Sandwich Of The Week: Archie Moore's Charleston Chicken Sandwich
Before I graduated, it was a goal of mine to eat as many sandwiches as I could at Archie Moore's, located in Wallingford, Connecticut. Their menu is busy with different wings, appetizers, nachos, salads, vegetarian options, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, sides, desserts, and drinks, so it was always hard to try something new.
I always thought the last sandwich I had there was 'the best,' but once I tried the 'Charleston chicken sandwich,' I had no doubt that this was it: the best sandwich.
The sandwich comes perfectly cut in the middle, so you get a preview of what's to come: barbequed boneless chicken, melted Cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a hard roll.
Compared to other barbeque chicken sandwiches, this one has an overwhelming amount of sauce. But as it turns out, it's actually a good thing. The soft bread doesn't come toasted, which allows it to soak up the sauce, balancing the flavors of sweet and savory. The chicken is so tender, it gently tears away from your mouth along with the thick slice of cheese, crispy bacon slices, and lettuce chunks. Then there's the tomato juice that runs through it all, giving it more moisture.
One note: It's quite the messy sandwich, so get comfortable and have some napkins prepared.
There are five Archie Moore's in Connecticut. Archibald Moore first opened the first one in 1898 in New Haven, creating an award winning reputation for their hot and spicy buffalo wings. The wings are so popular, they even have their own buffalo wing sauce for sale online. Back in Wallingford, the place is always packed on Friday and Saturday nights, so you're going to have to wait. But once you sit down and take a look at what they have to offer, the wait definitely feels worth it.
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