Geordies are all set to be introduced to the "shatter-crunch" experience of New Orleans-style chicken when the eagerly-awaited Popeyes restaurant opens in the Metrocentre this weekend.
The US chain, which made is UK debut in November, has quickly followed up that first London branch - which already has become its busiest in the world - with another three and now its fourth pick of location is the Gateshead shopping centre where its new 98-seat brightly-coloured restaurant will welcome first customers at 11am on Saturday. Massive queues are expected for the launch and there will be freebies in store for the first arrivals as well as live music, children's entertainment and a full-on New Orleans party vibe.
Popeyes is huge in America and its Louisiana kitchen-style menu is clearly also taking off over here where customers are fast becoming fans of its trademark chicken sandwich. In a first look around at the Metrocentre restaurant ahead of its opening, Chroniclelive was shown how its signature dish is made, with the chicken - having been marinated for at least 12 hours - hand-stretched and flattened - then breaded and fried.
Read more: First look inside Popeyes at Gateshead Metrocentre ahead of opening day
A secret recipe of seasonings is what gives the chicken its famous "shatter-crunch" bite, say staff. Customers can then give an extra kick to the flavour of their sandwich if they choose a spicy version of the mayonnaise that adds a finishing touch. Also on the Popeyes menu, as first customers are about to discover, are other southern American staples such as 'biscuits' and gravy.
To whet the appetite for launch day, here's a guide to what will be available at the Metrocentre restaurant. Various portion sizes available to choose from: for instance there's a pick of three, five or eight tenders with the latter able to serve two people.
What's on the Popeyes menu
Chicken Sandwich
- The Chicken Sandwich Solo - £5.50 - 753 calories (spicy version 782 calories)
- The Chicken Sandwich Solo - £7.99. 753 calories (spicy version 782 calories)
- Deluxe Chicken Sandwich Solo - £6.75 - 826 calories (spicy version 855 calories)
Deluxe Chicken Sandwich Meal - £9.25 - 826 calories (spicy version 855 calories)
- Creole Red Bean Vegan Sandwich Solo - plant-based - £6.50 - 572 calories
Signature Louisiana Chicken
Starts at two-piece solo - £4.50 - 634 calories) (673 spicy) with a two-piece meal costing £6.99 with the same calories.
Three -piece - £5.50 with a three-piece meal costing £8.50 - 952 calories (1010 spicy) for both.
Six-piece sharer solo, serving two - £10.50; six-piece sharer meal, £15.99 - 1903 calories (spicy 2020)
Tenders.
Three tenders solo - £4.99; meal £6.99 - 429 calories (416 spicy)
Five tenders solo - £6.99; meal £8.99 - 715 calories (693 spicy)
Eight tenders (serves two) solo - £10.99; meal £15.50 - 1109 calories (1228 spicy)
Hot Wings
Five wings solo - £3.99; meal £6.99 - 738 calories
Eight wings solo - £6.25; meal £9.25 - 1180 calories
12-piece (serves two) solo - £15.99; sharer £15.99 - 1770 calories
20 wings (serves four) - £14.99 - 2950 calories
Dips
These are all 75p and options are Ranch Style (184 calories); Bold BBQ (60); Voodoo Sweet Chilli (65); Garlic Mayo (177); Mango Habanero (75); Red Hot Honey (62); Mardi Gras Mustard (131) and Lousiana Hot (seven calories).
Kids Meals
There's a kids' chicken tender meal for £3.99, containing 277 calories.
Sides
- Fries - £1.99 - 340 calories
- Large fries (serves two) - £2.99 - 453 calories
Mash and Cajun Gravy - £1.99 - 500 calories
Cajun gravy - £1 - 21 calories
Popeyes Original biscuit - £1 - 226 calories
- with Cajun gravy - £1.99 - 247 calories
- with honey dip - £1.30 - 290 calories
Premium Sides
- Cajun fries - £2.99 - 340 calories
- Large Cajun fries (serves two) - £3.99 - 469 calories
- Mac & Cheese - £350 - 394 calories
Sundaes
The £2.50 flavours are vanilla (182 calories); chocolate (222 calories) and caramel (220 calories) and for £2.99 there's Oreo (289 calories) and Lotus Biscoff (351 calories).
Hand-spun Shakes
Options costing £3.99 are vanilla (341 calories), chocolate (473); caramel (457); strawberry (434) and popcorn (403) and for £4.50 there's also an Oreo flavour (556 calories) or Lotus Biscoff (565).
Drinks
Sodas include Dr Pepper Zero, Fanta Orange Zero, Sprite Zero, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke which cost £2.50 for a regular size or £2.99 for a large and their calories are low, ranging from two to 20. There's also a regular Coca-Cola Classic with 190 calories for £2.75 and it comes in a large size, at 274 calories, for £3.25. Other cold drinks are Oasis Summer Fruits (£2.99; 86 calories); Glaceau Smartwater (£1.99 with no calories) and Capri Sun Orange (£1.50; 89 calories).
Available hot drinks are coffee and tea for £2.50, ranging in zero calories for an Americano and tea to 118 calories for a Latte, with - in between - a Cappuccino containing 82 calories and a Flat White 56.
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