Food Review: Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen

Wake up, Malaysia!! There's a new fast food chain joining the ranks of MacD's, KFC and A&W, and its name is the same as that lovable one-eyed sailor with his ever-present pipe; Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. I went over to give it a try when it first opened its doors in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, my neighbourhood, yeehaw!!

[caption id="attachment_882" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen at TTDI"][/caption]

Now, bear in mind that when I went there, they were opened for maybe about a week. They're now about 2 months old, if I'm not mistaken. As with everything new, it attracts attention and a huge line of people were already there at lunchtime to satisfy their curiousity and their appetites. I guess it is excusable for any new shop or restaurant to have really bad service because of inexperience, and that was how the service was at Popeye's; slow and steady.

They have quite a selection though, for a shop that was newly opened. Their menu is not just limited to burgers and fries, they have rice bowls, fried chicken, chicken strips and salad too.

[caption id="attachment_886" align="alignleft" width="194" caption="The (fully-eaten) chicken and the two side dishes"][/caption]

We tried the fried chicken, which came with a biscuit (some sort of doughy bread) and two side dishes of coleslaw and mashed potatoes. The fried chicken, well, wasn't a break-through in tastebuds but was just okay (sorry about the fully eaten chicken in the picture, we were too hungry to wait). Don't expect the same herbs and spices of KFC's chicken, Popeye's fried chicken was tasty but not exactly mind-blowing or memorable.

[caption id="attachment_889" align="alignright" width="162" caption="The coleslaw and mashed potatoes"][/caption]

The coleslaw was nice though but it still can't beat KFC's coleslaw. The mashed potatoes was different in taste because it had a slightly spicy gravy and some added ingredients such as small pieces of chicken. Give this one a try if you can handle spicy food.

[caption id="attachment_893" align="alignleft" width="192" caption="Fried Chicken Strips"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_897" align="alignright" width="144" caption="The biscuit"][/caption]

We also had the chicken strips, which I liked best, because they were soft and juicy. It also came with the biscuit and the two side dishes. I don't like the biscuit though. There's this kind of weird after-taste that's slightly bitter and oily. I don't quite know how to explain it, all I can say is I can do without the biscuit.

The environment is cozy though. They really renovated the old Shakey's Pizza lot. However, they still maintained the balcony that overlooks the road so smokers and those who love the view and heights are able to chit-chat and eat to their heart's content.

[caption id="attachment_901" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="The Balcony"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_905" align="aligncenter" width="243" caption="The interior of the upstairs"][/caption]

Since I ate there quite a while ago, I can't remember the exact price of the items but I do remember whispering to my friend that Popeye's is slightly pricier than KFC. In my personal opinion, the pricing and the food was just 'okay', not exactly value for money but okay to try and to eat once in a while. The upside to Popeye's is that they offer a few menu items that other fast food chains don't, such as their fried seafood basket and burgers. And no, just because they are named Popeye doesn't mean there's any spinach on the menu, so sorry to disappoint. :D Oh, here's another review of the restaurant by Wanderlust if you want a second opinion.

So give it a try if you're in the neighbourhood or wait until they reach your own area. They should be opening another branch soon in one of the malls in Petaling Jaya.