After showing restraint for about 24-hours, I tried the Colonel’s new Double Down today. It’s something alright.

I hit the streets, along with blogger and appreciator of fast food innovation Brian Ries (Free Williamsburg, NBC). Good thing. Because after finishing just 80% of that sandwich, I think I blacked out on the walk back to the office, and may be still wandering around Union Square in a food coma if he wasn’t there to help guide me back.

We made it though. And the short review is we’re in agreement that everyone should try this once. Once only. Frankly, I don’t know if I want to meet the lunatic who eats two of these…or seven.

Here are five things you need to know before you eat the KFC Double Down:

Don’t rely on the wrapper

As advertised, in lieu of bread, KFC serves this in a wrapper. It’s supposed to be for the sake of decorum I assume – so you’re not just holding two pieces of fried chicken like a heathen. However, be prepared for cheese and grease to envelop the wax paper. Also, don’t wring it out when you’re done, you’ll hate yourself more.

Wait the allotted five minutes between bites

And furthermore, if it’s served to you piping hot like ours were, wait five minutes before you take that first bite.

Five minutes between bites may seem a little ridiculous. Well, Ries took two bites back-to-back and started imagining that the two filets once knew each other as chickens and had a conversation about ending up as a sandwich…the point is, eat this thing at a snail’s pace.

No need to get the combo

As they’ll tend to do, potato wedges and Dr. Pepper aren’t going to make this less of an arduous task.

Where does this rank on the fast-food chicken sandwich scale?

I’d rank it higher than the McDonald’s Premium Crispy Chicken Club, but far lower than the Wendy’s Spicy Chicken. The Double Down’s best attribute is the Colonel’s sauce, which has a little zip and you’re not going to find on any other sandwich on the market.

Post-DD heartburn scenario

I cheated. I had a Tum’s before I even had a single bite. It’s called fear.

Approximately 1:00 after consuming Ries’ state is such: “At first we were at zero, now we’re at a 3.5. I predict things going South from here.”

I don’t think South means back towards zero.

Check out Brian Ries’ review of the KFC Double Down on NBCNewYork.com

KFC Double Down

Enter a Chick-fil-A this Labor Day wearing anything from a mesh Little League cap to a USC song girl outfit, and your chicken sandwich is on the house.

From the Triangle Business Journal…

Chick-fil-A Inc. will give away a free chicken sandwich on Labor Day to anyone showing team spirit at one of the fast-food chain’s locations nationwide.


Anyone who wears any sports-related apparel on Sept. 7 at a participating Chick-fil-A restaurant will receive a free chicken sandwich in celebration of the second annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, which will take place Saturday night with Alabama playing Virginia Tech.

According to the Chick-fil-A locator, the only store in NYC is in a New York University food court. Sadly, my resources to gain access to New York college eateries is limited to nonexistent  at this juncture. But hey, at least an eatery exists in the city (looking at you, Sonic jerks).

However, if you’re in Atlanta, the birthplace of Chick-fil-a and the site of the annual Chick-fil-A Bowl, you won’t have to bum rush the Georgia Tech or Spelman dining halls to take advantage of the promotion . To quote the restaurant locator, “there are 63 Chick-Fil-A’s near you.” I recommend you to try the buttermilk ranch sauce, Falcons fans.

Team spirit = free Chick-fil-A sandwich on Labor Day (Biz Journals)