Kentucky Fried Chicken, also known as KFC, is a global fast food phenomenon. The spicy, delicious Original Recipe fried chicken has become one of the most iconic and widely enjoyed fast food items around the world. With over 25,000 locations in 125 countries, KFC has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a small town in Kentucky. But where exactly is the original Kentucky Fried Chicken located?
The very first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant known as Sanders Cafe was opened by Colonel Harland Sanders in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930. Located along U.S. Route 25, Sanders’ restaurant started as a service station that expanded to include a motel and cafe. It was here in 1940 that Sanders perfected his top secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices and his method for pressure frying chicken that resulted in the famous Original Recipe we know and love today.
While the original building no longer stands, the site where Sanders Cafe once operated is now home to a museum and modern KFC restaurant that celebrates the history and heritage of the brand. Known as the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum this historic birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken is located at 688 U.S. Highway 25 West, Corbin KY 40701.
The Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum
The Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum first opened its doors in 1990, on what would have been Colonel Sanders’ 100th birthday. Managed by KFC franchisees JRN Inc., the museum underwent a major 2 year renovation beginning in 2020 to update and expand the space. The renovated museum reopened in 2022 with new exhibits and memorabilia as well as an expanded dining room that can seat 132 guests.
Stepping into the Sanders Cafe is like taking a step back in time. The original 1940s dining room where Colonel Sanders served his fried chicken has been carefully restored, complete with the Colonel’s innovative open kitchen design. Exhibits allow visitors to view artifacts and memorabilia from the early days of KFC, including vintage merchandise, advertising materials, and packaging.
Some of the highlights of the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum include
- A replica of Colonel Sanders’ original kitchen where he perfected his blend of 11 secret herbs and spices
- Sanders’ office, including the 1940s era furnishings and decor
- A model motel room like those found in Sanders’ adjacent motor lodge
- Memorabilia from Sanders’ life, including his famous white suit
- An interactive display mapping the global expansion of KFC from its first franchise in 1952 to present day
- A bronze bust of Colonel Sanders sculpted by his daughter
- Vintage gas station pumps outside resembling the station Sanders first operated in 1930
In addition to the fascinating museum exhibits, the Harland Sanders Cafe also serves up Kentucky Fried Chicken so visitors can enjoy the Colonel’s famous fare in the very place it originated. The restaurant design mixes elements of the classic KFC look with historical touches to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Corbin, Kentucky.
Corbin, Kentucky – Birthplace of KFC
The small town of Corbin is intrinsically linked to the story of Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Not only was it the location of Sanders’ original cafe, it was also where Harland Sanders lived at the time he created the KFC concept.
Some other Colonel Sanders related attractions found in Corbin include:
- Colonel Sanders Statue – Located just a mile from the Harland Sanders Cafe is a bronze statue of the Colonel erected in his honor
- Sanders Homeplace – The house where Colonel Sanders lived from 1939 to 1956 still stands and is now owned by KFC franchise JRN Inc.
- Sanders Grave – Colonel Sanders passed away in 1980 and is buried in the town’s Old Mulkey Meetinghouse Cemetery
While KFC has expanded globally since its start in Corbin, this small Kentucky town takes pride in its status as the birthplace of the world’s most famous fried chicken. For anyone wanting to see where it all began, a trip to the original Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum is a must. Getting to enjoy the Colonel’s handcrafted Original Recipe chicken in the very place it was created makes for an especially memorable KFC experience.
So next time you’re craving the Colonel’s secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, consider a pilgrimage to the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky – the ultimate destination for fried chicken lovers and KFC fans.
I also compared some of the sides
In addition to the chicken, I also ordered mashed potatoes as a side at both locations and thought that the two were pretty indistinguishable.
However, I believe theres a stark difference in the biscuit. Though both locations use the same recipes, I found the biscuits at Harland Sanders Café to be fluffier and the KFC version to have a harder exterior.
I thought the HSC chicken was crispier and juicier
I compared my meal from Harland Sanders Café to my order at a regular KFC in Greenville.
Though the recipes are the same, I thought I noticed a difference when I tasted the two versions of chicken.
Original Kentucky fried chicken location Corbin Kentucky
FAQ
Does the first KFC still exist?
“IT ALL STARTED IN CORBIN”, Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken®. Carefully restored and placed on the National Register of Historical Places, you will see it as it appeared in the 1940’s.
Where is the original Kentucky Fried Chicken store?
In 1930, Sanders took over a Shell filling station on U.S. Route 25 just outside North Corbin, Kentucky, a small town on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains. It was here that he first served to travelers the recipes that he had learned as a child: fried chicken and other dishes such as steaks and country ham.
Why is Kentucky Fried Chicken moving from Kentucky to Texas?
Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs said the Texas move was meant to help the company with “sustainable growth” and “culture.” “Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage,” he said in the statement.
Where did Colonel Sanders live in Kentucky?
In 1956, he sold his North Corbin, KY restaurant, and in 1959 Sanders and Claudia relocate to Shelbyville, IN where they purchased the stately manor called …