Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), built a successful fast-food empire but reportedly disliked one of its popular menu items. After selling KFC to investors in 1964, Sanders remained the company’s spokesperson. He frequently critiqued changes made to the food, as reported by The Takeout, a food publication.
One major concern Sanders had was about the restaurant’s gravy. In a 1978 interview with the Courier-Journal, Sanders made his feelings clear. He described the gravy as “horrible,” according to court records accessed via Justia, a legal technology firm. He compared it to “wallpaper paste” and believed it lacked the quality of his original recipe.
“They buy tap water for 15 to 20 cents per 1,000 gallons, and then they mix it with flour and starch and end up with pure wallpaper paste,” Sanders said.
Sanders claimed the gravy had no nutritional value and argued it should not be sold. His comments sparked controversy, leading a KFC franchise in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to file a lawsuit against Sanders and the newspaper. However, the lawsuit was dismissed, and the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the dismissal. The court ruled that Sanders’ remarks were aimed at KFC generally without singling out the specific franchise.
Despite the criticism from Sanders, KFC’s gravy continues to be a fan favorite. On Reddit, some users defended the gravy as a beloved comfort food, while others agreed with Sanders’ negative assessment. Some fans claimed the original gravy recipe, which included chicken cracklings, seasoned breading, milk, and cream, differed from the current version.
Additionally, Reddit users shared homemade gravy recipes and tips on how to replicate the classic taste. The discussion highlights the continued interest and loyalty to KFC’s gravy despite historical critiques.
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