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Oh, America. You just couldn't resist, could you?
KFC, home of the now-legendary Double Down sandwich, is proudly trumpeting the news: The eye-popping tower of bacon and cheese surrounded by chicken filets (no bun) is about to sell its 10 millionth sandwich. And to celebrate, they're going to extend its run.
"This truly an example of popular demand," says Javier Benito, executive vice president of marketing and food innovation for KFC. "Our plans were to feature the product only through May 23, but millions of Double Down fans have spoken and we won't disappoint them. You'll continue to be able to get the Double Down at KFC this summer."
Ten million. Well, perhaps it couldn't be helped. The fried chicken chain got a huge burst of free marketing when news outlets heard about the breadless sandwich. If you didn't see the ads, you read the scathing commentary. And to parrot a cliché, there's no such thing as bad publicity. The Double Down has become a cultural touchstone – look online for proof. Twitter feeds are full of people marking their first encounters with the sandwich, and videos of people eating it are all over You Tube. "We've really never seen anything like it," says Benito.
In defense of fans of the sandwich, it's really not that much worse for you than what's already out there. Something about the lack of bread makes people assume the worse. (For those who don't want to know, shield your eyes.) The original version of the Double Down contains 540 calories and 32 grams of fat. (The grilled sandwich cuts calories to 460 and fat to 23 grams.) Yet for all the hoopla, this isn't really that outrageous in the fast-food world: A McDonald's Big Mac has 540 calories, 29 grams of fat, and a Burger King Whopper is even worse, weighing in at 670 calories and 40 grams of fat.
So is it the worst thing out there? Not by a long shot. But it's still not exactly health food. Is the taste worth it? With 10 million sold, plenty of people seem to think so.
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5-19-2010 @10:13PM arnie said... This sandwich looks absolutely awesome! Being able to eat things like this with no guilt or bad effects whatsoever is why I am a religious taker of Lipitor...
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5-19-2010 @10:26PM Appypony said... Recently tried this "sandwich" and found multiple complaints, starting with $5.50 for the thing. Aside from that, nowhere have I seen in an ad that the cheese or something is spicy, too spicy for me and my family.
I know that that is the popular thing right now, but NOT EVERYONE wants spicy for vaious reasons. IT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED BEFORE YOU WASTE YOUR MONEY! I'll stick with the "original" bucket of all dark for under $8.00 and add my own cheese if I want it.
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5-19-2010 @10:57PM Peter said... "This one-of-a-kind sandwich features two thick and juicy boneless white meat chicken filets (Original Recipe® or Grilled), two pieces of bacon, two melted slices of Monterey Jack and *PEPPER JACK* [emphasis mine] cheese and Colonel's Sauce."
Um, yeah that was real hard to figure out there would be a bit of heat in this sandwich.
5-19-2010 @10:43PM Jim Cochran said... These things taste great. I was very surprised by the overall way the D.D. came together. A co-worker went out to get lunch and I just through her some money said just get me what your having. She brought back some D.D.s and we all loved them. Nice job KFC.
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5-19-2010 @11:57PM Matthew said... You couldnt pay me to eat that garbage! It looks disgusting! Whoever eats it should watch a open heart surgery and see whats going to happen in their future!
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5-19-2010 @11:35PM Kevin said... THAT THING IS AWESOME ! I WANT TO EAT ONE EVERYDAY ! THE FIRST TIME I ATE ONE I ALMOST CRIED WHEN I WAS FINISHED !
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5-19-2010 @11:41PM Christine said... If this thing were served on a bun it would simply be a double chicken sandwich and nobody would bat an eye. But remove the bread and suddenly it's evil incarnate.
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5-20-2010 @12:21AM Nikou said... Wooww. America is truly getting fatter and fatter every single year. This peice of crap that you guys say is "nutrient filled" are soo wrong. This is filled with 540 calories 32 grams of fat and 1380 MG OF SODIIUM?!?!?
Honestly, you should only have at least 800 mg per day. Can't you open your eyes people? We dont NEED these kinds of food. It's not necessary, and yet we just, eat, and eat. . .
All these 10,000,000 hormone, and antibiotic filled chickens could have been killed and at least given to countries living in poverty.
And you know what the truly sad part is? The people that are pointing out the truth of this "Sandwhich" are getting one star, while the others that are saying it's delicious and not that bad, are getting three.
DISSSGRACCEEE!
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5-20-2010 @12:46AM Peter said... It is illegal to use hormones in chickens
5-20-2010 @12:30AM julie said... I BOUGHT THE SANDWHICH AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD THE BACON WITH AN EGGWHITE OMELET, I HAD THE TOP CHICKEN BREAST WITH A SALAD FOR LUNCH, AND CUT UP THE BOTTOM CHICKEN BREAST, THREW IT IN A BOWL OF WHOLE WHEAT PASTA AND THAT WAS DINNER. THREE MEALS FROM ONE SANDWHICH,THATS A GOOD DEAL!
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5-20-2010 @12:43AM ed said... I found the "health" info interesting. My Grandfathers ate: fried chicken from the South; fried potatoes;
bacon; eggs fried in bacon grease; the list goes on and on. When they walked on, they were well into their 90's. My parents ate much healthier diets in their adult years but almost made it to their 80's. I'm a 63 year old male that has eaten a fairly "healthy" diet by todays health standards (very little fast food). I haven't had fried chicken in years. Tomorrow, I'm gonna go to KFC and get two of those sandwiches. Maybe, in keeping with my new "Grandpa Diet" I'll stop and get a beer and a cigar.
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5-20-2010 @12:34AM Steve said... Come on people wake up. Everyone sees the 2 fried pieces of chicken, you can also get it with baked chicken for a healthier meal. But as an American I have my rights to my trans fat, staurated fats, carbs, sugars etc. And nobody has the right to take those away from me. As for myself I do not like this "nanny minded goverment" I believe I'm smart enough to take care of myself.
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5-20-2010 @1:21AM John Veer said... Is 10 million sold really that big of a deal?It's new,many will try it once and never buy it again. I have not and probably will not have one. People thaought that green catsup was a big deal. I even bought some myself,kids hated it.Where is it now?
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5-20-2010 @1:29AM Cheryl said... I love this "sandwich". Those of you who don't, go eat your McD's tastless burger, chicken sandwich or fries with more calories, more sodium, more carbs, more fat, less taste. I love it and hope KFC keeps it on their menu.
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5-20-2010 @3:13AM dizzle said... thats why we so damn fat now, trying to find the positives in this heart attack of a sandwich
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5-20-2010 @1:37PM Cooldude said...
The Grilled Double Down has only 3 carbs and 460 calories. Now, if your are an athlete in training, a model trying to lose weight or a body builder or anyone on the Atkins diet,
On top of that, this sandwich has a whopping 53 grams of protein . That's more than 4 protein bars or 3 protein shakes. So if you have been bamboozled by the farm lobby into thinking that carbs are good for and fats are bad, you wouldn't understand, but I you are an athlete, trainer, successful dieter or diabetic. this sandwich is a dream come true.
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5-22-2010 @4:04PM Our Healthier Living said... Very interesting topics.I am looking this type of topics, I need more informations because everyone knows "Health is wealth" is very much known to all and everyone wants good health. That means no one wants to leave this wealth. So, Let us build a food habit discipline, keep pace with work, rest and or exercise to Achieve good health, The ultimate wealth.
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6-18-2010 @12:19AM snuqueen said... Ok...everyone....CALM down! The grilled version of the Double Down only has 3 grams of carbs. There are many people who still watch carbs as blood sugar control. Even if you don't believe in low carb diets, they have been proven to control blood sugar in those with hyper/hypo glycemia! Not having starch is the best way to control blood sugar.
Give KFC some Kudos for coming up with something that people watching carbs can actually eat!
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6-18-2010 @12:18AM Nan Frink said... Ok...everyone....CALM down! The grilled version of the Double Down only has 3 grams of carbs. There are many people who still watch carbs as blood sugar control. Even if you don't believe in low carb diets, they have been proven to control blood sugar in those with hyper/hypo glycemia! Not having starch is the best way to control blood sugar.
Give KFC some Kudos for coming up with something that people watching carbs can actually eat!
Read more: http://www.slashfood.com/2010/05/19/kfcs-double-down-gamble-pays-off/2#c28722326#ixzz0rAuYBt1v
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