Top 15 Chicken Fingers of 2014

With 2014 coming to a close, I decided it was time to post a list of what I thought to be the best to worst rankings of the chicken fingers I've had within the last year or so. What better way to end the year than with chicken fingers?

2014 was an evolving year for the chicken finger. Restaurants like Shorty's, created their own version of the chicken finger. Getting rid of the classic look for it - they spiced it up a little with the "Atomic Chicken Finger" and even added their own sauce to tag along with it. Other restaurants like Chick-Fil-A kept their chicken the same, but increased popularity through opening another establishment in Nashua, much to the public's satisfaction. I was introduced to UNO's and was surprised at just how good their chicken was, and The Puritan Backroom continued to live up to it's standards that it has been for the past 97 years. 

With that being said, I introduce you to the list.

Thank you all for reading this blog and loving chicken fingers just as much as I do.

Happy New Year!

Chick-Fil-A - Nashua, NH

Ah, yes. The moment we've all been waiting for - a Chick-Fil-A in the north end of Nashua. Throughout the summer, hopeful souls would drive down Amherst street, hoping the establishment would open soon, and today is the day!!  Chick-Fil-A is known for their chicken and for a fast food establishment, they excel in chicken tender creation. Their tenders taking on a more traditional "chicken nugget" view, contain optimal amount of crisp and everyone knows that the crisp is the best part to a chicken tender! They simply burst with flavor and are comparatively better than any other fast food's "nugget". Paired with their honey mustard dipping sauce or ketchup,  Chick-Fil-A is sure to impress. 

UNO's Chicago Grill - Nashua, NH

Well, it appears once again UNO's chicken fingers haven't failed me. Being second on my list, you can imagine how good they are. I'd never really eaten much at UNO's until spring of 2013 when I went there with my dad, and I discovered one of my new favorite restaurants to eat at. The chicken fingers are the perfect amount of crisp and almost melt in your mouth. Looking like the average chicken finger but tasting so much better - they have the perfect amount of flavor. The honey mustard accompanied with them is of good quality and acts as a great dipping sauce. Well portioned if you're hungry, and always great to take home for later! Definitely recommend these if you are feeling good ole' classic, crispy, chicken fingers. You won't leave dissatisfied. 

The Puritan Backroom - Manchester, NH

The chicken tenders at The Puritan Backroom are the most amazing chicken fingers that I have ever eaten. Eating them makes you feel like you could die right then and everything would be okay. After trying them for the first time, Nashua resident Michelle Osteaudelafont claims "It's like my tongue went to heaven." They contain the perfect amount of crisp, but the thing that makes them so great is definitely the hint of sweetness added to them. I was introduced to them at about the age of 13 at Thanksgiving and was astonished that a chicken finger could taste THAT good. After that, nothing could compare to them. A great appetizer or meal for any event they are sure to please. The Puritan Backroom has the best chicken tenders and are #1 on my list. They are worth the trip from wherever you are and you will not be disappointed. 

The Inn at Fox Hollow - Long Island, NY

The Inn at Fox Hollow: Pub Style

The chicken fingers at the pub at The Inn at Fox Hollow are dispicable to say the least. Looking more like fish sticks, these chicken fingers were limp and had no character whatsoever. Barley breaded and composing of no flavor these chicken fingers were terrible. (No picture provided because they were just THAT BAD.)

The Inn at Fox Hollow: Restaurant Style

Surprisingly enough, the chicken fingers from the restaurant at the inn were different from the pub style and spectacular. Similar to a Buckley's Restaurant (located in Merrimack, NH) type of chicken tender, these consisted of delicous, pure, chicken cooked to a crisp. Although very hesitant to try them after the pub's tenders, I gave them a shot and was surprised with my response. A+

Shortys Mexican Restaurant - Nashua, NH

Chicken fingers at a Mexican restaurant you ask? Sometimes, places can surprise you. Shorty's chicken tenders were much better than I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised. Last time I went to Shortys, I ordered the Love Me Tenders and was not happy at all. Receiving what looked like small rodents on a plate to me, I realized I needed to try something else. My friend Rachel's sister works at Shorty's and told me there was another kind that I should try, so when I went the other day, I decided then was the time to snag the opportunity. The chicken looked very weird and I was quite skeptical at first, but after trying it I came to realize that it was actually quite good. The crispy outside was perfect and the shape and texture put a new twist on chicken fingers. Definitely recommend, just remember NOT the Love Me Tenders. 

Chunky's Movie Theater - Nashua, NH

The classic "Love Me Tenders" at Chunky's Movie Theater never fail to be perfect, of course when accompanied by a movie on a rainy day. While watching Let's Be Cops with Rachel and Hayley Nakos, I enjoyed the chicken and it is in the middle on my list. (List to be posted soon)

Although the tenders are not bad, what really makes the whole meal so good is the waffle fries and honey mustard. The chicken fingers have a nice crisp to them but lack on the chicken flavor itself, comparatively to other restaurants they are subpar but gain a nice medium on my personal list. 

(Photo poor quality because it was taken during the dark while the movie was playing. I also reccommend you see the movie.)

Smokey Bones - Tyngsboro, MA

Tonight I was hoping to experience "Wing Night" at Smokey Bones with a few of my friends. We would have been able to receive unlimited chicken wings for only 10.99. Unfortunately we came to realize at 7p.m. after we had sat down and ordered beverages that Wing Night did not start until 9 p.m. We decided we were too hungry to wait for wings and to just order regular dinner. I have grown up ordering chicken fingers at any restaurant that I go to, my parents would say that I'll grow out of it eventually and expand my food choices but I never have - "You're going to turn into a chicken finger" they'd say - but if I end up turning into the best damn thing in the world, then so be it.

Anyways, I of course ended up ordering chicken fingers seeing as though I had never had them from Smokey Bones. They were delicious and definitely made the Top Ten of my chicken finger list. Crispy but nicely portioned, along with delicious honey mustard their spot is well deserved.