Fried Chicken Time; Several San Ramon Restaurants Add Fried Chicken to Menus, Part of a National Trend

(Fried chicken sandwich from Mendocino Farms. Courtesy Thomas Smith/Gado)

One of the best items at ROAM Artisan Burgers in San Ramon, California, isn’t a burger at all--it’s a fried chicken sandwich. The sandwich was created in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Matthew Accarrino. Though it was originally available only through December of 2020, the sandwich remains on ROAM’s menu as of late January 2021.

ROAM’s fried chicken sandwich features Point Reyes Gouda, Giardiniera Aioli, Cabbage and Salsa Rossa. It was originally released as part of a charity benefit event, but it appears to be popular and sticking around.

Likewise, Mendocino Farms, also in San Ramon, recently introduced a fried chicken menu item. Their sandwich comes on a sesame bun, and includes pickles and relish. In both cases, the restaurants offering these sandwiches don’t specialize in chicken (for that, check out Plucked on Crow Canyon Road). Yet the sandwiches are proving popular.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal, this turn towards chicken may be part of a larger, nationwide trend driven in part by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many national chains like McDonald’s and Popeyes have introduced new fried chicken sandwiches. And apparently even local restaurants like those in San Ramon are jumping on the bandwagon, too.

And by the way, I’ve tried both sandwiches--they’re delicious!

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