"double down" news and stories

Fast-food behemoth KFC has sunk to new lows, literally: They've hired female college students dressed in red sweats with the Double Down logo emblazoned on their rear ends to hand out KFC certificates. The campus hotties reportedly earn $500 for their efforts. The promotion officially kicked off this week in Louisville, Ky., and will soon hit three more campuses. College gals that are interested can simply apply on KFC's Facebook page.

The Double Down was primarily marketed to young men, so there's a warped logic to this latest guerrilla campaign.

When Slashfood first announced the new value meal lineup at Denny's several weeks ago, we had already started planning a field trip to taste test the most extraordinary addition to their menu -- the Fried Cheese Melt, what Denny's refers to as "a grilled cheese with a twist." Here's what it is: Take the classic grilled cheese with sourdough bread and American cheese, then stuff it with four fried mozzarella sticks and serve it with a side of marinara sauce. The $4 value meal is rounded out with a choice of soup or salad and served with a side of French fries.

This sandwich is just the latest addition to the extreme sandwich craze, which has been hitting all kinds of fast-food and restaurant chain outlets. First there was the Double Down from KFC, then the Grilled Cheese Burger Melt from Friendly's, then the foot-long cheeseburger from Carl's Jr. and now this. Due to the extreme nature of this sandwich, we invited Erik Trinidad, Slashfood contributor and creator of Fancy Fast Food, as well as Jake Goodrich, from Asylum.com, along to weigh in and we caught it all on tape.

Last week KFC announced its newest sandwich, the Doublicious, which Slashfood writer Jason Best coined (so aptly), the "Son of the Double Down."

Extremely similar to the Double Down, the Original Recipe Doublicious includes an Original Recipe filet topped with bacon, Monterey Jack cheese and Colonel's Sauce. The Grilled Doublicious is a grilled filet topped with Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce and honey mustard BBQ sauce. Both are served on a Hawaiian Bread bun.

The complete review after the jump.

For anyone wondering just how KFC was going to follow up on its infamous Double Down (the sandwich that's "so meaty, there's no room for a bun!"), it appears the wait is almost over.

In a coy email sent to the Colonel's most adoring fans, the company offered a glimpse of what it no doubt hopes will be the fast-food equivalent of a blockbuster summer sequel, think: "Son of the Double Down."

"The brand that created international buzz with the Double Down will make more menu news with a new sandwich this July," the email teases.

More after the jump...

After reporting yesterday on KFC's Double's Down newest rival, Friendly's Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt, we had to try one for ourselves. This glorified patty melt consists of a Friendly's Big Beef burger with lettuce, tomato, and mayo and, instead of a bun, two grilled cheese sandwiches -- we can't make this stuff up.

The complete review after the jump.