KFC – It All Started In Corbin

Kentucky Fried Chicken is known around the world, and in Corbin, Kentucky you can visit where the KFC phenom started.

Set on the edge of the Cumberlands, Corbin is a sweet mountain city with a famous hometown guy – Colonel Sanders.

From the 1930’s to the 50’s, Colonel Sanders operated a roadside motel-restaurant-gas station emporium along Route 25 – the Dixie Highway that ran from Chicago to Miami. Sanders was a savvy businessman and clever promoter, claiming to be the first to offer Free Air at his service station.

Sanders Cafe, in its original building, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, the museum is dedicated to all things KFC.

In every country I’ve visited when I say I’m from Kentucky folk’s eyes light up. “Kentucky Fried Chicken!” they universally reply. Children ask about our big chicken farms. They’re so disappointed to learn Kentucky doesn’t really have chicken farms, that now I routinely lie. “We have giant chicken ranches stretching across the horizon,” I fib. “With a special breed of hen that stands almost as tall as you!” Wow!

The Sanders museum was really fun. Lots of promotional items are on display, stretching back decades. A Darth Vader doll with a KFC belt buckle, Colonel Sanders bobble heads, menus from bygone days and old TV commercials. Seems odd to wax nostalgic about a fast food chain, but it’s part of our shared history.

Colonel Sanders’ original kitchen is on display. They don’t divulge his secret 11 herbs and spices, but I did learn a few tricks. Sanders soaked his chicken pieces in milk, used pastry flour to coat them, and pressure-fried for nine minutes. The guy was a food scientist, perfecting every step.

The best part about the museum is that a modern KFC is inside. So, of course, we had a chicken dinner. Winner Winner!

I’m not one for hero worship, but Colonel Sanders ran a pretty impressive business. Tasty, too!

If you’re in the Corbin area, stop by the KFC museum. It’s an American icon.