Introduction
Popeyes is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the United States. But did you know that there are some secrets that Popeyes doesn’t want you to know? From hidden menu items to secret ingredients, this article will reveal 11 secrets that Popeyes doesn’t want you to know. So if you’re a fan of Popeyes, read on to find out what you’ve been missing!
11 Secrets Popeyes Doesn’t Want You to Know
Popeyes is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the United States. But there are some secrets that the company doesn’t want you to know. Here are 11 of them.
1. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich Is Not Always Available
Popeyes’ famous spicy chicken sandwich is a fan favorite, but it’s not always available. The sandwich is only available for a limited time, so if you want to try it, you’ll have to act fast.
2. The Biscuits Are Not Always Fresh
Popeyes’ biscuits are a popular menu item, but they’re not always fresh. The biscuits are often made in advance and then reheated in the restaurant, so they may not be as fresh as you’d like.
3. The Chicken Is Not Always Freshly Cooked
Popeyes’ chicken is another popular menu item, but it’s not always freshly cooked. The chicken is often cooked in advance and then reheated in the restaurant, so it may not be as fresh as you’d like.
4. The Sides Are Not Always Fresh
Popeyes’ sides are also popular, but they’re not always fresh. The sides are often made in advance and then reheated in the restaurant, so they may not be as fresh as you’d like.
5. The Sauces Are Not Always Fresh
Popeyes’ sauces are also popular, but they’re not always fresh. The sauces are often made in advance and then reheated in the restaurant, so they may not be as fresh as you’d like.
6. The Prices Are Not Always Accurate
Popeyes’ prices are often not accurate. The prices may be higher or lower than what is advertised, so it’s important to double-check before ordering.
7. The Food Is Not Always Healthy
Popeyes’ food is often not healthy. The food is often high in fat, sodium, and calories, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re eating.
8. The Employees Are Not Always Friendly
Popeyes’ employees are often not friendly. The employees may be rude or unhelpful, so it’s important to be aware of this before ordering.
9. The Restaurants Are Not Always Clean
Popeyes’ restaurants are often not clean. The restaurants may be dirty or unkempt, so it’s important to be aware of this before ordering.
10. The Food Is Not Always Fresh
Popeyes’ food is often not fresh. The food is often made in advance and then reheated in the restaurant, so it may not be as fresh as you’d like.
11. The Ingredients Are Not Always Listed
Popeyes’ ingredients are often not listed. The ingredients may not be listed on the menu or website, so it’s important to ask before ordering.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen may have roots down South, but it’s become a fried chicken favorite for everyone. That signature orange logo is a beacon for fried food lovers everywhere, where you know you’ll always get well-executed comfort food with Cajun flavors. Of course, like every chain restaurant, it’s worth noting some of the secrets and hacks—if for no other reason than to keep expectations realistic or save a few bucks. Before you bite into that fried chicken sandwich, read up on the secrets Popeyes restaurant would rather you didn’t know. Plus, don’t miss 11 Secrets Arby’s Doesn’t Want You to Know, and be sure to skip these 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.
Look, if you’re grabbing fast food you know you’re getting into a high-calorie situation, but the famous Spicy Chicken Sandwich clocks in at a gut-busting 700 calories and has 1,473 milligrams of sodium. The FDA recommends you eat no more than 2,300 American food of sodium a day.
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Apparently, at one time, many Popeyes locations were actually all-you-can-eat buffets. Over the years they have been sadly phased out. The last one standing in, Lafayette, LA, was made famous by Anthony Bourdain, who ate at the location for three days straight, enjoying the $8.99 price tag. Sadly according to Eater, the location is still there but the buffet did not survive the pandemic.
Skipping fried foods but missing all the flavor? Ask for the chain’s Cajun Sparkle spice, which is used on tots and some fried chicken, and is kept behind the counter, according to Mashable. Cajun Sparkle, which includes garlic powder, onion powder, and red and black pepper, tastes savory and spicy and really elevates the chain’s grilled options—it’s also great on anything fried too!
“One of the hallmarks of Popeyes chicken is the amount of flavor we get from marination, whether it’s a sandwich fillet, a piece of fried chicken, or a tender,” Amy Alarcon, head of culinary innovation for Popeyes, told Forbes. Just follow her recipe for roasted chicken, then fry it up in a very hot oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable shortening or peanut oil.
You might think Popeyes was named for the cartoon character, but founder Al Copeland was a fan of the classic film The French Connection, and Popeye Doyle was a character played by Gene Hackman. Copeland reportedly just liked the character’s style!
Though the restaurant name reads as possessive, there’s never been an apostrophe in there anywhere. Copeland joked that he was “too poor” to afford one, reports Thrillist, when he started out, and later, even after the restaurant’s huge growth, he kept the branding consistent.
A few years back, Popeyes made news nationwide for spending a whopping $43 million to buy their secret recipe for fried chicken, according to Thrillist. Even though Copeland relinquished control of the company in 1992, he had been charging the chain an annual royalties fee of $3.1 million to use the recipes. Now, Popeyes still has to pay the Copeland estate for spices, but they did get their hands on the recipes.
Popeyes bright orange sign dots many rest-stops across the US, but when you see that sign on a late night, don’t get your hopes up for a chicken sandwich. We’re not sure why, but most rest area Popeyes offer an abbreviated menu, as people have noted on Reddit and Tripadvisor, and for some states, like Maine, those are the only locations.
While most fast food places don’t offer gravy, Popeyes offers gravy over their mashed potatoes. Just order whatever size fries you want, and ask nicely for a side of gravy. Pour over your spicy Cajun fries (or dip, you do you) and there you have it, disco fries!
Yes, Popeyes is always a little extra, and they went over-the-top for the opening of their 3,000th store, Eater reports. In 2018, at just four locations, they breaded their boneless chicken wings in champagne before tossing them in 24 karat gold flakes–for the low price of $5!
This is maybe the best perk ever, Beyoncé apparently has access to an endless supply of Popeyes. “Everywhere I went, people would buy me Popeyes, like the fans, and Popeyes heard, so they gave me a lifetime membership,” the singer told Oprah in 2003. The singer confessed at the time she’s too embarrassed to use the card though.
Read more secrets about your favorite restaurants:
8 Secrets Domino’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
10 Secrets Buffalo Wild Wings Doesn’t Want You to Know
7 Secrets Only Insiders Know About Waffle House
Tanya Edwards