Andy WOWs was pretty amazing, but they went out of business before they really got of the ground (like 3 locations in wildly different parts of the US that all went under). In their wake, I’d say that Raisin’ Canes is significantly better than KFC; Church’s, Bojangles, and Popeyes are arguably better if you like what they’re trying to do in general, and Chik Fil-A’s at least on-par aside from the whole hating-gays thing. Honestly, I’m pretty hard-pressed to think of a fried chicken-focused joint that’s unquestionably worse than KFC.
In case it’s not obvious, I eat a lot of fucking fast food :(
Popeyes, Church’s, Bojangles, aren’t unquestionably BETTER than KFC in any way. I would agree that they are all pretty much the same, but given the choice I would probably take KFC extra crispy over any of those chains. I could point you to at least five local joints in Chattanooga that would blow your mind, and you could probably do the same in Raleigh, but we’re talking about worldwide fried chicken places here.
Popeyes sucks up here. They had numerous health violations. I would vote for Bojangles even though they’re only a regional chain and I only had them a few times. Their biscuits are so so delicious.
I like the coleslaw, and it’s hard to go wrong with corn-on-the-cob. I also like their mashed potatoes and gravy, although I can see people finding it rather “paste-like”. I grew up on the stuff, so it’s comfort food for me and I’m sure this has an impact on my opinion. I ate KFC coleslaw quite a few times before I ever had real coleslaw.
I think I qualified that pretty well: Popeyes, Church’s, and Bojangles are better if you are picking up what they’re putting down. The Cajun vibes at the first and last in particular are pretty phenomenal if you’re into that and I’d eat at either of them every day for a month pretty happily.
Cleanliness ain’t much of a thing, either, given that I don’t really know any fast food chain that’s consistently clean nationwide (even the supposedly fastidious McDonalds has some pretty hellacious offenders).
I dunno man. I just remember when the Popeyes near Fenway reopened in Boston my sophomore year, there was a 2-block-long line for it for a week straight afterward. They had to be doing something right other than letting hobos panhandle openly inside ;)
Up here in Canada I’ve yet to taste fried chicken thats better. I’ve eaten at places that specialize in fried food, fried chickens, there’s A&W’s fried chicken branch, and they’ve all been terrible. KFC wins by dint of actually being crispy and not floury, and pretty decent. I don’t go to takeout or fast food places for their “vibes” so I don’t really care if they feel cajun.
There is a chain in Newfoundland, Mary Brown’s, that’s way, way better than KFC. If you’re ever there check it out. One of the only restaurants I miss from back home.
I’ve always had it with canned green beans. I’m not sure if fresh ones would work because of the texture. But instead of mushroom soup, it should be made with a basic white sauce, fresh mushrooms, and lots of parmesan cheese. And yeah, the French’s fried onions are probably the best thing about it. Halfway through baking, you should stir in the ones that you topped it with and retop it with a fresh batch.
One time I bought a large can of those for straight snacking. They ended up giving indigestion something fierce, so I don’t recommend eating more than a small handful straight.
Edit: Oh right, fried chicken. I agree that Popeye’s is the best, mostly due to their spicy recipe chicken and red beans and rice.
I understand the use of bechamel instead of mushroom soup. I understand the use of canned vs. fresh. Maybe frozen would work better. But the entire concept, to me, is flawed. If you use a bechamel, it will separate in the oven, no?
Well maybe not, because I make a kick ass cauliflower gratin. But maybe the amount of water in the beans ruins it? I use much cheese in the gratin. As well as a mild acid to keep the cheese calm. Usually white wine. As well I drain the blanched cauliflower for a long time. My experience is that water in a bechamel kills it.
I have yet to find one that is edible.
But hey, keep searching boss. The day may come when you find a green bean casserole that is edible. When you do, I will salute you.
Edit: the French’s Onions are now in a plastic tub. I have eaten a bunch without intestinal issues. Perhaps you might reexamine them?
I would pay serious money to have the steak you described cooking the other night. I would pay MORE money to escape cauliflower gratin, prepared by you or anyone else. But what do I know, I kinda dig the old canned soup/canned beans/French’s Onions casserole when it shows up at a random holiday party.
For you I’d make the steak and deconstruct the bean dish. Bechamel and onions fried in butter and olive oil. Then blanched asparagus instead of haricots vert. Then a deep fried onion, green onion and red onion crown.
A drizzle of the sauce on the plate. More fried veggies on the side. And then a saffron infused au jus over the whole thing. Too much? Maybe.
I somehow feel like I would be strapped in a chair enjoying the smell of my own brain sizzling in a pan in front of me in that scenario!
(Love ya Rich, but I have now put “Never eat something called cauliflower gratin” on my list of things I will honor until I die, right next to “Never vote for a Republican” and “Never wear briefs because they just look silly, like Underoos pajamas did when I was ten”.)
