[Rain Man]

....that's a good question, especially considering I had Popeyes last night and KFC last week.

While Columbus does have quite a few Church's chicken joints in town (one of them actually sharing space with a White Castles), the first and last time I had Church's chicken was in November 1989 (it was rather tasty, mind you--I just don't know what's holding me back from trying Church's again).

Anyway, that leaves Popeye's v. KFC. I like Popeye's spicy crispy strips (but hate the effect the spices have on the stomach and, uh, "digestive system"). Their mashed potatoes w/gravy and their greens are the BOMB (why they took the greens off the menu is beyond me). For some reason, every time I eat Popeyes, that General Otis commercial from Undercover Brother is always playing in my head. Oh, and I love their biscuits too.

KFC, however has IMHO the best original recipe coating. I have loved it since I was a kid, however perhaps due to my age, I now find it a bit too salty and too fatty. But it's a guilty pleasure nonetheless. Back in the day (mid-80s), they had Kentucky Nuggets which I thought were the best chicken nuggets I ever had. Too bad they did away with them. 5 years ago they had 5 different KFC sandwiches. They now have 2 still on the menu, the Original Recipe sandwich which I liked best they did away with. I would eat that with the 99 cent potato wedges.

In short, KFC has experimented with various dishes that while I personally liked them, they never kept them long term or brought them back sporadically (case in point: their rotisserie gold chicken--DEE-LEE-I-O-SHUS!!). Their sides dishes I think is okay, but not great.

So to sum up, I like KFC when I want "plain" fried chicken (which I usually eat with Pasta Roni and a vegetable), Popeye's when I want crispy chicken and their side dishes.