Goodbye, KFC

[Jenise]

For the first time in several years, we succombed to the temptation of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Monday night. The price for an 8 pc bucket, no sides? Just chicken? $28.25.

Last time I gave in, we paid something like $20, so this is close to a 50% increase. Won't do that again any time soon.

And in our area, the quality has dropped considerably.

It wasn't that long ago that bucket was about $8 or so. Blew me away when I found out that a Five Guys cheeseburger is about $14.

[Jenise]

Bill, the chicken itself was as good as ever, I can't complain about that. Loved it. For me it hasn't changed in 50 years--the individual franchisees are given everything they need to make a consistent product so I don't understand why you're finding the quality reduced.

I do remember though, long long long ago, going to a KFC sometimes when I spent a lot of time on a project in a remote, oil-field town population 6000 (where Five Easy Pieces was filmed, for you movie buffs) 150 miles north of Los Angeles. The options for feeding myself were lousy so KFC was occasionally the dinner I'd take back to my motel room. Not sure if back then the franchisees made their own batter or if this one simply went rogue, but theirs packed a little heat from more black pepper than normal--you could see it as well as taste it--and I just loved it.

Otherwise, there's no reason for quality to have gone downhill. In fact, the one thing that has changed, and it's for the better, is that KFC used to cut the breast into three pieces, making the tip of the saddle into a piece of its own. Now it's just two as it should be, but that changed a long time ago.

I enjoyed the occasional KFC when working in Austin, Texas. The chicken pieces were so much larger that the ones we got in the |UK, but I never understood the scones (called biscuits) or gravy - or mash come to that.


I took back a KFC that my youngest had bought from a local KFC because it was still bloody inside. The manager argued with me that he'd cooked it per instructions. I grudgingly got a refund and never went back.

And since we got a branch of Nando's that's all I go to for takeaway. Nando's is a South African chain selling Portuguese 'peri-peri' flame-grilled chicken.

I tried KFC once, was not impressed. Then one time a friend found a fried small mouse in her bucket. I never went there again. My husband and I used to house our boat at Lake Shasta and for many years we and our family enjoyed days and nights of wonderful water sports. I would see many families walking down the wooden walk out to the boat docks carrying KFC boxes. I was always envious because of my distrust with the company and the fact that my hubby said we had a full kitchen on board and why should we spend money bringing out fast food. I finally got around that by bringing stuff for him to grill, since he was our grill master and we had a built in swing out BBQ that would sit over the water. He finally understood that I needed time off just like he did.

The only fast food place I have loved is a small kiosk sitting in the middle of a parking lot right outside of a health food store and a local deli that is well loved. It is called Fast Weenies and thier Polish Kraut dog is the best. However, last time I went it was over $17 for what I order. Came home and made my own kraut dog and it was just as good if not better. But, I did not have the great potato salad to go with. Probably a good thing.

Not sure if back then the franchisees made their own batter or if this one simply went rogue, but theirs packed a little heat from more black pepper than normal--you could see it as well as taste it--and I just loved it.

Back in 1972 my first summer job was at KFC doing food prep. Back then KFC corporate supplied seasoned flour for breading the chicken and the milk gravy to the franchisees. IIRC the chicken was breaded, not battered (this was before extra crispy). There would have been opportunity for a franchisee to alter the seasoning.

-Paul W.

I gave up on KFC long ago. I'm still a fanboy for Popeye's, though the individual branches vary somewhat.

This past year or so, we've been inundated with various chicken franchises opening up.

I used to eat at Church's here: 3 pcs chicken, fries, cole slaw, biscuit for $1.89. Needless to say, that's no longer the price. It's something like 2 pcs and a roll for around $5.

I should add: A couple months ago, I saw a woman eating 'Chicken and Waffles' at the diner near my office so now that is the fried chicken I get most often. The fry is really crispy and not at all greasy. With a huge waffle and half a chicken, I always take some away with me, for later.

This past year or so, we've been inundated with various chicken franchises opening up.

I used to eat at Church's here: 3 pcs chicken, fries, cole slaw, biscuit for $1.89. Needless to say, that's no longer the price. It's something like 2 pcs and a roll for around $5.

I've noticed the same thing here, Chicken Shack, Chick a fil, and others. Locals are wondering what is going on with all the chicken places.

[David M. Bueker]

Popeye's or nothing.

[Jenise]

David, I thought Popeye's was pretty good, but at least at the one option we have up here, the chicken's greasier and the seasoning's less complex than KFC, so between the two I'd choose KFC. Wonder what an 8 pc bucket costs there, though....

[David M. Bueker]

David, I thought Popeye's was pretty good, but at least at the one option we have up here, the chicken's greasier and the seasoning's less complex than KFC, so between the two I'd choose KFC. Wonder what an 8 pc bucket costs there, though....

We always get the spicy, so probably not a direct comparison.

[David M. Bueker]

From my local Popeye's the 8 piece chicken (no sides) is $21.99.

I first encountered Popeye's on a business trip to New Orleans in 1986. As a fan of Cajun and Creole food I fell in love with it. I was delighted when one opened in Nashua NH. But I hardly ever eat fast food of any sort these days so it's been well over a decade since I've been to a Popeye's.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

One that existed for awhile in Orange County when we lived there had the best dirty rice as a side dish, I really loved it. Too bad that went away.

[David M. Bueker]

I first encountered Popeye's on a business trip to New Orleans in 1986. As a fan of Cajun and Creole food I fell in love with it. I was delighted when one opened in Nashua NH. But I hardly ever eat fast food of any sort these days so it's been well over a decade since I've been to a Popeye's.

-Paul W.

Now that Popeye's is nationwide it's our on the road fast food stop when we don't have time for a normal meal.

No more Popeyes dirty rice? Boo, hiss!

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Well, that was at least 30 yrs ago. Lot of chicken under the bucket since then.

[David M. Bueker]

No more Popeyes dirty rice? Boo, hiss!

-Paul W.

Never liked it.

I still ask for it and give them the sad puppy-dog face when they say no.

Popeye's or nothing.

Agreed (when talking chain, I'll certainly do fried chicken in a Korean or soulfood restaurant)

Kara age!