I opted for the 2 Daredevil Bites meal, which included 2 sets of bites, chips and a drink. Staff at the Bethnal Green branch were helpful and knowledgable, clearly displaying a mastery of the current menu by offering up the choice of mixing and matching daredevil sauces - a nice touch. I ordered the Sweet Chilli and Piri Piri Inferno bites, collected my meal, and grabbed a table in the seating area.
The Daredevil Bites come delivered in separate lidded tubs, each containing 4 of the breaded chunks and with a pool of your chosen sauce at the bottom. There was enough sauce in both of my tubs to allow me to dip the bites at will, liberally coating them as I so wished. The crispy coating was more akin to ETC (Extra Tasty Crispy) than OR (Original Recipe). First up were the Sweet Chilli bites - as expected, the sweet chilli sauce was very mild (not even a hint of heat) but it did have an enjoyable taste, just like the popular asian condiment.
Moving on to the Piri Piri Inferno bites, I half expected these to be equally as mild, but I was pleasantly surprised. The first couple of bites were coated in just a drizzle of the spicy sauce, and failed to produce the desired punch I was hoping for, but upon mopping up the last of the sauce with the final bite, I soon realised my mistake as the heat kicked in. I wouldn't go so far as to call it an inferno in my mouth, but it was certainly a slow-burner and combined with the peppery, paprika flavours, produced a satisfying sensation. I think this is a brave move from KFC, as too often fast-food products labeled as "spicy" are far from it, and are actually tailored for the weak, mainstream consumer who thinks of a Chicken Korma curry as adventurous.
All in all, although the Daredevil bites aren't particularly exciting on their own, they do add an extra dimension to the existing menu and if I were to order them again I would go for the box meal or share the Saucy Bites bucket with friends. I would like to see the sauces (especially Piri Piri) put to use maybe as a topping for a Piri Piri style burger.
KFB Rating: 7/10
Have you tried the Fiery Buffalo bites? We'd love to know how they compare, let us know in the comments section below!
Personally I rate the bites at least 8/10 - they're reminiscent of the BBQ Bites of years gone by (one of the Colonel's greatest innovations; sadly no longer available).
ReplyDeleteI think KFB has a bit of a nerve awarding a score after only trying two of the three exciting new sauces on offer. It's like reviewing a new burger but neglecting to eat the bread - the three sauces are a package and should be reviewed together in one saucetastic, bitetastic review.
The three sauces aren't package, as it's not possible to get all 3 types of Daredevil Bite as part of a standard meal (be it box or bucket), and as such it would not be possible for a typical customer to try all three at once (unless they ordered 2 meals, which is not normal). We always review items from a customers point of view, and review the meal as a whole, as it's offered up. The score is based on the meal which was tested, not on the new products alone.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if we had tried the Buffalo bites, the overall score would have been different.
Glad to see the Piri Piri actually exists. I've been to three seperate restaurants none of which have had any.
ReplyDeleteAll restaurants are currently out of Piri Piri - dunno if its a supply issue or something deeper . . . . i didn't ask.
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling to get my hands on the Piri Piri Bites ever since they supposedly became available several weeks ago... three different KFCs in different parts of the country were all unable to offer Piri Piri sauce (in one case the only sauce available was Sweet Chilli - they didn't even have Fiery Buffalo!).
ReplyDeleteThe Colonel needs to sort his supply chain out - this sauce shortage is making a mockery of the Bites promotion.
For those saying they're unable to get hold of it, piri piri has been taken off the menu after receiving too many complaints.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous above,
ReplyDeleteYou could not be more wrong if you tried. No complaints but a simple case of over demand simple as that.
Sorry to bust you bubble but best we stick to facts.