KFC Enshittification Recipe. I Want to Eat Old Style KFC

LSammy2000 on 29/05/2025 - 16:49

I figured OzBargain was the best place to ask this question.
So the family have been buying KFC as our go to junk food forever and especially when there is a deal as it seemed the best of bad food.
It was disappointing when prices are raised but it happens. Then it started getting worse.
The chip boxes shrunk which was probably better for the waist but they are usually half filled.
We recently stopped ordering the original pieces as the coating changed to a "new" original classic recipe and was awful. This week we purchased tenders and they tenders were hard chewy cut pieces of chicken.The coating was falling off and showed the rectangle shaped chewy meat inside.
Is this just my KFC becoming inedible or are they all enshittified now?

Poll Options Mon, 30/06/2025 - 00:00

  • 147
    I no longer purchase KFC
  • 84
    It's just you. Shut up and take my money KFC
  • 14
    Overweight Bikies
  • 11
    I have never ordered KFC
Food & Grocery

Related Stores

KFC Australia
KFC Australia

Comments

  • 87percent on 29/05/2025 - 16:52
    +26

    Just stick with wicked wings

    • FlyingMiffy on 31/05/2025 - 11:37
      +3

      Thats probably the best thing at KFC.

      • ATTS on 31/05/2025 - 16:22
        +1

        The toasted twister use to be awesome as well, sad they discontinued them

        • subywagon on 31/05/2025 - 21:39

          When they got rid of them, that was the beginning of the end for me.

          • ATTS on 01/06/2025 - 08:33

            @subywagon: Did u stop eating kfc after that?

            Also gaytime crusher was good

    • ATTS on 31/05/2025 - 16:21

      Omg ww arr the best

  • shxhshzhz on 29/05/2025 - 16:54
    +5

    rectangle shaped chewy meat

    OP is from the Minecraft universe

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/05/2025 - 17:01
      +10

      CHICKEN JOCKEYYYYY

    • Sammy2000 on 29/05/2025 - 19:14

      I didn't realise there was a Minecraft promo on at KFC at the time. Silly me.

      • ATTS on 31/05/2025 - 16:23

        What qlwas it a toy?

  • djones145 on 29/05/2025 - 16:56
    +4

    time to create a fast food joint
    ofc

    old fried chicken

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/05/2025 - 17:03
    +4

    If you get half full chips or rock hard chicken, just return them or exchange them? They'll probably give you a voucher for free chips next time as well.

  • Gdsamp on 29/05/2025 - 17:04
    +8

    Idk the KFCs local to me used to be wildly inconsistent, varying from inedible to pretty good.
    Now they are at least generally OK

  • Yummy on 29/05/2025 - 17:27
    +13

    The real Fried Chicken is Korean.

    • Nugs on 29/05/2025 - 18:27
      +5

      Also kfc?
      .

    • beyonddd on 30/05/2025 - 09:57
      +5

      I haven't been to KFC in like 10 years since all these korean fried chicken places started popping up everywhere. It's way better and you can get it on its own, or in a rice bowl. PLUS you get to eat kelp noodle salad.

      • serpserpserp on 31/05/2025 - 19:08

        It's way better and you can get it on its own

        You can't get chicken on its own at KFC?

        • tessel on 01/06/2025 - 07:57

          No, comes in a box, which you really shouldn't eat though.

    • Xukeepa on 31/05/2025 - 13:34

      Korean Fried Chicken is overrated

    • ypckk on 31/05/2025 - 15:10
      +1

      And karage.

    • subywagon on 31/05/2025 - 21:40
      +1

      100%. I get my fried chicken from a Korean couple with a food van these days.

  • dcep on 29/05/2025 - 17:35
    +1

    TIL Enshittification , enshittified

  • Protractor on 29/05/2025 - 17:36
    +8

    Stop rewarding them for killing you via arteriosclerosis. Find another dealer

  • SYLTB on 29/05/2025 - 17:36
    +4

    Enshittification (noun): The gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking.

    • Forfiet on 01/06/2025 - 09:08

      Glad to see most dictionaries have adopted this word into the modern lexicon and thus legitimising its use as more than just a new 'slang' word!

  • HardlyNormal on 29/05/2025 - 18:23
    +2

    Sometimes its just that place, i specifically avoid my closest because either the frozen machine isnt working, they make something completely different from what i want or the chicken is so old that its inedible

    • Sammy2000 on 29/05/2025 - 19:20

      We are already boycotting our local McDs. Maybe they use the same casual staff.

    • bp2000 on 31/05/2025 - 09:07
      +2

      This is true in my experience. I have a theory which I haven't really done much research on. But it is that the bad fast food places are the result of disengaged management which is becoming more prevalent because of corporate greed either bypassing the franchise model all together or attracting terrible franchise owners.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 29/05/2025 - 19:53

    The chip boxes shrunk which was probably better for the waist but they are usually half filled.

    I can't get over how thin the chip boxes are. There's probably a handful in the large ones…. and they want $5?!

  • mskeggs on 29/05/2025 - 20:53
    +1

    Has the original recipe really changed?
    Admittedly, I only get it a couple of times a year, but I feel like it would actually be news if they changed the 11 secret herbs and the way it's cooked.

    • Drpepper666 on 30/05/2025 - 15:45
      +3

      It hasn't. OP is wrong

      They did however change the original recipe fillets, now it's "original crunch" and they suck. Disappointed coz the original fillets box was the best thing at KFC

    • hunderthal on 31/05/2025 - 12:43
      +1

      The way it is prepared and cooked has absolutely changed several times over its history. From milk wash to water wash and other things.

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 29/05/2025 - 21:12

    I used to be a massive fan of their zinger box.

    I dont eat a lot but i found it really useful when i was doing day trip.

    Zinger box came with nuggets and decents amount of chips.

    Now you get three small crumbs and that is it.

  • ol mate on 30/05/2025 - 07:09

    Hot n Spicy (thank you Collins Food Group for keeping this around in Qld) was still the same ~2 weeks ago.

    The Original Recipe has been enshitted for over a decade IMO.

  • cashless on 30/05/2025 - 08:17
    +3

    Try karage instead

  • blldzd on 30/05/2025 - 08:43
    +2

    Definitely not sticking up for KFC here but what do you expect? If people want the prices to stay the same then the quality is going to go down. It's happening everywhere. A good burger costs you $30 these days because it costs $29 to make it. The cages they keep the chickens in can only be so small, wages they keep the 14 year olds on can only be so low etc.

  • ForkSnorter on 30/05/2025 - 09:53

    I've been to KFC twice in the last 20 years. Both in the last year. Will never go again.

    Chips that tasted like they were still 20% frozen. Chewy, dry chicken. Must have been sitting there in the warming tray for a couple of hours before purchase. Lackluster burger (piece of chicken, strip of lettuce and mayonnaise for about $10). Not sure what happened to their works burger from 20-30 years ago.

  • Marrickvillain on 30/05/2025 - 09:56
    +2

    Clem's Chickens in Newtown NSW has sold the ultimate fried chicken for 30 years.
    Yes, it's a long way from Melbs to Newtown. It's also worth it for their chicken, which is sold in generous portions.

    • serpserpserp on 01/06/2025 - 09:09

      They were ok when I lived there.

      Everyone still packed out the dodgy Opporto instead.

  • EFC94 on 30/05/2025 - 10:14
    +2

    I stopped buying KFC at the start of this year and I don't even think about it anymore, I use to buy it probably once or twice a week. Like breaking any habit, once you get past the first few weeks it's easy.

  • JimB on 30/05/2025 - 10:53
    +3

    When did KFC change their coating/recipe?

    I had it a few times this year and haven't noticed any change from yesteryear

    Chip boxes changed what ~5 years ago? Yes, the large isn't large.

    I really only buy the big dinner. For $25 it's good value for takeaway considering I pay close to $20 for a burger without chips or a drink.

    • nosey on 31/05/2025 - 23:17

      Yup same for our fam. The big dinner is great value.

  • AlienC on 30/05/2025 - 11:55
    +1

    No idea but i was lucky one time to get a fresh batch of fried chicken and it was the best and light years better fried chicken than any I have ever found.

    This was in Parramatta Food Court and I was super lucky to get a new batch.

    It was extremely hot but super fresh and juicy.

    But from Penrith food court for example it was mediocre very normal.

    Same with Blacktown kfc very normal and boring.

    Only scored the rare fresh kfc once and honestly now I wonder how to get it again.

    • SpainKing on 30/05/2025 - 14:19

      I've heard of some people asking the staff if they can get theirs freshly made if they're in-store, prefacing this with "I'm happy to wait a bit until you guys aren't so busy" or something along those lines. Adding a "Please" also ups the chance of success and lowers the risk of spitty chicken

      Otherwise, your best shot is going just before a lunch rush, mid-way through a lunch rush, or when it's really busy (may be slightly inaccurate, I don't know the behind the scenes nature of KFC and how they prep for busy periods)

    • serpserpserp on 01/06/2025 - 09:10

      Ask for it

  • payless69 on 30/05/2025 - 11:58
    -1

    OP comes from the food culture capital.

    ONLY jv can help him now?

    • Sammy2000 on 01/06/2025 - 08:35

      I thought it was the coffee capital. Help me jv

  • wannagrababargain on 30/05/2025 - 14:49
    +3

    It was always pretty bad. They cop the most food safety penalties out of the big chains so if you value your health I would not consider them the 'least bad.'

    Many KFC franchises operating way below par these days. The parent company doesn't seem to enforce standards as strictly as McDs, they get away with a lot. Walked into a KFC for the first time in 10 years in Goulburn with intent to buy food, place was a rubbish dump. Went to the toilet, saw an employee come into the toilet, do their business, walk out without washing. Sufficed to say left immediately without placing an order.

  • subwars on 30/05/2025 - 20:42

    You forgot the most important optoin.
    I just want milk, that tastes like real milk.

  • Parentheses on 30/05/2025 - 22:15
    +1

    Korean Fried Chicken has been the better KFC for a long, long time. Colonel-style KFC is even trying to channel some of that Korean energy with their habanero sauce nonsense.

    If you're in Sydney, you need to go try Sparrow's Mill. Their sweet chilli and peanut sauce I swear is laced with cocaine or something.

    In Melbourne there's like 20 decent ones. Chickorea is probably my favourite. Sparrow's is better though.

  • tightdesibanda on 30/05/2025 - 23:31

    Try papa flock instead! Great fried chicken

  • miwahni on 31/05/2025 - 00:15
    +1

    There is a small Korean chicken restaurant not far from where I work, and once I found that place I stopped ever going to KFC. Used to only go once - twice a year but after finding Chi Mc I've ditched KFC. Buy a big lunch and you have enough left for dinner, just remember to bring a container with you.

  • Guerilla89 on 31/05/2025 - 01:58

    Yes, KFC quality has dropped. The staff don't take pride in their work anymore but when the wage stays essentially the same as prices skyrocket over the last 30 years what do you expect?

    Vote with your wallet and try new things.

  • May4th on 31/05/2025 - 07:40

    I've noticed sometimes store dependent and whether chicken is freshly cooked. very variable. still the best out if the fast foods which are terrible in general

  • webmonkey on 31/05/2025 - 08:55
    +2

    Out of the usual chicken chains, I prefer the Red Rooster fried chicken pieces/burgers. It's actually crispy and juicy with proper sized pieces.

    I don't know where KFC is getting these miniature chickens from.

    • May4th on 31/05/2025 - 09:03

      same farm as El Jannahs. at least KFC is still half the price

  • Hangryuman on 31/05/2025 - 09:19

    is it bad at different places ?

    AFAIK Mickey Dees is individual franchises where a crappy owner seeking to cut costs to maximise profits can pressure their staff to reduce quantity and quality

    whereas another store may be much better if they care about attracting repeat customers ?

  • Dreamcast on 31/05/2025 - 10:31
    +1

    Gotta love first world problems :)

  • cobknob on 31/05/2025 - 12:12

    No offense to you youth, most of you just don't give a shit, you fill chips boxes half way with what you think are great chips, chicken is cut incorrectly, coating is done half a$$, etc - your standard of quality is just that, lame.

    Sometimes you can ask nicely at a store or you get a good store, and you get great food. Take for eg. Yesterday at HJs the junior whopper I got had a smooth bun top, no sesame seeds. I asked for hot pattie and get a cold one. When food is fresh and hot you get gratitude and praise AND return customers, otherwise you get angry people 😂

    • snapper17 on 31/05/2025 - 13:05

      thats why Im waiting for the robot overlords to take over. In america there are a few fully automated maccas places. Soon it will be all restrraubts and will coe here too.

      There was a joke I read. "You could hire gen z to sleep and they would wake up and quit."

    • serpserpserp on 01/06/2025 - 09:13

      lol who goes to a fast food chain and asks for a hot pattie? No wonder they did you dirty.

  • Kiro on 31/05/2025 - 13:17
    +2

    KFC changed since COVID for the worst.

    The quality is not there and it shows.

  • hypie on 31/05/2025 - 14:07

    I'm from WA where we have hot and spicy on the menu permanently. I 100% agree the chicken has got worse over time. I remember taking off the skin and seeing a nice red coating of spice.

    If you have had KFC in Asia, you will understand the difference.

    If you like fried chicken and travel a bit, you should try Kyo Chonn. Pretty big chain in Korea, however i have visited the stores in Malaysia. Top notch fried chicken.

  • Geekomatic on 31/05/2025 - 15:49

    We cried when they closed our local, "CHOOKS"!

    :(

  • temperature on 31/05/2025 - 16:36

    Watch: Virgil Butler - Inside Tyson's Hell: Why I Got Out of the Chicken Slaughtering Business

  • kalithreaver on 31/05/2025 - 17:00
    +2

    one of my reasons i stopped going to KFC is that only 1 in 10 times is the food actually good. If i get that 1 out of 10 its amazing but the issue is i go there searching for that experience but the other 9 times its just pure shit and i regret getting it.

  • GoldAlwaysGold on 31/05/2025 - 17:35

    Since you're making it why not go for Popeye's chicken recipe, it rates higher than KFC

  • chiuy on 31/05/2025 - 18:14

    BEAN SALAD

  • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 31/05/2025 - 20:00
    +1

    enshittification.

    thanks OP. I'm not sure if it was here in forums where I scrolled past and saw it for half a second, or somewhere else (youtube recommendations?) but I saw the word enshittification one or two days ago. and wanted to post about it.

    turns out all I wanted was to post the word enshittification. so thank you. nice word. 😂

  • vengeance88 on 31/05/2025 - 22:09

    Anyone else notice the coleslaw no longer having green cabbage (it's now all white) and the carrots and much longer/thinner sticks?

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