The Top 5 Chicken Fillet Rolls In Dublin
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Stock, Instagram and Ger’s Deli Image via @dublinfooddiary
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Stock, Instagram and Ger’s Deli Image via @dublinfooddiary
At some point, we all have to weigh in on the chicken fillet roll thing, right?
The cult of the chicken fillet roll has enveloped us all at one point or another and dominated Irish culinary discourse since its arrival on the scene. The monstrosity that got us all through college since the recession took the reigns in the 00’s and has been joyriding ever since.
It arrived with a fizzle in 1998 during the era of the breakfast roll. But it didn’t go national until Spar made it a thing in 2002. Centra followed suit. It’s been making headlines ever since. It got the vegan treatment and the gourmet. It has been the talk of the town on morning talk shows and even had a Blindboy podcast episode in its honour.
There’s nothing more Irish than heading to the deli and getting a baguette filled with a fillet of chicken and your favourite salads. We, as a nation, love bickering over which toppings and who makes it better almost as much as we love complaining about the weather. The phrases, “plain or spicy?,” and “cut in half?” are music to the ears of most Irish people.
But the quality has often been a bit iffy. So here are hands-down the top five absolute best chicken fillet rolls in the city.
SuperValu
Take a Sunday morning pilgrimage to your nearest SuperValu, and you’ll find yourself in the holy land of deli delights. No matter where you live, SuperValu is always there for those seeking a cure for the night before or a post-match feast. The chicken fillet roll, a steal at €5.50, is what they were intended to be: a feast. Make sure you get their special taco sauce on your roll – it’s probably the best taco sauce of all the deli’s because it’s actually got a bit of spice to it.
Dunnes
Located all around the county, and all around the country, Dunnes probably has the cheapest – but best quality – chicken fillet roll on offer atm. It is still comfortably under a fiver with a drink. What makes them so good is that their chicken is actually chicken tender. Not processed chicken, so there is actually something to chomp into. Plus they have a wealth of toppings that are more unusual. So if you want to go for spring onion and jalapeño, you damn well can. It is however the fluffy light roll that makes this notch in on top of so many others. So pillowy. So heavenly. So tasty. If you’re feeling hungry in town, you’ve plenty of options from George’s Street, Stephen’s Green, the Ilac Shopping Centre, and Henry Street.
Declan & Donal’s
Nestled on Bolton Street, this family-run takeaway deli is the unsung hero of stomach satisfaction. Their legendary chicken fillet roll, customizable with your choice of fillings, is a mere €4.20. But that’s just the tip of the aul iceberg. The food? Impeccably fresh and downright delicious. The staff? Some of the friendliest faces in town. Every visit feels like a warm welcome into the heart of this deli. And let’s not forget the cherry on top – everything is priced so damn reasonably. It’s not just a go-to for a CFR; it’s practically a second home to us all.
News Cafe
Brace yourself for a caffeine-fueled jaunt to Blackrock’s hangover haven, proudly proclaiming, “Curing Hangovers Since the Last Century”, in their Instagram bio. Their divine chicken fillet rolls start at €5.50 – a price tag that guarantees a behemoth of a sandwich. Picture a BLT riding shotgun on a hot chicken, sandwiched on a doorstep-sized bread roll. These colossal creations are not for the faint of heart; they’re for those who appreciate the art of sandwich architecture. This CFR could stop your heart (in a good way).
Ger’s Deli
Ger’s Deli is home to Dublin’s finest chicken fillet rolls. Full Stop. This roll is not just food; it’s a dream that haunts my thoughts. Imagine a perfectly seasoned fillet, generously adorned with mayo, and thinly grated cheddar for optimal meltiness, all snugly nestled in a monster-sized baguette. Ger’s Deli has brought it to life. It’s not just a feast; it’s a banquet. I’d be singing Ger’s Deli’s praises til I’m blue in the face – and even then, I’d keep recommending this CFR.
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