Every chicken lover knows about the infamous Raising Canes. The southern-style chicken has gained popularity on the app Tikok from people doing muckbangs with Canes’ signature sauce. However, there is now a new place threatening to take over. Huey Magoos has just opened up in West Boca, selling virtually the same meals as Canes. However, most West Boca students will still endure the journey to the Canes in Pompano or Boyton instead of the Huey Magoos right down the street. So, is Canes much better than Huey Magoos? Is it truly worth the drive?
Ultimately, both places have a standard 3-piece meal. The meal at Raising Canes includes three chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, one Cane’s Sauce, Texas Toast, coleslaw, and a regular fountain drink/tea for the price of $9.99. The meal at Huey Magoos includes three tenders, crinkle-cut fries, Texas Toast, & Magoo’s dip for $11.29 (this meal does not include a fountain drink and an additional fee depending on the size). For the same amount of food, Canes’ prices are much better than those at Huey Magoos. Raising Canes definitely gives more bang for your buck!
Now for the taste. In my opinion, the flavor of the Raising Canes chicken pales a bit to that of the Huey Magoos chicken; however, the texture of Raising Canes is far better: it is less oily and has more of a crunch. Nonetheless, taste is up to the interpretation of an individual’s taste buds. A West Boca senior, Kendall Brock, explained, “I like Huey Magoo’s chicken because it has a lot of seasoning, but I like Cane’s chicken more because it feels more real.” She and other students interviewed believe the Canes chicken has a better flavor even though it is less seasoned. Again, this is up to the individual because another West Boca senior, Katiana Talabert, said she would rather have Huey Magoo’s over Cane’s because of the extra seasoning.
On to the sides, the Texas toast. A leading factor for some people’s purchases at Cane’s is the toast. It is thick, buttery and pairs very well with the tenders and, ideally, with the sauce. The Texas Toast at Huey Magoo’s is thin and can be a bit dry on certain days. The special ingredient (and the reason for their fame) is the Canes sauce. Canes sauce has a thicker texture with a garlic taste; the Magoo sauce is thinner and has a peppery flavor that overpowers it. ¨The Magoos sauce has too much pepper; it’s too much with the chicken.” No clear ingredient list is posted, but most copy-cat recipes say that the sauces might be made with ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic, black pepper, and Worcestershire mixture. (These are just homemade recipes, but they give us a clearer understanding of the sauces.)
We posted a poll on our Bullseye Instagram account and asked students whether they preferred Raising Canes or Huey Magoos. It was a close battle, but 56% voted for Raising Canes, while 43% voted for Huey Magoos. All in all, our West Boca students chose what place they would instead go and it was Canes! Whether for the tenders, the sauce, or the toast, they are willing to take the drive!
