Y'ALL, THESE NUGGETS ARE AMAZING!! I got a small 4-piece snack, but these are also available as a 6-piece with fries. You can get them undressed or tossed with buffalo or BBQ sauce. I wasn't sure about the vegan-ness of either sauce, so I opted for plain.
Here's an inside look. These seriously look, feel, and taste like chicken. I believe these would fool any meat-eater.
Back in 2004-2005, I spent many weekends with my animal rights group, Memphis Area Animal Rights Activists, outside Memphis KFCs, holding PETA protest signs and spreading the message about KFC cruelty. KFC was (and probably still is) notorious for sourcing their chicken from especially cruel suppliers. But I believe this move to add plant-based chicken is a step in the right direction. PETA's current KFC campaign is focused on getting the chain to roll-out vegan chicken nationwide, and it seems to be working.
I believe in using my vegan dollar to demonstrate demand for plant-based options at mainstream restaurant chains. Even if those chains have plenty of other issues, it's important for us vegans to show them they're moving in the right direction.
Of course these nuggets were fried in the same oil as the chicken. And that's not a problem for me. Avoiding cross-contamination is an issue of personal purity, and that's fine for vegans who can't bear the thought of their food coming into contact with meat. But ethically, I believe it's more important to show support for these options than to avoid them due to potential cross-contamination. No additional animals are harmed from using the same oil or grill to prepare food.
I think KFC's addition of Beyond Nuggets is giant step for animals, and I support that! I hope they'll do a nationwide roll-out soon!
I'm excited you got to try them! It's surprising that it's taken a fast food chain this long to have vegan chick'n since Gardein & Trader Joe's have had really good strips for a long time. It wouldn't be hard to throw them in a fryer. But anyway, I'm glad KFC is partnering with Beyond Meat. Hopefully it will be a success!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you got to try them, they look great!! It's so crazy to think a vegan can pull through KFC and get something other than fries!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. These places having vegan options is a huge step in the right direction, and lots of non vegans are trying these options and loving them, so that is a definite win for the animals!!!!!
100% the same. The only cross-contamination I worry about is with dairy and that's because it could actually make me sick. If these make it to Denver I'll def try them!
ReplyDeleteThey look so good!! I hope I get to try them at some point.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with what you said. We need to look at the big picture and encourage more restaurants to offer plant based options, not complain that they aren't 'doing it right'. The goal is to put an end to the cruelty and suffering the animals endure and being supportive of more vegan options is the way to do it.
I just was writing an upcoming post for my blog about the Rebel Whopper, Australia's version of the Impossible Whopper, with many of these issues. But I am with you!
ReplyDeleteI love that you managed to work a road trip in for nuggets! A true food science hero.