After a frenzied storm of media excitement, KFC’ s infamous Double Down burger was released in stores last Tuesday. Critic was in such anticipation of this that we literally wet ourselves with excitement while waiting in line for our first taste of the chicken creation.
The novel burger casts aside traditional burger buns in favour of battered chicken fillets, and is filled with bacon, two slices of cheese and sauce. Although the burger measures only approximately 10cm squared, it costs $7.90, with a combo being sold for $10.90.
The burger went on sale at 9am, and by 1pm KFC North Dunedin was packed with ravenous students. Although it took around forty minutes of waiting to get a Double Down, students were light hearted. “ Do you have a ‘lite’ option?” joked one. “ It’ s not that bad a wait for your place in history” , noted another optimistic/deluded bystander.
By contrast, the KFC North Dunedin staff appeared frazzled. The orders took so long that patrons were given complimentary Crunchie bars for their trouble. At around 1.45pm, a worker told Critic that they had sold “ lots” of Double Downs, indeed “ probably over 500” .
Never one to shy away from excessive fat intake, Critic put the Double Down to the test. Despite our testers having previously been excited about the prospect of trying the Double Down, they were universally disappointed by the appearance of the product. “That looks a bit shit really” commented one tester, with another opining “ it doesn’t look like the picture” . Although our taste testers consumed the product willingly, both regretted their decision. One commented that the burger was “awful”, while another stated he “regretted the whole idea”.
Much of the controversy around Double Downs has stemmed from the apparently excessive fat content of the burger. The Double Down contains 34.4 g fat, and is 604 calories. However, in comparison to its fast food peers the Double Down is relatively run-of-the-mill. A Big Mac contains 26g of fat and 491 calories, while a Burger King Whopper has 37 g of fat and 633 calories.
Hilariously ACT on Campus attempted to use the release of the Double Downs as a press stunt, by giving away five Double Downs at various locations. On their Facebook page ACT on Campus claimed a tenuous link between the fatty burger and ACT principles, referring to the Double Down as “ 600 Calories of Freedom”.
Downing the Double Down. Stoners Everywhere Rejoice
