Last week’s Friday Flashback featured matchbooks from more than a dozen former (and 3 current) Westport restaurants and businesses.
None were from KFC.
In fact, many “06880” readers may be surprised to learn that we did have a franchise here — back in the day when it was called by its full name, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The location was Post Road East, near Maple Avenue North.
The strip mall sure hasn’t changed much, in 50 or so years:
(Photo courtesy of Albert Cuseo, via social media)
Only the tenants are different: a Middle Eastern restaurant, mochi shop, tanning salon and reflexology center.
None of those existed here, back when Colonel Harland Sanders was actually alive and building his empire.
Today, KFC is is the world’s second-largest restaurant chain (measured by sales). There are over 30,000 locations, in 150 countries. Our closest location now is Norwalk.
Back in the day, there was a much smaller fried chicken chain here.
Or maybe it was only one spot: Brooks Corner, downtown. Where Lux Bond & Green and Brooks Brothers are now.
It was here for only a couple of years — if that.
I wonder: Does anyone besides me remember “Chicken a Go Go”?!
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It was the go to place on Main Street! Especially on Wed when all the stores closed at noon. And there was nothing else to do. Main St smelled like fried chicken.
I vaguely remember the KFC when it opened and my parents buying a bucket or two but it was never a family fave. I don’t really have any memory of Chicken A Go-Go, but I do recall a small mom & pop fried chicken place on Riverside Ave near downtown, I think it was called “Uncle Russell’s”? My dad liked their food but I don’t think they lasted long, it was probably in the late 60’s.
Unforgettable BUCKETS of delicious greasy friend chicken, cole slaw, biscuits. I still can’t believe my mother let it in the house – but she did!
I can’t comment on the fried chicken story but did notice your Flashback #444 landed on 4/4!
The best barbecue chicken ever was at the Big Top!
We lived right around the corner on Old Road and Kentucky Fried Chicken was a rare but “worth the wait” treat for us! Definite shout out to Big Top ! Great chicken and ribs and everything else!!
An old girlfriend from high school worked at KFC. She always smelled a little bit like fried chicken. It was great! LOL..I don’t remember the chicken place downtown..
Chicken a go go. Sure do. Located on The Post Road where the bakery used to be.
My mom relied on Colonel Sanders way too often.
I LOVED Chicken a GoGo! It had the crispiest coating – like fried wontons. First place to go when hanging out downtown.
In our archives, we have a photo from 1978 of Colonel Sanders and Artistic Director Henry T. Weinstein at Westport Country Playhouse. We believe Sanders’ visit to the Playhouse coincided with our showing of Gone With the Wind but have no records confirming that date. We’d love to hear from anyone who might know about the event.
Best fried chicken for beach picnic at Compo came from Kentucky Fried!