KFC

KFC Eleven. I guess having Yum! Brands in our city is a great thing for when they decide to experiment with any of their menus (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC).
I’ve been here quite a few times. When it first opened I had a few of their flatbread sandwiches and rice bowls. It is definitely a step up from your typical fast food place, but not by much. Everything is always fresh here.
As I went back, I ended up settling on a 3 piece chicken meal, with waffle fries & biscuit as the side. Yeah… not really that healthy for me, but I do feel that it satisfies the fast food hunger without being corn fed beef or sending you into a food coma. The meal I order always leaves me satisfied. I can usually eat that for lunch and I’m satisfied for 8 – 10 hours later. In my eyes that’s saying something.
When i heard they were doing an experimental store that is supposed to be healthier than your average KFC, I was interested. If I could change one thing about this place it would be the way you order your food (See below).
It’s not that it’s a bad method. When you walk in, you get the impression that it’s another store with the likeness to Chipotle, Subway, or a build your own whatever type of store. It’s not a store like that at all. You have menu items and you get what you want. I think that KFC Eleven would have really stood out if they had a line like that. Fresh ingredients. Build your own chicken flatbread, chicken wrap, chicken salad. I would be all over that!

I’m not, generally, a KFC fan.
The options available at this concept store, however, are far more palatable than the fare served up at the regular stores.
I like the Crispy Strips with that Sweet Orange Ginger sauce. Quite tasty!
The staff is always friendly and reasonably quick and the dining room is always clean and tidy.

This is more like a 3.5 star joint food-​wise but because the service was so good and the business itself was super clean, I’m bumping it up to 4.
First things first, THIS IS STILL A FAST FOOD JOINT. I think people are disappointed if they think otherwise but overall, the food and especially the service is a big upgrade from typical KFC’s.
Oddly but seriously, I was impressed that their lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado on my sandwich was fresh and unwilted. Their coleslaw was good too with less mayo/​creaminess than typical KFC’s. It’s not every day that you get fresh produce toppings from a fast food chain. :P Also, waffle fries! LOVED them. YUM execs, please consider offering this at ALL KFC’s!

KFC eleven is the concept store and the Colnel is making a definite effort to go up market. Most of KFC’s growth comes from overseas now, so it sounds like Yum brands is looking to grow its home market and this store is the first attempt.
Upon walking in, it is evident that they desperately want to be Chipotle. From the open floor plan, hard surfaces, modern design and see-​your-​food counter, it is extremely reminiscent of the burrito shop down the street that is setting the trends in fast food. I counted 6 different types of seating. The design is also pretty efficient and patrons have a place to queue without getting in diners’ way.
The menu is succinct and makes ordering pretty simple. Don’t expect buckets of fried chicken, though. The fare at least looks healthier (I didn’t check nutrition facts) and, IMO, tastes better. I went with the California Club Sandwich which was pretty good, though fairly messy with a side of waffle fries (really good). The grilled chicken was covered in seasoning, but failed to live up to the promise. It was a little on the pricey side at around $ 9/​meal. That price tag elevates KFC eleven into some fairly tough competition.
Staff was friendly and answered questions about the menu.
Parking was a hassle even on a rainy Tuesday, but it often is on Bardstown.
Overall, it was pretty good experience. I don’t think that I would go out of my way to eat here, but the concept is solid. If Yum decides to expand to more convenient locations, I could see visiting with some regularity.

Not impressed with the KFC concept store. Prices are almost double and all you can get is boneless chicken.

Always love when a business try’s something new, so when I moved to Louisville and herd KFC had an experimental restaurant it became an easy first stop.
Enjoyed the modern atmosphere and very exceptional customer service.
I’ve tried a few things so far including the habenero jack sandwich and chicken bites both exceeding my expectations. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and crispy served with some kind of warm moist garlic bread strips. KFC 11 also offers a variety of sauces, 2 of which I preferred very much the buffalo and creamy pesto.
To improve the only suggestions I would make is playing some kind of enjoyable music as to tone out the sounds of the kitchen. Secondly, I would of liked if a worker would of brought our food to our table rather then calling our number to keep up with the modern vibe and friendly customer service.

This is the only drive through between my school and work. As you can imagine, I’ve eaten a LOT of it. The girls in the drive through got used to seeing me so much they would hand me sauces without me even asking for it.
This restaurant is what I consider a step up from the traditional KFC restaurant. Both in price and taste. My food has always been warm and they are fast. There are also several healthy options from this restaurant that you don’t normally get from a fast food chain.
Compared to other places in this neighborhood, the food is good, not the best thing I’ve ever had. Don’t worry KFC11, I’ll be back.

Wasn’t super impressed with the food, but I don’t think I ordered right. I got the ginger chicken rice bowl. It had too much cilantro and the vegetables were clearly a frozen mix which were not appetizing. The green beans and broccoli were a weird green/​brown color and I did not eat them.
My friend ordered a BBQ chicken flat bread which looked much better.
Best part — Pepsi has customizable soft drink dispensers. You can make cherry mountain dew, orange diet pepsi, lime brisk tea… etc. Its pretty neat.
I would try it again to order something else, just not my first choice in restaurants in the area.

You took the sauce away? Don’t act like you ain’t got money from this expensive greasy ass chicken boo.

Not bad. Tried the down home with fried chicken. Not great but went back and got it with the grilled chicken it was really good. Plus it seemed like more chicken. Nice change of pace from the usual KFC. I’d pass on the waffle fries. Just a weird side with the meal and they really weren’t that good. Switched it up and got a salad the 2^nd time (living the highland life). Not a fan of salad but seemed more appealing than macaroni and cheese. Friend from work tried the chicken chili. He said it didn’t really taste like chili but more of tomato soup. I give it an A+ for the music they play.

A) the only KFC’s I’ve ever liked are in India. Yep, India.
B) because they’re a lot spicier over there.
C) but since this is somewhat a phenomena (I can tell all my South Carolina friends I’ve eaten fast food they’ve never heard of), my wife and I decided to go.
Aaaaand, it’s about what you’d expect a fast food, «…all right, how about this: we go modern» joint is gonna be.
Trendy, techie (the drink fountains! …still not as cool as the ones at Moe’s), and a little bit loud.
If the prices were cheaper, I’d feel better about this place. I liked the mac and cheese, and my caribbean bowl was better than a McD’s, but if I’m gonna spend $ 9 on a combo, Chipotle’s is where I’m headed.
Shoot. If the streets weren’t packed, I’da headed on down to el taco luchador.

KFC Eleven. Coming soon to your neighborhood? Maybe, maybe not.
One benefit of living in Louisville is that it is the home of YUM Foods (owners of KFC). Louisvillians sometimes get to try new items and concepts before they become available to the rest of the country. KFC Eleven is a brand-​new concept for KFC, and the flagship for this brand is in the trendy Bardstown Road area.
KFC Eleven is like no KFC you have seen! It is in the casual dining market segment, and the look expresses that. The décor is very trendy and modern. It’s attractive, but all the surfaces are hard, which makes it pretty noisy.
The menu is based on «boneless white meat» fried chicken, but the emphasis is on using the chicken in other dishes: flatbread sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, sandwiches and soups.
I ordered a «down home rice bowl» for $ 6.99, and made it a combo with waffle fries and a drink.
For me, the rice bowl was «meh.» The chicken was either over cooked or held too long, so it was tough and dry.
The waffle fries were really good! They might have been some of the best I have had.
The iced tea was freshly brewed and wonderful.
For me, KFC Eleven is a mixed bag. I am glad to have experienced it, but won’t go out of my way to eat here again.

When I walked in here I had no clue that the food was completely different from other KFC’s. I thought that it was just given a different look and name not that all the food selections had changed (Now I’m hearing that every KFC is going to be an 11) So don’t go in here thinking it has a buffet because it doesn’t. The atmosphere is very nice and the store has a very modern look to it. The cashier was very polite and everything seems OK it’s just the food that kind of had me down. It’s a little bit more pricey than other KFC’s and the food portions aren’t as big as what you’d get from a regular KFC. I think I will go back but not anytime soon.

Milling around on a Friday night, the boys were getting a little hungry and the oldest wanted to try something new but still familiar. KFC eleven was nearby, so…
Based on the other reviews, I knew that this experiment in fast food dining was akin to a Chipotle’s or Qdoba, etc., so I wasn’t surprised with the line and prep table for viewing. However, I was taken aback to how stark the environment is. Harsh, raised lighting that casts long shadows, sharp angles and just grayish, plus the concrete flooring and high ceiling make sound echo and appear tinny. For me, it felt as if I were sitting inside a glassed in, steel cooler where someone decided to store some modern art. I half expected the black-​shirted serving staff to be like some German art connoisseur and welcome me with a stare and an, «Auf Wiedersehn, I am Gunther, vat vould you like to order… but first, we must dance.» I suspect this setting would appear more inviting during the warmth of day but at night, it’s just bleak.
As for the food, the boys opted for the standard KFC fare, so that was what it was. I tried the Southwestern Baja Rice bowl which was unimpressive. There’s a limit to the amount of cilantro that makes something southwestern or barely edible. KFC eleven crossed that particular border and headed far south of the Rio Grande, somewhere near a herd of grazing cilantro-​eating llamas maybe. Blah.
So, my initial response is KFC eleven is a failure. Not really because of the food as that’s easily fixed, but because it lacks the one ingredient which I think, in part, the entire chain was built upon… warmth. Being modern for modern’s sake seems disingenuous, and, while I understand the desire to appeal to a new generation, this doesn’t seem to me the best way to do it.

Solid improvement over the old KFC formula. Instead of grandma’s KFC, you have rice bowls, flatbreads, sandwiches, and still can get a bucket of chicken if you so choose.
My favorite item is the Southwestern Rice Bowl with grilled chicken. Solid southwest item, great flavor, and tasty. Service is always friendly, and fast, and management love asking customer opinions being this is a concept restaurant.
Try it out sometime.

I had the Southwestern Baja Rice Bowl with grilled chicken.
Pros: Nobody else was in the drive-​through when I was there and I got in and out of it quickly — even quicker than I did back when it was a regular KFC.
The pieces of flatbread served with the bowl were excellent. They had a slight taste of garlic.
They were having a special with 11 percent off since it was «11 herbs and spices day.» I’m not sure if they do that every month on the 11^th or not.
They also gave me a coupon for a free entrée on a return visit. Again, I’m not sure if they do this every day.
Cons: The bowl itself was mediocre. The grilled chicken was good but the slightly spicy orange-​colored sauce was weird, and the black beans and rice didn’t have flavor on their own.
I had to listen to two spiels from the drive-​through worker: one about upgrading to a combo and the other about their «delicious cookies.»
I also didn’t get the correct total (with the 11 percent off) at the speaker, but I was charged correctly at the window.
Bottom line: Next time I’ll probably try a sandwich. I’m not sure how popular this place is, so you may want to try it while it’s still open.

I went into KFC Eleven with not a lot of expectations.
I mostly wanted to give this new concept store — the only one in the country — a try so I could say that I did.
But I will say that I was pleasantly surprised. KFC Eleven fills a niche between fast food and high-​end dining — a niche needed in the Highlands.
But first a little background: You can get pieces of the Colonel’s famous chicken at this KFC, but it has sandwich, salad, flatbread and rice bowl options not found elsewhere.
From what I’ve read, KFC Eleven is trying to compete with the Qdobas and Chipotles of the world — not so much the McDonalds and the Taco Bells.
On my recent trip I got the Southwestern Baja Rice Bowl, which had black beans, corn salsa, shredded cheddar, avocado, cilantro, tortilla sauce, tortilla strips and rice. And out of grilled or crispy chicken, I chose crispy chicken. My boyfriend got the salad version of this.
And it was delectably spiced — flavorful but not too spicy. The serving size was generous but not over the top. We also got mac and cheese on the side, which filled that comfort food itch I had.
Our friend got a sandwich and the waffle fries, which were better that any we’ve had at fast food restaurants.
And on top of this the restaurant was impeccably clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful. (I think there were some KFC execs in when we were, so that may have played a part in that. But maybe not.)
I also geeked out a little over the touch screen soda dispensers. Too cool!
There are many food options in the Highlands, so among those I don’t think KFC Eleven’s selections particularly stand out. But when I’m in the mood for something fast that’s not fast food, I will definitely go back to KFC Eleven.

Was there last night for the real KFC and surprised that they changed. I was hoping to get dark meat with bones but they only had boneless chicken. I decided to give it a try and I was so disappointed. The meat was way too salty and soggy. The flat bread that came with it was too salty as well (I got creamy basil one). The potato waffle was good. So it is not healthy either since the meat is still fried (not grilled or baked) and on top of that it is TOO SALTY.
Sorry KFC Eleven.

Being that this is the first of its kind in the world and that I live in the neighborhood, obviously I had to check this out even if I’m not a fan of KFC to begin with.
For starters, the atmosphere is really neat. The setup is clean and modern and there is outside seating, perfect for people-​watching in the Highlands.
My party had already made the rounds to River City Drafthouse and Holy Grale and we felt it was absolutely necessary to stop in here since we were next door. We weren’t entirely hungry, but my husband and I split a 3-​piece meal with mac & cheese and waffle fries and my sister had the Asian chicken rice bowl. I for one really enjoyed the meal… I’ve always shied away from KFC because I hate bones in my chicken, so the fact that this was boneless was great. The flatbread was delicious, as was the mac & cheese. Waffle fries were okay. Sister wasn’t entirely impressed with her rice bowl.
The 3-​piece meal plus a drink set us back almost $ 10, so I think that’s a little steep when I believe I may have been able to get the same thing cheaper at a regular KFC.
The coolest parts were the bar with the several assorted sauces and the drink machine which was really just a touch-​screen device that let you completely customize your drink experience. The guy running the register was great-​super friendly and happy to be there, but the gals working the food line seemed really grouchy.

I was very impressed by the updated menu. The side salad of mixed greens was very fresh and tasty. I opted for the ranch dressing and it played well with the variety of greens in the salad.
I picked the Habanero Jack sandwich and was impressed at the flavors. It was served hot and fresh. I added extra Lettuce and pickle and it was made to order.
The cheesy flat-​bread was tasty but a bit too oily for my liking. For desert I tried the S’Mores bar which had a lot going on for it — crunchy & chocolaty goodness.
The Salted Caramel Freeze was sweet, caramelized and had a bit of saltiness to it — excellent on such a hot day.