An exalted fried chicken chain has finally landed back in New Jersey — but without its full menu.

Bojangles, the North Carolina-based chain beloved for fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and sweet tea, opened its Piscataway location Tuesday after years of anticipation.

Chicken-lovers arrived in droves at the Middlesex County restaurant on opening day. Many were shocked to learn upon arrival the Bojangles location will not be serving bone-in chicken. Mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and ham biscuit sandwiches were also left off of the expansion menu.

These menu changes, Bojangles’ chief operating officer David Whitaker told NJ Advance Media at the opening, are in effect at all locations in expansion markets. That includes upcoming New Jersey openings in Marlboro, Vineland and Neptune.

The move away from bone-in chicken comes as Bojangles looks to compete with chains like Chick-fil-A, Raising Canes, Dave’s Hot Chicken and even Zaxby’s in the burgeoning fast food chicken industry.

The popular chicken company previously operated in Newark before closing years ago — that location did offer bone-in chicken.

Bojangles’ return to the Garden State drew takeout lines that flowed outside the building and a drive-thru line that stretched to the neighboring Lowe’s parking lot. A police presence and parking lot security kept the lines moving at a gradual pace.

The restaurant did not hold a grand opening ceremony (a regular occurrence at Raising Cane’s and Chick-fil-A) so the opening day soundtrack was just chatter from people in line, car radios playing in the the drive-thru line and cars honking along bustling Stelton Road.

Some attendees were disheartened by the absence of bone-in chicken, but I didn’t see a single person leave their spot in line or opt out of trying the tenders, sandwiches and other offerings.

So how was the food?

I have eaten Bojangles before in Georgia (where they had bone-in chicken, of course). I can confirm there is no drop-off in quality at the Garden State outpost. Many were skeptical that the chicken wouldn’t taste the same as it does in the South, but that thankfully is not the case.

Great chicken tenders are crunchy and flavorful on the outside with a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Bojangles achieves that with a well-seasoned crust that gives way to incredibly tender white meat chicken.

Bojangles tenders aren’t just in the same league as Raising Canes and Chick-fil-A. They frankly might beat them out.

The chicken sandwich — featuring crispy breaded chicken breast between a lightly toasted bun with pickles — was a delight. The chicken carried a hint of spice that was mellowed out harmoniously by the pickle slices. Upon first try, it is definitely one of the best national chain chicken sandwiches.

Bojangles is renowned for its sweet tea, but I could do without it. It simply wasn’t sweet enough — McDonald’s tea still reigns supreme. I was also underwhelmed by the fries. While they were well-seasoned, the steak-style fries were on the soggy side.

Biscuits are another highly sought-after Bojangles menu item. Guests can watch workers prepare them in a glass window next to the ordering counter. The plain biscuits were pillowy and moist, but something was missing — they simply weren’t buttery enough.

However, the peach cobbler and Bo-Berry biscuits will be seeing me again — dessert biscuits are the star of the show here. The peach cobbler was more tart than I would have liked but it meshed nicely with the savory biscuit layer beneath. The Bo-Berry biscuit (a blueberry biscuit covered in sweet icing) reminded me of a less sweet cinnamon bun.

All in all I was impressed by Bojangles’ New Jersey return. The tenders and sandwich are just as amazing as I remember them being in Atlanta last year and I was blown away by the dessert biscuits.

More food coverage:

• Legendary N.J. pizzeria closed by state reopens. But it may not be for long.
• Bojangles finally announces N.J. opening date. Here’s what we know.
• The pizza we named No. 1 in N.J. is finally back ... but it’s in Philly. Is it just as good?
• A top N.J. bagel shop is now serving pizza. It’s one of a kind.
• One of N.J.’s hottest homegrown Mexican chains is expanding. See where.

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Christopher Burch can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.comon Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.