(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

1. Popeye’s
The hands-down winner for a high-decibel crunch and some fairly juicy flesh.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

2. Pollo Campero
Good marks for crispness, but lacking the famous Latin flavor.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

3. KFC
An unashamed judge immediately identified it as KFC, and then admitted it sent a Proustian shiver down his spine.

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

4. Kennedy Fried Chicken
“Loose batter, dry meat.”

(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

5. New Caporal
The golden-brown hue looked nice, but the meat was “tough” and “very dry,” according to our panel.

Additional reporting by Christine Whitney.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Oct 5, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!