I’ve actually frequented this place quite a bit for more than the last 10 years, I think. If not more. It would only be apt if I were to write a review on the same since I’ve also followed their evolution to some extent. I’ve always enjoyed eating at this fried chicken fast food restaurant and here’s what I have to say about it.
Layout & Ambience:
It is located at one end of Forum Mall, immediately after the entrance. So, location wise it already has a good location with 2 sides facing inner walls and 2 glass walls, one facing the road and one facing the entrance door. Inside you have different types of round tables and rectangular tables suitable for different number of people. And there’s also one continuous stretch of table with twists and turns at the edges with stools at the table contours, like sampling points along the contours of best fit in a graph.:D As one enters, there is a clear way leading to the counter to place one’s order. Once that is ready, you take your order to the table of your choice and have your meal. There are different rows of different types of tables. There’s also a secluded inner section, also meant for a set of tables. Their kitchen is behind the counter with a wall of fried chicken goodies blocking the customer view. As usual. :D
Food:
Coming to the food, as the name suggests, “Kentucky Fried Chicken”(KFC), it is mostly about things to do with fried chicken. They have their own brand of fried chicken and while I’m not sure about the exact contents (not sure anyone knows), it seems lemon is involved. One can detect that in the taste, although it doesn’t really interfere with the overall taste which is different. There have been many copycat joints over the years but in most cases, they couldn’t quite get the balance right. Which is not to say that there aren’t other good joints with their own style of good fried chicken. There definitely are, as of today. But KFC has been able to hold its own, over the years. I think the fried covering and the inner chicken is cooked in a way unique to their own.
Coming to the menu, their base offering is fried chicken, either “leg piece” or “breast piece” or “wings”. One can go for desirable pieces alone or with fries and pepsi which would constitute a typical meal.
Or one could go for different combos like “Zinger Box Combo”, “5-in-1 Box Combo”, “Longer Chicken Burger Combo”, “KFC Rock Box” and there’s even one “KFC Gamers’ Box” (which I’ve never tried). Typically, in all these combos, the main burger is what would be different. The add-ons of these boxes would also vary, but within a range including chicken pieces or chicken wings, potato hash browns, choco-pie, fries and a pepsi. They have really ramped up the number of combos over the years. I suppose which one would one like best depends on the individual.
There is also a “chicken bucket” available in terms of a full bucket or half bucket, which is decided by the number of pieces. The bucket concept has been there since time immemorial. What is new is that now not only fried chicken pieces are on offer, but also smoky grilled chicken both in terms of a bucket or otherwise stray pieces or meals.
One of the recent additions is a kind of a chicken wrap, both singularly or as part of a regular meal.
Speaking of recent additions, a not so recent addition but still reasonably new addition to their menu is the “Krushers series drinks” It started with a “Krusher’s Lime Soda” which was a jaljeera-lime juice-soda combo kind of drink. The other Krusher’s drinks are either mocktails or milkshakes. Latest addition to this series is a “Tiramisu” variant. Probably the most recent item.
Another most recent addition is the “Double down burger” which is essentially a “no bun all chicken burger” with the fried chicken forming the bun with other fillings in between, as usual. This seems to be doing well. At least better than their recently obsolete menu item, “Chizza” which in my opinion was their best new offering till date. Same concept as “Double down burger” but it was “all chicken no crust pizza” but with a flavour of its own owing to the toppings and the way it was made. The “Double down burger” is available as a normal meal and a combo or standalone item.
This is more or less what is on offer at KFC, from what I can remember.
Pricing & Offers:
The pricing is in general adequate, for the kind of fast food joint it is and the various combos are what gives you the good deals / offers on a combination of menu items.
There is also a “Take a survey and get 10% off” on next meal offer on the bill, which I haven’t tried. But it is there.
Service:
It is a self-service kind of place. So, the only service is at the counter till you get your order and the payment and the clean-up after you’re done with your meal and have left.
They are flexible in combining their food items into one meal. They are also open to replacing pepsi with Krusher’s soda or something like that, should you desire it with proportionate consideration. They used to be a tad hesitant in their very early years, if I remember correctly.
No complaints in that regard.
All in all, my recommendation of KFC and this particular branch is quite positive. I have had good experiences here and I recommend this to all gourmands of fried chicken. I do actually find myself licking my fingers, after a meal sometimes. Happy eating or gorging, if that’s your style! :D