Downtown Athens restaurant introduces half-pound contender into the chicken sandwich wars
Downtown Athens restaurant introduces half-pound contender into the chicken sandwich wars
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- Rahul Chugh
- May 10, 2021
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Anyone who braved the long lines at the Prince Ave. Popeye's in 2019 to get one of their highly-publicized spicy chicken sandwiches was there for the beginning of what became known as the "chicken sandwich wars."
Not to be outdone, nearly every fast food chain from McDonald's to KFC came up with their own entry into the fray, and Zaxby's (formerly Athens-based chicken joint Guthrie's) recently added theirs to the menu.
Now, a downtown Athens spot has joined the conversation.
Co-owned by Athens resident Frank Hallum, the Clayton St. Wing Zone location now offers a 1/2-pound beast called the Colossal Chicken Sandwich. Seasoned with one of the restaurant's 3 dry rubs and coated in one of their 18 assorted wing sauces, the Colossal makes no attempt to fit on the bun, and is recommended for serious appetites only.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Hallum and business partner Sean Cooper had intended to open a pharmacy in Athens and a barbecue spot in Atlanta, but Hallum's experience behind the grill inspired him to invest in the downtown Athens Wing Zone, which became available in 2019 after first opening in 2012.
"I can really throw down on a barbecue, and everybody always wanted my wings," said Hallum, who has been the Director of Boys Mentoring for the Steve and Marjorie Harvey foundation for the past 11 years. Hallum's wings have been the top request at all of Harvey's catered events since.
Wing Zone has always offered a regularly sized chicken sandwich on its menu, but hot sauce was the only option in terms of flavor variety despite there being over a dozen for its wings in the same kitchen. Hallum said that the franchise never pushed the item until the chicken sandwich wars started.
Bigger and messier than the Popeye's or Zaxby's sandwiches, the Colossal is ideal for diners who enjoy the taste of chicken wings but don't like dealing with bones or saucy fingers. If the dry rubs were spicier (the Blackened Voodoo rub is very mild), the Colossal would be similar to Nashville hot chicken on a bun, just with lettuce, onion, and tomato instead of pickles.
The sandwich's size makes it easily halved and saved for later, but it is possible to finish the whole thing and walk away.
"The football players love it," said Hallum.
Downtown Athens, Ga. Wing Zone general manager Miss K. shows how the restaurant's new Colossal Chicken Sandwich is created.
Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
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Rahul Chugh
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