The spicy chicken wars continue: Arby's Diablo Dare Chicken Sandwich (there's a brisket variety too) is a limited-time special (Jan 10 to Feb 6). I finally got out of the house to try it, and I'm underwhelmed.
Don't get me wrong, it's spicy -- spicier than any chain item other than Fry the Coop (a notch under their "Hot" level). That's including fire-roasted jalapenos, spicy bbq sauce, ghost pepper cheese, hot seasoning (dusted) and a chipotle bun. It
smelled spicy opening the box. Most of the flavor, though, comes from that spicy bbq sauce which drenches the sandwich, and it's mostly acrid hot-sauce flavors. A better balance of flavor to the sauce (and perhaps not as drippy -- blend it with the tiny dollop of mayo maybe?) and I'd consider this more of a winner. The other down side is a rather un-crispy chicken patty, which reminded me of school cafeteria chicken sandwiches (although it did have a decent poultry-broth flavor to it). Popeye's overly-battered chicken breast beats that hands down, as does the KFC, FtC and others. The rest of the components don't add much to the mix: the cheese was not noticeable; the roasted jalapenos (along with the pickles and shredded lettuce) add some good color but no noticeable heat (those jalas are diced and fall out; I tasted a couple by themselves, and they might as well be bell peppers).
The current promotion includes a small (8-10oz) vanilla milkshake to tone down the heat -- they would not let me substitute for a chocolate one.
Didn't hate it, but I won't go out of my way for it, and will probably go back to the Beef and Cheddar if I happen on an Arby's again.
What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang