I’m usually not a fan of hot fruit. Before I eat any fruit-filled pie, it has to be at room temperature or chilled — so you don’t have to worry about me sneaking a bite of a freshly baked pie cooling on a windowsill.

However, when a heated savory dish includes pineapple, like Hawaiian pizza or sweet and sour pork, I don’t mind it. And the same can be said about Jollibee’s Aloha Chicken Sandwich.

If you’re unfamiliar with Jollibee, it’s a Philippines-based fast food chain that has over 80 locations in US. It’s mostly known for its chicken and spaghetti, but also offers burgers and other items.

The sandwich has been around since 2024 — and there’s a burger version that’s been around for even longer — but I only got around to trying it recently because my wife was craving Jollibee, and she decided I’d probably write about a fried chicken sandwich with a grilled pineapple ring. What can I say? I’m pi…neapple-curious, and she knows me too well. Besides the pineapple, the sandwich features a hand-breaded chicken breast fillet, bacon, lettuce, cheese, and Aloha Dressing on a toasted brioche bun.

This sandwich isn’t my first rodeo with a fast food sandwich topped with a grilled pineapple. Remember the Carl’s Jr. Teriyaki Burger? You don’t. Well, it’s a good thing this site does because I totally forgot I enjoyed it.

Despite having a decently sized pineapple slice, I didn’t notice its flavor or texture in the sandwich. There was a hint of sweetness that enhanced the Aloha Dressing, but the pineapple never screamed, “Hey! There’s a pineapple in here. Can you believe it? That’s crazy, right?” The tasty sauce is noticeably tangy, and I got honey mustard vibes from it, but between the sauce, chicken, and bacon, the pineapple never really stood a chance.

While the pineapple, Aloha Dressing, and a little bit of the brioche bun bring the sweetness, the chicken filet and the bacon bring the savory. The chicken was juicy, and the light breading had a nice crunch and a mild umami flavor that sets it apart from other chicken chains. I should note that Jollibee is my second favorite fast food chain for fried chicken — it’s tastier and crispier than KFC, and I’d say I like it as much as Popeyes. As for the bacon slices, they weren’t crispy, but they provided a porky, salty kick that rounded out the sandwich nicely. Overall, there’s a tasty, sweet-and-savory dynamic here. It’s just a shame the ingredient the sandwich is named after is the quietest one.

Anyhoo, if you’re pi…neapple-curious, I’d skip the Aloha Chicken Sandwich. But if you’re Jolli…bee-curious, any of the other chicken sandwiches are worth the trip.

Purchased Price: $9.49*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 639 calories, 33 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 149 milligrams of cholesterol, 1686 milligrams of sodium, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 21 grams of sugar, and 40 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.