried chicken sandwich is a result of combining Scottish cooking techniques, West African flavors, and the restrictive social conditions of the old American south on Black life. Over time, these things have given us a diner classic that has made it to both the gourmet and fast-food ends of the culinary spectrum. (Somewhere in between all of that, of course, Europe and America wedge themselves into Asian territory as well, opening up the floodgates to further fried variety—but that’s a story for another Top 10 list.)

Still, for all that it’s an edible manifestation of the darker annals of history, it is pretty damn tasty. The crunch, the tenderness and heat, in conjunction with other flavors—contrast from a rich sauce, fresh greens of some persuasion at times, and the kick of pickle in a leisurely wilting bun—can make hitting those protein goals that much less of a chore (you try hitting 100g every day without losing your mind). And for its few components, it highlights how simple, ordinary, and accessible an act of indulgence can really be. It only follows that that’s how we’ll be judging these sandwiches.

Over the month of March, I sampled close to 30 of these things. With that, I can pretty safely declare that while Metro Manila in general has the fried chicken sandwich down pat, here are just some of the versions that stand out to the point of well-deserved main-character energy.

At under P400, this take on a timeless classic does just about everything we need it to—crunch, good bread, tender meat, and a decent serving of roughage (fiber is important)—save for the acidity, as they opted to use gravy for their sauce. Still, it's a decadent enough sandwich, and a bit of a shame that it's tucked away in a more find-on-foot area of Bonifacio Global City. But it's certainly worth the hunt.

See a list of Sidechick branches.

Of all the fried chicken sandwiches I tried, this one is by far the most summery and fresh, which is hard to achieve with a food that's expected to be greasy. While others have often upped their game on the crunch in particular, Farmery's version wins its spot by virtue of moistness (sorry)—the mayo on this isn't overdone and doesn't compensate for dry bread or dry meat, and isn't masking a lack of seasoning—as well as overall flavor.

See a list of Farmery Deli branches.

It's in the name, so it would have been a tad awkward if Ray's hadn't made it. And while it's pretty safe to say that the spicier versions would no doubt only be an improvement, it's vital that they have something solid upon which to improve—hence the decision to try this sandwich plain. Again, it's one of the great baselines for a fried chicken sandwich, one you can look forward to experimenting with every time you visit.

See a list of Ray's Hot Chicken branches.

Hear me out: The Chicken Shack, despite the major difference in ingredients (and price point, at P310), scratches the same itch that a certain discontinued fish sandwich of the fast-food variety once did—an itch that'll haunt me until the day I die, probably—and does it pretty well. Shake Shack's foray into the marginally less guilt-inducing items is tangy, crunchy, and somehow also pillowy; money's worth is barely a question with this one.

See a list of Shake Shack branches.

It's always a thing of beauty when a burger joint serves other things that are so very clearly not an afterthought—enter the Crispy Chicken at Burger Beast. It's certainly a step up from what we might consider 'the basics,' with a great balance of flavors between the batter, the sauce, and the pickle. It may not be the main character of its menu, but it doesn't mean this supporting actress doesn't have a following. At the very least, it deserves one.

See a list of Burger Beast branches.

If I loved this sandwich less, I could talk about it more, or at least a little bit more comprehensively. The wilting bread, generous yet unobstructive greens, crackly yet tender chicken, and those sauces—by god, those sauces. Truth be told, as good as they made it, said sauces almost kept the OG Chicken Sandwich of this Poblacion darling off of the list. In the end, though, the flavors just make sense, and the decadence and juiciness of this thing defies the laws and limitations of sandwich-making. Get yours now.

Ta-Ka MNL is at Doña Carmen St., Poblacion, Makati City.

As expected, the contender Scratch is nothing short of amazing—dripping with chili oil and just an overall jaw-buster, our cover sandwich delivers everything you want out of fried chicken, out of a sandwich, and out of a fried chicken sandwich. It's the crisp, it's the spice, it's the beautiful bread, all at a fantastic price point (P320). Again, this is no second fiddle to the incredible smash burgers, but an effective leading lady to a respectable ensemble cast.

Scratch is at 5666 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

Boasting a unique kim chi pickle, the Golden Feather stands out in a sea of sandwiches, including its own lineup. As we've said about it before, the balance of flavors and textures means that there is no single component that really makes it; each one makes itself known and essential for peak satisfaction. It happens to be patterned after the fried chicken sandwich made and served at The Win~dow (under American Beauty), where Bun Run founder and chef Kevin David once worked. It was also once a limited-edition item on the Bun Run menu, and I will say this here and now: If it is removed again, I am suing for emotional distress.

See a list of Bun Run branches.

Don't cut my head off for going for the Basic Fried Chicken Sandwich over the more well-known Deluxe variety from Fowlbread; I make it a point to measure from what a particular restaurant considers (or appears to consider) its own baseline. Still, this sandwich just excels on every front: taste, texture, aesthetic, value for money—you name it, Fowlbread has aced it. And just look at that pickle!

Fowlbread is at B3 Bonifacio High Street, BGC.

If our silver medalist ticks every box, the lovely contestant from Pink's dials every aspect of itself up to 11 and then some. There is so little to say about this fried chicken sandwich, because all that time typing or talking could simply be better spent eating this thing. It is near-perfect, right down to the pickled pepper that kicks all that crunch, spice, and richness into gear. The only thing one could possibly regret about Pink's Fried Chicken Sandwich is not being physically able to consume it alongside one of their equally fantastic hot dogs.

See a list of Pink's Hot Dogs branches.

Also read:

The Top 10 Best Quesabirria Tacos in Manila, Ranked

The Top 10 Best Pepperoni Pizzas in Manila, Ranked