Raising Cane’s, the fast-food chain celebrated for its chicken fingers and signature Cane’s Sauce, has finally landed in New York City. My friends and I, eager food enthusiasts, had to check out if the buzz around this Louisiana-born restaurant was justified, especially focusing on their famed “food raising cane’s” experience. Social media platforms like Twitter are filled with declarations of the Cane’s Sauce being “undefeated” and “addictive.” As someone who takes food critique seriously, I, along with my companions Hana and Abi, embarked on a mission to deliver a comprehensive Raising Cane’s review for all New Yorkers curious about this new fast-food contender.
The Raising Cane’s location in Astor Place immediately grabs attention with its bright red neon lights, a distinctive feature that stands out in the area. Stepping inside, the energetic vibe continues, complete with a disco ball adding a touch of unexpected flair to a fast-food setting. We opted for the “3 Finger Combo,” Raising Cane’s signature meal, which includes three chicken fingers (the only type of chicken they offer), Texas Toast, crinkle-cut fries, a drink, and, of course, a serving of the famous Cane’s Sauce. To get a broader taste, we also ordered a Chicken Sandwich and an extra portion of sauce.
Our total bill came to around $23, which we felt was a bit pricey for a fast-food meal. However, the service was incredibly quick. We barely had time to get our drinks before our order was ready. We visited around 4 PM, so speed might vary during peak hours.
A close up shot of a Raising Cane’s 3 Finger Combo meal box, showcasing chicken fingers, crinkle fries, Texas toast and Cane’s sauce.
Now, for the crucial part: the food itself. Since Abi is vegetarian, Hana and I were the designated chicken finger tasters. Our initial impression of the chicken fingers was that they were somewhat soggy, lacking the desired crispiness. However, we both agreed that the chicken quality was surprisingly good – moist and tender, exceeding our expectations for fast food. Flavor-wise, the chicken finger was simple and not heavily seasoned, yet it wasn’t bland. The crinkle fries were standard; not especially crispy but adequately salted and perfectly acceptable as a side. As someone who appreciates good fries, these were neither impressive nor disappointing. The Texas Toast tasted like typical brioche bread, though it could have been more buttery for our preference.
Then came the Chicken Sandwich, which unfortunately was the least enjoyable item. Our first bite was overwhelmingly dry and bland. The predominant taste was the untoasted bun. The sandwich consists of three chicken fingers, a few lettuce leaves, a limited amount of Cane’s Sauce, and the bun. The sauce was intended to combat the dryness but was too scarce to be effective.
After just one bite, Hana declared it “mid,” and I wholeheartedly agreed. The combination of ingredients resulted in an unpleasantly dry sandwich. We ended up removing the chicken fingers from the sandwich and eating them separately to better assess their quality.
And finally, the moment of truth: the legendary Cane’s Sauce. We have to say, it didn’t quite live up to the legendary status, certainly not deserving of being “submerged into” as some online comments suggest. We all liked the sauce – it wasn’t bad at all – but it wasn’t particularly special either. It was a bit sweeter than anticipated and could benefit from a touch of spice to elevate the flavor profile. In short, the Cane’s Sauce was not mind-blowing and didn’t seem worth all the hype surrounding it.
A close up shot of Raising Cane’s pebble ice in a clear plastic cup, highlighting its unique texture and appeal.
Surprisingly, our favorite part of the meal, which we would rate a perfect 10/10, was the soda and ice. The soda fountain featured exceptional pebble ice, where each pebble was lightly compressed, creating a delightful snow-like texture when you bite into it. This pebble ice was a true highlight of the Raising Cane’s experience.
So, will we be frequent visitors to Raising Cane’s? Probably not regularly. However, it’s important to remember that taste is subjective, and you should take our review with a grain of salt. Your experience with Raising Cane’s food might differ, especially regarding the much-talked-about Cane’s Sauce.
