The chicken scene in State College has been steadily growing since the additions of Big Dean’s Hot Chicken, Justice Chicken (and soon-to-be Raising Cane’s).

Last spring, we learned that the HUB’s Chick-fil-A would be replaced by Slim Chickens, and let’s just say students were pissed. Chick-fil-A cast a big shadow over Slim Chickens and easily left some hugely enormous shoes to fill.

So, how does Slim Chickens stack up against fast food’s premier chicken? Our staffers ventured over to the HUB to find out.

Aubrey Miller: Three-Piece Chicken Tenders

As someone who doesn’t eat meat but isn’t a vegetarian, I felt the chicken tenders were solid. I was pleasantly surprised by the tenders’ juiciness, which was the only difference I noticed when compared to Chick-fil-A. The honey mustard was exactly how I like it, so 10/10 in that category.

However, it’s called Slim Chickens for a reason. The tenders were quite small and slim.

Colleen Nersten: Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Slim Chickens was bangin’! The breading was soft and buttery, but not greasy at all. Sometimes, fast-food chicken freaks me out, but the piece I ate tasted real and fresh. My favorite part of the Slim Chickens experience was the pickle rounds. My sandwich featured four pickles to ensure every bite had some pickle flavor.

The sauces were impressive, too. The spicy BBQ was sweet and had a subtle kick, and the ranch was light and flavorful. I’d even go as far as to say that the ranch was significantly better than Chick-fil-A’s. I was extremely satisfied with my experience, and the sandwich was only $4.

Charles Reinert: Five-Piece Chicken Tender Meal

I’ve been looking forward to Slim Chickens opening for a while. After Chick-fil-A’s not-so-quiet departure from the HUB, my interest immediately shifted to Slim Chickens and how it would stack up to its previous chicken restaurant rival.

I can honestly say, Slims Chicken is just all right. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but it was far from inedible. I got the chicken finger meal, and the chicken was juicy and well-fried. But it didn’t have anything to make it stand out from the other chicken restaurants in State College. The fries were equally just OK since they were well-seasoned but lacked something to make ’em pop.

I also got the ~Slim’s sauce~ to go with my meal, and it looked similar to the Cane’s sauce found at Raising Cane’s. With the slew of chicken options around town, this isn’t something I’d necessarily go out of my way for, but it cured my hunger and was enjoyable.

Mira DiBattiste: Crispy Chicken Sandwich Meal

When I heard that Chick-Fil-A was leaving the HUB, I was pretty bummed. Not much in this world can match its chicken. However, I was pleasantly surprised with Slim Chickens. I’m impressed, y’all!

I ordered the chicken sandwich with fries and ranch, and every part of it was so good. The chicken was well-fried, the fries were crispy but not burnt, and the ranch was some of the best I’ve had in a while. While I still miss Chick-fil-A, Slim Chickens is a fantastic replacement.

Matt DiSanto: Three-Piece Chicken Tender Meal

I’ll be honest with you, folks. Slim Chickens kinda bangs.

Above all else, it’s pretty cheap compared to most HUB fares. A $4 sandwich or tender meal is a bargain — especially when you’re provided with fresh, juicy chicken that doesn’t break the bank.

My tenders were flavorful across the board. Although the fries weren’t anything special, they got the job done with good seasoning. I left the HUB feeling pretty satisfied!

No, it’s not entirely on Chick-fil-A’s level. But cheaper prices and an equally impressive product will help Slim Chickens please hungry Penn Staters for years to come.