A restaurant entirely dedicated to chicken salad?

We’ve already welcomed the Chipotle of burgers and the Chipotle of pizza into our fast-casual market.

If you had asked me what would come next, I never would have answered chicken salad.

But on Monday afternoon I stared blankly at the 15 different varieties on Chicken Salad Chick’s menu at the new Bradenton restaurant in the Shoppes of Paradise Bay at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th St. West.

I could have ordered chicken salad with cranberries and almonds or with hickory-smoked barbecue flavor. The Alabama-based chain had a chicken salad with pineapple and macadamia nuts. Another, the “Kickin’ Kay Lynne,” rolled together all my favorite food groups — buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, cheddar cheese and jalapenos.

But I still almost chickened out.

Full disclosure, I’m not even sure I’ve ever eaten chicken salad before.

The right side of the menu looked much safer.

Actually, it looked like it was speaking directly to me.

“Deli Sandwiches: For those of you who have been dragged here by a chicken salad lover and are refusing to try something new … we made these just for you!”

A scoop of classic chicken salad, buffalo chicken salad, and cayenne, cheddar and bacon chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick. Staff photo/Maggie Menderski

A scoop of classic chicken salad, buffalo chicken salad, and cayenne, cheddar and bacon chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick. Staff photo/Maggie Menderski

I opted for the “chick trio” for $8.59, which is the diner’s choice of three from the 15 varieties.  Before I knew it I had three ice-cream scoop-sized blobs of shredded chicken covered in mayonnaise in front of me.

I’m no chicken salad expert, but it was good.

I never would have asked the fast-casual dining gods for a restaurant entirely dedicated to chicken salads.

Actually I polled the Unravel staff about this and they would have asked for a mac n’ cheese, coleslaw, deviled egg, hummus, baked potatoes or breakfast potatoes restaurant.

But I digress.

The chicken salad concept is catching on in Bradenton.

Chicken Salad Chick had a packed house for lunch on Monday.

I’ve got a full belly and a surprising newfound realization that I actually like chicken salad.

And while I’d have rather had breakfast potatoes for a restaurant entirely dedicated to a bizarre side dish, the buffalo chick salad I ordered hit the spot.

So what other kind of food should have its own fast casual restaurant? Take our quiz and let us know what you’d like to see.

meet the writer

Avatar

the latest

Derek occasionally gets homework assignments from daycare. It mostly consists of him learning how to trace his own name, and some very simple math problems – simple if you’re way above the age of 4, that it is. But it’s homework nonetheless. And we want Derek to know the importance of school, especially since he’ll … MORE>>
10. “Rides are always free,” drivers say. “Tips are always appreciated.” 9. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 8. Call 941-444-2585 for an iRide. (Soon there will be a Gotcha app for smartphones.) There are no set routes; you can hail any of the colorful electric vehicles you see on the street. 7. The downtown service area extends … MORE>>
Derek has decided he wants to be a firefighter when he gets older. Keep in mind he’s 4 and he can’t decide what color pajamas he wants to wear to bed. So that may change. But the good thing is I have used this to our advantage. Derek wants to grow and big to become … MORE>>
OMG, OMG, OMG! Fans are finally getting to see the first teaser trailer for the latest Star Wars film. The trailer was officially released at “Star Wars Celebration” in Orlando today. “The Last Jedi” (Episode VIII) will be in theaters on December 15.   The offical poster has also been released.         … MORE>>
Apparently, today is National Beer Day. April 7th is the celebration of when beer became legal again in the United States after the Cullen-Harrison Act was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on March 23, 1933. Sounds like it may have caught on as National Beer Day in 2009, when Justin Smith of Richmond, … MORE>>
Thanks to the city of Sarasota, Lido Beach just got a bright new addition: a cerulean marker displaying how high sea levels are projected to rise in the next 100 years. Here’s the thing–the facts are scary. We said it. To name just a few: In less than 15 years, by 2030, sea levels are … MORE>>
I hate eggs. Hate them. You can scramble them, poach them, make them sunny side up, and then you can go ahead and stuff yourself because I want nothing to do with them. I have a hard time watching people eat eggs. I liked French toast until someone told me it was nothing more than … MORE>>
Ringling College of Art + Design will be showcasing the best work in each major, in the annual Best of Ringling. The outstanding student work was selected by a jury of visiting artists and faculty members. The majors include: Advertising Design 
Business of Art and Design Computer Animation Film Fine Arts 
Game Art Graphic Design … MORE>>
It’s rare to see eight female filmmakers lined up in a row discussing their short film and documentary work–mostly because it’s rare to see eight women filmmakers together in one room at all. But that’s exactly what we saw Saturday evening at the reception for the 18th annual Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival, highlighting women … MORE>>
Tomorrow is April Fools’ Day. I’m sure social media will be a minefield of shenanigans. There are some do’s and don’ts to follow. Do: Make your prank harmless. Don’t: Trust anyone. Good luck. MORE>>