Calling all chicken lovers! There’s a new chicken fast food restaurant coming to the UK, adding to the burgeoning list of chains making their way from the home of unhealthy eating: America.
As an American, the major food chain I want in London would probably be Chick-fil-a (a cross between Shake Shack and Dixy Chicken for the uninitiated). Popeyes might just be the next best thing and their signature fried chicken sandwich and southern states charm will hope to challenge British staples like Nandos and KFC.
Popeyes has become a beloved franchise across America since it was created in New Orleans in 1972. Their crispy fried chicken and Cajun fries will now bring a southern flare to the London fast-food scene and you’d be forgiven for feeling like you’ve just stepped into your grandma’s imaginary comfort kitchen in Louisiana (if she has strip lights and bolted seats, that is).
Their crispy fried chicken and Cajun fries will now bring a southern flare to the London fast-food scene
All the classics from the American restaurant will be making their way across the pond to London. This includes its hot wings, southern biscuits with Cajun gravy, mac and cheese, and of course, their famous Louisiana chicken sandwich.
You may remember the debate a couple of years ago about the best fried chicken sandwich in the fast-food game (it was Twitter famous for a whole two minutes). You will recall that Popeyes was the crowned winner by multiple questionably impartial tasters. And now Londoners can finally put that claim to the test.
Their chicken is hand-battered and marinated in a combination of herbs and spices for 12 hours. The crunchy buttermilk batter provides a sharp contrast to the soft, buttery brioche bun. The sandwich, layered with pickles and mayonnaise, will hope to live up to the American hype.
British Popeyes will be committed to ‘locally sourced and freshly prepared’ chicken, so no need to worry about the famously icky prospect of ‘chlorinated chicken’. And while the flavours will be familiar to American diners, the serving sizes may be mercifully smaller than Americans are used to.
Along with its classic menu items, the UK branch will launch Popeyes’ first ever vegan product called the Creole Red Bean Sandwich. This item is made with an entirely plant-based patty, topped with their famous Creole sauce and brioche bun.
British Popeyes will be committed to ‘locally sourced and freshly prepared’ chicken
In a classic American ‘flipping the bird’ (geddit?) Popeyes is coming to the Westfield Stratford City spot that was previously occupied by KFC.
Tom Crowley the CEO of Popeyes UK said they felt a ‘shared sense of purpose with Westfield Stratford City’ when they were deciding where to put their first location. He went on to say that for all future locations in the UK they will be carefully choosing them based on if the community embodies a ‘Louisianan spirit’.
With their plans set on expansion, there may be a Popeyes near you soon. Your only job is to decide which fast-food chain has the best chicken sandwich. My biased vote remains Nandos.
Popeyes is due to open on 20th November
To learn more visit https://www.popeyesuk.com/
