American fast food giant Chick-fil-A is stirring excitement among breakfast lovers with the temporary introduction of a classic comfort food combination to its morning menu. The chain has announced it will begin testing chicken and waffles in select locations, marking a significant addition to its breakfast offerings.
Limited Availability and Testing Details
The new menu item will only be available in two specific markets: Baltimore and San Antonio, with the testing period running from December 1 through January 24. According to the company, the dish will be available "while supplies last," suggesting limited quantities throughout the trial period.
Customers should note that the breakfast sandwich will only be served until 10:30 am at participating locations. The chain has advised potential customers to check with their local restaurants for exact hours and availability before visiting.
What's On The Menu?
A Chick-fil-A location in Westminster, Maryland, provided mouth-watering details about the new offering through their Facebook announcement. The dish features crispy chicken stacked between warm maple waffles, all complemented by a touch of smoked bacon. For those preferring a simpler option, it will also be available as just a waffle with syrup.
The social media post confirmed that customers will have their choice of preparation, with the sandwiches available featuring both original and spicy chicken options. This flexibility allows the chain to cater to different taste preferences during the testing phase.
Customer Reactions and Industry Context
The announcement has generated significant buzz on social media platforms, with customers expressing both excitement and disappointment. Food tasting account Snackolator posted on X: "Chicken & Waffles are coming to Chick-fil-A and I need them immediately!" Another user humorously noted their doctor had recently suggested "getting more waffles" into their diet.
However, the limited geographic testing has left many customers outside the two trial cities feeling envious. One social media user questioned, "Now why they didn't test this in my area," while another declared, "Baltimore doesn't deserve this. Send it to Florida."
Some Chick-fil-A enthusiasts expressed cautious optimism about the new menu item. One X user captured the sentiment perfectly: "This is either gonna be amazing or really disappointing."
This menu innovation comes at an interesting time for the chicken chain. Chick-fil-A recently lost its top position as America's favourite fast food chain to Del Taco, which claimed the crown in August. This marks the second consecutive year that the Mexican-inspired chain has topped the list, despite operating only 600 restaurants nationwide compared to Chick-fil-A's 3,000-plus locations.
The 61-year-old brand slipped to fourth place in the rankings, partly due to customer backlash over a recipe change to its beloved waffle fries. Some customers had even threatened boycotts, describing the alteration as "gross," though the chain continues to maintain strong operations across North America.
In addition to this breakfast test, Chick-fil-A has been expanding its beverage offerings, having launched its first drinks-focused café, Daybright, in the Greater Atlanta area during September. Operated by Chick-fil-A subsidiary Red Wagon, the location features specialty coffees, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices, but notably excludes the chain's traditional food offerings.
As Allison Duncan, director of menu and packaging for Chick-fil-A, explained: "We are always looking for ways to surprise our guests with new and unique menu offerings, and this year's fall lineup presents even more opportunities for Guests to customize and make them their own."
The chicken and waffles test represents Chick-fil-A's latest effort to innovate and potentially win back customer favour following its recent ranking slide. Fast food enthusiasts in Baltimore and San Antonio will have the exclusive opportunity to determine whether this new breakfast item becomes a permanent addition to menus nationwide.
