American fast-food chain Popeyes launched in the UK for the first time in November 2021 and quickly became a massive hit with fried chicken lovers up and down the country desperate to try the Louisiana goodness.
It’s unsurprising that the food proved popular as the company’s chicken sandwich famously broke the internet when it was first launched in the US back in 2019.
Popeyes has even garnered a number of celebrity fans including Megan Thee Stallion who collaborated with them on a hot sauce called Hottie.
And it turns out their food is also fit for the finest of festivities, with the company catering a Met Gala after-party in 2022.
Buckets of their fried chicken even reportedly being served to evening guests at Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s wedding reception back in 2008.
If it’s good enough for Queen B, it must be good, right? With demands from brides and grooms increasing, Popeyes has launched a new wedding catering service in the UK called ‘Wings & Rings’ which will be taking bookings from now until the end of 2024.
And I can tell you it’s definitely worth the hype. The Chicken Sandwich is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten at a fast-food restaurant – I’d go as far as to say it’s better than a McChicken Sandwich or a KFC Fillet burger.
The sandwich is kept pretty simple, comprised of just a brioche bun, mayo, and pickles to let the fried chicken remain the star of the show and it works so well.
The shatter crunch is very satisfying as you take the first bite and the pairing of the spiced fried chicken and the slightly sweet bread and butter pickles is just perfection.
What’s even better is that the ingredients seem fresh and tasty, as opposed to greasy and cardboard-like as you might expect from other cheap chains.
If you’re a fan of a bit of spice you can also opt for a hot version of the sandwich and since opening the menu has expanded to offer deluxe versions that feature lettuce and cheese in case you were missing those burger staples.
As for the rest of the menu, you absolutely must try the biscuits (which are like savoury scones) smothered in cajun gravy. I know it sounds odd, but trust me when I say it’s hearty comfort food at its best, on par with the sort of dumplings and gravy you might serve with a stew.
There’s also the company’s Signature Chicken Meal, which contains chicken on the bone that’s marinated for 12 hours in a blend of Louisiana herbs and spices.
This also has that shatter crunch and the portion size is much more generous than a KFC hot wings meal, with the Popeyes wings being bigger in size and containing more meat.
From my very first visit to Popeyes, I was a convert and have returned to the chain several times whenever I needed a fast-food fix. I choose it over KFC every time.
And it’s not just me, I’ve also managed to convert several friends who previously knew nothing about Popeyes but now claim it’s their favourite fried chicken joint.
The company is currently operating 31 sites and delivery kitchens across the UK, from London to Plymouth, Gateshead, Northampton, and Oxford and they’re set to open a new restaurant soon at Barrhead Retail Park in Glasgow.
