Jollibee's Chickenjoy is hailed as the 'Best Fried Chicken in America'

Americans know our secret: We have the best fried chicken right here in the Philippines, and that is no less than the "juicy-licious, crispy-licious" Chickenjoy of Jollibee!

Eater.com, a global food website under Vox Media, put to the test 16 of the best international food brands that offer all sorts of fried chicken in America, and out of all the contenders, Jollibee bested the other 15 in Bones and Bones vs. Sauced categories.

"The Filipino fried chicken chain made its U.S. debut in 1998 and has since developed a cult following for its chickenjoy, what the chain calls its bone-in fried chicken, as well as its meat-topped spaghetti (though that won't be a factor for judging here)," Eater.com described Jollibee's Chickenjoy.

Lesley Suter, Eater.com's Special Projects Editor, said that Chickenjoy's "subtly seasoned skin" and "satisfyingly light, flavorful in a 'tastes like chicken' sort of way" is better than Bonchon's half-and-half.

Suter also acknowledged that Jollibee's signature gravy is non-negotiable. While Americans can eat fried chicken without gravy (and rice), it's simply not the case with Chickenjoy.

"It is more than just an optional dunk; it completes the dish, gelatinous in a way I can only describe as naughty, while proudly showing its Filipino colors with a hefty dose of sugar," the editor wrote.

Some of the brands Jollibee competed with in the feature were Popeyes, Bonchon, KFC, McDonald's, and Burger King, among others.

As of writing, the Filipino fast-food chain has 84 locations across North America, with plans to expand in Times Square, New York.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA News