Although no members of KFB were able to sample it during this period we had some good feedback from blog posters and we've been eagerly awaiting it ever since.
For £5.39 you get the Ultimate Burger (Toasted Brioche Bun, Paprika 'Slaw, two Mini Fillets, Cheese, a portion of Barbecue Marinated Pulled Chicken and Lettuce, not just iceberg either - the good stuff ) a drink and fries.
Perhaps a tad expensive, but let's deconstruct this burger that has been built from the ground up:
The Brioche Bun is totally new and is not used in any other product; the glazed plain top is visually a little reminiscent of one of McDonalds buns but this had a subtle sweetness.
The Southern Style Paprika Slaw - Strangely 'slaw has never made an appearance on a burger before but instead of taking the easy route and opening tubs of the coleslaw used as a side, this is a new development. It's a colourful and crispy blend using red cabbage to liven up the visual appeal of the burger somewhat. The crisp veg is in a light subtle mayonnaise and although the Paprika doesn't really shine through this gives a nice texture, flavour, colour and moisture to the burger - a real linchpin around which the other ingredients hinge.
The Two Mini Fillets were coated in delicious Original Recipe and were hot, fresh and juicy.... need I say more.
The Cheese Slice was possibly the lost ingredient in this burger although it probably served a more structural purpose being employed in more of a binding role.
The Lettuce is not your common or garden type, there are some varieties in there which lend this burger a visual touch of class and provide a crisp topping.
The BBQ Pulled Chicken is an entirely new concept. The marketing blurb - To Get Something Special Takes Time - could be taken by the cynic as an allusion to the length of time it has taken to come up with a 'pulled' product which seem to have been ubiquitous elsewhere for the last 12 months. I would counter that although undoubtedly 'pulled' has perhaps been the preserve of the gastro movement, KFC have been the first of the 'big three' to bring this type of product to market, so it would seem that the marketing is in reference to the time that the chicken has spent marinating in what is a subtle BBQ sauce that allows a nice meaty flavour to shine through and maintains a nice moisture that doesn't cloy.
Put it all together and what have you got ...... The Ultimate Burger?
For those who've read carefully you'll have noticed that I've described a lot of the ingredients as 'subtle'. That was totally intentional, and as a result KFC have come up with a perfectly balanced burger. The moist Slaw and Pulled Chicken found top and bottom counter the ever so slight dryness of the Brioche Bun. The pleasantly salty Original Recipe Chicken at this burger's heart is counteracted by the sweetness of the BBQ marinade and the bun, whilst the slaw again comes into play with its opposite ingredient, the Lettuce, to provide a refreshing crispness.
Whilst I've been impressed with the long called for innovation, it seems that all effort was directed at putting this thing together, whilst the name was hastily pulled out of the bag at the last minute. Hard as I try, the 'Ultimate Burger' moniker conjures up images of a standard beef burger that's been pimped up to earn it's 'Ultimate' accolade.
Overall this seems to be a great addition to the range, which due to its ingredients will be good at even quiet periods of the day when you sometimes have chicken that's become a little dry, this on the other hand will always remain moist.
It's great to see KFC Coming up with new ingredients rather than re hashing old ones. I enjoyed this burger, and for the first time in a long time am going to award an 8 out of 10.
Enjoy
11 comments:
Good to see that this has finally been rolled out nationwide. I am sure you guys will already be aware and not sure if it's a nationwide thing or just another trial here (Scotland) but the KFC Burrito launched today.
DG this is a great review and it sounds like a good addition to the range.
To the anonymous poster above could you contribute any more info on the burrito?
KFC Australia reviews coming soon.
Burrito is tsting in scotland and might come nationally around Feb/March. It is different from the Australian burrito and utilisles the same pulled chicken, but watch out for other very new meals commin in 2015 that are very diferent from todays.
Great review DG! I'm off on friday to give this a go myself - here's hoping for good things.
To be honest I think the two mini fillets detract from the stability and cohesiveness of the burger.
I thought it was a good overall eat but I definitely wouldn't choose it over the almost perfect Tower Burger series when I revisit.
Nothing on it jumped out at me as "ultimate" and I thought everything was a bit too subtle. It was delicious sure but I think these kind of TLOs which have a big sauce based element detract somewhat from what makes KFC so great, the 11 herbs and spices that make up the OR. The burger felt a little Burger Kingy to me.
That said The "Ultimate Burger" (cringe at the name) isn't nearly as bad as the bites range in terms of overpowering flavour or sickening flavour and that I am thankful for.
With the massive anti sugar and anti wheat movements growing in popularity I would be interested to see KFCs move in regards to this.
Where the hell is the double down?
To be honest I think the two mini fillets detract from the stability and cohesiveness of the burger.
I thought it was a good overall eat but I definitely wouldn't choose it over the almost perfect Tower Burger series when I revisit.
Nothing on it jumped out at me as "ultimate" and I thought everything was a bit too subtle. It was delicious sure but I think these kind of TLOs which have a big sauce based element detract somewhat from what makes KFC so great, the 11 herbs and spices that make up the OR. The burger felt a little Burger Kingy to me.
That said The "Ultimate Burger" (cringe at the name) isn't nearly as bad as the bites range in terms of overpowering flavour or sickening flavour and that I am thankful for.
With the massive anti sugar and anti wheat movements growing in popularity I would be interested to see KFCs move in regards to this.
Where the hell is the double down?
After trying one of the pulled chicken "Ultimate Burgers" I was really disappointed by the teaspoon of pulled chicken dolloped on top of the cheese slice!
When will the items coming out of fast food kitchens ever look like their advertising photos
It was vile. Absolutely ghastly experiment.
Don't think the double down will ever see the UK due to the excessive calorie content thanks very much Jamie Oliver. The bbq buffalo wings and cookies will be in the next year
Hmm these look delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe, looks quite simple to make.
Simon
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