The birthplace of KFC, known properly as the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum just reopened with a new, expanded museum, great photo ops and of course, plenty of fried chicken. We stopped by to check it out.
In the 1930s, Sanders opened a gas station and roadside motel in the small town of Corbin, Kentucky where he perfected his now famous, “top secret” blend of 11 herbs and spices that are still used in KFC locations around the world.
From these humble beginnings, KFC has expanded to be the world’s second largest restaurant chain, with more than 25,000 locations worldwide. If you are interested in seeing all of the places that now have a KFC, you can check out the interactive display in the museum.
What used to be just a small display inside the original Corbin KFC has been renovated and expanded to include several rooms of KFC kitsch, memorabilia and information displays. Due to COVID-19 the renovations took more than 2 years, but the result is a modern design that reflects much of the original design aesthetics and provides an expanded experience for visitors.
Inside the museum, a replica of the kitchen where Sander’s perfected his famous blend of spices in the 1930s, a model motel room, and an opportunity to walk through the timeline of KFC’s founding, starting from the old gas pumps in the parking lot. There’s also a retail area where you can purchase souvenirs to remember your visit to the first KFC!
Of course, there’s plenty of chicken available, with a restaurant counter that resembles a modern KFC franchise more than the original, but with historical touches.There’s also a spacious dining area, with seating interspersed among interesting displays.
While I wouldn’t make the trip to Corbin just to see the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum, if you are in the Corbin area, it’s an interesting place to stop, and of course, it’s fun to enjoy a meal in the first KFC!
