For than two decades, Popeyes has made itself a part of families’ Thanksgiving feasts. When you think of a holiday-worthy spread, fast food likely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but the fried chicken chain has managed to earn its spot as a Thanksgiving tradition for many, thanks to a Cajun-spiced turkey that celebrates the restaurant’s Louisiana roots.

Weighing between 11 and 13 pounds each, the Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey is still popular with customers 24 years after its 2001 release. The birds sell out before Thanksgiving almost every year, prompting fans to snag one as soon as they can — luckily, these turkeys come frozen, so you can easily store them until the big day approaches.

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After hearing about the legend of the Popeyes turkey for years — and as a native of Southeast Texas, where Cajun flavors abound — I decided that this would be the year I put the famous fast food bird to the test to see if its flavor, texture, price, and actually merit all of the excitement.

Is the Popeyes turkey a good deal?

There were two primary components I considered when evaluating whether this turkey is worth your money: its price relative to similar products on the market and its convenience. Among the array of pre-cooked turkeys you can purchase online, this offering from Popeyes is on the affordable end of the spectrum, but it’s not the least expensive option out there.

The Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey is priced starting at $55 if you pick it up in-store (it may cost slightly at some locations), or you can have it delivered for $99. That $99 price is pretty steep, so I’d primarily recommend this turkey to people with a local Popeyes, where you can score it for almost half that price.

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Picking up a pre-cooked, smoked whole turkey from Sam’s Clubanother value-focused business, costs slightly less than this ($49) for a similarly sized bird. Most other ready-to-heat turkeys will ring up for than what you see at Popeyes or Sam’s Club, like the roasted whole turkey from The Honey Baked Ham Company (which costs $80 to pick up but only $100 to have it delivered) or the whole turkey from Diestel Family Rancha premium option at $146 before shipping costs are factored in.

If you assume each Thanksgiving guest will eat about one pound of turkeythat translates to about $4.50 per serving with a Popeyes turkey. It might not be the absolute least expensive bird available, but it’s a good deal, and the ease with which you can prepare it makes it a serious contender for many holiday tables.

All you need to do to serve this spiced entrée is thaw it three days in advance, then remove the packaging and heat it in the oven according to the instructions, about three hours before you plan to eat. As long as you have a roasting dish big enough to fit the bird, you’re good to go.

There’s no basting, extra prep, or other ingredients required, and it’ll only take you about five minutes to get the turkey from the fridge to the oven. To me, saving time and stress on Thanksgiving Day is a priceless advantage.

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What does the Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey taste like?

After trying the Popeyes turkey for the first time this year — a surprising first considering that my family is from Louisiana and I grew up in Cajun country — my unequivocal review is that it’s pretty delicious.

Two features make it stand out: the depth of spice that penetrates the meat, and the turkey’s texture. As soon as I pulled the poultry out of the oven and a colleague started slicing into it, it was clear the meat was practically falling off the bone. The legs and thighs were so tender that we barely needed a knife to remove them, and even the breast required little slicing to finish carving.

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You’ll notice this tenderness when you bite into the turkey, too. It’s not tough or chewy, and it seems like a bird that you spent hours carefully cooking to perfection. Make sure you follow Popeyes’ instructions and add water or broth to the roasting pan when you reheat the turkey.

The bird isn’t dry, but it’s not the juiciest turkey I’ve ever tasted either. (It is, however, moist than many homemade birds I’ve tasted over the years.) Adding the suggested liquid will ensure that it achieves the same level of tenderness I experienced and helps the meat stay moist as it cooks.

Even importantly, every morsel of the turkey is infused with the Cajun flavor that its name promises. Notes of paprika, garlic, and onion, along withplentyof red, white, and black pepper, permeate the entire bird. The dark meat is the most flavorful, but even the turkey breast is thoroughly spiced.

If you somehow have leftovers (or order two turkeys to ensure you have extra), it would make for an excellent pot of turkey and sausage gumbo.

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