We tried: Artizen’s spicy chicken sandwich
The lines have started to calm down at Popeye’s, but since they launched their spicy chicken sandwich, restaurants around Honolulu (and, actually, the country) have launched hot chicken sandwiches of their own so you don’t have to wait in traffic.
Chef Brandon Lee at Artizen by MW created his sandwich for himself, since he didn’t want to wait in line. But it’s so good, he had to put it on the menu. Chef Will Chen and I visited him to try it for ourselves. It’s $13, which is, of course, more expensive than Popeye’s, but everything on this sandwich is homemade … well, except the mayonnaise. And it’s markedly more upscale.
Take note, this sandwich is only available until the end of 2019! But if you REALLY like it, maybe you can crush him with chicken sandwich orders and he’ll be forced to keep it on the menu. Just saying.
Also, I’m not sure if you can choose to have fries or salad with this sandwich, but go for the fries. I’m not even supposed to be indulging in carbs, but Will and I smashed a whole container of fries before we even started rolling this video. It’s that good.
Artizen by MW
Hawaii State Art Museum
250 S. Hotel St. (park in Alii Place)
808-524-0499
Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.