Big on taste, small on size

Last week an old friend took me to the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Karen.

I had visited the one at the Junction once when they first opened. Back then it was so hyped up, the lines snaked around the entire floor and down the stairs. I also visited the one near Nation Centre on Kimathi Street when it first opened. Ironically it was practically empty.

My friend is a seasoned fast food fiend so she rattled off her order while I stared at the menu. I naively asked for one piece of chicken, and my friend laughed at me because she knew how small the portion sizes are. I ordered a two-piecer meal and she ordered a chicken burger and soda.

My little one had tagged along so we got him a kiddie meal. The hostess pulled out a plastic bag with assorted goodies and asked him to pick one. A most agonising choice – should I take the toy car or the puzzle?

This gift with meal is an excellent incentive for the kids. Plus it makes the parents feel less ripped off by the five chips and small drumstick inside that colourful kiddie meal box. And once he has gotten to the bottom of the box, the toy distracts the kid long enough to forget that he is still hungry.

TINY SERVING

When we requested the leg and thigh the cashier insisted that we had to take a wing and a breast instead.

I did not make a big deal out of it, but my friend did. “What do you do with all the legs then? We don’t like those other pieces.” The lady said it was against the rules but eventually she acquiesced. My friend shrugged, “They always let me pick the piece I want in any KFC.”

Our food was placed on the tray and I was shocked at how tiny the portions were. Fortunately their prices are quite reasonable. The kiddie meal was Sh450, and my two-piecer Sh600 inclusive of a drink. Individual servings of fries cost Sh220 and their famous coleslaw is Sh180.

After haggling with a waiter to give us more tomato sauce, we found ourselves a table, crumbs from previous diners still present. There was no sign of anyone coming to wipe it so we just used a serviette ourselves. The place is air-conditioned and the décor is bright, modern and very appealing.

My friend raved about her burger – fresh soft bun, crunchy vegetables and a juicy chunk of chicken. My chicken was also good. My symmetrically cut fries, imported from Egypt, were well seasoned but I could not finish them; the little one happily wolfed them down. Overall, KFC has a great family atmosphere and okay service. We really enjoyed their chicken and the kid’s meal gift. If your child is blessed with a healthy appetite, order them an adult portion.