Last year at about this time, the ultimate fried chicken competition started in West St. Paul… well maybe not between the best, but rather a corporate battle. This battle started when Pollo Campero (Country Chicken en espanol) moved in next door to the long time favorite KFC.  Even though their color schemes vary slightly from orange and yellow vs red and white, and mascots being a chicken vs The Colonel ultimately they serve virtually the same menu being based on fried chicken.

Initially, I was sure that there would only be one of these businesses after a few weeks of direct competition. Yet, nearly a year later both seem to be going strong with what appears to be a fairly strong customer base. The real question is whether West St. Paul has a insatiable desire for fried chicken, or restaurants in West St. Paul are forgotten about by “corporate” and continue on for years without making money. Either way, if you want to try to different (very similar) types of fried chicken WSP is where it is at.

Have you eaten at both Pollo Campero and KFC in WSP? Do you think they are different enough to be operating next door to each other? Who do you think can win the battle?