My Experience Comparing Big Chicken and Zaxby’s
When I want a meal built around crispy chicken, Big Chicken and Zaxby’s are two restaurants I like to visit. Both are well known for serving chicken sandwiches, tenders, fries, and flavorful sauces. Even though they serve similar foods, the experience at each restaurant is quite different.
Big Chicken is famous for its oversized sandwiches, creative recipes, and generous portions inspired by Shaquille O’Neal. Zaxby’s is known for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings, Zalads®, and a wide variety of dipping sauces that have made it a favorite across the southern United States.
After eating at both restaurants, I found that Big Chicken offers more unique sandwiches, while Zaxby’s provides a larger selection of chicken meals and sauces.
Two Chicken Restaurants With Their Own Style
Big Chicken focuses on bold flavors and premium ingredients. Its menu includes signature chicken sandwiches, crispy tenders, chicken and waffles, loaded fries, mac and cheese, salads, and hand-spun milkshakes. Every sandwich feels like a complete meal because of the large chicken fillets and creative toppings.
Zaxby’s has a broader chicken menu with Chicken Fingerz™, wings, sandwiches, salads, and family meals. The restaurant is especially popular for its signature dipping sauces, giving customers many ways to enjoy the same meal.
If you enjoy specialty sandwiches, Big Chicken stands out. If you like having lots of chicken meal combinations, Zaxby’s offers more choices.
Big Chicken vs Zaxby’s Menu Comparison
| Category | Big Chicken | Zaxby’s |
|---|---|---|
| Food Style | Fast-casual chicken restaurant | Chicken quick-service restaurant |
| Famous For | Signature chicken sandwiches | Chicken Fingerz™ and wings |
| Popular Chicken | Crispy sandwiches, tenders | Chicken Fingerz™, wings, sandwiches |
| Signature Sides | Dirty Fries, Mac & Cheese | Crinkle Fries, Texas Toast |
| Desserts | Hand-Spun Milkshakes | Cookies, shakes |
| Best For | Large sandwiches and bold flavors | Chicken meals and dipping sauces |
Comparing Popular Menu Items
| Big Chicken Item | Zaxby’s Item | My Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Uncle Jerome Sandwich | Signature Sandwich | Big Chicken has bigger portions, while Zaxby’s offers a more classic chicken sandwich. |
| Crispy Chicken Tenders | Chicken Fingerz™ | Both are juicy and crispy, but Zaxby’s offers more dipping sauce choices. |
| Dirty Fries | Crinkle Fries | Dirty Fries are loaded with toppings, while Zaxby’s fries are simple and crispy. |
| Mac & Cheese | Texas Toast | Both sides are tasty, but they add different flavors to the meal. |
| Hand-Spun Shake | Milkshake | Both restaurants offer a sweet ending to the meal. |
Taste Comparison: Which Restaurant Has Better Flavor?
The chicken at both restaurants is fresh, but the flavors are different.
Big Chicken focuses on bold seasoning, crispy breading, and creative sandwich toppings. Every bite feels rich and full of flavor.
Zaxby’s keeps the chicken simple and lets its famous sauces do most of the work. Whether you like sweet, spicy, smoky, or tangy flavors, there is usually a sauce that matches your taste.
| Taste Factor | Big Chicken | Zaxby’s |
|---|---|---|
| Crispy Chicken | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sandwich Variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sauce Selection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bold Flavors | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall Taste | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
If you enjoy creative sandwiches, Big Chicken is the better choice. If you like trying different dipping sauces, Zaxby’s has the advantage.
Price Comparison: Which Restaurant Is More Affordable?
Both restaurants offer good value, but Zaxby’s usually has slightly lower prices on many menu items.
Big Chicken meals cost a little more because they include larger chicken portions and premium toppings.
| Menu Item | Big Chicken Price | Zaxby’s Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Sandwich | Around $10–$13 | Around $7–$9 |
| Chicken Tenders Meal | Around $11–$14 | Around $9–$12 |
| Fries | Around $4–$6 | Around $3–$5 |
| Milkshake | Around $6–$8 | Around $5–$7 |
| Complete Meal | Around $14–$18 | Around $11–$15 |
If you’re looking for a lower-priced meal, Zaxby’s is the better option. If you prefer larger portions and specialty sandwiches, Big Chicken offers better overall value.
Which Restaurant Has Better Portions?
Big Chicken is known for serving large sandwiches with thick chicken fillets and hearty sides. Most meals feel very filling.
Zaxby’s also offers satisfying portions, especially its combo meals and family packs, but the individual sandwiches are generally smaller than those at Big Chicken.
If portion size matters most, Big Chicken comes out ahead.
Which Restaurant Offers More Variety?
Both restaurants have good menus, but they focus on different strengths.
Big Chicken offers signature sandwiches, tenders, chicken and waffles, loaded fries, salads, mac and cheese, shakes, and specialty sides.
Zaxby’s offers Chicken Fingerz™, wings, sandwiches, Zalads®, family meals, appetizers, desserts, and a larger selection of dipping sauces.
Related: Big Chicken vs Raising Cane’s: Which Chicken Restaurant Is Better?
For sandwich lovers, Big Chicken is the better choice. For customers who enjoy wings, salads, and more meal combinations, Zaxby’s offers greater variety.
Final Thoughts: Big Chicken or Zaxby’s?
After comparing both restaurants, I think Big Chicken is the better choice for people who enjoy oversized chicken sandwiches, bold flavors, and generous portions.
Zaxby’s is an excellent option for customers who want affordable chicken meals, a wide range of sauces, and more menu combinations.
Related: Big Chicken vs Wingstop: Which Chicken Restaurant Is Better?
My Final Ratings:
Big Chicken: 4.6/5 ⭐
Best for oversized sandwiches, bold flavors, and hearty meals.
Zaxby’s: 4.4/5 ⭐
Best for Chicken Fingerz™, wings, dipping sauces, and affordable combo meals.
Both restaurants serve delicious chicken, but if I want a bigger sandwich with creative flavors, Big Chicken is the restaurant I would choose.
Related: Big Chicken vs Chick-fil-A: Which Chicken Restaurant Is Better?
