Fried chicken fans certainly aren’t short of options in the UK. There’s KFC, which will be the go-to spot for many, plus Popeyes, Wingstop, and Slim Chickens, as well as a number of late-night chicken shops on the high street.
We’ve also got the impending return of Chick-fil-A to look forward to in 2025, but before that happens another fast food chain from across the Atlantic is hitting our shores.
Mary Brown’s Chicken, more recently known as MB Chicken, is launching its very first store in England, opening in London next week.
The chain has been a Canadian institution since 1969, and already has a few locations in Northern Ireland (Belfast and Lisburn), but will now also be available in Smithy Lane, Hounslow too.
From November 6 those in the capital will be able to try the chicken spot that’s turning KFC fans into MB converts, and has had some interesting reviews…
On X (formerly Twitter), @CourtneyShim claimed that it’ll change your fast food preferences for good, writing: ‘If you’ve tasted Mary Brown’s, you wouldn’t eat KFC. People wait up to 30 minutes for the chicken to be ready.’
Similarly @mkinney427 said: ‘I always enjoyed Mary Brown’s Chicken way more than KFC!’ As hailed it as ‘god tier’.
On Reddit, people were also impressed by the chain, with u/MadeInBelfast commenting: ‘When it opened in Lisburn waited for a few weeks then went in and must admit I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was, far tastier and fresher than KFC. Had the Spicy Big Mary & tater tots plus got a 2 piece of chicken to try it out and it was all very nice indeed.’
Someone else said it was ‘first class’, while u/joseph–stylin proclaimed: ‘It absolutely wipes the floor with KFC.’
When MB Chicken opens here you can expect a menu that’s a little different from the Canadian version, but there will still be all the big hitters, like the Big Mary burger.
The Big Mary has been dubbed Canada’s ‘favourite chicken sandwich’ and it features a chicken breast breaded in Mary Brown’s signature recipe, cooked until it’s golden brown and served on a sesame seed bun with mayo and lettuce, plus a pickle on top.
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Other popular items include Taters, which look very similar to potato wedges, all sorts of signature chicken options and combos, from a 2-piece meal to an 18-piece feast, Chicken Pop-Ins, Chicken Tenders, a spicy version of Big Mary, and flaky buttermilk biscuits.
They also sell Tater Poutine, a ‘bold twist’ on the traditional Canadian dish which features french fries and cheese curds, topped with gravy. This version will feature the chain’s signature Taters instead of fries. The Irish potatoes are topped with shredded cheese and smothered in house-made gravy.
As well as these, the UK menu will also feature several new items that aren’t available in Canada, including MB Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Shakes and Halloumi Fries.
MB Chicken currently has more than 200 locations across North America, and is looking to keep expanding across the globe, opening throughout the UK, as well as in Pakistan and Mexico in 2024. Within the next five years, the company’s goal is to have 150 international stores.
In other news for chicken fans, Popeyes has launched its biggest giveaway ever, offering 10,000 free Chicken Sandwiches and free regular drinks to celebrate the launch of its app.
Those keen to nab a freebie just need to download the app and register. Once you do so you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a chicken sandwich and drink.
But you’ll want to be quick to be in with a chance of winning, as you have to register by Sunday, November 3. Winners will then be notified on November 4 and will have to weeks to claim their prize.
When the giveaway ends, app users will also be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts and prizes each week, starting with £5 off when you spend £15 from November 4.
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