They're massive in the United States and now Popeyes are heading to Nottingham with a taste of the Deep South. There was so much interest when the company launched a chicken sandwich over the Atlantic in 2019, that it broke the internet.
Customers queued up around the block to try it. As a result nationwide supplies ran out in just two weeks as taste-test videos flooded social media and everyone wanted a taste. Now it's just a matter of time before the fast food giant opens in Nottingham, after it was announced today that it was taking over the former Burger King opposite Victoria Centre.
It will be one of the first sites as part of a UK-wide expansion plan. The city is not short on big name fried chicken joints with multiple KFC, Filipino favourite Jollibee across the road from the site, Slim Chickens in Long Row and a whole host of smaller operators.
Read more: Huge new Popeyes chicken restaurant to open at former Burger King
Will Popeyes, which has more than 3,400 sites, be bringing anything different to the table? We take a look at the menu which launched in the UK last November when the first UK Popeyes opened at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in London.
The restaurant serves British chicken, marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of Louisiana herbs and spices and hand-battered with buttermilk for its "famous shatter-crunch." The signature boned chicken comes in classic or spicy, with either two, three or six pieces.
There's a choice of three, five, eight or 16 boneless tenders or a two tenders' meal for kids. Different-sized portions of hot wings range from five up to 20. Of course you'll want to dip so there's seven sauces including Voodoo Sweet Chilli, Mango Habanero, Louisiana Hot or a cooling garlic mayo.
The chicken sandwiches - burgers in other words - are served in a brioche bun. Again you can go classic or spice it up. The regular is topped with fresh pickles and creamy mayo while deluxe has added extras of cheddar cheese and lettuce.
And for any vegetarians and vegans out there, the Creole Red Bean sandwich is the one for you. Where there's fried chicken, there's fries - regular ones or for added oomph opt for the Cajun seasoning. A twist is mash with Cajun gravy.
It might sound strange to we Brits but biscuits are another one of the accompaniments to the chicken. Made with buttermilk, they look similar to a scone but have a savoury taste. Wonder how they taste dunked in gravy...
Soft drinks like Fanta and Coca Cola are sold, along with tea, latte, flat white and cappuccino plus Popeyes hand spun milkshakes in favours including Oreo, strawberry and Lotus Biscoff. For a sweet ending, ice cream sundaes are the way to go, with vanilla, Oreo, chocolate and caramel amongst the options.
