While still married to my wife, Cindy, one Saturday morning, I needed to go to Lowe’s for some yard items. She worked in her hair studio, which we operated in the house, and had several customer appointments this Saturday.
So, I headed to Lowe’s. This particular Lowe’s was located in Tomball, Texas. You’ve seen the landscape – big box stores like Lowe’s, Target, and PetSmart fronted by fast-food restaurants on the main street. I got something to eat at Chick-fil-A before venturing to Lowe’s to shop.
After I finished, I pulled out of Chick-fil-A’s back entrance and headed over to park at Lowe’s. I did my shopping, and after loading my supplies in the truck, I called Cindy to ask if she and the kids wanted something from Chick-fil-A. Not even a question. Indeed, they wanted some Chick-fil-A food. She made it easy for me – three No. 1 meals, one with no pickles, and a kid’s nuggets meal. I knew everyone’s drink order, so I was set.
I pulled into the back entrance to the order station and ordered three No. 1 meals, one without pickles, and a kid’s nugget meal. I ordered the drinks and pulled around to pay and accept my meals. I paid and got my bags. When the young lady asked what condiments I needed, I said, “Ketchup and some Chick-fil-A Sauce.” She said, “We don’t have any Chick-fil-A Sauce.” I was surprised and asked again to make sure I understood correctly. Nope – no Chick-fil-A Sauce. She even asked the manager if they had any, and the answer was still no Chick-fil-A Sauce.
I drove home, wondering why Chick-fil-A would have no Chick-fil-A Sauce. At home, I parked, carried all the bags into the house, and put them on the kitchen table. I headed to change clothes for my work projects as Cindy entered the kitchen to get her food. I heard her ask while I was walking away, “Michael, what are these Arby’s bags doing on the table?” I turned around and looked at the bags on the table. Sure enough, the logo on the bags said “Arby’s.”
I looked at Cindy and said, “That’s ‘why’ they didn’t have Chick-fil-A Sauce!” The experience gave me a new insight into fast-food restaurants. All fast-food restaurants have a No. 1 meal. They have a kid’s nuggets meal. They most often have Coke products. They usually have ketchup. BUT ONLY ONE RESTAURANT CHAIN IN THE WORLD HAS CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE.
At least one of the kids got what they wanted. Cindy and the other two kids enjoyed the roast beef sandwiches, which had a side of crow for me.
Chick-fil-A Sauce was introduced in the early 1980s at Chick-fil-A restaurants. It quickly became a popular condiment for its unique tangy and sweet flavor. Some grocery store chains now sell it. Look for it on the “condiments” aisle near the mayonnaise.
Arby’s offers sauces as well. They sell 15 kinds of sauces, from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy…
