On Monday mornings, the KFC at 34th Street sees a steady line for its mashed potatoes and gravy. The side dish, now common across the chain, was once publicly criticized by the brand's founder. In a 1978 interview, Colonel Harland Sanders described KFC's then-new instant mashed potatoes as tasting like "wallpaper paste."
Sanders had already sold the company to investors by the time of the interview. His remarks followed a shift in kitchen operations, with freshly prepared sides replaced by processed alternatives. Despite his disapproval, the mashed potatoes and gravy remained on the menu.
In New York today, the item is among the top orders at KFC locations. According to counter staff at the Chelsea branch, the side outsells most other options during lunch rush. Some diners this week noted the dish’s consistency as a reason for their choice.
KFC corporate has not commented on Sanders’s past views. The menu item remains unchanged in its basic form, even as the chain introduces summer limited-time offers. For many city customers, Sanders’s critique is a historical footnote, not a deterrent.