Let me just preface this entire review with the acknowledgement that I rarely eat fast food, let alone deem it worthy of writing about. However, the chatter around the recent opening of Raising Cane’s on Tylersville Road in West Chester made me curious as to what the fuss was. I think that the most polite way to say how I feel is that I still don’t know what the fuss is about.

I am fairly certain that I have never waited in line for 30 minutes at a fast food restaurant just to order my food, but that is how long the line was at Cane’s last week at lunchtime. Not only was the wait unbelievable, but the parade of cars waiting to order via the drive thru snaked around the building all the way into traffic on Tylersville. When I finally reached the counter, I was presented with a grand total of four meal options, all of them featuring Cane’s signature chicken fingers. No T.G.I. Friday’s style 10 page menu here kids. Not that I think that is a bad thing, but it certainly bucks the recent trend of menu item proliferation. After I ordered my $7 meal, (certainly not a bad price for fast food), I was almost immediately presented with a piping hot tray of food. I’m sure that it was prepared especially for me, right? (Am I being snarky? Well of course not.)

While I patiently (Right.) stood in line, I had a chance to survey the décor, which consisted mostly of pop culture and sports memorabilia. Most importantly though, was the velvet Elvis prominently and proudly displayed above the beverage station. I think that might have been my favorite thing about Raising Cane’s because it has only been a week since I was there and I have already almost completely forgotten the food, save for the details that I jotted down for the purpose of this blog. Elvis, however, is singed into my mind forever.

From what I remember, the crinkle cut fries were unremarkable, ho hum at best. My chicken fingers were crispy and crunchy without any evidence of grease whatsoever. I certainly can’t fault them on their preparation. It is more the lack of any kind of distinctive flavor that that sticks with me. The Cane’s sauce that accompanies every meal reminds me of a mayo based salad dressing with a slightly spicy and peppery touch, not unlike Arby’s horsey sauce. The Texas toast was sweet-ish and not overly garlickey. I didn’t partake in the only other menu option, cole slaw.

Considering the almost hysterical fanaticism with which fans of Raising Cane’s  (“Caniacs”) anticipated the chain’s arrival to the Cincinnati market, I was definitely expecting much more. I wish them much success though, because they are clearly planning on being a recognizable force in the area. Another location is currently under construction in Springdale and others are in the planning stages, most likely in Mason, Colerain and Florence, for starters. I’m not going to lie though. I still don’t get it.