Get Your Pass: How to Be a Chick-Fil-A VIP

Food Fridays: After THIS week, I wanted to share something that just made me smile. Food often does, so that's why I write about it, take photos of it, talk about it and eat it often.  This little adventure though was a little different than our normal trip to Chick-Fil-A. I wasn't just a customer; I was a VIP. And best of all, you can be too! Here's how: 

A girlfriend of mine handed me these "backstage" passes for an All-Access Tour of the local Chick-Fil-A. She said that her kiddos loved it and it was cool to see what CFA does  behind the "magic curtain." So of course, I had to go.  On our way out of town, we stopped at the Chick-Fil-A in Grapevine for lunch and our "tour." Since my kids would eat CFA for every meal of the day, I knew they would love it too. We ordered our normal meal and showed them the pass. With a smile they told us to enjoy our meal and when we were done, they would be happy to escort us.  Of course, that got me thinking about why I cared out the tour. Would I be as excited at just any fast-food joint. Not at all. But it was Chick-Fil-A and "I Love Chick-Fil-A." And after my tour I was going to find out exactly why.  First it was impertative we start with a little history lesson about how CFA became CFA. Then as we approached the kitchen door, we were asked to put on shoe covers so we wouldn't spread germs and also slip on the floor in the kitchen. Unfortunately I was told is that I couldn't take any shots of my backstage tour, so I don't have any photos to share. But I will tell you that the 15-minute tour was worth it just to see the CFA logo drawn in sugar and to learn that CFA is the biggest customer of Sunkist Lemons. (It would have made the cutest photo!) Then we took a gander at their side items, ingredients and what products they used to make many of their customer favorites, especially the kids meal items (which we purchase at least once a week) and score a free cookie coupon (the best chocolate chip cookies ever.) Next we were able to see the feature presentation, the cooking of that amazing chicken with the family recipe that has made CFA one of the most successful quick-service restaurants. As a finale, my son was able to create his own family-recipe ice cream cone from the machine (it's not ice milk, people) and go to the play area to enjoy his dessert and a little play time with his sister. (Remember, when you're four, this is all a pretty big deal.) After our experience I just thought about how cool the experience was. And even more so, how it really made us even more fans of the food. So much so, I decided I needed to highlight just a few of the reasons  WHY I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A  1.  That chicken. OMG. My first CFA was not until college and only then did I understand why people stood in line for just a chicken sandwich. 2.  Chick-Fil-A sauce is the stuff that dreams are made out of (I only wish they sold it in a bottle!)  3.  Drive through service that is friendly, quick and done with a smile - no matter which one I go to! 4.  Huge condiment spread. The Reos are condiment people so the fact that there is a station that's neat and tidy and anticipates all my needs, I love.  5.  Sticky placemats for the kids to keep them from eating off the table. (Had to be a mom that made that suggestion.)  6.  Hello, another condiment!?! And ketchup reigns supreme for my husband. Plus, dip-accessible containers. (Why does anyone use those packets anymore?) 7.  My son's favorite place to eat. I can always ensure I have a perfectly behaved son if I so much as dangle the idea of the "Cowplace" as a treat. (I'm not above incentive programs or bribery:)  8.  Playground Sneaker Keeper to keep all the kids organized and hopefully, from coming home with the wrong ones.  9.  Everyone loves the cow. I mean come on. That's a gimme.  10. Anything that makes my husband smile like this makes my "I Love List..." In this case, it was the ice cream. (Perfect to go with that cookie!) 11. Playground equipment that is INSIDE and allows for toddlers to play. Part of the reason CFA won me over is that I could take my 18-month old and she could play without falling down in the dirt or going beyond her means. 12. Those cookies are THAT good. So good that I ordered them for my son's birthday party...too bad the kids didn't eat them because the adults had already snagged them all.  So you want to be a Chick-Fil-A VIP? Then all you have to do is ASK! Just give a call to your local CFA and see if they are doing the "All-Access Backstage Tour." I know the Grapevine location said they invite everyone to be a VIP! And if you are a real CFA fan, they even do a 90-minute tour of the corporate office in Atlanta!  They'll leave the fryer on for you. 
Disclaimer: This was a nice family trip to Chick-Fil-A. It has nothing to do with any political, religious or other views, but just that my family likes to eat CFA. A lot. And that the Chick-Fil-A Sauce must have something addictive in it because I can't get enough of that stuff. Ever. And I totally paid for every bit of what we ate and Chick-Fil-A had no idea I was going to blog about it either. So how's that for honesty and transparency?