# Does Any Fast Food Place Have Good Gravy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [August 11, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574 "2024-08-11T19:11:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/1 "2024-08-11T19:11:56Z")
I remember reading _Big Secrets_ years ago discussing the history of fried chicken. Sanders thought his gravy was “like ambrosia” and was horrified at the tasteless, watery crap sold by Kentucky Fried after selling his recipes. And this week the NYT is extolling a Texas chain known for amazing dipped roast beef sandwiches. They must have good gravy. You see lots of rankings for best burgers or poutine. And the gravy at most places is a salty mix of MSG with little authentic flavour, even if served on poutine. In Canada, some people like the sauces sold at Swiss Châlet or St. Hubert’s chicken and ribs. Not dishwater, but not good gravy either. Not tried the one at Costco. **So, does any fast food restaurant do a good job with the gravy?** ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/2 "2024-08-11T19:22:16Z")
I don’t have an answer but… Canadian Costcos offer poutine? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/3 "2024-08-11T19:34:12Z")
I’ve always liked the gravy at _Popeye’s_ because it includes a fairly convincing approximation of giblets. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/4 "2024-08-11T20:46:12Z")
Bojangles has decent gravy. Always get a biscuit with gravy when I’m down south Mrs Mouse and Mini Mouse are not Bojangles fans, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/5 "2024-08-11T20:52:59Z")
I’m not sure how many fast-food restaurants in the U.S., other than the fried chicken chains, even _offer_ gravy. Few of the major burger or sandwich places do, unless they offer mashed potatoes (with gravy) as a side dish – Culver’s, for one, does that. FWIW, I think that the sausage gravy at Cracker Barrel isn’t bad at all, but that’s not a fast-food restaurant (It’s casual/family dining). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/6 "2024-08-11T20:56:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I’m not sure how many fast-food restaurants in the U.S., other than the fried chicken chains, even _offer_ gravy. Few of the major burger or sandwich places do, unless they offer mashed potatoes (with gravy) as a side dish – Culver’s, for one, does that. Hardee’s has had biscuits & gravy on its breakfast menu for a long time. I think I remember McDonald’s used to have it too. Dairy Queen’s chicken strips come with gravy for dipping, or at least they used to—haven’t checked in a while. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/7 "2024-08-11T21:02:27Z")
Jollibee. Comes with the chicken. It’s pork based I believe. Goes surprisingly well with the fried chicken. The gravy that comes with the beef steaks is different, it’s a mushroom gravy I think. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/8 "2024-08-11T21:11:35Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > And this week the NYT is extolling a Texas chain known for amazing dipped roast beef sandwiches. They must have good gravy. I think you’re referring to the [article](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/05/dining/houston-hillstone-restaurant-group.html) on the Hillstone restaurant group, which opens with a description of the French dip sandwich at their Houston’s restaurant in Pasadena. l looked up the menu; that’s a $28 sandwich and the restaurant is definitely not a fast food place. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/9 "2024-08-11T22:43:56Z")
I am willing to extend the discussion to any chain restaurant. Most don’t offer great gravy either. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/10 "2024-08-11T22:56:55Z")
I’m gonna say…Nope. It all comes from a can or a chub. Ain’t no one back there stirring a huge vat of gravy they made the roux for and slow…ly added liquid to, for hours. Now, some of the higher end stuff is probably ok. But, it ain’t MY gravy and it ain’t homemade. We get KFC occasionally. We toss the gravy in to the kennel dogs. Usually don’t even order the Fake ass potatoes. More coleslaw. Everyone like KFC coleslaw. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/11 "2024-08-11T23:01:32Z")
Despite the Colonel’s remarks, I know a lot of people (including me) who loved KFC gravy. That said, I’ve not had it in a long time, and I’ve been told it has gotten a lot worse. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/12 "2024-08-11T23:09:39Z")
You know you can buy similar in the grocery store. Homestyle Brown gravy is literally the same stuff. Thin it alot. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/13 "2024-08-11T23:16:38Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > any chain restaurant. The ones I know that have good gravy are all smaller chains, that have managed to maintain most of their quality as they grew. All of these are places where I’ve had gravy on biscuits, chicken fried steak, or whatever, and it has all been as good as I expected given the quality of their other food. None of these are national chains. [https://www.dougsdiner.com/](https://www.dougsdiner.com/) > **[Home - Luciles Creole Cafe](https://www.luciles.com/)** > > Lucile’s has been cooking breakfast and lunch for Colorado since 1980. As a family establishment, Lucile’s has always strived to provide a comfortable and unique atmosphere as well as excellent food. The original restaurant in Boulder Colorado... > **[Home](https://www.snoozeeatery.com/)** > > Snooze A.M. Eatery turns the breakfast & brunch restaurant experience into a party, serving the best craveable food. It's breakfast but different! > **[Austin's Restaurant for Comfort Food Since 1980 - Kerbey Lane Cafe](https://kerbeylanecafe.com/)** > > Kerbey Lane Cafe, a Texas restaurant and Austin original, makes pancakes, queso, and comfort food from scratch daily. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/14 "2024-08-12T02:07:27Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Jollibee. Comes with the chicken. It’s pork based I believe. Goes surprisingly well with the fried chicken. > > The gravy that comes with the beef steaks is different, it’s a mushroom gravy I think. They seem to be awfully fond of adding sweet flavors to items that an American would expect to be savory, such as their gravy. The current menu describes the burger steak entree as “savory sweet”. My own personal tastes do not agree with this recipe choice (I dislike combining sweet and savory in the same dish. Just doesn’t work for me). The photo on the menu does show mushrooms involved. I also find the gravy provided with the chicken (I do like their chicken) a bit sweeter than I personally care for in this application. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/15 "2024-08-12T02:08:47Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Despite the Colonel’s remarks, I know a lot of people (including me) who loved KFC gravy. That said, I’ve not had it in a long time, and I’ve been told it has gotten a lot worse. Just visited a KFC within the last week, and their gravy seemed like always, and I do like theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/16 "2024-08-12T02:17:27Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > They seem to be awfully fond of adding sweet flavors to items that an American would expect to be savory, such as their gravy. That’s fairly common with Filipino food, at least for Filipino versions of western food. Filipino spaghetti, for instance, uses a sauce made with brown sugar and banana ketchup. > **[Filipino spaghetti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_spaghetti)** > > Filipino spaghetti (also known as sweet spaghetti) is a Filipino adaptation of Italian spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. It has a distinctively sweet sauce, usually made from tomato sauce sweetened with brown sugar and banana ketchup. It is typically topped with sliced hot dogs or smoked longganisa sausages, giniling (ground meat), and grated cheese. It is regarded as a comfort food in Philippine cuisine. It is typically served on almost any special occasion, especially on children's birthdays.\[... ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/17 "2024-08-12T02:45:02Z")
I’ve seen Jollibee’s menu mention the sweetness of their spaghetti sauce. Nothing against Filipinos as people, but my taste buds do not seem to agree with theirs on this subject. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/18 "2024-08-12T03:23:05Z")
I’m horrified the amount of sugar southern cooks add to anything tomato based. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/19 "2024-08-12T03:46:10Z")
The spaghetti sauce recipe from the film The Godfather included a small amount of sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574/20 "2024-08-12T03:58:38Z")
A teaspoon of sugar is a great addition to sauce made with canned tomatoes. But a cup of sugar is not. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-fast-food-place-have-good-gravy/1005574.md?page=2)