Sure, Popeyes and Chic-fil-A may get all the hype when it comes to chicken sandwiches, but plenty of Tampa Bay joints actually deserve the love. Here’s a look at a few local joint that are worth checking out.

Better Byrd 727-325-2973, 4447 4th St. N., No. 1, St. Petersburg. betterbyrd.com Takeout and delivery. Family-sized (serves 8) meal packages, plus beer and wine to go. 50% off for first responders. Photo via Better Byrd/Facebook
Flock and Stock 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL The “Dixie Chick” has maple bacon and pimento cheese, topped on their “favorite bun.” The sandwich also has the standard butter pickles, and the chicken is described as “buttermilk chicken.” Photo via Flock and Stock/flockandstock.com
Goody Goody 1601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL While mostly known as a burger joint, Goody Goody also features a “fried chicken” sandwich with “spicy-sweet pickles” and buttermilk ranch with lettuce. They put it all on a toasted bun. Photo via Goody Goody/Facebook
Datz 2616 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL With two locations in the Tampa Bay area, Datz’ sandwich is affectionately named “Cluck, Yeah” and features “Spicy Nashville” fried chicken with pickles and lettuce, topped off with Nashville sauce. It’s all put on an artisan bun. Photo via Datz/Facebook
King of the Coop 6607 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL You’ll have a lot of options here, as they feature four different chicken sandwiches. All the sandwiches have two tenders on them, with one of them having pimento cheese, one having their “Nashville hot tenders,” and another that has “MacNChz” and shredded slaw. Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook
Fork and Hen 1701 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL Feeling fancy and kind of adventurous? Their version of the chicken sandwich comes with a plethora of toppings, with “house sambal, tarragon aioli, lavender sorghum, farm pickles” as their listing under the menu. Photo via Fork and Hen/Instagram
3 Dot Dash 6203 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL With three chicken sandwiches on the menu (including one called “buff, buff, pass”), you’ll have your pick of sauces and toppings, with an “alabama white bbq sauce” on their “southern chick’n.” They also have a “tampaville hot chick’n” that has chicken breaded in “fuego takis.” Photo via 3 Dot Dash/Facebook
Kay’s Kitchen 11124 N 30th St, Tampa, FL Located across the street from USF Tampa, Kay’s Kitchen features a chicken sandwich with two tenders (the tenders can be tossed in buffalo sauce or just served up regular) on a bun. It seems to be just the chicken on a bun, as they will include lettuce and tomato “upon request.” Photo via Kay’s Kitchen/Facebook
The Cider Press Cafe 601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL Ever had a chicken tender cheesesteak? Yeah, me neither, but Cider Press features one, as you can choose to have either ground beef or “chick’n strips.” In addition to the chicken tender cheesesteak, they have a chicken sandwich buffalo bleu that is top ranked by PETA. Photo via The Cider Press Cafe/Instagram
Joella’s 10150 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL With four options listed on their menu (including a chicken salad sandwich), you can get your ’wich with pimento cheese, sweet vinegar slaw, or just go with the simple chicken and pickles. They also have a vegan option for their chicken sandwiches, in case you’re trying to live that life. Photo via Joella’s/Facebook
Nebraska Mini-Mart 4815 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL The buffalo fried chicken BLT is a special, so it might not on the menu. But ic comes topped with lettuce, tomato, celery relish, and ranch mayo on the freshest pretzel buns in the biz from @jamisonbbreadhouse. This is all served with a side of brisket chips tossed in Aaron Franklin’s brisket rub. Photo via Nebraska Mini-Mart/Facebook
PDQ 12650 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL With multiple locations throughout the Tampa Bay area, you have two chicken sando options. For those looking for a sweeter taste, the “Honey Butter” sandwich has the chicken dipped in “homemade honey butter” with “butter pickle” as the topping. Their other option is more of a basic chicken sandwich, with a fried (or grilled) chicken with lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickles all on a “toasted brioche bun.” Photo via PDQ/Facebook
The Bricks 1327 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL ”Bird & Pig” features a roasted chicken, bacon, apple, brie, and honey. You can put it on a pressed pineapple bun or wrap it, and the sandwich comes with your choice of Asian slaw, mixed greens, or tortilla chips. Photo via The Bricks/Facebook
Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop 3858 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL The Sulphuric Springs Sandwich Shop features many different options for chicken sandwiches, as their roasted chicken can be placed on many different types of bread with many different toppings. The “TPD” even has a blackened chicken with blue cheese crumbles on toasted Cuban bread. Photo via Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop /Facebook
Engine No. 9 56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL While they’re mostly known for their burgers, Engine No. 9 also offers “The Blackhawk.” This chicken sandwich features their “Signature Sriracha Wing Sauce,” with panko breaded chicken, Muenster cheese, and ranch dressing. Photo via Engine No. 9/Facebook
Doc B’s B, 2223 N Westshore Blvd #206, Tampa, FL Doc B’s’ crispy chicken sandwich features “coleslaw, white onion and pickle with 1001 island dressing.” The sandwich comes with fries (of the french or sweet potato variety) or cole/kale slaw. Plus, I’m curious what 1001 island dressing is. Photo via Doc B’s/Facebook
Gigglewaters 737 Main St, Safety Harbor, FL In case you’re there for a screening of a movie, “The Valachi” might be worth a try. It features “bbq pulled chicken, onion tanglers and gouda; drizzled with bourbon bbq sauce.” The sandwich is served with french fries. Photo via Gigglewaters/Facebook Credit: Photo via Gigglewaters
Burg Bar 1752 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL The Burg Bar offers a buffalo chicken sandwich that has a beer-battered chicken breast tossed in buffalo sauce. Ranch dressing is then drizzled on, with lettuce and tomato. Photo via Burg Bar/Facebook
Bodega 1120 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL In case you’ve ordered the Cuban sandwich one too many times, Bodega also has a pollo asado sandwich that might be worth a try. It has mango mayo, avocado, fresnos, and fresh mango. Photo via Bodega/Facebook
Saigon Deli 3858 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL Their chicken sandwich is a bit of a break from the typical stuff so far on this list, as it features chicken liver pate, served on a baguette sub. Photo via Saigon Deli/Facebook
Guthrie’s 5228 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL Simply three chicken fingers in-between two buns with the Guthrie’s “signature sauce.” Just to make it seem kind of healthy, they include lettuce as one of the toppings. Photo via Guthrie’s/Facebook
Brocato’s Sandwich Shop 5021 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL Their fried chicken sandwich is served with a bag of chips and a drink, and you can get it in several sizes, including a “Joe’s Special,” which is 15-inches long. They offer a list of toppings that even includes turkey if you’re really trying to mix it up. Photo via Brocato’s Sandwich Shop/brocatossandwich.com