Ask any Filipino what he would like for fast food and most of the time, they will answer – Fried Chicken. And with so many fast food restaurants in the market, Southern Fried Chicken (SFC Plus) has stood the test of time being one of the brands that still stand tall as it has continuously innovated its offerings while maintaining its signature ‘Skinless Chicken’ since its inception in 1993 in Abu Dhabi.
“We are the only brand that sells Skinless Chicken in the market. At our place as well you’ll find selections of Pizza, Burger, Salad concepts and making it all-in-one place and very recently, we have launched our Pinoy Power Meals,” shares SFC Plus Territory Manager Shameer P.K. who has been with the company for more than 15 years. Today, SFC has more than 20 restaurants in the UAE and India.
SFC Plus Restaurant Manager Kris Rosalie Ilagan, shares that one of their secrets to success is that everything they offer on their menu is freshly prepared. “SFC Plus prepares raw food into freshly made food daily. Our restaurant also maintains the highest hygiene standards for the storage of ingredients, as well as its preparation and food creation,” said Ilagan.
We had a taste of their selections for their Pinoy Power Meals and here’s our review of their offerings:
The Food
SFC Plus prides itself in serving chicken without the skin on. And while Filipinos like the skin part, you can’t even tell that SFC Plus’ chicken doesn’t have any skin as the chicken itself is filled with spices and flavor from the first bite. Their original recipe has the flavor oozing inside and out while their spicy version has just the right kick of spice to have you grabbing the next piece of chicken.
“Our Golden Crunchy Chicken boasts a unique twist to the traditional Southern style recipe that millions of customers flock to indulge in every year. We use skinless, bone-in chicken which are significantly lesser in fat content. When it comes to quality, we do not leave anything to chance at SFC Plus,” shares Ilagan.
Their Chicken Pops are great to snack on as you await your main course. They have several flavorful dipping selections to choose from including garlic, gravy, barbecue, chili, and our personal favorite: Chili Garlic which combines two of their best sauces in one. Their gravy is also thick and filled with lip smacking taste that even those who aren’t fans of gravy that much will find themselves dipping often in their secret recipe gravy.
Filipinos love their rice and SFC Plus kicks it up a notch by serving their Kabsa Rice – a rice cooked with butter and carrots to add that nutritious vibe to the Filipino staple.
SFC Plus Burger Steak is everything a Burger + Rice combo lover could ask for. 2 pieces of freshly made patties, cooked and grilled to perfection, servied on top of Kabsa Rice and topped with their signature gravy and mushrooms. One bite and you can immediately taste the flavors of freshly cooked beef within your mouth.
Another staple to the Filipino fast food orders – SFC Plus’ Spaghetti will remind you of your neighbor’s or even your mom’s signature pasta dish. The noodles of the spaghetti were very firm as it’s served with their spaghetti sauce and cheddar on top. The moment you taste it, you’ll be taken to a fiesta of flavors right back to the times when you celebrated with your neighbor during your own town’s fiesta in the Philippines.
Other SFC Plus offerings include their signature Pizza dishes cooked at their very own oven which is served and mixed with a plethora of ingredients meant to satisfy the palate and indulge the customer in a variety of flavors.
For dessert, SFC has their Spoonfuls including their Tiramisu, Mango, as well as their Molten Lava cake with ice cream on the top which would send your sweet teeth to heaven. A very pleasant surprise was their milkshake selections which aren’t just your plain flavored milkshakes – each serving is topped with a special ice cream similar to the flavor of the milkshake you ordered, adding another dimension of sweetness to the iconic dessert.
The Verdict
If you’re craving for something different that will surely excite your taste buds – SFC Plus will be your best bet to experience the flavors of the South right here in the UAE. “Within 3 years we’re planning to expand to around 20 more branches all over the UAE,” said Shameer.
Ilagan adds that SFC Plus is open for all Filipinos who wish to celebrate their festive moments together. “To my fellow Filipinos, we invite you to try our Skinless Fried Chicken. We serve a variety of food and we’re also open for gatherings for the Filipino community.”
