Great source material. Fantastic casting. But a script that wildly missed the mark. PLUS: Comcast spins off NBCUniversal, Sam Altman biopic rescued, and Olivia Rodrigo gets her own Lego lineup.
The birth of Snackology synced up perfectly with the latest wave of chicken strips and chicken nuggets sweeping fast food chains. But it turns out there was one more restaurant that had yet to jump into the nugget game.
Jollibee Chicken Nuggets made their debut on Thursday, adding the go-to fast food staple to a menu that already includes fried chicken, chicken sandwiches ... and spaghetti.
“We are incredibly excited to bring our signature crispy, juicy chicken expertise to our new Chicken Nuggets,” Jollibee said in the company’s announcement. “At Jollibee, we are always looking for ways to bring more joy to our guests’ tables, and this all-new Chicken Nugget launch is the perfect example of how we continue to innovate and elevate fast-food favorites. The crave-worthy quality and high standards that made us the ‘best fried chicken’ in America can now be found in our new nuggets, and we can’t wait for everyone to try them!”
There’s a very good chance that you’re reading this edition of Snackology and thinking to yourself, This is dumb. I don’t even have a Jollibee near me. And you’re probably right. You probably don’t have a Jollibee near you. According to the company’s website, there are currently 84 locations that have either opened or are coming soon in the United States. (McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell each have thousands of locations.) Unless you’re in California, you might have to travel a bit to try these chicken nuggets.
Are they worth the trip?
Welcome to Snackology!
This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you. Support independent news, reviews and more for just $5 a month.
Includes full access to Popculturology and The Cold Open.
The 8-piece Jollibee Chicken Nuggets Combo. / Snackology
What they cost
An 8-piece Jollibee Chicken Nuggets Combo, upgraded to include a Pineapple Quencher, was $11.49. In addition to the 8-piece, the nuggets are available in 5-piece, 15-piece and 30-piece sizes.
ALSO FROM THE OMNICOSM
Love what you’re reading? You might also enjoy Popculturology, a deep-dive into the world of movies, television and more.
The fact that I’m reviewing the Jollibee Chicken Nuggets is a clue that, yes, I have a Jollibee near our house. It opened a few years ago, but I haven’t been there much during the time I’ve been writing Snackology. You can only eat so much fast food each week.
When I do go to Jollibee, I’ll usually get either the Original Chicken Sandwich or the Spicy Chicken Sandwich along with an order of fries and a Pineapple Quencher drink. I’d rank Jollibee’s chicken sandwiches up there with Popeyes, and the chain’s fries are super basic but quite satisfying. I’ve never gotten spaghetti there.
A Jollibee Chicken Nugget. / Snackology
Jollibee Chicken Nuggets are a decent size. While they don’t appear to come in standard shapes like you’d find at McDonald’s or Wendy’s, these nuggets don’t vary in size as widely as Taco Bell’s nuggets. The breading is solid and delivers a decent crunch.
The inside of a Jollibee Chicken Nugget. / Snackology
The chain advertises its nuggets as “100% all-white meat chicken breast,” and that claim did appear to hold up during my taste test. The chicken wasn’t dry. Jollibee Chicken Nuggets could easily be eaten without any kind of dipping sauce.
A Jollibee Chicken Nugget dipped in the chain’s “iconic” gravy. / Snackology
But a dipping sauce I did add to my Jollibee order. The chain offers five standard dipping sauces — and its own “iconic” gravy. The experience of dipping chicken nuggets into gravy is one I’ve never had at McDonald’s or Wendy’s, but it’s one that I’d highly recommend if you pick up your own order of Jollibee Chicken Nuggets.
These are solid nuggets. If you’re making the trek to a Jollibee and ordering a single featured item, though, I can’t advise picking them over one of the chain’s chicken sandwiches. Or the spaghetti? Look, it really feels like you think I’m joking about Jollibee serving spaghetti ...
The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
Bluesky
Instagram
