For"struggling"fast-food giant KFC, it’s also a symbol of hope.
KFC previously made tenders using its alternative “extra crispy”-style breading.
In fact, the new KFC tenders bear several similarities to the Raising Cane’s version.
Photo: KFC/Facebook. Design: Eat This, Not That!
I tried each strip on its own and dipped in its accompanying sauce for a full perspective.
Here’s how they stacked up, beginning with the newcomer from the old standby.
It can be difficult to properly assess a food item at a splashy event like that.
Photo: Chris Shott/Eat This, Not That!
So, I was curious to see how well the new item translated beyond its gussied-up, special-event debut.
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Various combo meals were also available, offering anywhere from three to a whopping 16 tenders.
Photo: Chris Shott/Eat This, Not That!
A 3-piece combo with fries, a biscuit, and a drink set me back $8.59.
The look:Crisp and jagged.
The taste:Pungent with a light crunch.
The pepper-forward flavor was appealing, albeit much stronger than I remembered.
The white meat inside was moist enough, but the potent flavorings overpowered any natural chicken flavor from within.
The creamy dip nicely cooled the pepperiness from the tender, while adding some compelling sweet and sour notes.
The chicken and condiment made for a truly zingy combo, which fans of strong flavors will surely appreciate.
The privately held companyplans to open over 90 new locationsthis year alone.
Cane’s takes pride in the quality of its chicken fingers.
That brand of quality comes at a noticeable markup.
The look:Meaty and golden brown.
The taste:Subtle but exceptionally savory.
Where KFC’s tenders smacked my lips with robust flavors upfront, Canes was more like a gentle caress.
The umami factor was undeniable.
Relatedly, the meat itself felt juicier and more tender (ahem) than KFC’s version.
The poultry’s muscular fibers fell apart at the slightest tug, glistening with moisture.
The kicker came from the zesty Cane’s Sauce, with its citrusy, garlicky, and spicy notes.
The chicken and condiment make a great pairing because they each bring distinctly different qualities.
While the creamy dips from both chains have a lot in common, their effects are polar opposites.
Cane’s dip amplified the flavor of the tender, whereas KFC’s sauce toned down the intensity.
But, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.
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