A Veggie's Look at a Chicken Place
Written: Nov 09 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: there are vegetarian sides available. they didn't screw up the corn
Cons: the mac and cheese is disgusting!
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| naphtalia's Full Review: KFC |
The vast majority of fast food restaurants in the past were almost entirely vegetarian unfriendly. Today, things are getting better. There are salads, french fries, and ice cream. It may not be a meal, but at least vegetarians don't have to feel like pariahs when they go out because people have to go to pricier establishments for them. KFC has always had some vegetarian side dishes. Unlike other fast food establishments, it is possible to make a meal out of these side dishes.
I've been a vegetarian for nearly a decade, so I won't comment on the chicken at KFC - formerly, Kentucky Fried Chicken, but now KFC to appease those people who think "fried" is a dirty word. As a result of the large number of ovo-lacto edible dishes, when friends pick up dinner at KFC I often get fed. I will not go into KFC myself because the smell of grease that hangs in the air makes me physically ill. Over the years, I have sampled all of the Colonel's ovo-lacto vegetarian side dishes. Nothing that the Colonel has is appropriate for vegans as far as I can tell. I will comment on a few of the side dishes here.
Food:
1) Mac and Cheese: This has usually been the "main dish" that friends would purchase for me. I wish they would save their money. The macaroni in this dish is over-cooked. That it holds any macaroni shape after being so over-cooked is rather amazing. I'm sure the macaroni was made from the finest semolina flower. By the time it reaches the selling stage, it is flat and lifeless. The cheese sauce has the consistency of gloppy mayonnaise. The noodles absorb none of the sauce. It just sits on the surface, coating and covering the noodles. Together they make a large, gloppy, salty, fatty tasting mess. If I had to describe KFC's mac and cheese in one word that word would be "Bleah!"
2) Mashed Potatoes: I don't eat the gravy. I'm sure it must improve the flavor. Without gravy, the potatoes taste like reconstituted mash potatoes. It would be better to reconstitute your own potatoes at home. Cheaper, certainly, and then you could know what else is in there besides potato.
3) Corn on the Cob: This is good. Drippy with butter and well cooked. This veggie on a stick is truly yummy. Even the Colonel doesn't mess this one up.
4) Coleslaw: The Colonel finely chops all his vegetables in this slaw then drowns it in dressing. The dressing is watery. The vegetables look not so much chopped as pre-chewed. I adore good coleslaw, but this is not good.
5) Potato Wedges: The potato wedges are great when they are fresh. Unfortunately, they tend to sit under the heat lamp longer than they should. If you see them coming out fresh, buy them. If you see them just sitting there, let them sit.
6) Biscuits: This is the other thing that the Colonel does well. The biscuits are light, fluffy and delicious.
Service:
The service at KFC varies a great deal depending on the manager and the staff. In the one in San Diego on 25th and C streets, the service is excellent.
Decor:
KFC seems to consistently look dirty, even when it has just been cleaned. I do not know why this is. Perhaps it is the grease in the air that leaves everything sticky and coated, even when it has just been cleaned.
Special Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations:
As aa vegetarian, I find it difficult to even walk into a fried chicken place. I find the smell of grease overwhelming. I do love most of the side-dishes that go with chicken when they are well made normally. There is nothing normal about most of the side dishes at KFC. If you really wish to do good side dishes, swing by your local grocery store's deli counter. They do all these sides as well or better than the colonel and for less money.
Recommended:
No
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naphtalia
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Location: Somewhere in Southern California for Now
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Madness takes it toll. Exact change only.
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