I stumbled across this KFC in Bangalore while waiting for my sleeper bus to Goa. I could not believe how happy I felt to see something familiar, even if it was a fast food restaurant I never even visit at home. I paused to wave at the Colonel, and that's when I saw the banner in the window advertising vegetarian chicken. Whaaa?
I ran inside, feeling a little guilty for being seduced by corporate culture, and ordered up some veg chicken sticks and French fries.
Then I sat at my little table with my hands folded and watched the smartly dressed waiters - Indian KFC has table service - hustle around, accompanied by a Muzak version of Madonna's greatest hits. The comfort factor was overwhelming.
The veg chicken was sort of like fish sticks - rectangular, unnaturally white and uniformly processed - with an occasional pea or carrot chunk for texture. It wouldn't win any culinary prizes, but the appeal of salty batter never fades. The fries were like heaven and, as a bonus, my tray liner included this intriguing game.
It's a maze with a bucket of chicken at the starting point. The directions read, "Try coming out of its taste." Hmmm...
So if KFC is mass-producing vegetarian options for India, why don't we have them in the U.S.? I know there's less interest in vegetarian dining in America, but how hard would it be to throw a pack of these Bangalorian veg sticks in the freezer?
Look into that, would you Mr. Chicken?
Fecal haikus! What fun, and I love the look you've given the blog. Mine is quite stodgy by comparison, but given the topic, maybe that's appropriate. I also read your veg KFC piece, and now I remember why I miss NEH so much since it went away. Kepp on keeping on.
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