Since it was very popular across the world and even here in the country (it quickly sold out in most KFC branches during its first month), I dared to try it even if it looked like it was a "heart attack" without a bun since it wall posts and tweets saying positive things about the product piqued my curiousity. After all, I like chicken fillet, cheese and bacon, so eating them combined won't matter much right?
Luckily, I managed to snag one for lunch last November in a newly-opened KFC branch in Starmall, Mandaluyong.
I opted to get the combo meal (Double-down sandwich, regular drink, fix-in) for Php 135 as I was really hungry. You can also order it ala carte for Php 100 or with a drink for Php 115.
I was given a waiting number as according to the cashier, they were still cooking up a fresh batch. Perfect! Nothing like a good hot meal for lunch. I got the drink and coleslaw ahead of time so I was munching the KFC version of coleslaw while I waited for the "chickenator".
Five minutes after (yes, props to KFC for fast service), the KFC Double Down came in the default KFC red-and-white sandwich box instead of the Double Down packaging I've seen in a couple of photos online. The scent of oil was strong when I opened the box revealing the chicken fillet, bacon, cheese and secret sauce combination. It was not as big as a Zinger, but a bit bigger than their cheaper, on-the-go, KFC Chicken Fillet sandwich.
The wax paper lining that separated the carton from the sandwich was almost transparent as it was drenched with the oil that was still oozing from the product itself. Oil was dripping everywhere when I lifted the sandwich out of its container making me wonder if the secret sauce was actually cooking oil.
Since it did not have any wrapper or bun and the lining was unusable, it was quite hard to eat it like a regular sandwich. I used the one piece of napkin that they provided me to hold the product, but had a hard time keeping them together as it was quite slippery.
Looking at it closely, I noticed that the bacon was a long, soft, white rectangular piece of pig fat as it did not have a single red meat part as seen in their advertisements. The cheese indeed looked like two different ones upon closer inspection, one with a darker yellow tinge. The two pieces of chicken fillet looked like the regular ones they use in the Chicken Fillet sandwich but a bit bigger. Opening it up, the KFC secret sauce looked like something that you would put on a salad. I tasted it a bit and it seemed like a mild version of thousand island dressing.
I took a large bite, and wow, there was still apparently more oil residing on those fillets as it immediately gushed through like water breaking through a dam. I had to ask a passing KFC crew member for additional napkins as I had oil all over the place.
My next bites were better as I actually got to taste the KFC Double Down itself. Eaten together, the fillets overpowered every ingredient in the combination. You won't miss anything if you've tried their Chicken Fillet sandwich before as these Double Down fillets tasted the same. The two cheeses tasted similar as from what I've told, the cheese that they placed here were Monterey Jack and its variant, Pepper Jack.
I didn't feel full at all after the meal, really strange as I usually am content with a Go-go wrap or even the Chicken Fillet sandwich. I also felt a bit sick later in the day. I played bowling after lunch, and the scores there were reflective of how I felt at that time. Not good at all.
I'm placing this product under the tag, "one time only", as I'll probably try this only one time in my life. For its taste and price, I'd rather have a Zinger instead of this double down monstrosity.
---------------------------------
* Captured with a Nokia X6
11 comments:
I'm sorry you did not like the Double Down. Mixed reviews really so far when you scour the net. Probably it shows how inconsistent KFC is with their items.
Amazing how you give a negative review, yet take a delicious picture of the product. You must know your cameraphone quite well to produce consistent and mouthwatering food photos.
This just goes to show that it is really in the skill of the photographer rather than the cost of the camera.
Me too! After I tried it, that's the last of it. It's too oily for me and it wasn't really anything special. :P I mean, it's basically just their usual chicken divided into two minus the bones + cheese + bacon.
But it's better than their chili-lime chicken
overrated food. people should be suing kfc for releasing yucky products.
I'm amazed to see a blog who just tells and shows it like it is, whether positive or negative. Most days, blogs sound like paid posts as if everything is perfect.
I did like the KFC Double Down though but only if it is with rice and smothered in gravy, but yes, I won't eat it on a regular basis. I don't want to send my self to the grave this early.
I wonder if people would start to try Double Down due to that photo. After all, people usually just rely on photos instead of reading words.
That's fast food for you. It's either a hit or a miss, usually nothing in between.
Captured With a Mobile
http://capturedwithamobile.blogspot.com
Thank you very much for your kind comments! Yes, my cameraphone has been my unit for years already and has suffered a lot of wear and tear over the years. Paint has been peeling, scratches all around, battey is shot but the camera still works superbly. As long as I can still use this effectively, it'll still be my unit.
Captured With a Mobile
http://capturedwithamobile.blogspot.com
It probably would've been better if it had buns to offset the oiliness of the product a bit. I see a lot of people having the product with rice since it makes a better "ulam" than having it stand on its own.
I agree though, it is better than their chili-lime chicken, but not by much.
Captured With a Mobile
http://capturedwithamobile.blogspot.com
I wouldn't go that far, but I do hope they release better products soon. It feels like they do not do taste tests at all first before releasing it to the public.
Captured With a Mobile
http://capturedwithamobile.blogspot.com
I find it really difficult to write something positive about a place, event, or anything if I didn't have a good experience with it. If these blog posts would help them improve on the products, then things will be better for everyone in the long run.
Post a Comment