I've been hearing a lot about KFC lately, and decided to pay the fast-food chain a quick visit. I have to admit, I was in for quite the surprise! Just to get few things out of the way first- KFC has a historical pedigree and a global reach that's nothing less than impressive. Established by the man himself, Colonel Harland Sanders in 1930, the brand was founded on the true spectacle of Colonel Sanders selling deep-fried chicken from a small roadside restaurant. This operation, aptly named as Sanders Court & Café, sparked an idea to franchise this fried chicken sensation, thus challenging the dominating hamburger chains.
Building from this small entrepreneurial dream, KFC has today spread its wings to over 25,000 locations around the world. A testament to its tantalizing fried chicken and the power of a good ol' Colonel!
I mean, what place doesn't have a KFC, right? There are approximately 25,000 KFC stores in 147 countries worldwide, covering quite literally more than half of the globe's countries. Though KFC originated in the US with almost 4,000 stores, its largest market is surprisingly - China! With over 7,000 KFC outlets, they've certainly got us beat. But don't worry, there isn't a continent they've missed out on. From Europe to the Americas, Asia to Australia and New Zealand, everybody’s drawn to that tantalizing aroma of fried chicken.
We all know how the KFC menu is like a siren call. The heart of the KFC menu lies in its fried chicken. From individual meals to family feasts, they've got it all. I opted for "meals for one". They serve up fried chicken drumsticks and fillet burgers, along with boneless mini fillets and enjoyable extras if you’re feeling a little extra peckish.
I treated myself to the Fillet Box Meal comprised of a Chicken Fillet Burger joined by a fried chicken drumstick, fries, a side, and a drink. Talk about a treat for your taste buds! Sharing buckets were a sight to behold, presenting an array of food choices for larger gatherings or if you're just feeling really hungry like I sometimes am!
If burgers aren't your thing, they also serve a delectable assortment of wraps, rice boxes, and salads along with a modest range of desserts for the sweet-tooth out there.
Pros
- Wide Variety of Menu Options
- Fast and efficient service
- Finger Lickin' Good chicken
- Unique, homely ambiance
Cons
- Possible inconsistency in food quality across outlets.
- Sodium content of the food might be a bit high
- Menu variety might still be restrictive for dietary preferences like gluten-free, low-carb etc.
Placing an order was a cinch with a large counter area displaying the menu on large screens. It was easy to choose and my food was prepared in no time. From the traditional gravy to baked beans, coleslaw, and popcorn chicken, the side dishes complemented the main course beautifully.
The staff remained delightfully quiet about the legendary KFC secret mix of 11 herbs and spices. Colonel Sanders' has always been tight-lipped about this, stating publicly only that the recipe has salt, pepper, and spices everyone has in their cupboards. This mystique is enough to get anyone's curious taste buds going.
Now, if you're worried about your meal packing a little too much heat - fear not. I found that KFC’s fried chicken as standard isn’t very spicy. Of course, if you're someone like me who loves a little kick, there are spicy options available as well. And for days when you just want to stay in, KFC does offer delivery - now that’s what I call finger-licking convenience!
All in all, it was quite an enticing culinary journey with a side of friendly service and a big helping of history. I recommend that you head over to your nearest KFC and get your own taste of the Colonel's secret recipe!
Oh, just before I forget, a shout-out to all the vegetarian and vegan friends out there. Yes, KFC has options for you too! From a range of vegetarian options to the Original Recipe Vegan Burger using a QUORN fillet, all you need to do is ask!
For more information, you can check out KFC's website