It’s been weeks since a state of lockdown was imposed on the UK and I suspect I’m not the only one missing the colonel. The news that KFC was reopening a limited number of sites was a welcome relief. So I went, and as delicious as the food was, visiting a KFC during lockdown is a discombobulating experience.
You’re greeted outside by a friendly employee wearing gloves and a mask who politely requests that you stand on a designated spot outside. It’s one in, one out, so I waited for four minutes before entering. This is fine, we are all now unfortunately familiar with the process.
Once inside a limited menu means I can’t order a Zinger Wrap but I can get a Zinger burger and a Gravy Megabox. The server is housed behind a perspex screen. It feels like the first time I went to a supermarket during lockdown, a familiar and typically routine experience transformed into something alien and unusual.
As unusual as it feels, staff are smiley and friendly. Inside is neatly divided into two areas, one for customers, one for delivery drivers. During the few minutes I’m inside, three Deliveroo drivers collect orders, another two are waiting outside, and there are seven in a huddle waiting opposite.
The tables and chairs are stacked up and the toilets are closed.
Everything is present and correct when I find somewhere to sit down and eat.
The hot wings were perfect, unusually large and especially delicious.
When I leave, the queue outside has grown to a few people, with one friendly man especially excited, triple checking with the employee outside whether he can actually order some food rather than just have it delivered.
Kudos to KFC for beginning to reopen, and I’ve got nothing but love for the employees on this Southern fried front line.
Location: Epsom High Street
Date: 16 May 2020
Time: 14:21pm
Time in queue: 4:05
How many tills open: One
Touchscreens: None
Order time: 14:25
Food served: 14:28
Order: Gravy Megabox, Zinger burger meal
Order total: £8.98
Everything present and correct: Yes
Precis
SNAPSHOT
Discombobulated Fried Chicken
It’s been weeks since a state of lockdown was imposed on the UK and I suspect I’m not the only one missing the colonel. The news that KFC was reopening a limited number of stores was a welcome relief. So I went, and as delicious as the food was, visiting a KFC during lockdown is a discombobulating experience.
