Steveats: KFC's Chicken and Waffles

This feature went away for a while, but now... IT'S BACK! I tryout questionable food items so that you don’t have to in… Steveats. (Note: Title developed in about 10 seconds of brainstorming.)

Hey guys, how have you beeeeeen? Good, I hope? Annnnyyywwaayyyy. I've been squirreling away these meals over the past couple of months, but a combination of some writer's block and lack of time has been loosened by another journalism industry-related downturn in employment status. (That's a nice way of saying that I got laid off again, as I often have done to me.)

So, let me instead focus on more pleasant things, or at least, more mediocre things. That being, the KFC chicken and waffles. I actually tried these out for the first time when they were introduced in November, but they've resurfaced in advertisements tied around MARCH MADNESS 2019 and its amateur athletics basketball tournaments.

If I pitched to you, “Chicken and waffles from KFC,” the product and taste that inspires in your mind is probably exactly the same as the experience I had. By that, I mean it is exactly average KFC-like food. I might be mistaken, but I think they even use the same exact boneless chicken as they use for their tenders.

And the waffles... Well, they're kind of bland and flavorless. They come with a little individual package of syrup, and you'll need to douse those waffles in it, or pair it with a bite of chicken each time, because they are disappointing. My were pretty gummy, and tasted like a product that had been microwaved, but oddly, they weren't as good as an Eggo.

Since they've returned, they are now a “proper” part of the KFC value menu, meaning they're in the $5 to $10 range, depending on how many you'd like and the sides you want included. Also, by the way – the basic chicken-and-waffle “sandwich,” with syrup, runs about 1,100 calories, according to their nutrition calculator. It definitely rates toward the bottom of my desired fast food items when you factor that in as well.

(Scheduling note going forward: I have a couple more of these in the queue, in terms of things I took pictures for or bought with the idea of doing a Steveats. Karen and I are kind of busy this month and next though, so I'm not entirely sure when they will end up on the site. As usual, I'll push them out on my Facebook and other channels when I remember.)

Want to support Steve’s blogging? Then purchase something via the Amazon clickthru link for Your Parents Basement, Steve’s other project! Or, you know, check the show out! If you have a request for a future Steveats, leave it in the comments on here or on my Facebook. To check out some of the past Steveats, go here!

Steveats: Popeye’s Strawberry Cheesecake Pie Thing (and practically a whole chicken)

Debuting a new, semi-regular feature! I tryout questionable food items so that you don’t have to in… Steveats. (Note: Title developed in about 10 seconds of brainstorming.)

So, Popeye’s has a dessert item. I’m calling it a “dessert item” because they didn’t really have a name for it on the menu. It was a sort of pie, similar to the apple “pies” that are served at McDonald’s – a sort of fried, two or three-bite item. Except instead of apple pie, Popeye’s pie item has cheesecake and strawberry filling.

The verdict… Surprisingly good! It was sweet, but not overpowering, and I’d definitely have it again. The pie casing was pretty iffy, but still, that filling made it a perfectly above-average fast food item. Thumbs up to the Popeye’s dessert team!

However, when it comes to Popeye’s other items, holy hell are they really giving you a metric ton of chicken nowadays. Their traditional combo meals are called platters, and come with two or three pieces of chicken, a side and a drink for about $10 or $11. Orrrrr, you can pay $11.50 for a special meal deal they have, and they give you five pieces of chicken, two sides, a dessert item and a 44-ounce soft drink!

That is a ton of food – see the photo. And of course, I plowed through it. While it’s advertised as five pieces of chicken, it’s more like three, three and a half. There is almost no meat on the bone-in thighs and wings, but the breast and drumstick were tasty, if you’re into fried chicken. And who the heck doesn’t like fried chicken? Even fast food fried chicken is still delicious, says the guy who can always be talked into KFC. I generally prefer Popeye’s to KFC, because it tastes a tiny bit less greasy and the actual chicken is better, but I’m game for both at all times.

One definite edge KFC has though – mashed potatoes. Popeye’s gave me this weird, soupy mixture with gravy and bacon bits in it. Is the bacon craze over yet? It was cute when it first started, but now a bunch of companies are using bacon that have absolutely no business involving bacon in their food transactions. You do you Popeye’s, and just stick to the fried chicken, and those weird, spicy French fries on your menu too.

If you have a request for a future Steveats, leave it in the comments on here or on my Facebook. To check out some of the past Steveats, go here!

You hate your life if you're not watching Community.

Hey, are you watching Community yet? Sources, specifically Blast Magazine and its television ratings report, tell me that Outsourced has more viewers yet AGAIN. Therefore, the Community posts shall continue!

Last night's episode was a spoof of Apollo 13, I think. I'm not sure because I never saw that movie - womp womp womp. However, it was still hilarious to me. The gang gets trapped in a space simulator, fight with one another and Pierce is actually funny as he has to deal with space madness, Ren and Stimpy style.

But with teamwork and finger-lickin' goodness, the team managed to complete the heavily KFC-branded simulation. It was an especially strong episode for the dean and his gay tendencies, Senor Chang had a great five second cameo, and my love affair with Troy continues. I thought he was hilarious in his role as the captain of the simulator, and I definitely liked the slight tease they had when Brita landed on his lap.


Also, that thing to the right? That's the community college's flag. What aren't you watching this show??? Why do you hate your life and deny yourself this enjoyment? So as a final enticement, here are some quotes that would only be super hilarious if you had seen this great, great episode:

Jeff: Pierce! You're talking to an Atari cartridge. Sit down.

Jeff: Our school may be a toilet, but it's our toilet, and nobody craps in it but us.

Brita: How many schools would let you get a degree in theoretical PE?

Dean: *shows them on the map where the city impound lots are*
Abed: It looks like you circled public rest rooms and truck stops.
Dean: Ohhh, okay... That is a different side of the map, and that is... for... a different project.
Abed: Why do they have star ratings?

Troy: There is a time and a place for subtly, and that time was before Scary Movie.

Pierce: I WILL KILL YOU, SANDERS!