The will-they, won’t-they rhetoric behind regional fast-food giant Chick-Fil-A’s entrance into the New York City market has gone on for at least a year. The company initially announced it would open its first restaurant in the city by the end of the last year, but then nothing happened—until now.
Crain’s New York reports where and when NYC will finally be able to chow on deceptively simple chicken sandwiches. Here are the details:
Of course, this news also brings up the inevitable question about how the chain will handle New York’s LGBT community. Protestors inundated Chick-Fil-A several years ago when CEO Dan Cathy reiterated the company’s anti-gay marriage stance, which falls in line with founder S. Truett Cathy’s socially conservative worldview (the chain’s even closed on Sundays in respect to its Christian roots). Obviously, maintaining that parochial stance in one of the country’s most liberal cities won’t fly, but Cathy told USA TODAY in a very candid 2014 article that he won’t mix personal views with business again. He’s committed to getting a slice of the NYC pie—he is, after all, overseeing a company that really only sees McDonald’s as its competitor—so inclusion it is.
So if you’re not a native of the South (or Midwest, where the chain’s appearing more frequently), is Chick-Fil-A worth trying? Definitely: their chicken sandwich is an upgrade over any major chain’s offering in the city. Is it the G.O.A.T.? No. When it comes to a simple chicken biscuit or sandwich, First We Feast is pro-Bojangles (another insanely popular Southern regional chain). Also, the standalone chicken at other Southern spots like Raising Cane’s and Zaxby’s is arguably superior.
But at least one New Yorker’s excited about the company’s impending city opening.
Just make sure to visit any day besides Sunday once it finally opens—the store will adhere to company policy and remain closed on the final day of the week.
[Crain’s New York via Thrillist]