KFC’s Double Down Sandwich: More Meat, Cost, Calories & Outrage

by Liz McKibbon | April 13, 2010 at 10:13 pm

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Since KFC’s debut of the Double Down on April 12th, the newest chicken ‘sandwich’ (a bread-free treat with two pieces of bacon, Pepper Jack cheese, Swiss cheese, and Colonel’s Sauce held between two patties of chicken) has inspired controversy.

See: KFC Double Down: Chicken Sandwich Without Bread Coming April 12

Double Down Calorie Count

The KFC Original Recipe Double Down:

has 540 calories,
32 grams of fat,
1380 mg of sodium

In attempts to provide a ‘healthier’ option, the fast food giant announced the addition of a grilled version; the KFC Grilled Double Down with:

460 calories,
23 grams of fat,
1430 mg of sodium

The sandwich can be compared to McDonald’s Premium Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich (630 calories and 28 grams of fat).

At $4.99 for the sandwich and $6.99 for the “meal”, the Double Down is expected to hurt your wallet and your arteries.

Taco Bell also introduced their redefinition of the sandwich almost simultaneously: The "Stuffed Tortada."

Reviews seem to be polarized, with comments (via Twitter) describing the meal as ‘disappointing’ and ‘contains far too much chicken taste’ to calling it ‘incredible’. Not to mention the thousands of dieters that are simply appalled by the menu item.

Laughs about the Double Down

NPR taste tested the sandwich on their blog, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Blog Me” and documented the results. Here are a few quotes taken from the taste test, Monday:

Ian Chillag: It's really a triumph of nature. When they're alive, a chicken never gets to have a pork inside of it.

Peter: If I was going to kill myself with eating, this wouldn't be a bad way to go.

Ian: I shouldn't be typing while eating this. My keyboard is really shiny.

Emily: I think I just ate my dinner.

Mike: I think I just ate everyone's dinner.

It can’t go without mentioning that the sandwich also contains a contribution from a cow, in addition to the pork and chicken. Are you tasting it?

Many consumers can hardly believe America has introduced yet another way to give itself a heart attack. The sandwich is a clear sign of the times, being introduced during a peek of widespread obesity and diabetes in the US.