I tried chicken tenders from Sonic, KFC, and Smashburger. I had a clear winner and one serious disappointment.

• I tried chicken tenders at Sonic, KFC, & Smashburger to see which fast-food chain has the best ones.
• Smashburger’s chicken tenders were large, generously breaded, and all-around excellent.
• However, I thought KFC’s tenders were a disappointment in every way — including the price.

There are many fast-food chains out there, but it can be hard to know which place has the best flavor and value when it comes to chicken tenders.

So, I recently ordered chicken tenders from multiple chains — Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sonic, and Smashburger — to see which I preferred.

I ate them all plain (no dipping sauces), so nothing could influence the true flavor or texture. Here’s how it went.