Food Review – The KFC Double Down Chicken Sandwich

From the moment I heard about it, I was intrigued.

Who wouldn’t be?

KFC, the master of coronary delights, apparently decided deep fried food was way too healthy and thought, “How can we make our food kill people even more quickly?”

Presenting, the Double Down.

What is it, exactly?

Imagine a sandwich with no bun. What’s this, you ask? How is that possible?

Well, my friend, the bun is meat. That’s right, two pieces of grilled or original recipe chicken. In between, cheese, bacon, and sauce. This pretty much ensures the sandwich is only for the manliest of men. Or masochists. So, I figured what the hey and popped the $5 for it. I opened the box, and this awaited.

The ads don't mention it comes with a complimentary defibrillator.

The bacon isn’t even visible.

Summoning the little courage I had left from years of rejection by women, I took the first bite.

I tell you what, the sandwich might sound gross, but it works. Be warned, though, there is a RIDICULOUS amount of sodium in it (1,380 mg, to be exact, in the Original Recipe version. Incredulously, the grilled version has 1,430!). But the chicken is just two breast pieces, the bacon was crispy, and the cheese and sauce add more salty goodness.

I finally managed to down the entire thing with a feeling of triumph mixed with sadness knowing my arteries have given up and walked off the job. The sandwich itself was good, but I honestly don’t know if I could ever eat another one, as I’m pretty sure I cut my life expectancy by 1/3.

I get the feeling this might just be a promotional thing that won’t stay on the menu for long. For the sake of our country’s health, I hope so. But, if you’re intrigued, don’t like life, or just plain feel like your blood’s been racing through your system too quickly, give it a shot.

Nutritional facts (from kfc.com):

Sandwich Calories Fat (g) Sodium (mg)
KFC Original Recipe® Double Down 540 32 1380
KFC Grilled Double Down 460 23 1430
Steve Kelley

Born in South Korea, Steve came to the US when he was three months old and has lived in St. Louis for the majority of his life. Of course, he naturally took a liking to the Cardinals, Blues, and thin-crust pizza. On the weekends, he can be found spending time with his friends, watching sports, or playing with his niece. Baseball, scotch, beer, guitar, softball, and drawing are among his many varied interests. Steve also has giant calves. E-mail: SteveK [at] ReviewSTL.com.

View Comments

  • After eating this, I'm now 100% sure that my organs are planning a revolt. The ringleader will be the arteries, as their former leader my liver, ran off after years of neglect and abuse.

    I couldn't finish it though, it was just too much. But damned if I didn't try.

Recent Posts

Movie Review: THE ODYSSEY starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland

Christopher Nolan has done it again. With The Odyssey, Nolan takes one of the oldest…

4 days ago

Movie Review: EVIL DEAD BURN starring Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan

The deadites are back in the latest installment of the Evil Dead franchise in Sébastien Vaniček’s Evil Dead Burn. To say the…

1 week ago

Opera Review: ROMEO AND JULIET at OTSL

Cross words and crossed swords meet with tragic results in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ Romeo and Juliet. The…

1 month ago

Opera Review: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at OTSL

Southern charm meets emotional harm in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ A Streetcar Named Desire,…

1 month ago

Opera Review: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at OTSL

Love is in the air in Florence, but not everyone is happy about it. This…

2 months ago

Movie Review: PRESSURE starring Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser

Pressure is the kind of war film that succeeds not through explosions or battlefield spectacle,…

2 months ago