# Is KFC coleslaw all that great?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [July 31, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014 "2013-07-31T19:28:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/1 "2013-07-31T19:28:56Z")
I know I’m probably poisoning the well here but I’ve never much cared for KFC coleslaw. The texture is wrong and it tastes pre-chewed.
After doing a Google search, it came as a surprise to me that a lot of people seem to think it’s the best coleslaw ever! Some even stating it’s the only coleslaw they’ll eat.
So, am I in the minority in thinking KFC coleslaw is sub par?
---
### Author:  [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/2 "2013-07-31T19:30:02Z")
I don’t care for it. What’s with the chopping it into itty-bitty pieces?
---
### Author:  [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/3 "2013-07-31T19:32:22Z")
I wouldn’t describe as the “best coleslaw ever” but it’s pretty good. I like it because the cabbage is cut small and it has a good “bite” (horseradish?).
---
### Author:  [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/4 "2013-07-31T19:34:34Z")
Love it. I think it actually is the best I’ve had; it’s got a sweetness that almost makes it like a dessert.
---
### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/5 "2013-07-31T19:35:14Z")
I would describe it as the worst cole slaw I’ve ever had.
---
### Author:  [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/6 "2013-07-31T19:36:19Z")
I love it and it’s one of the meal sides everytime we go. Now granted it could probably be improved upon if you were to make it fresh and had a good receipe but it’s by far the best I’ve ever had from commercial sources.
My father did a lot of economic forecasting and planning for the KFC and YUM brands franchise owners and attended a number of their boondoogles around the country. Turns out there’s not one KFC cole slaw but a number of different receipes depending on where in the country the store is located. I don’t recall exactly but maybe there’s 7 or 8 total.
---
### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/7 "2013-07-31T19:36:46Z")
It’s okay, but WAAAAAY too sweet for my tastes. I also prefer non-creamy or minimally creamy coleslaws. (Like a vinegary Carolina slaw or Tennessee mustard slaw.)
---
### Author:  [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/8 "2013-07-31T19:37:04Z")
No. It’s fine but it’s not all that.
In other news, a few weeks ago I learned why I never like anyone’s potato salad. Apparently dill is not a standard potato salad ingredient which is a shame because it seriously kicks the dish up a level.
---
### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/9 "2013-07-31T19:41:51Z")
In Canada the KFC coleslaw is different; it’s a homogeneous pale green colour and tastes like it’s vinegar-based.
---
### Author:  [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/10 "2013-07-31T19:45:50Z")
It’s not that great. Too sweet. Diced too finely. Dressing is too thin and watery.
Meh.
---
### Author:  [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/11 "2013-07-31T19:46:31Z")
It’s the best I’ve had. I love it.
Sometimes you have to drain off excess liquid, and I could go for less fine of a chop on the cabbage, but still.
I try coleslaw at many places, and none measure up.
---
### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/12 "2013-07-31T19:49:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> In Canada the KFC coleslaw is different; it’s a homogeneous pale green colour and tastes like it’s vinegar-based.
Interesting. Here the dressing is basically mostly sugar mixed with mayo and vinegar and some spices.
ETA: Here’s the KFC ingredient statement ([PDF file](http://www.kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kfc_ingredients.pdf)):
> [@](#):
>
> Vegetables: Chopped Cabbage, Carrots, and Onions. Sauce: Sugar, Soybean Oil, Vinegar (Distilled Vinegar, Corn and Cider
> Vinegar, Malt Vinegar, And Natural Flavors), Water, Salt, Whole Eggs, Modified Corn Starch, Mustard Flour, Xanthan Gum, Natural
> and Artificial Flavor, Paprika Extractives, Paprika, And Caramel Color.
> Contains Egg.
>
> OR
>
> Vegetables: Chopped Cabbage, Carrots, and Onions. Sauce: Sugar, Soybean Oil, Water, Vinegar (Distilled Vinegar, Corn and Cider
> Vinegar), Contains less than 2% of the following: Salt, Whole Eggs, Food Starch Modified, Mustard Flour, Xanthan Gum, Natural
> and Artificial Flavor, Paprika Extractives, Paprika, And Caramel Color.
So, yeah, basically a sugar-based sauce.
---
### Author:  [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/13 "2013-07-31T19:50:48Z")
Nasty, in my book. I don’t like much cole slaw, especially the mayonnaisey sweet ones.
---
### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/14 "2013-07-31T19:59:52Z")
Here the ingredients on the Canadian menu.
> [@](#):
>
> Cabbage, dressing (sugar, canola/soybean oil, vinegar, water, frozen egg yolk, salt, modified cornstarch, xanthan gum,
> concentrated lemon juice, colour, spices, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, dehydrated onion, whey powder, citric acid,
> dehydrated garlic, flavour, calcium disodium EDTA), water, ascorbic acid, citric acid.
---
### Author:  [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/15 "2013-07-31T20:00:13Z")
> [@lieu](#):
>
> … Turns out there’s not one KFC cole slaw but a number of different receipes depending on where in the country the store is located. I don’t recall exactly but maybe there’s 7 or 8 total.
Interesting; thanks. I had no idea it wasn’t standardized.
Where I’ve tasted it, it’s been much less sweet (and much more tart) than is the norm for other food outlets in the area. So I’ve had a favorable opinion of it.
---
### Author:  [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/16 "2013-07-31T20:06:37Z")
> [@Werekoala](#):
>
> It’s not that great. Too sweet. Diced too finely. Dressing is too thin and watery. . . .
> [@garygnu](#):
>
> It’s the best I’ve had. I love it.
>
> Sometimes you have to drain off excess liquid . . .
This is what I like about it. I like the liquid! I spoon out my helping into a cup or bowl, rather than onto a flat plate. When done, I drink what’s left. Sweet. A dessert!
(On a flat plate, is drools into other food. Messy.)
Sure, I’ve had better. I’ve had better chicken, too. But the compromise is on fast-food speed, and fast-food price. I’ve never had better for less, and certainly never faster.
---
### Author:  [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/17 "2013-07-31T20:14:55Z")
I love it. Best part of eating at KFC.
---
### Author:  [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/18 "2013-07-31T20:20:51Z")
I like it, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite. I’m no slaw snob; I like all types of 'em. Vinegar based, mayo based, oriental, grated (like KFC’s), sliced, etc. But I think grated slaw has it’s places where it shines, just as sliced slaw does. For example grated slaw is my go-to slaw if I want to put it on a hot dog. Sliced slaw goes on pulled pork sandwiches.
I’ve been known to pull in to a KFC drive thru and purchase a small side of slaw and a diet coke, just to snack on while running errands.
---
### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/19 "2013-07-31T20:20:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> Here the ingredients on the Canadian menu.
Seems to be similar to me–that should basically be a sugar + mayo concoction. Main difference seems to be you guys are cabbage-only, while ours is cabbage, carrots, and onions.
---
### Author:  [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014/20 "2013-07-31T20:26:47Z")
It’s pretty ordinary to me, meaning I’ve tasted what seems like a hundred slaws that are very similar.
I hate the sweetness, though. Terrible.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-kfc-coleslaw-all-that-great/665014.md?page=2)