By The Sea is a beachfront property along the main road of Batu Ferringhi. It is located between PARKROYAL Penang Resort and Hard Rock Hotel.

Wendy’s has recently opened a new outlet here. This American fast food franchise is the third largest burger chain in the United States. Founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas, Wendy’s logo depicts the owner’s daughter whose name is, as you might have guessed, Wendy.

Like McDonald’s and Burger King, Wendy’s specializes in good old American burgers. The fast food restaurant uses self-service model to keep operating costs low. Customers place orders over the counter, and then collect their food once their respective numbers are called.

This Wendy’s outlet has both air-conditioned and al fresco dining sections. The eatery is quite spacious and cozy. My only complaint is the lack of sound damping; the place becomes quite noisy whenever there is a large crowd.

Wendy’s is known for using square patties for its signature burgers like the Beefanator (RM18.60). Sandwiched in the toasted bun are two beef patties, chicken strips, cheese, mayonnaise and ketchup. I enjoy the succulent taste of beef.

Another popular burger is Mushroom Melt Supreme (RM12.90), which contains chicken bacon and cheese. Customers can choose either chicken or beef patty; I opted for the former. The main appeal of this burger is the cheesy mushroom sauce which contains portobello mushrooms.

As for Crispy Cheesie Chicken (RM6.80), the chicken patty is coated with crispy crumbs. This burger feels drier than the previous ones. Fortunately, it comes with some lettuce and mayonnaise.

Each burger can be upgraded to a combo meal which includes a side dish and a drink. There are also several ongoing promotions that are specific to this outlet. Meanwhile, other Wendy’s outlets in Penang are located at Sunrise, Juru and Design Village.

Address: 1A & 1B, By The Sea, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 10:00am-2:00am
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Texas Chicken opens its first outlet in Penang today – the first Malaysian outlet outside Klang Valley. This fast food franchise is known as Church’s Chicken in the United States.

Church Chicken was established in San Antonio, Texas in 1952. The first Malaysian outlet opened in Aeon Bukit Tinggi in 2013. All 33 outlets before today were confined to Klang Valley due to logistical concerns – until today’s opening of the 34th outlet in 1st Avenue Mall. According the management of Texas Chicken, there are plans to open more outlets in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

There are 2 flavors of fried chicken here: Spicy and Original. The spicy version packs a respectable punch of pungency on the tongue. Texas Chicken differentiates itself from competitors by offering better value for money. For example, each piece of fried chicken is substantially larger than those served at similar restaurants. Chicken is delivered on daily basis, and is double-breaded by hand. As a result, lean meat especially chicken breast meat is considerably more flavorful.

As for finger foods, try some Chicken Tenders. Made from boneless white meat, the chicken fingers are perfect for small children. Like fried chicken, the fillets are also available in Spicy and Original flavors. Customers may choose between two dipping sauces: BBQ and Honey Mustard.

Besides chicken, Honey-Butter Biscuit is another specialty at Texas Chicken. The term “biscuit” here refers to the American lexicon for quick bread, which is usually known as “scones” in England. Compared to traditional English scones, Texas Chicken’s biscuits are fluffier and more buttery. A fresh batch of biscuits is baked every 30 minutes to maintain their aromatic appeal.

Side dishes at Texas Chicken include Mashed Potatoes and Coleslaw. Carbonated drinks include unlimited refills – just like how it is practiced in American stores. All things considered, Texas Chicken does not want to nickel-and-dime its customers. Speaking of drinks, I like the soothing sensation when sipping the Southern Sweet Tea.

All Texas Chicken outlets in Malaysia, including this latest one at 1st Avenue Mall, are halal-certified. Although this store is only open for the first day, the public’s response is overwhelming!

Name: Texas Chicken
Address: LG-15, LG Floor, 1st Avenue Mall, 182, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-370-5594
Business hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Website: http://www.texaschickenmalaysia.com
Coordinates: 5.41326 N, 100.33129 E
Directions: Texas Chicken is located on the LG Floor of 1st Avenue Mall, right next to Sushi King. 1st Avenue Mall provides multi-storey parking.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

LEM Hamburger (乐而美汉堡) is a fast food restaurant near Taman Tambun Indah. This franchise is based in Shanghai and has over 2,300 outlets in China. This outlet at Simpang Ampat marks its first presence in Malaysia.

LEM Hamburger is renowned in China for its signature burgers and wraps. The Chinese outlets also serve baozi (包子), but this Malaysian outlet drops baozi in favor of more localized dishes. The food here is pork-free and the restaurant is in the process of applying for halal certification.

The signature dish of LEM Hamburger is Spicy Chicken Burger (RM7.90). This can be upgraded to a set meat (RM15.00) to include fries and carbonated drink. In addition, an extra patty only costs RM3.00.

The patties are deep-fried chicken fillets coated with crispy flour batter. The batter is moderately spicy but I think the name of this burger provides sufficient warning. Meanwhile, the buns are sourced from a local bakery as opposed to frozen ones as used by the master franchisor.

Sichuan Sizzling Chicken Burger (RM7.90) is another interesting choice. Sandwiched between two halves of a charcoal bun is a piece of sizzling chicken cutlet. This version is significantly spicier than the previous burger. Fortunately, mayonnaise dressing and lettuce help to round off spiciness to a certain degree.

If burgers are too heavy for a meal, try something lighter like Mexico Chicken Roll (RM7.90). Wrapped in flour tortilla are chucks of chicken, lettuce and cucumber, all brought together in sweet salad dressing. The roll has well-balanced taste; I am quite impressed how it is prepared.

Don’t mind getting your fingers oily? Korean Fried Chicken (RM4.10 per piece) is worthwhile your attention. Using special Korean-style marinade and batter, the chicken is deep-fried until crispy. The chicken is originally coated with sweet sauce when served, but sauce is now provided separately as many customers prefer so.

In terms of taste, I think there is still room for improvement when compared to Hana Cafe, but I guess this is acceptable considering the fact that this is not a Korean specialty restaurant.

On the other hand, I think the Popcorn Chicken (RM6.00) can use some kind of condiment like barbecue sauce. Also, a light sprinkle of sesame seeds helps too. Nevertheless, I remain satisfied with the crispiness of boneless chicken chunks.

Special French Fries (RM6.00) was introduced after noticing that many customers like to drench French fries with lots of sauces. This enhanced version uses mayonnaise and Thousand Island salad dressing. Although I think that the sauces are fine, they have some degree of sourness which not everyone may agree with.

Spaghetti Black Pepper Chicken (RM7.90) is made by pan-frying cooked pasta with chicken and green bell peppers. Seasoned with black pepper, the spiciness lingers on the lips and tongue for quite some time. This is a commendable dish that warrants some attention.

As for desserts, the H&Q Ice Cream (RM7.50) consists of three scoops of ice cream. Besides a light chocolate drizzle, this dessert also comes with wafer rolls and an Oreo cookie.

As for beverages, the Green Tea Latte (RM7.00) is an iced drink made from green tea and milk. Meanwhile, Pineapple Frappe (RM7.00) is a slushy pineapple-flavored drink that is ideal in relieving thirst especially during a hot afternoon.

This LEM Hamburger outlet also has barista coffee on its menu. Coffee is prepared using an espresso machine. As per tradition, the cup of Cappuccino (RM6.00) is covered by a thick layer of milk foam.

Considering the food quality, serving size and ambience of this place, I think LEM Hamburger has reasonable value for money. The restaurant also provides food delivery within 5 kilometers from the shop. The delivery fee of RM5.00 is waived for orders above RM40.00.

Name: LEM Hamburger (乐而美汉堡)
Address: 19, Ground Floor, Lorong Bagan Tambun, Taman Bagan Tambun, 14100 Simpang Ampat, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 013-591-1616
Business hours: 11:00am-11:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/lemhamburger
Coordinates: 5.27776 N, 100.46825 E
Directions: Traveling southbound along North-South Expressway (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan), take exit 158 towards Bukit Tambun. After the toll plaza, turn left to Jalan Bukit Tambun and drive for over 1 kilometer. After the Caltex gas station, there is a row of shops on the left. LEM Hamburger is one of the shops here, adjacent to Moon Tin Seafood (满天海鲜大饭店). Parking is available in front of the shops.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Trio Gourmet Hut is the latest addition to The One, a commercial square in Bayan Lepas with more than a dozen restaurants. Located adjacent to Ruyi Delights, Trio Gourmet Hut serves novelty snacks in a fast food setting.

The mastermind behind this eatery is Chef Linus who has worked for more than 10 years in various restaurants in Singapore. Through sheer creativity, Chef Linus crafted the three main dishes in this restaurant. The menu here is pork-free and lard-free.

The Crunchy Kono Pizza Set (RM14.50) has two versions, either with Pollo Salame Crunchy Kono Pizza or Hawaiian Crunchy Kono Pizza. The idea of cone pizza was conceived in Milan in 2004, but this snack is relatively new in Malaysia. The uniqueness of cone pizza lies in the way its cone is prepared.

Instead of folding pizza dough into the shape of a cone as I originally expected, the dough is made into conical shape using a mold. Pizza toppings (more correctly, “fillings”) are sautéed briefly, then inserted to the cone and baked for around 10 minutes. This two-step baking process allows the fillings to cook properly and release their aroma.

Pollo Salame Crunchy Kono Pizza is filled with pickled gherkin (cucumber) and spicy salami, while the Hawaiian Crunchy Kono Pizza is packed with chunks of juicy pineapples. In both cases, the voids in the cone are filled with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. As a result, this snack is quite filling despite its unassuming appearance.

As for the Savory Amber Kreme Set (RM14.50), the main dish is a chicken patty sandwiched between two doughnuts. Known as Luther Burger in the United States, this snack was reportedly invented when the owner of a restaurant ran out of hamburger buns, therefore had to improvise with doughnuts when a customer ordered a burger.

For the Savory Herbal Chicken Amber Kreme, the herb-infused chicken patty is nicely flavored with sweet-tangy mayonnaise dressing.

In lieu of poultry, customers can also opt for the Savory Fish Fillet Amber Kreme for RM1.00 more. Made from hake, the fish fillet has delicate texture and is enjoyable with every bite. A slice of cheese and tartar sauce are included for extra flavoring.

Last but not least, Herbal Cluckz Wooster Set (RM13.90) features a serving of two chicken pieces. Marinated with various herbs, the meat is battered and then fried to golden crisp. The lovely crunch on the surface helps to seal in the natural juiciness of tender flesh underneath.

Each set menu includes one of these three signature dishes, plus two pieces of Japanese Cheese Cake and a cup of Garlic Butter Corn Kernel. The Japanese Cheese Cake is fluffy and quite similar to Uncle Tetsu’s Cheesecake.

Name: Trio Gourmet Hut
Address: 1-1-28, Tingkat Mahsuri, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-641-0126
Business hours: 12:00pm-9:30pm, closed on Sundays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Trio-Gourmet-Hut-1508442402792026
Coordinates: 5.32825 N, 100.28441 E
Directions: From SPICE Arena, drive eastwards along Jalan Mahsuri. After D’Piazza Mall on the right, turn left to The One. Trio Gourmet Hut is one of the shops on the right. There are parking spaces in front of the shops.

The two-storey building was formerly the sales office of Ivory Properties. It has now been converted to meet the needs of McDonald’s. Next to the entrance is McCafe, McDonald’s response to the trending café craze. There is also an indoor playground on the upper floor.

McDonald’s menu hardly needs more introduction. The breakfast menu is served until 11:00am. As for night owls, the drive-thru window is open throughout the night.

My choice this morning is Big Breakfast (RM9.80), which consists of McMuffin, chicken sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns and free flow of coffee. The coffee is sour; I suspect that it is of inferior quality. Indeed, much sugar and creamer is needed to suppress its unpleasant taste.

The staff at this outlet is poorly trained. For example, cutlery was not provided with scrambled eggs. In addition, there is only 1 person assigned to clear the dining tables.

Address: 73, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-226-5685
Business hours: 24 hours

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I met the KFC representatives at the same outlet. Mr. Aiman is the one of the two regional managers in Penang, while Mr. Fauzi is the branch manager. Both men are friendly and customer-oriented, making this meeting a pleasant one.

Mr. Aiman acknowledged that my order of Golden Wrap Chicken was poorly prepared due to unfamiliar staff at this new outlet. Indeed, I see significant improvement within a short span of three weeks.

The promotional period of Golden Wrap Chicken is over, so I am not able to try a properly-prepared one. Instead, Mr. Fauzi offered to let me try the new Zinger Reloaded which just hit the stores a fortnight ago.

Zinger Reloaded (RM8.00) is KFC’s latest burger sandwich. A piece of spicy, deboned chicken fillet, similar in taste to the Hot & Spicy recipe of fried chicken, is sandwiched between two pieces of oblong sandwich bread. The bread is light in texture, quite delectable on its own.

In addition, onion rings and lettuce serve to negate the spicy, meaty chicken. The dressing used resembles sweet tartar sauce, which I think is a reasonable choice here.

Overall, the sandwich is quite satisfactory as light snack, although it is far from qualifying as a proper meal. I think it appeals to the younger demographics who seek to snack between meals.

Most importantly, today’s meal invitation reflects how seriously KFC handles customer-satisfaction concerns. Honestly, I was not expecting any response from KFC, but its professional management proved me wrong today. Kudos!

Like the one at Jalan Larut, this KFC outlet occupies a large bungalow building. The stand-alone structure allows the store to operate 24-hours drive-thru business. The building has two floors and includes a large indoor playground. However, the upper floor is only partially furnished and not really used. Parking is extremely limited compared to the large scale of this outlet; I think this is another aspect where KFC loses to the neighboring McDonald’s outlet.

My main reason here is to try KFC’s Golden Wrap Chicken (RM9.95) which has been advertised so heavily recently. From my past experience, seasonal offers from KFC do not fare well among the Malaysian populace. Therefore, I do not have any high expectation for this either. I just need to satisfy my curiosity regardless how the trip eventually turns out.

This meal comprises of two pieces of grilled chicken and a large cup of carbonated drink. For additional RM1.50, there is an extra butterscotch bun and a serving of whipped potato.

My first impression of the grilled chicken is the ridiculously small size. It is served in transparent plastic wrap and accompanied by some sliced mushrooms. The overall sensation of the chicken is extremely oily; even more so than fried chicken!

The grilled chicken is seasoned with New Orleans spices. Although the outer layer is moderately spicy, the inner meat is virtually tasteless. To make matters worse, the mushroom slices are dry and tough, as if they were not cooked at all! The Golden Wrap Chicken is a total disaster; does KFC test new recipes before rolling them out?

Nothing much can be said about the whipped potato, but a saving grace lies with the butterscotch bun. Unlike the usual buns served with Snack Plate or Dinner Plate, this butterscotch bun is soft and moist, a clear hallmark of freshness.

This KFC outlet is obviously overstaffed but the employees are poorly trained. Many servers at the cash registers are unfamiliar with the menu. Being a new outlet is not an excuse for such shabby performance. Training should be done upfront before the store opens, not on-the-job when dealing with paying customers.

I visited the Sungai Dua outlet at 7:00am sharp, the moment this offer starts. Apparently there is already a long queue ahead of me.

Another RM3.00 upgrades the meal with Hash Browns and Coffee. In retrospect, I think this is where McDonald’s recoups its earnings.

The Brekkie Wrap is essentially a tortilla wrap with chicken rolls, scrambled eggs and cheese fillings. It is not particularly special considering that tortilla wraps have been introduced in Malaysia for several years already. Anyway, I fail to see or taste any particular goodness in this Brekkie Wrap.

Perhaps the jaw-dropping surprise is the puny size of the Brekkie Wrap. There is only enough food for 4-5 bites. I am confident that I can make it in 2 bites if I really need to (this is not a statement that I take lightly). The usual price of Brekkie Wrap is RM4.30; I wonder how many people are willing to pay for this?

The Hash Browns is also kid-sized. Either McDonald’s is targeting on preschoolers demographics, or I have been duped.

The Coffee is served in an 8 oz cup. The size doesn’t matter as it can be refilled anyway.

To conclude, the promotional price for the Brekkie Wrap is OK for such a small wrap, but I will stay away from this at the normal price.

The wildly anticipated Burger King finally arrived the shores of Penang. Setting up its roots in a corner lot of Promenade 28, the store opening is celebrated with opening promotion that attracted a throng of curious customers.

Just for today, the signature Whooper (RM10.95) burger is offered at RM1.00 with purchase of any drink (RM3.00). Sound like a bargain!

After a grueling hour-long queue, we finally received our order of 2 Whooper burgers, sides and drinks.

The Whooper burger is a single beef patty sandwiched with sesame buns. The patty is laid with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions and pickles. The patty is juicy and easy on the mouth. The sesame bun is also quite soft and fluffy. Overall, the taste is comparable to McDonald’s Beefburger (ignoring size difference), but I think the king has a slight edge over the clown.

We placed an order for Onion Rings (RM3.90) as well. The onion under the batter is still fresh and juicy.

The Strawberry Burger King Sundae (RM2.95) is just a regular vanilla-flavored ice cream with strawberry syrup. It is virtually indistinguishable from McDonald’s counterpart. For all we know, they may be sourcing ingredients from the same supplier anyway.

As required for the opening promotion, we ordered a medium-sized Coke and Grape.

Located in the VivoCity shopping mall at Singapore’s Harbourfront, Superdog is a fast-food restaurant specializing in hot dogs. It is the venue for my dinner today, since I wanted to quick bite and do not want to spend too much time (and money) on food today.

When you walk into a restaurant for the first time, you cannot refuse to try the menu item which bears the same name of the restaurant. Not ready to break my rule of thumb, the Superdog (S$7.50) is my choice for dinner today.

The Superdog consists of a 6-inch German Bratwurst (sausage) served an a hot dog bun. Bacon strips and grilled onions are included to it. The sausage tastes quite good and fresh, presumably because it is not frozen. The portion is quite filling for a snack, but not for a proper meal.

The Ham Cordon Bleu (S$4.50) comes in two sticks. It is deep-fried with batter to give a golden and crunchy crisp. Inside the cordon bleu are ham, peppers and molten cheese. Not a bad choice.

And to wash all the food down is a medium-sized cup of Coke (S$1.80).