When I was approached to participate in the taste test between Arby’s & Subway, I had conflicting thoughts. First, I was thinking WOO HOO FREE FOOD! But then when I learned it was chicken salad, I had some reservations. See, I’m a super picky eater. I like my chicken salad to be chicken and mayonnaise, with none of the other ingredients commonly found in it.
If we eat anywhere and it’s offered with all that other stuff, I pass. I’ve never even tried it, just the thought turns me off. I’m not one to mix salty with sweet, and the idea of fruit mixed with mayo makes me shudder.
I figured I’d accept the challenge and branch out of my little safety food zone. I decided I’d at least try a bite of each, and then could get the opinions of my husband and kids. Being a taste tester sounded like too much fun to pass up the opportunity.
We went to Subway first and Aaron ran in and grabbed a 6 inch Orchard Chicken Salad sandwich on wheat. After that, we headed to Arby’s and purchased their Chicken & Pecan Salad sandwich on their wheat bread. You can also get it on a wrap.
Next, we headed to the park to compare and contrast while eating. I really didn’t want to take pictures of us dissecting the sandwiches in the restaurants!
Visually, the Arby’s sandwich looked more appealing. You could distinguish the chunks of chicken from apple, and grill marks were visible on the chicken. The pieces were larger than on the Subway sandwich as well.
Upon first bite of the chicken salad sandwich from Subway, I remarked to Aaron that I didn’t taste anything. I didn’t taste chicken, apple, or the cranberries. There were no distinct flavors, and nothing stood out texturally to give me a clue as to what I’d bitten into. It didn’t taste bad, but it was bland and uninspiring. The small dices of chicken reminded me in color and texture to those found in those Gerber Graduates toddler meals- they looked very processed.
Then we tried the Arby’s version. Not only was I able to distinguish the different ingredients by sight, but I was also able to tell the difference through taste and texture, unlike the Subway sandwich. Additionally, it was creamier (and messier!) and had a much more powerful flavor profile.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Arby’s Chicken & Pecan Salad sandwich today. I was expecting to take a bite for comparison’s sake, and ended up eating half of it. I assumed I wouldn’t enjoy the combination of apples and grapes mixed in mayonnaise, but it was really rather tasty. I just wish they’d spread the filling out instead of scooping it and leaving it directly in the middle of the bread. It would have been nice if they’d cut the sandwich in half as well. Since we ate at the park, we didn’t have the utensils on hand to spread the chicken salad to the edge of the bread or cut it up to share.
I always order the same few things when we go out to eat, and I would totally add this to the list of foods I’d eat and get it again- which is not what I would have predicted going into the taste test. (In fact, I’ll be honest here and admit to ordering another sandwich initially, assuming that I wouldn’t like it!) Bottom line- Arby’s is the clear winner.
Right now on Facebook, you can go to Arby’s page and get a coupon to try their Chicken & Pecan salad sandwich for FREE with the purchase of a 22 ounce drink!
You can also vote for your favorite of the two sandwiches there. Arby’s will be donating $1 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign for every Chicken Salad Taste-Off vote on their Facebook page.
Additionally, I’ve been provided with 3 $5 Arby’s gift cards for my readers!
Would you like to win a gift card to Arby’s? To enter, just leave a comment on this post and let me know what your favorite Arby’s menu item is by May 27th, 2011. This entry is mandatory! US only please! Winner will be drawn on May 28th.
For additional entries:
- Grab either my blog button or Ryan’s button and put it on your blog & leave me a link to where it is located. (You can find them on my tabbed sidebar.)
- Subscribe to The TaterTwins via RSS feed in a reader or email.
- Follow The TaterTwins on Twitter
- Like Arby’s on Facebook and vote!
- Like The TaterTwins on Facebook
- Vote for The TaterTwins on Circle of Moms (once a day!)
I was provided gift cards to Arby’s and Subway from Mom Spark Media to participate in the taste test. All opinions about the sandwiches are 100% my own.
I love a Reuben from Arby’s! Pair that up with jalapeno poppers and I am set! I am totally into chicken salad though too. Great summer sandwich!
The jalapeno poppers are good, but the loaded potato bites are my weakness
I LOVE the loaded potato bites!!!
I love arbys chicken bacon swiss sandwich.. in fact.. thats what i had for lunch today
I JUST HAD AN ARBY’S CHICKEN SALAD WRAP THIS WEEKEND! (Yes, that was yelling!) LOVE the apples, love it on a wrap…love the big chunks of chicken. I KNOW it’s a fatty choice (WORTH IT), but the Subway commercial recently actually made me say aloud, “There’s NO way that’s as good as Arby’s….”
Hand to heaven! Cannot believe this was even a challenge.
Glad to read your review…won’t even bother with the Subway one.
Off to print my coupon….
The Arby’s chicken salad sandwich has been out for quite a while. I love it. I too, tried the subway one a few weeks back. I totally agree with you. Arby’s is yummy. Subway’s food has really taken a dive lately. IMO
We don’t eat there often but I love the Arby’s Beef and Cheddar. I have to have something to put the horsey sauce on! My kids all love the deli type sandwiches. Hubby likes the plain old roast beef.
Have a great day!
My all time FAVORITE Arby’s food is the Classic beef and cheddar.!!
babblebabe0@Yahoo.com
I’ve never been to Arby’s can you believe it!? But I would love to try the Angus three cheese and bacon. Sounds yummy!
Aaron always gets that- he loves it.
I have Ryan’s button!
I follow you on twitter
I love the arbys chicken and pecan salad sandwich. I like you… initially shuttered at the thought. But thanks to you, I tried it and loved it!
My fav is a regular roast beef from Arby’s.
My favorite from Arby’s is the regular roast beef, loaded with Arby’s sauce! I am excited to try the chicken salad sandwich; I printed the coupon and love “salad” sandwiches.
And I LOVE you on Facebook
French dip & curly fries for me.
I subscribe via email.
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on FB.
I just went to Arby’s a couple of days ago to try the chicken salad sandwich (only my 2nd time EVER at an Arby’s) and it was GOOD….definitely my favorite! We also shared a Jamocha Oreo shake….yum!
I had to come back here and comment. I got this today with the free coupon and when I opened the bag there was a plastic knife in there with my sandwich. I immediately thought of you
Hah that is awesome! I wonder if they read my blog?
i like their roast chicken sandwich
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