Saturday, June 16, 2007

Kenny Rogers Roasters, Singapore

Clockwise from left: half chicken, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and corn bread

It's always interesting to see brands like Ocean Pacific and Hang Ten so prevalent over here in Asia despite the fact that they've largely retreated (or even completely vanished) back in the US. On the food side, there is a similar relic of the US still alive here: Kenny Rogers Roasters, complete with framed photographs of the bearded artist and references to his music plastered all over.

And if eaten only occasionally, the food is actually half-bearable, with very moist chicken, hard-to-find-around-here cornbread, and generous heapings of side dishes. That is, as long as you don't mind the fact that you're paying up to twenty bucks per person in what looks like a cafeteria (the Great World location used to have a more homely wooden feel until they revamped it to look like some tacky brightly-lit Las Vegas buffet complete with neon signs...Circus Circus, anyone?).

These guys also had some news story posted on their wall about how they rated better than rival chicken chains like KFC or Chick-fil-A. I didn't quite catch the name of the publication nor the date, but I can only assume that it was very old if it were in reference to Kenny Rogers in the US. Well, it doesn't matter. To me, the king of all chicken is without a doubt Zankou back in LA. In the meantime, I suppose that this will have to do for now.

5 comments:

HAHA, I am a winner! said...

whoaaa, looks great. ;D

Anonymous said...

Have you tried Nando's in KL? The peri peri sauce is pretty addictive and the chips are of the thick cut sort.

I guess we're held ransom by the Mac N Cheese at Kenny Roger's. Have you any idea where else we could get a good one in singapore? Besides the instant Kraft ones off the supermarket shelf.

bma said...

Yeah, the Seah Street Deli has some Mac and Cheese, but it was a bit weird.

Nando's is the South African place, right? I had it once at the airport in Penang, of all places. It was a long time ago, but I seem to have a favorable impression of it.

LiquidShaDow said...

I think Nando's Portugese. Or so they make it up to be

http://smallpotatoesmakethesteaklookbigger.blogspot.com/2006/10/nandos-mid-valley-kuala-lumpur.html

Anonymous said...

Yeah Nando's the South African place, the cool thing is that they seem to source their chickens from local areas, so the Nando's in Bangkok has leaner chicken while the ones in UK are plumper and juicier.

Rice options in Asia are localized to suit the palate and uninspiring. The chips with peri-peri sauce are yums! The chicken has the smoky taste, probably from the peri peri marinada.

Thanks for the Mac & Cheese tip. I love your reviews of the seafood places in USA. Miss that and the great Mexican food we don't have here.