However, instead of getting two legs and a thigh like at Popeyes, we got two thighs and a leg, which gave us slightly more meat. Raising Cane's is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in America, and not just chicken restaurants but all restaurants. If you havent gotten your fried chicken fix yet, check out the Best Fast Food Options For Fried Chicken Meals. They have crunch and even some juiciness, but as far as flavor goes, they fall completely flat. Add the beef and chicken bouillons to the hot water, stirring until the mixture is well combined. A fried chicken dinner is a hard hitter when it comes to calories, fat, cholesterol, carbs, and sodium. That and the KFC dryness boosted Popeyes to a 7.8-7 W. Mashed potatoes. There's a difference between tasting better and having better texture. While Popeyes comes out on top, it's by the slimmest of margins. It's amazing that they can cook it so quickly, yet so perfectly. Bite after bite, location after location, the excellence is consistent. Hence, compare cold kfc vs cold popeyes to normalize to the chemical properties of taste. So, we gave it a try, and we were pretty astonished at the results. They don't seem to be well-seasoned as KFC's, and as The Takeout put it, they don't "change the game." While both places offer mashed potatoes, the consistency of KFC's version is bland. Their mac and cheese is not flavorful and often a little runny, while their mashed potatoes and gravy don't mesh well with the citrus flavor of their chicken. According to Idahoan, half a cup of prepared potatoes packs 370 milligrams of sodium. Mango Habanero is another spicy flavor that Wingstop has perfected. It just doesn't work. While Popeyes has recently become famous for its chicken sandwich, the most iconic menu items for both restaurants are their bone-in fried chicken, biscuits, and sides. KFC, on the other hand, has the fried chicken, Beyond chicken, tenders (regular and spicy), pot pie, and the Famous Bowl. If you're watching your fat and sodium, you may want to be mindful of eating this full meal. KFC's spicy chicken sandwich is a really close competitor. In the past, the mashed potatoes and gravy have been one of the best things about eating at KFC. KFC's Secret Recipe fries have a nice spice blend on them, but the fries need some salt, desperately. Drain, leave in colander to steam dry for 3 minutes. If you live in Vermont, Wyoming or Puerto Rico, you'll have trouble finding a Popeyes, because there are none in those three locations. By opting for the snack size bowl (rather than the regular), you save 470 calories and 21g of fat. I've been somewhat of a mild fan of KFC since I was a child. So, why isn't Jollibee higher on the list? Sometimes it's so overcooked that the chicken meat inside has practically turned into dust. Nothing is quite as comforting as a cup of mashed potatoes and gravy, but some fast-food chains make it better than others. Is there such a thing as bad fried chicken? In the 90 years since, hundreds of other chicken chains have joined the flock. If you bow out of the Original Recipe and opt for Extra Crispy instead, it's almost always too crispy. The home of the best Cajun flavor youll find north of the Mississippi Popeyes takes the cake for its spicy rendition of fried chicken. Drizzle the bowl with gravy to finish it off, and you're in for a real treat. In the past, we've found Popeyes' oil to taste odd. To recreate the buttery, rich flavor of KFC potatoes, we used a combination of milk and water to make our mashed potatoes. And with "meatless Mondays" gaining traction and vegetarianism continuing to be a talking point, fast food restaurants have realized they need vegetarian options. However, the wait for the food was a minute and 12 seconds. There are approximately 3,984 KFC restaurants in the United States, according to Leads Deposit, while there are only 2,755 Popeyes restaurants in the United States (via Scrape Hero). Mashed potatoes and gravy are delicious as a side dish, but these mashed potatoes are so tasty on their own, you could eat them as the main meal. They are made with a mixture of potatoes, milk, butter, cream of celery soup, and spices. cup whole milk, plus additional milk as needed. Stay up to date with what you want to know. But it's not just the quality of the chicken that seems to be causing the demise of Boston Market, it's the fact that you can find rotisserie chicken in almost every grocery store these days. According to KFC's ingredients list, their mashed potatoes contain an array of additives such as maltodextrine, mono- and diglycerides, sodium bisulphite, and BHT. It made the most sense for us to order similar items from both Popeyes and KFC to see how far our $10 would go in each restaurant. This may be the toughest category yet, because macaroni and cheese is just really difficult to pull off in a fast food setting. Popeyes doesn't have quite as far of a reach and is in only 30 countries worldwide. While some of these other restaurants' potatoes tasted fake or instant, Boston Market's tasted like they used real potatoes. If you can't choose between Popeyes or Kentucky Fried Chicken, here's an idea: Piece together a DIY meal with the best components from each chain. With only a $0.10 difference in price between the two, you want to eat where the food tastes better. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add three tablespoons of the butter and the salt. And there was one category in which the two restaurants tied price. We thought the gravy was tasty enough to stand on its own, too; it would be great served over pot roast or as the sauce for Swedish meatballs. 12 Pieces of Extra Crispy Tenders with 2 Large Mashed Potatoes, Large Gravy, Large Coleslaw & 4 Biscuits. Overworking the potatoes turns them gummy and starchy, but under-mashing them creates unseasoned lumps. We like to make a little indentation in the mashed potatoes with the back of a spoon to give the gravy a place to pool. Limited Time. According to a KFC manager on this Reddit Ask Me Anything thread, KFC's mashed potatoes come from powdered potatoes, a.k.a instant mashed potatoes. Not bad for a fast food place! Yes, and we actually thought it was better than the original (more like the KFC of our childhood). The best recommendation is to drive-thru your nearest Church's Chicken and just order the biscuits and maybe some corn on the cob. Fill a large pot 1/2 to 3/4 full of water. You wouldn't think that mashed potatoes made from powdered potato flakes could be so good, but they really are. While this could technically end up in a tie, Popeyes edges out KFC for their more interesting gravy. Also, the skin of the chicken is perfectly cooked always crunchy, never rubbery. If you don't have bouillon cubes on hand, you can use something like Better Than Bouillon roasted beef or chicken base. Unless you live on the East Coast, in Michigan, or in Texas, you probably haven't heard of TKK Fried Chicken. It costs $8.59 and includes three pieces of dark meat chicken (two legs and a thigh), one side order, a biscuit, and a small soft drink. With Popeyes being extremely popular, we had to wait seven minutes to get to the cashier during the noon hour rush. That's a lot for something you're likely gobbling up in between bites of KFC's MSG-laden fried chicken. So, depending on your health-related dietary requirements, KFC's nutritional content may be the worse dietary choice of the two. Chicken Biscuit - A recent addition to the menu, Chick-Fil-A's breakfast Chicken Biscuit brings out the restaurant's southern roots and tastes pretty darn good, too. Simply because there are not enough of these restaurants in America. Redditors who have worked at Popeye's say that it's a solid shortening, and an announcement from Popeyes indicates that it contains palm oil or palm kernel oil. You won't be disappointed. And from each chain, you can expect a good crunch, as well as juicy chicken. Despite the pieces of chicken being smaller at Popeyes and containing two legs and a thigh (instead of two thighs and a leg), Popeyes' meal is higher in calories and fat. Martha Sorren They were only $0.07 more than the most inexpensive potatoes, ringing in at $2.09 for an "individual" portion. Another thing that catapults Chick-fil-A to the top is their cleanliness and service. You can be assured that your shoes will never stick to the floor in this restaurant's bathroom. They also contain plenty of salt, so you don't have to add any salt or seasonings (although, you can also seek out low-sodium options, if you prefer). KFC also has a quick pick up option or a delivery option on their website, so you can swing by on your way after work and grab some grub for your family. But over the years, their inconsistency has made many people turn to other alternatives. While the chicken quality is outstanding at some Zaxby locations, others fail with tough meat that just tastes, well, old. $20.00. Lee's is good. Sure, you can get standards like coleslaw, curly fries, or mashed potatoes, but they also sell unique options like blistered shishito peppers, charred corn, and sweet potato frie. But, KFC's gravy, and the interesting way it may or may not be made, has received some attention over the years. The peppers are the perfect complement to their crispy chicken. Add a little bit of your own seasoning if you want to make it a little less bland. Both mac and cheeses are good in a fast food, kinda bland, sorta tasty kind of way. It contains 1290 calories, 68.8 grams of fat, 170 milligrams of cholesterol, 3475 milligrams of sodium, 157 milligrams of carbs, and 70 grams of sugar. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionists advice. (And no, we dont mean the divine Chick-Fil-A sauce.) When it comes to washing it down, skip the sodas and order one of their available teas or even buy a beer at TKK. It contains ingredients like black pepper, chicken extract, salt, flour, etc.". A "regular" size of mashed potatoes and gravy was $1.99. If you're traveling internationally, KFC is in more than 145 countries, with varying menus. The bowl consists of mashed potatoes topped with corn, crispy chicken bites, and cheese. We had far more than we could (or wanted to) eat for $10, and we left feeling dissatisfied with our meal. We found nobody standing in line and nobody at the drive-through when we got to KFC during the noon rush hour, so we had no wait to make our order with the cashier. Popeyes calls their biscuits "hearty and flaky", while KFC describes their biscuits as "warm, flaky, southern-style." We spent a total of $9.78, which was a mere $0.10 less than what we spent at Popeyes. What used to be a dependable spot to find juicy, tender chicken and other delicious offerings is now an inconsistent eatery where the chicken is often more rubbery than juicy, and the seasoning is more bland than ever. KFC used to be the go-to chicken place for just about everybody in the county. Not counting the salt and pepper, that means you can make this dish with fewer than six ingredients, and you likely have most of them on hand at any given time. But if faced with the decision of which fast food fried chicken chain to choose, you really won't go wrong with either one. Instantly, this sandwich became a viral sensation and it sold out all over the country. Boston Market's mashed potatoes tasted the best and the most real. There is only one kind of tender at Popeyes. Simmer the mixture until it's nice and thick, about five minutes. we'd have come out pleased. If PDQ begins expanding across the country, they'll give the top chains a run for their money. Don't worry; we won't judge you if you turn a few scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy into your main meal instead of enjoying it as a side. The recipe we use here is by far our favorite. But, KFC uses them to make their mashed potatoes, and they taste pretty good. For Popeyes' non-chicken piece mains, you can choose between a flounder sandwich or popcorn shrimp. When we first started our quest to determine how far $10 would go at KFC and Popeyes, we encountered an online ad from Popeyes offering five pieces of dark meat chicken, two sides, and two biscuits for only $9.99. In this case, we're using both beef and chicken bouillon, which creates the ideal flavor profile to recreate authentic KFC gravy. The Real Reason You Should Never Order KFC's Mashed Potatoes. The chicken is fried perfection, the bun is buttery good, and the pickle is the ideal complement to the simplicity of it all. If your KFC and Popeyes are located close to each other, chances are that you'll see very similar price points since they're in such close competition. 8 Pieces Extr Crispy Chicken with 2 Large Mashed Potatoes, Large Gravy, Large Coleslaw & 4 Biscuits. Combo (Sandwich, Hash Browns, and Drink): Chicken Nuggets Arguably the most dunkable, delicious nuggets in the fast food game, Chick-Fil-A Nuggets are addicting. The results are interesting. KFC and Popeyes both bring two pretty good biscuits to the table. You are here: In fact, back in 2016, it was the fastest, increasing sales by nearly 26 percent for the year. Does the bliss of these biscuits make up for their iffy chicken? So, next time you are in a gas station or convenience store, make sure to look around to see if they have a KKC counter. We figured out how to make a copycat version of their mashed potatoes and gravy, and it's easier that you might think. Place the remaining tablespoon of butter on top of the potatoes and let it melt. It comes in spicy or regular. All prices provided on this website are averaged and should only be used as estimates. If you're a boneless chicken fan and order their Supremes instead, you'll be disappointed in a totally different way. The fact that there was nobody in the drive-through or order line when we got to KFC while everyone was at Popeyes should have been a hint about which fried chicken restaurant had the best food. Continue whisking and adding the broth until the entire container is empty. You could probably even eat the potatoes without gravy they held their own. Calling KFC's mashed potatoes with gravy a meal would be pretty accurate, considering an individual side portion packs in an alarming 530 milligrams of sodium. Popeyes stands out here, though, because they have somehow perfected the art of mass-produced fried chicken. The crispness, the seasoning everything is just perfect. KFC tastes a little bit more like it's just got salt and pepper (I know it's not but they're the predominant flavors), whereas Popeye's actually has FLAVORS going on. When visiting, your best bet is to keep things simple and load up on the chicken and biscuits, as none of the sides are a true standout. But for accessing the restaurant around the country and the world, as well as offering the flexibility of pick up or delivery, KFC takes it. If you're not into spiced food (not exactly spicy, but just loaded with various spices), then maybe Popeyes won't get your vote. Instead, go for their Kickin' Chicken on Texas Toast. However, it comes out higher in cholesterol, sodium, and carbs. Here are some of Popeyes most popular menu items, but if you want to see the whole kit and caboodle, take a look at the full menu of prices. We made gravy with chicken bouillon only the first time around, but it wasn't dark enough to match up with the real deal. However, Popeyes was the clear winner when it came to food quality. It's also perfect for those who just want a little variety. You'll want to whisk the entire time to prevent any dry clumps from forming, and to keep the flour from accidentally burning to the bottom of the pan. However, once we checked the app, it became apparent that this offer wasn't available locally and would require a 40-mile trip to acquire. So, if you want to grab your sides at KFC and get your chicken elsewhere, that's perfectly acceptable. The fact that Champs Chicken may call a grungy gas station home doesn't automatically make it a restaurant to thumb your nose at. From the Mild flavor (a toned-down version of their Original Hot), to their amazingly buttery Garlic Parmesan, to their sweet yet tangy Hawaiian, there's something for everyone at Wingstop. You're welcome". The gravy was tasty and contained meat, green peppers, and pepper, but the potatoes themselves were the fakest of fake. In fact, PDQ stands for People Dedicated to Quality, though their service is also Pretty Darn Quick. They're also flaky, and retain just the right amount of moistness, so they're not drying in the mouth, like KFC's. And while KFC brought nothing noteworthy to the table, Popeyes came in at a close second for its high-quality . The spice level was just right without being too fiery for those unaccustomed to spicy food. It's clear both restaurants bring plenty of flavor to the table, along with remarkable sides. After making the test batch, we completely understand why KFC doesn't take the time to boil and mash real potatoes, so we didn't feel the need to do so, either. Even the Sprite was good. The "regular" size was $1.99 for a large scoop of thick mashed potatoes and gravy. But it just doesn't have the same significant crunch or powerful flavor as Popeyes', and therefore comes in second place this round. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir frequently until the mixture is the desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Instead, dig in to this finger-licking good ranking of the most popular fast food chicken chains, ordered from the worst to the best. KFC's mashed potatoes were only $2.09 for an individual portion. But how much are we talking for this highly-touted chicken? Spicy or mild? He alleges that all the leftover bits of chicken (mostly bones and "residue) that collect at the bottom of the chicken fryer which contains a "black sludge" are transferred to a freezer to later be melted and served up as KFC's famous mashed potato-topping gravy. It has also been shown to disrupt the endocrine system of animals, resulting in developmental effects and changes in thyroid activity. While both options are rich, at least the Popeyes options offer non-chicken lovers a slight departure from Popeyes' main menu. I have mac and cheese, chicken tender strips, onion rings & mashed potatoes!FREE GIVEAWAY for. However, they've been around since 1974 when they opened their first restaurant in Taiwan. Combo (Sandwich, Waffle Fries, and Drink): Chicken Biscuit A recent addition to the menu, Chick-Fil-As breakfast Chicken Biscuit brings out the restaurants southern roots and tastes pretty darn good, too. Hopefully this restaurant will be expanding and spreading their chicken goodness across America to bless the rest of the county with their yummy offerings. Something has happened to KFC in the last few years, and it's not a good change. Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Better yet, skip drive-thru all together and make this famous side dish at home. KFC's cost $1.99 for a 4-ounce thigh and Popeyes' 4-ounce thigh costs $1.49. The potatoes were super buttery and had a nice, light and fluffy texture. To get to the bottom of which is best, we tried mashed potato sides from six fast-food chains. Their chicken is superbly crunchy on the outside and exquisitely juicy on the inside. And, honestly, the Half N' Half is your best bet because they are both so good. Founded in Lafayette, Louisiana, this chain has over 2,000 locations around the country. Then they manage to simultaneously undercook the skin while overcooking the meat. Almost, but not quite. But aside from the chicken, Popeyes wins over hearts with its signature southern sides, offering rice, red beans, jambalaya, and spicy French fries unlike any other fast food fried chicken joint around. The chicken pieces were on the small side compared to KFC, but they were still in the ordinary range as far as bone-in chicken goes. However, our order was ready 24 seconds from the moment the cashier told us our total, which was pretty impressive. They lacked the lumpiness of real, homemade potatoes, but they'll hit your nostalgia spot straight-on. For more great stories, head to INSIDER's homepage. KFC's famous mashed potatoes and gravy was the obviouschoice for the side. KFC takes this one but not by much. This is a much misunderstood and underrated component of fast food fried chicken, but would be sorely missed if it disappeared from menus tomorrow. Sure, KFC was $0.10 less and had more meat for the money, but the food was far inferior. Or at least something very similar. This chain launched in South Korea in 2002 and came to America four years later. The Sprite also has more sugar in it than the Sierra Mist we got at KFC. You'll notice the liquid starts to bubble up and expand almost immediately as it hits the roux; that's the scientific process of those starches absorbing the water. The smooth, thin potatoes and gravy tasted almost like what your grandma would serve at Thanksgiving. KKC offers crispy bone-in chicken, juicy tenders, and delicious sandwiches, as well as an array of sides including fries, honey butter biscuits, jambalaya, mac and cheese, red beans and rice, and several others. It was so good, we're considering using this recipe to make mashed potatoes and gravy as a Thanksgiving side dish this year. Popeyes wins. KFC is certainly good. But then when you take a giant bite, your mouth quickly fills with disappointment. But what's a Popeyes visit without fried chicken? We decided we'd embark on a journey of discovery to both KFC and Popeyes to determine which one you should go to with your $10. It's time to pull it all together to create KFC's classic mashed potatoes and gravy side dish. Beef may be surprising ingredient considering this fast-food chain only serves chicken. KFC relied on potato wedges for many years, but in 2020, they released their Secret Recipe fries, vying for a chance to win over fry lovers' hearts. The main differences seem to come from the calorie and fat content of the chicken and biscuits. You might expect most of that sodium to come from the gravy but it's actually the potatoes that are the culprit. You won't find fried chicken at El Pollo Loco, but instead citrus-marinated, fire-grilled, super-yummy chicken. If you're ever in doubt, go to the busier restaurant when they're practically next door to each other. Popeye's is fully dependent on their sauces, and Chick-fil-A isn't even fried chicken. Simply add them to hot water and stir until they're well combined. What the heck is all of that? As at Popeyes, the only other menu item we could afford with our $10 was an extra biscuit for $1.19. At Zaxby's, if you're in the mood for a sandwich, stay away from their Chicken Fingers Sandwich. This sandwich wasn't at all overhyped. If you end up having to spend valuable time and extra money on gas to get a good deal, it's no longer a good deal. It wasn't as fizzy as we would have liked it, but it was also not immensely sweet. At KFC, a 12-piece tenders meal, with 3 large sides, 6 sauces and 6 biscuits is $34.99, while the equivalent at Popeyes 12 tenders with 2 large sides and 6 biscuits will cost you $32.99. And if the cooks get happy with the salt shaker (like it appeared they did the day we visited), you may be getting even more sodium than listed in the nutritional stats. Then, reduce the heat and add the flour little by little. You use your hands, you expect to get a little messy, but when it's good fried chicken, nothing else matters. Breading that falls off the chicken is an absolute fried chicken cardinal sin, so there should certainly be none of that. Another Redditor chimed in that they asked their manager about adding chicken drippings to the gravy, only to learn that "they had to stop doing that because it wasn't cost-effective." All that's left to do to make our gravy is to add the liquid to the hot roux. But it was absolutely one of the best chicken sandwiches ever made. At TKK, chicken always tastes fresh, and you can order fried chicken, wings, tenders, or sandwiches. Sandwich Only: $3.29. Popeyes however, is alienating a large section of the population. Of course, there's always the possibility of one having a special deal allowing you to make your $10 go further. All these years, their chicken has been amazingly & consistently moist, tender, juicy, and tasty. But does Raising Cane's serve the best chicken? It's like eating at home, even when you're out. Your best bet is to stick with their two-piece, three-piece, or five-piece meals with chicken and your choice of two sides. Throw a side of mashed potatoes and gravy in the mix, and youll find your future husband or wife. If we're being honest, both KFC and Popeyes make great potatoes.
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