Author: openjargon

President Joe Biden walked through the West Colonnade alongside Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in May 2023.

Trump has criticized Biden's use of an autopen and sought to invalidate Biden's pardons and commutations that were signed with the device.

The Palm Room leads out into the Rose Garden.

"New lobby leading to Oval Office — Magnificent marble floor, compliments of President Donald J. Trump!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Aside from a presidential seal above the door to the West Wing, the walls were empty.

The gold lettering spelling out "The Oval Office" was set in the Shelley Script font. Trump also added a gold decal to the top of the door.

The rug, which featured the presidential seal in the center, was designed by Kaki Hockersmith, an interior designer based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The rug's design includes the presidential seal, a sunbeam pattern, and olive branches along the border as a symbol of peace.

Trump also used the rug during his first term.

Biden displayed an American flag and a flag with the presidential seal.

Trump's Oval Office features the flags of the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Navy.

The crown molding on the ceiling matched the cream wallpaper.

The gold embellishments matched the gold curtains, which remained in place from Biden's presidency.

Biden also hung portraits of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton together to symbolize the benefits of different opinions, as well as portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Trump added more portraits with decorative frames to create an Oval Office gallery wall. He also replaced Biden's portrait of FDR with one of George Washington and displayed historic gold urns and baskets from the White House collection on the mantle.

Trump's love of gold decor is well-known. His Trump Tower penthouse in New York City features numerous gilded ceilings, furniture pieces, and artwork. Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, also includes a ballroom covered in gold from floor to ceiling.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt added the plaster relief of the presidential seal to the Oval Office during a 1934 White House renovation.

Both the seal and the stars surrounding it were covered in gold paint.

The hyperrealistic portrait, painted by Robert McCurdy, was unveiled at the White House in 2023.

Artist Marc Lipp painted a rendering of an Associated Press photo that captured Trump raising his fist in the air following an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Before it was used for press conferences and events, first lady Ellen Wilson originally designed the outdoor space as a formal flower garden in 1913.

First lady Melania Trump added a limestone border around the lawn in 2020.

Trump told Fox News that the grass in the Rose Garden was impractical for large events because it stayed wet when it rained and was too soft for attendees who wore high heels.

"The grass just doesn't work," Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in March.

Workers began transforming the lawn into a patio in June, replacing the grass with concrete and stone tiles. "The Rose Garden Club" was completed in August.

The East Room, the largest state room in the White House, has a seating capacity of 200 people. When Biden hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023, he held the state dinner in a tent outside the White House to accommodate the larger crowd of over 300.

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which the White House called a "much-needed and exquisite addition," will cost approximately $300 million to construct. Trump and other "patriot donors" will foot the bill for the project, the White House said.

Located in the West Wing near the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room overlooks the Rose Garden and features a large, oval-shaped mahogany table purchased by President Richard Nixon in 1970, according to Obama's archived White House website.

Seating at the table is assigned in order of when each department was established, with the oldest departments sitting nearest to the president.

Trump chose portraits of past presidents, including George Washington, John Adams, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower, to decorate the Cabinet Room.

"The vaults are where we have a lot of great pictures and artwork," Trump told reporters in July. "And I picked it all myself, I'm very proud of it."

The eagle sconces were installed as part of a 2004 refurbishment of the Cabinet Room that also included a new rug, curtains, and paint color.

"Some of the highest quality 24 Karat Gold used in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room of the White House," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post in September. "Foreign Leaders, and everyone else, 'freak out' when they see the quality and beauty."

Although I dread New York City's 4:30 p.m. sunset in January, February, and March, the holiday lights that go up in December offset my seasonal blues.

Manhattan is wonderfully festive during the holidays, and visitors have endless options for activities. 

They can ice-skate beneath the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, shop at the Union Square Holiday Market, admire the elaborately decorated shop windows on the Upper East Side, or catch one of The New York City Ballet's annual performances of "The Nutcracker."

I also love to head east to Montauk's empty beaches or north to ski Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, home to one of the East Coast's greatest vertical drops. 

Although I appreciate Vermont's bucolic summertime beauty, I think it's at its best when the mountains are white with snow. Winter in Vermont is straight out of a storybook with quaint cabins, charming small towns, and rolling white hills.

The state has some of the largest ski resorts in New England, and I've made seasonal pilgrimages to various mountains including Stowe, Killington, Mount Snow, and Okemo — my personal favorite. 

These mountains are less steep than the Rockies. But in my opinion, if you grow up skiing in the East navigating the mountains' packed ice, you have the opportunity to be far better at the sport than those accustomed to more ideal conditions.

Colorado is a hot spot for skiing out West. It has over 25 ski resorts, and I've caught the first tracks in Vail, Breckenridge, Winter Park, and Aspen Snowmass, my all-time favorite. 

Aspen has a reputation for fostering a "ski-and-be-seen" ethos, but I celebrate its decadence and am partial to the champagne showers at Cloud Nine, the rowdy chalet atop Highlands Mountain. 

During my last stay at Aspen Meadows Resort, I realized that it's possible to just relax in nature there. It felt like a contained oasis of mountain views and aspen trees, even though it's a mere 1.6 miles from the downtown area.

Also in Colorado, Breckenridge's annual Ullr Fest is not to be missed. A celebration of the Norse god of winter, this festival features colorful costumes, shotskis, and Viking hats. When I attended, I was delighted that the enormous bonfire provided warmth even on the coldest winter nights.

I first attended Art Basel in Miami entirely by mistake because of a flight cancellation. The glitzy, over-the-top art fair lived up to the hype, a statement that also summarizes my thoughts about Florida in the wintertime.

It's somewhat of a cliché for northerners to fly south every December, hence their nickname as snowbirds, but there's nothing quite like a polar vortex to make you long for the Sunshine State. 

Speaking of snowbirds, winter is a spectacular time to go birding in Everglades National Park, the seasonal home to many American white pelicans.

Witnessing humpback whales' migration to the Hawaiian Islands is spectacular. 

I first spotted a humpback whale up close on a trip to Maui with my mother when I was 12. When I set out with PacWhale Eco-Adventures decades later, the experience was just as magnificent as I remembered.

Hawaii offers its own unique ambiance during the holiday season. The festive juxtapositions of seashell-adorned garlands and palm trees draped with lights make the state the closest you can get to paradise within the US.

Louisiana is one of my favorite states to visit in the US, and it comes alive in the colder months. I prefer the state's relatively mild winters, with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, over its sweltering summer days.

I'm also always down for a party. From the Cajun Festival of the Bonfires, when people light bonfires along the levees of the Mississippi River to light the way for Cajun Santa Claus, to Mardi Gras, the biggest celebration of all, there are events for revelers to enjoy all season long. 

The winter sun casts the swamps surrounding New Orleans in a golden light, and even though alligators hibernate, you can still spot them on warm days.

This Southwestern state's diverse climate is perfect for a winter road trip through deserts, valleys, and mountains.

The Enchanted Circle Byway takes travelers through a variety of epic ski destinations, including the popular Taos Ski Valley. Make sure you don't miss the Ski Torchlight Parade, one of the many annual events in New Mexico's ski regions. 

I love the wide-open expanse of Albuquerque, the city with the state's biggest population and most direct flights.

In the wintertime, you can begin your trip in this desert city before heading an hour north to Santa Fe, where you can experience the art scene and hit the slopes.

I love visiting South Carolina any time of the year, but my favorite memories in the state have always been in the winter. 

Perhaps it's because I'm unable to withstand Charleston's summer humidity, but regardless, my February trip to the Holy City was exactly what the doctor ordered two months into a New York winter. 

The city is at its most decadent around the holidays, when festive decor adorns the gorgeous cobblestone streets.

Lastly, a recent wintertime trip to Brays Island, with its Spanish moss and dockside sunsets, epitomized the romance and allure of Lowcountry living.

Yellowstone National Park may be most crowded and accessible in the summertime, but I prefer to explore the world's first national park in the winter, when I can snowshoe, ride in a snowcoach, or stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge. 

Seeing Wyoming's desolate landscape covered in snow makes its grandeur and vastness all the more vivid. 

I also make an annual winter voyage out to Jackson Hole to hit the slopes, snowmobile in Grand Teton National Park, cross-country ski at Turpin Meadow Ranch, and go on a sleigh ride in the National Elk Refuge. 

My favorite perk of visiting Wyoming in the winter is that I'm less likely to encounter a grizzly bear. They can still pop up but are mostly hibernating, so we can enjoy the wilderness.

Charleston and New Orleans tend to get all of the attention, but travelers looking to fly south in the winter months often overlook Savannah. 

I've long been enchanted by the city's glamour, mystery, and charm, and, in my experience, the Hostess City of the South is at its most hospitable during the holidays. 

December is a wonderful time for visitors to experience the city by visiting the Savannah Christmas Market and signing up for the annual Holiday Tour of Homes. 

I also stumbled upon another Georgian gem during a previous trip to Aiken. Nestled in horse country very close to the Master's Tournament, this quaint city boasts a downtown area with gorgeous hotels and delectable food. 

This story was originally published on December 1, 2022, and most recently updated on November 26, 2025.

"People We Meet on Vacation" (or "PWMOV"), by Emily Henry, was immediately beloved by BookTok after it was published in 2021. The film adaptation premieres on Netflix on January 9.

The story follows Poppy and Alex, two longtime friends who made a pact after graduating from college to take a vacation together once a year — and they did, until something happened on a trip to Croatia that caused them to stop speaking for years. The book jumps back and forth in time between Poppy and Alex's past vacations and their current reunion in Palm Springs.

The movie stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as Poppy and Alex, respectively, with a supporting cast of Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, Alan Ruck, and Molly Shannon.

"Box Hill," a 2020 novel written by Adam Mars-Jones, is being turned into the film "Pillion," which will be released in theaters on February 6.

The book (and film) follows Colin, a gay man, who becomes involved in a relationship with Ray, his polar opposite. While Colin is shy, introverted, and even a bit timid, Ray is confident and controlling.

The film stars Harry Melling as Colin and Alexander Skarsgård as Ray.

If you somehow escaped high school without reading Emily Brontë's 1847 gothic classic "Wuthering Heights," now is the perfect time to tick it off your reading list, ahead of its newest film adaptation releasing on February 13.

The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as doomed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff, who are torn apart by societal expectations, time, illness, resentment, and guilt.

But since this is an Emerald Fennell movie (director of "Saltburn" and "Promising Young Woman"), you shouldn't expect a run-of-the-mill book-to-film adaptation.

"Broken" is a 2020 collection of six novellas written by famed author Don Winslow. One of its short stories, "Crime 101," has been adapted into a film that hits theaters on February 13.

The story takes its title from California's iconic Highway 101, which runs from Los Angeles all the way up to the California-Portland border.

In it, a master jewel thief named Mike Davis perfectly executes heists up and down the 101 with an elite crew, but Detective Lou Lubesnick is on his tail.

Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo play Mike and Lou respectively, while the rest of the cast is filled out by Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and more.

"Cold Storage" is the third book adaptation that will be released on February 13. It's based on David Koepp's 2019 novel of the same name and follows a trio of unlikely friends who team up to stop a mutant killing machine from ending the world.

It stars Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, and Liam Neeson.

The first of two Colleen Hoover books to hit the big screen in 2026 is "Reminders of Him," which was published in 2022. The film will be released on March 13.

Like all Hoover's books, this story deals with heavy themes, including alcoholism, death, life after incarceration, grief, and redemption — and, of course, romance.

The story follows Kenna, a young woman who is released from prison after seven years and is desperately trying to get her life back and reconnect with her daughter, Diem. The story flashes back and forth in time to show how Kenna ended up in prison after the death of her boyfriend, Scotty, and how she's finding new love with Scotty's best friend, Ledger.

Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, and Rudy Pankow play Kenna, Ledger, and Scotty, respectively, while Scotty's parents are played by Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford.

Andy Weir, author of the beloved novel "The Martian," published "Project Hail Mary" in 2021 to critical acclaim. Five years later, the story of astronaut Ryland Grace, played by another RG (Ryan Gosling), is coming to cinemas on March 20.

The story begins with Ryland waking up aboard a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. From there, we flash back to learn that Ryland is a science teacher who was recruited for this mission to save the human race, as our sun is dying.

People love this book — and love its directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the brains behind "Into the Spider-Verse" and "21 Jump Street" — so the hype is high for this one.

"The Dog Stars," written by Peter Heller, was published in 2012. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic society with the survivors of a flu-like pandemic. It follows a pilot living an isolated existence in Colorado with just one other (quite bitter) person for company. But when he hears a mysterious signal over his plane's radio while flying one day, he resolves to seek out its source.

The film adaptation, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, will be released on March 27.

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: "Three Bags Full," a German novel written in 2006 by Leonie Swann, focuses on a flock of sheep who become determined to solve the murder of their beloved shepherd, George.

The adaptation, which has been retitled "The Sheep Detectives," stars Hugh Jackman as George, while his flock of sheep are voiced by Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, and Patrick Stewart.

It will be released on May 8.

Homer's epic poem has been translated from Homeric Greek a great many times since it was first translated in the 1500s.

But director Christopher Nolan told Empire Magazine that he was specifically working off Emily Wilson's translation, published in 2017, so that's the one we'll recommend, too.

If it's been a minute since you dusted off your Greek mythology gap, "The Odyssey" follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, on his decadeslong journey to return home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he meets some of the most iconic monsters, legends, and gods in the Greek canon, including the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, Athena, and more.

The film hits theaters on July 17, though tickets at some theaters are already sold out.

Maybe you could've guessed from the cover, but "The Book of Magic," written by Alice Hoffman, is the long-awaited sequel to her novel "Practical Magic." The first book was published in 1995, and 26 years later, Hoffman published its follow-up in 2021.

The film adaptations will have a similarly long gap. "Practical Magic" was released in theaters in 1998, and its sequel, "Practical Magic 2," will be released on September 18.

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as the witchy Owens sisters, as are Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as their magical aunts. Newcomers to the cast include Joey King, Xolo Maridueña, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace.

Thirty years after "Sense and Sensibility" was adapted by Emma Thompson and Ang Lee, the 1811 novel by Jane Austen will once again return to the silver screen, this time starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, Herbert Nordrum, and George MacKay, on September 25.

"Sense and Sensibility" is the tale of the Dashwood sisters, who are left penniless after their half-brother and his wife take almost all of their inheritance from their father. While Elinor (Edgar-Jones) tries to be practical, her younger sister Marianne (Creed-Miles) is determined to, as the kids say, romanticize her life.

"Verity" is the second Colleen Hoover adaptation of 2026, though it couldn't be more different from "Reminders of Him."

"Verity," published in 2018, is easily Hoover's darkest book. It follows Lowen Ashleigh, a writer struggling to get by, who by chance gets hired to take over as the ghost writer for the now-comatose Verity Crawford. But when Lowen begins looking over Verity's manuscript, she soon wonders if she's reading a disturbing work of fiction, or a confession of heinous crimes.

The adaptation stars Dakota Johnson as Lowen, Anne Hathaway as Verity, and Josh Hartnett as Verity's husband Jeremy. It will come to theaters on October 2.

This one isn't for the faint of heart. "Incidents Around the House," written by Josh Malerman in 2024, is about an 8-year-old girl, Bela, who is terrorized by a mysterious entity she calls Other Mommy.

Fittingly, the adaptation, which comes to big screens on October 9, has a new title: "Other Mommy." It stars Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, and Arabella Olivia Clark as Bela.

No, it's not a particularly random game of MadLibs — director M. Night Shyamalan and romance author Nicholas Sparks teamed up to write the novel "Remain," which was published earlier this year.

"Remain" is the story of architect Tate Donovan, who retreats to a bed-and-breakfast in Cape Cod after the death of his mother. Before long, he bonds with a mysterious resident of the small town named Wren. But, as this is a Shyamalan story, all is not what it seems.

The film, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor as Tate and Wren, will be released in theaters on October 23.

For years, fans begged "Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins to tell the story of Haymitch Abernathy's games. In March 2025, she obliged, publishing "Sunrise on the Reaping," a "Hunger Games" prequel that takes place 24 years before the first novel.

It tells the story of the 25th Hunger Games, which Haymitch, the future tribute mentor for District 12, won. As with all "Hunger Games" books, it's devastating.

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," which boasts an all-star cast of Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Billy Porter, Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Whitney Peak, and newcomer Joseph Zada as Haymitch, will be in theaters on November 20.

After the two-part adaptation of "Dune," the third film in the series is set to take on Frank Herbert's second novel in the series, "Dune Messiah," published in 1969.

Picking up after the events of "Dune: Part Two," "Dune: Part Three" will follow Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he struggles to control the galaxy, prevent the death of millions, avenge his father, and juggle relationships with Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) and his love Chani (Zendaya). It's set to be released on December 18.

We've reached the part of the list where the adaptations don't have official release dates, but it's a safe bet that they'll come out at some point in 2026.

First up is Ali Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis," originally published in 2021, after originally being posted on the internet as "Star Wars" fan fiction.

It's about a young PhD student, Olive, who, after a series of mishaps, is forced to fake-date a faculty member at her university: Dr. Adam Carlsen. You can guess what happens.

The film will star Lili Reinhart as Olive and Tom Bateman as Adam — and fans are already frothing at the mouth after Reinhart's TikToks from set went viral.

This 2017 novel written by Liv Constantine tells the tale of Amber Patterson, a scammer with a plan to take over the life of rich, beautiful socialite Daphne Parrish.

The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Isabel May as Amber, Jennifer Lopez as Daphne, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Daphne's husband, Jackson, is expected to hit Netflix at some point next year.

And if that's not enough, there's always the sequel, "The Next Mrs. Parrish."

Sarah Hogle wrote "You Deserve Each Other" in 2020. The novel is about Nicholas and Naomi, an engaged couple who are the furthest thing from soon-to-be-newlywed bliss. In fact, they're in a game of chicken to see who can call off the wedding (and be stuck with the nonrefundable deposits) first.

The film adaptation will star Meghann Fahy and Penn Badgley as Naomi and Nick, with a supporting cast of Natalie Morales, Justin Long, Kyle MacLachlan, and Ana Gasteyer. It's not yet known if it will head straight to Prime Video or get a theatrical run.

Nine years after his last directorial effort, Deadline reported that Tom Ford is going to adapt Anne Rice's 1982 novel "Cry to Heaven," with an aimed release date of fall 2026.

The novel follows a student and teacher in 18th-century Italy: Tonio Treschi and Guido Maffeo.

While we don't know who is playing whom yet, the announced cast is already iconic: Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, George MacKay, Paul Bettany, Hunter Schafer, Thandiwe Newton, and, making her acting debut, Adele.

Paramount acquired the rights to adapt Rebecca Serle's 2022 novel "One Italian Summer" in 2023, per Variety, but for over two years there was no news.

That is until a throwaway line in a December 2025 Hollywood Reporter piece about David Ellison's takeover of Paramount mentioned that the project would be moving forward starring Brie Larson.

The novel is about Katy, a 30-something woman mourning the death of her mother and best friend, Carol. As the two had planned a luxurious Italian vacation before Carol's death, Katy decides to take the trip herself to try to reconnect with her mother's spirit, but she gets a bit more than she asked for when she seemingly meets a younger version of her mom on the beach.

Netflix announced that Katherine Center's novel "The Bodyguard," published in 2022, will be adapted for the streamer — and while no release date has been set, since the film takes place around the holidays, we can assume a November or December release date is in the cards.

The story follows Jack Stapleton, a famous actor with a stalker, who hires bodyguard Hannah Brooks, to protect him. But since he doesn't want to worry his sick mother, the two instead pretend to date.

The catch with this adaptation? Since there's already a quite famous film called "The Bodyguard," Netflix, along with stars Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, are asking fans to come up with a new name for the film.

A three-piece chicken tender cost $7.48 at Whataburger at the location I visited in Austin.

I thought the tenders could only be described as "classic" — they weren't anything out-of-the-box, but I enjoyed them.

The chicken tenders tasted good on their own, as well as with ranch dipping sauce. They weren't bad by any stretch of the imagination. However, I did think the other tenders I tried were slightly crispier and had just the slightest hint of more flavor in the batter.

Regardless, for a relatively low price, I'd definitely order these again.

The three-piece "snack" cost $4.99, not including tax.

They were also a good size. I thought the price was also a great deal for the generous portion I received.

These were undeniably classic chicken tenders, similar to the ones from Whataburger, but they were a touch too fried for my liking. However, I thought they were well-seasoned and had a lot of peppery flavor.

An order of three chicken tenders from Smashburger costs $9.99, excluding tax and fees. I thought this was a little pricey.

The breading on the chicken tenders felt thick and crunchy.

The chicken meat inside and the ranch dipping sauce provided could only do so much to offset the intense dryness of the crunchy breading.

The next time I order from Smashburger, I'll stick to the chain's beef offerings.

A five-piece order of chicken tenders cost $8.41, excluding tax.

Rather than thick and juicy like some of the other chicken tenders I tried, these were flatter. In fact, I'd say these were the thinnest and flattest tenders out of all the ones I tried.

The chicken was on the drier side, and there simply wasn't a lot of it. I gravitate toward thicker, more shreddable chicken tenders, and these slightly missed the mark for me.

However, the flavor was definitely there — the breading had a peppery essence and the tenders were evenly fried.

A three-piece tender combo costs $16.89 before taxes and fees. The meal deal included a large serving of fries, a drink, and a biscuit, as well as a choice of dipping sauces. 

I really liked the crunchy exterior.

I also thought the batter was quite flavorful — I could taste hints of seasoning and buttermilk, although they weren't quite as buttery-tasting as the Chick-fil-A tenders.

However, this meal felt expensive for only three chicken tenders, even though they were large.

A four-piece chicken tenders combo, including fries, a medium drink, and a biscuit, cost me $10.49, excluding taxes and fees.

The texture and flavor of the breading made them taste like a cross between the chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A and Cook Out. 

I also thought the price was fair, considering the amount of food I received. The chicken tenders paired perfectly with honey mustard but were also tasty on their own.

I would definitely order these again.

Wendy's new tenders are available in a three-piece or four-piece option. I ordered a three-piece tender for $8.12, excluding tax and fees, at my local restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.

However, I preferred the slightly thinner breading on the McDonald's and KFC tenders.

In terms of flavor, these tenders had a distinct peppery flavor that paired well with the new signature sauce introduced with the tenders' release.

However, the slight lack of chicken meat inside — at least compared to other chains — and the chunky breading prevented Wendy's tenders from ranking higher for me.

I ordered a four-piece tender meal for $13.65, excluding taxes and fees, in Brooklyn, New York. I thought this was excellent value for the amount of food I received. 

The breading stuck closely to the chicken tenders, rather than having a thick or crunchy texture.

However, the chicken tenders paired well with the chain's honey mustard and new comeback sauce. The breading had a tasty, very peppery flavor to it that was unique compared to the other chicken tenders I tried.

However, the slightly less crispy texture of the breading meant they didn't come out on top when compared to the last six chains I tried.

At my local McDonald's in Brooklyn, New York, three McCrispy chicken strips cost $10.99, excluding tax and fees.

The chicken strips differed from the chain's buttermilk crispy tenders, which were discontinued in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicken tenders haven't been on the menu since, despite fans' pleas to bring them back.

Unlike some flakier chicken tenders, each bite was evenly coated in well-seasoned, peppery breading. Inside, the chicken meat was thick and juicy.

Paired with the chain's creamy chili sauce, which was specifically created to go with the chicken strips, these packed a decent amount of flavor.

However, on their own, I thought they were just a touch blander than some of the higher-ranked tenders I tried.

Taco Bell's chicken strips were available as part of three different kinds of tacos and burritos, or on their own with dipping sauce.

An order of four chicken strips and two sauces cost $9.14, excluding tax and fees.

The chicken strips were marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded with crispy tortilla chips and breadcrumbs, which is the same formula as the chain's chicken nuggets, which I ranked as my favorite across six chains.

The breading was super flavorful, and I definitely got hints of tortilla chip. The chicken inside was also moist and juicy, while the breading remained crispy.

My only real complaint was that I wanted more than two.

When it's not included in a meal deal, a three-piece chicken tender costs $9.69 at my nearest location in New York City. For a meal, the price bumps up to $17.35, excluding tax and fees.

Small bits of fried breading were scattered on the outside, which I always love with chicken tenders.

When I dipped them in the chain's signature Chick-fil-A sauce, the experience was mouthwatering.

The chicken tenders were also great on their own, with the perfect balance of crispy breading and a delicious, briny flavor. The sauce just took them over the edge.

Wingstop recently revamped its chicken tenders, and I was excited to try them out.

The chain sells its chicken in various flavors, from original hot to hickory-smoked barbecue and mango habanero. However, I ordered these chicken tenders plain.

I ordered a five-piece chicken tender combo at my local Wingstop in Brooklyn, New York. It cost $15.39 and came with a drink, dipping sauce, and a regular side of fries.

The chain also sells four chicken tenders, which come with one dipping sauce, for $10.69, plus tax and fees.

The chicken tenders were deep golden in color and evenly fried, with small clumps of fried breading adding even more texture to every bite.

The chicken tender easily tore apart with every bite, which is something I look for. The breading itself was slightly peppery, but not overly flavorful. They paired well with Wingstop's signature ranch — my favorite of any fast-food ranch — and the chain's honey mustard.

Wingstop delivered great classic tenders, though the breading didn't pack as much flavor as the top two chains I tried. Nevertheless, I'd definitely order these again.

A five-piece chicken tenders combo came with fries, a small drink, coleslaw, and a piece of Texas toast. I also asked for a side of honey mustard and Zaxby's famous Zax sauce.

My meal cost $15.43, excluding taxes and fees.

The breading was crispy and flavorful, with a slight sweetness.

Zax sauce tastes similar to the Cane's sauce I tried from Raising Cane's, but I found it to be just ever-so-slightly less flavorful, and creamy. I also thought it didn't have the same kick.

However, the chicken tenders really impressed me. They were a good size, extremely flavorful, and addictingly delicious. I found myself craving even more than the five chicken tenders I was given, which is rare for me.

In the end, it was a really tough call on whether I preferred Zaxby's or Raising Cane's chicken tenders.

A combo that includes three chicken fingers, fries, Cane's sauce, Texas toast, and a regular drink costs $12.19, excluding tax and any additions or swaps. 

The chicken tenders were also thick. After biting in, I could actually see the strips of white chicken underneath, which, in my experience, you don't always find with fast-food chicken tenders.

I tried the tenders on their own and with the Cane's sauce. On their own, the tenders were simply everything one could ask for: thick, juicy, and crispy on the outside.

However, the chain is famous for its chicken-complementing sauce, and after biting in, I could definitely see why. It had a slight kick to it, and it was creamy and surprisingly tangy. It paired perfectly with the chicken and was unlike any other sauce I've ever tried.

In the end, Raising Cane's took home the win for me with the chain's near-perfect chicken tenders and fair prices.