When Frontier Inn at Cedar Point first opened during the 2016 season, we were quite impressed, as it was a departure from the standard frozen chicken tenders served for so many years in the park. We have also been extremely happy that Frontier Inn has been a staple of the Cedar Point dining plans since being introduced.

The chicken marinates in buttermilk and vinegar for 24 hours. Then the chicken tenders are hand breaded before being fried golden. In comparison to what was served for so many years (and still is throughout the rest of the park), the Frontier Inn chicken tenders were really good. Our only suggestion was that the park continue to work on the spices used as the chicken tenders packed very little flavor (by comparison, Kings Island has perfected their Chicken Shack tenders).

For 2017, Cedar Point has slightly revised their Frontier Inn chicken tenders, notably by frying them longer as evidence of their darker color and now the breading doesn’t as easily fall off as it did in 2016. What is still lacking is much of any flavor.

We have eaten the Frontier Inn chicken tender basket many times but decided to change it up and try both the Top of the Roost Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Traditional Chicken Sandwich in the same visit.

The Top of the Roost Crispy Chicken Sandwich is served with two hand breaded chicken tenders on a cornmeal dusted bun with lettuce, tomato, white American cheese and served with choice of sides (waffle fries, fruit cup/applesauce, or side salad).

The Traditional Chicken Sandwich is served with two hand breaded chicken tenders on a cornmeal dusted bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles and served with choice of sides (waffle fries, fruit cup/applesauce, or side salad).

Having both sandwiches side-by-side made for an easy comparison of the both. While having the Frontier Inn chicken tender sandwiches is a step above other options around the park, it could still use some improvement.

What is baffling to us is why there would be two separate menu items that are practically the same with the exception of one ingredient. A Top of the Roost sandwich is signaling that it is a better cut of chicken or specialty sandwich, when in reality, the only premium to it is the cheese and without the pickles served on the Traditional Chicken Sandwich.

Why create a separate menu item, separate register option for something so minor. It seems overly complicated to suggest one sandwich is better than the other given such minor differences.

Both sandwiches suffer the same fate of minimal flavor, requiring a sauce if desired. We would really like to see the sandwich stand out in flavor without the need for sauce. Let the seasoning and marinade do the work.

If you tried either of the two Frontier Inn sandwiches, let us know your thoughts below in the comments.

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