What diners say
Synthesized from 30 Google reviews · tap an aspect for the detail
Diners consistently praise the fried chicken sandwiches for their crispy coating, juicy meat, and well-balanced flavors, often calling them the best in Lugano. The staff is frequently described as friendly and attentive, and the service is quick even during busy times. A recurring, gently expressed reservation is that the sandwiches are somewhat small for the price, and a few guests find the fries occasionally less crispy or the sauces a bit overwhelming.
Fried Chicken Quality
The fried chicken is widely celebrated for its thin, crunchy coating and tender, juicy meat. Many reviewers highlight specific sandwiches like the Smokey, Gringo, Biggie Bacon, and Korean, noting that the seasoning is unique and the chicken stays moist inside. A few mention that the chicken could be spicier, but overall the quality is considered exceptional.
Service & Staff
Staff are consistently described as kind, polite, and helpful, even during crowded periods. Reviewers appreciate the quick service and the welcoming attitude, with several noting that the team is always ready to offer recommendations.
Portion Size & Value
While many find the sandwiches delicious and reasonably priced for the quality, a number of diners feel the portions are on the smaller side relative to the cost. Some suggest offering a larger size option. The value is generally seen as good, but the size is a common point of discussion.
Sides & Extras
Cajun fries are popular for their seasoning, but several reviews note they can be slightly soft or scarce. The mac and cheese receives high praise, described as 'spaziali' (out of this world). The inclusion of a drink in the menu is appreciated.
Ambiance & Seating
The venue is described as minimal, clean, and stylish, with a pleasant atmosphere. However, seating is very limited, accommodating only a few people standing at a counter, which makes it more suited for takeaway. Some guests wish for more seating or a counter for dining in.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 9 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about the Gringo chicken, calling it a must-order, while the overall vibe is that Cheatmeals delivers bold, unpretentious comfort food that hits the spot.
“This is a triple fried chicken sandwich with mango and avocado. I've never tasted a sandwich with fried chicken, mango, and avocado before — it's super creamy, man. The caramelized onion hits my nose as it goes down. Beautiful how it just slides down. Compliments! It's so spicy. Actually, it's not spicy at all, but they can make it spicy if you want — they even put Carolina Reaper in the sandwich. These guys know how to make sandwiches, they're not messing around.”
“This has fried chicken, avocado smash, caramelized onion, lime mayo, and mango chutney. I didn't know what to expect from mango with chicken, but it's very creamy, not cloying at all. A really bold combination — I would never have thought of avocado with mango and fried chicken. The caramelized onion gets completely covered by the mango and avocado, you can't taste it at all.”
What creators say
3 creators have covered Cheatmeals. Most active: sandrino, Franchino Er Criminale, Giuliacrossbow
Crispy Cartel in Lugano serves incredible, creative sandwiches — the Gringo Chicken with fried chicken, mango, and avocado is a standout, creamy and well-balanced.
Dishes mentioned
Gringo Chicken
This is a triple fried chicken sandwich with mango and avocado. I've never tasted a sandwich with fried chicken, mango, and avocado before — it's super creamy, man. The caramelized onion hits my nose as it goes down. Beautiful how it just slides down. Compliments! It's so spicy. Actually, it's not spicy at all, but they can make it spicy if you want — they even put Carolina Reaper in the sandwich. These guys know how to make sandwiches, they're not messing around.
Cheat Mills is a great fried chicken spot in Lugano run by an influencer who actually cares about quality — the Logi Chicken sandwich is well-researched, juicy, and crunchy, earning an 8.5-9 rating.
Dishes mentioned
Logi Chicken
I took the simplest one to understand how the sandwich is made without too many toppings. 9.5 francs just for the sandwich. For Lugano, that's an honest price — actually low. The breading is nice and crunchy, I think with cornflakes or something similar — 100% cornflakes, you can see them. Very simple sandwich: mayo, fried chicken, tomato, lettuce. The chicken at first bite seemed really juicy. They use the thigh, nice and juicy, marinated. You can taste the little spices they put in — very delicate, they give personality to the chicken but don't bother you when you chew. They accompany well. It's good. It's a well-made sandwich, not improvised, not just to make money. There's study behind it. You can tell there's research on the raw material — excellent chicken, nice and juicy, and the breading around it, crunchy, spiced just right, leaves room for the chicken to be the protagonist but still gives personality to everything. I'd give it between 8.5 and 9. Not more than 9 because there's room for improvement, but it's a great sandwich. I'm happy when behind an activity there's not just an influencer doing it for profit with lab stuff made randomly. Here he wanted to do fried chicken and he does it well. Hats off.
A new fast food spot in Lugano by influencer Big Goshi, serving fried chicken sandwiches and sides with homemade sauces — a pleasant surprise with quality ingredients and passion, though the aesthetic and packaging are still a bit weak.
Dishes mentioned
OG Chicken
This is the most classic sandwich. The breading on the chicken is nice and thick, very crunchy exactly as it should be. It tastes like a quality McChicken from McDonald's — same flavors with mayo, iceberg, and tomato, but the chicken is real, a supremely juicy thigh. The potato roll holds up well with the chicken. The marinade is delicate, not overpowering, and you can see the redness from the spices. It's a McChicken on steroids, much more exciting.
Waffle con Pollo Fritto e Sciroppo d'Acero
This was the thing that attracted me the most. The waffle alone is very mid, but with the maple syrup and the fried chicken tender — salty, crunchy, extremely juicy inside — it's one of the most satisfying things to eat. The waffle machine is broken so it's not the perfect shape, but it's still a space gem. You have to get this, mandatory.
Biggy
This one is huge, with lots of crispy bacon, caramelized onion, cheddar, and bacon mayo made in-house. The sandwiches are balanced, not stuffed with superfluous ingredients like pistachio granules or stracciatella. The chicken is good, the caramelized onion is great — I would have added even more onion because I love it. The bacon has a beautiful face.
Korean Crispy
This might be my favorite. It has fried chicken, coleslaw, Korean pickle, sweet soy sauce, and Che sauce. It's slightly spicy, but I'm glad it's not extremely spicy. The combination of flavors and how the sauces and sesame come together works amazingly. I didn't expect it. It would have been cooler if the chicken had a different marinade for this sandwich, to make it more iconic on its own, but as it is it's very standardized — same thigh preparation across all sandwiches, only the toppings change.
Gringo Chicken
This has fried chicken, avocado smash, caramelized onion, lime mayo, and mango chutney. I didn't know what to expect from mango with chicken, but it's very creamy, not cloying at all. A really bold combination — I would never have thought of avocado with mango and fried chicken. The caramelized onion gets completely covered by the mango and avocado, you can't taste it at all.
