They'll do right ba-you
It looks like Popeye's has decided to enter the Grenada market and go right after the competition: they're just two doors down from the older KFC restaurant on Sunset Drive.

The Popeye's facility is noticeably smaller but undeniably nicer looking on the outside, compared to the competition.

This location had only been open for a week or so when I visited and it appeared the "new place" rush had not quite fallen off yet. This place was hopping!

Despite the crowded, busy conditions, ordering inside came quick enough. The folks behind the counter were smiling and friendly, but efficient. My family's meal came surprisingly quick.

I ordered the 12 piece meal, spicy. The chicken looked a little darker than I am used to seeing, and seemed just a tad dry on the outside. The meat, however, was very juicy and tender, not to mention steaming hot. The batter was nicely crunchy and had a wonderful bite to it.

The choice of sides is kind of limited at this location, to red beans and rice, cole slaw, mashed potatoes with gravy, cajun rice, fries or baked potato. (The baked potato is not shown on the menu, be sure to ask ahead if some are available when ordering!)

This evening I chose the red beans and rice and mashed potatoes with gravy. The competitors next door could learn something from these potatoes - fresh and hot but with a natural potato texture with lumps here and there. And the gravy is so good I just know my arteries will regret it. The red beans and rice are also very good. They're not heavily spiced, so picky eaters should be OK. You can always request some "cajun sparkle" to sprinkle on them to spice it up a bit. My only complaint with the red beans and rice is there wasn't enough rice in the bowl for my tastes.

For dessert, if you have room, try the apple cinnamon pie. Sure, it looks like those bland little boxed rectangular pies that all fast food places keep under the heat lamps, but these are much much better. The crust is delightfully crisp, yet tender and moist. The filling is cinnamon-y sweet heaven without the cinnamon-y burn, plus nice chunks of apple. The rather generous dusting of cinnamon sugar on the outside finishes things off nicely.

All in all, this Popeye's has gotten off to a good start. Let's hope they can keep up the good job!    [03 Sep 2007 05:18:11]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Chicken strips w/ BBQ dipping sauce, cinnamon apple pie, red beans n' rice

     ­Tom Servo, ChefMoz - MS editor