KFC, Stoke-onTrent

...Measures Up:

KFC, as its name suggests, sells chicken. Chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken pieces, chicken strips. Chicken in a southern fried coating, chicken in a zingy coating, chicken in a bun, chicken in a tortilla. If it can be done to a chicken, they do it!

Oh yes, and non-purists can also have fries, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob and gravy to accompany their chicken. And a drink. And even a dessert.

...veggie Twister in her local KFC, so do check it out, but I don't think it's reached Stoke yet!) (UPDATE II: Moose informs me that although the veggie twister does exist, it's actually cooked in the same fat as the chicken so is NOT suitable for veggies after all!!)

There are two KFCs in my area and both are more or less identical. One is situated in a town centre and the other, which has a drive-through, is on a large retail park off ... more

We’re not blessed with much variety when it comes to chain restaurants in Stoke-on-Trent. There’s plenty of them, but they all belong to the Big 4: McD’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut and KFC. Having such little choice, I’m depressingly familiar with all of them and visit Kentucky Fried Chicken a couple of times a month.

What I Want from a Chain Restaurant:

1. It should be FAST. I go there because I want to eat NOW. I don’t want to be kept waiting.

2. It should be CLEAN. Unclean is not only unhygienic, it’s aesthetically off-putting. Tables should be wiped after every use. Floors should be swept regularly. All rubbish should be tidied away immediately. Staff should be tidy and presentable.

3. It should represent VALUE FOR MONEY. We all know that chain restaurants buy their ingredients in massive bulk at cheap prices. We all know that the majority of staff who work in them don’t get paid too well. There’s no excuse for over-pricing in this market.

4. The food should be HOT, FRESH and TASTY. No more explanation needed.

5. The restaurant should be CONVENIENTLY LOCATED. I want them in town and I want them on major roads with drive-throughs.

How KFC Measures Up:

KFC, as its name suggests, sells chicken. Chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken pieces, chicken strips. Chicken in a southern fried coating, chicken in a zingy coating, chicken in a bun, chicken in a tortilla. If it can be done to a chicken, they do it!

Oh yes, and non-purists can also have fries, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob and gravy to accompany their chicken. And a drink. And even a dessert.

Nothing for the vegetarians though, I’m afraid, which is bad business sense on their part as they’re putting off chicken eaters who have a veggie with them which is a common scenario in my experience. (UPDATE: hpoulton tells me that you can get a veggie Twister in her local KFC, so do check it out, but I don't think it's reached Stoke yet!) (UPDATE II: Moose informs me that although the veggie twister does exist, it's actually cooked in the same fat as the chicken so is NOT suitable for veggies after all!!)

There are two KFCs in my area and both are more or less identical. One is situated in a town centre and the other, which has a drive-through, is on a large retail park off a major road. So full marks for convenient location.

KFC definitely gives value for money. For an ‘original Recipe Meal’, for example, you get 2 pieces of chicken, a regular portion of fries, a side order of coleslaw or gravy and a drink for £2.99.

Family meals are also great value. Take the ‘Super Bargain Bucket’ – 8 pieces of chicken and four regular fries for £8.99. A feast for four.

As far as taste goes, KFC chicken is very tasty indeed. The chicken coating is crunchy in texture and has a savoury, peppery, tangy flavour. And mention must be made here of the ‘Twister’, crispy chicken strips and salad with tangy mayo all wrapped in a tortilla. Totally gorgeous.

However, a straw poll amongst my friends reveals KFC fries to be the least favourite of all the fast food chains. The general consensus is that they are bland, over-greasy and rather artificial.

On the plus side, though, the food is always fresh-tasting and always veering on the hot rather than cold side, and service is generally quite quick.

Now to my main criticism:

KFC is dirty. Both my local KFCs are dirty, and so are all the others I’ve been in country-wide.

Tables are left strewn with debris and food, floors are greasy, drive-through windows are grubby and the staff - though friendly and polite - often look as though they’ve had a dunking in the chip-fat themselves.

There’s no excuse for this, as the place is dirty even when they’re not busy.

It’s a major let-down on an otherwise good chain restaurant that is convenient, tasty and value for money, hence 3 stars instead of 4.

For more information, including nutritional analyses, visit www.kfc.co.uk
 

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