I’ve always had a soft spot for Burger King’s Original Chicken Sandwich. That long sesame seed bun, the crispy breaded patty, a swipe of mayo—it was simple, satisfying, and somehow felt just a little more “grown-up” than a regular burger. Back in the late ’80s, when fast food was still a treat and not just a convenience, that sandwich was my go-to order.
Then one summer in the early ’90s, Burger King decided to get fancy.
They rolled out a limited-time promotion featuring “international” versions of the chicken sandwich. I remember seeing the posters in the window with flags, foreign fonts, and a lineup of sandwiches that promised a culinary passport to Italy, France, and good ol’ America. It felt exotic, like the drive-thru had suddenly gone global.
Now, let’s be honest: the creativity behind these sandwiches wasn’t exactly Einstein level. The Italian version was basically the Original Chicken Sandwich with a ladle of marinara sauce and a slice of mozzarella melted on top. It was fine, but it reminded me more of a cafeteria pizza day than a Roman holiday. The French version tried to channel Chicken Cordon Bleu with a couple slices of ham and Swiss cheese. I never got around to trying that one, but I remember thinking it looked more like something you’d find in a vending machine at a rest stop than a Parisian bistro.
But the American version? That’s the one that hit home with me.
It was the Original Chicken Sandwich, but with two simple upgrades: a couple slices of American cheese and a couple of tomato slices tucked under the bun. That’s it. Nothing groundbreaking. But for me, it was perfect. The cheese added a creamy richness, and the tomatoes gave it a fresh, juicy bite that made the whole thing feel like a deluxe version of the sandwich I already loved.
While the promotion lasted, I switched loyalties. I’d walk into Burger King, skip past the Whoppers and the kids’ meals, and proudly order the American Chicken Sandwich like I was in on a secret. It felt like a little upgrade to my routine…a small indulgence that made those summer afternoons just a bit more special.
Eventually, the international lineup disappeared. No fanfare, no farewell. Just gone. But the memory stuck with me.
They still roll them out every few years, but here’s the best part: you can still recreate it. Every now and then, when nostalgia hits, I’ll order the Original Chicken Sandwich and ask them to add tomatoes and cheese. Most of the time, they’ll do it without blinking. And when I unwrap that sandwich and take the first bite, it’s like stepping back into 1991. The patty hasn’t changed. The bun still has that familiar texture. And for a few minutes, I’m a kid again sitting in a vinyl booth, sipping a fountain Coke, and savoring a sandwich that once took a trip around the world.
I loved the Italian version, as well. Quite tasty. One I used to really love was their Veal Parmigiana, but that has been gone for years!
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Italian. They bring it back every once in a while calling it by different names.
It certainly isn’t great but makes the original chicken sandwich so much better.
The first time I “graduated” from eating Happy Meals and Kids Meals to stuff on the “adult” menu (or “grown-up”, if you prefer), the first thing I got was the Burger King Original Chicken Sandwich.
Actually, come to think of it, I was mostly just eating the kids meals at McDonald’s and Burger King, but I digress. I’d looked longingly at the OCS from behind whatever toy I’d gotten on any given visit, but that time, it was finally mine to have.
And I’ve been a fan ever since, even if maybe it doesn’t warrant it as much nowadays. It was even the one that first convinced me to try cheese on a chicken sandwich. What sorcery was this?
But, I loved it, at least on BK’s, and get it more often than not (sometimes I like to go classic). Never with tomato, though. Maybe I’ll try that someday.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Cordon Bleu come around, which is a shame, as I loved Arby’s version. I think I’ve gotten to try the Italian version, though, and it was alright.