Harland Sanders Café and Museum

We stopped on our way back home from Tennessee in Corbin, Kentucky. It was clean and looked to be renovated. We ordered our food at 11 am and the fried chicken was fresh and delicious. I ordered the extra crispy and I believe I like it better than what I get locally. Biscuit was also fresh and soft.

Harland Sanders Café and Museum is a charming stop for KFC fans and history lovers. It’s the original location where Colonel Sanders started his famous recipe, featuring nostalgic displays and memorabilia. You can enjoy a meal while learning about the roots of this iconic brand—a unique mix of history and comfort food.

Seriously one of the coolest museums I've been in! Everything was laid out perfectly! So much history in one little spot. Oh and best smelling museum ever!!

Great visiting this location. Very cool. Happened to be in the area and was surprised to see this. Nice piece of history. And just had to have some classic chicken. Mmm. Worth the stop.

Museum was very interesting and lots of facts. There was no entry fee. Service was poor. Long wait and food was slightly warm. Our order got checked as completed even though we were still waiting on it. Apology was given and order was made.

What a terrific free museum. Had a wonderful time touring the museum. We learned so much about Harlan Sanders and his journey in life, he was an extraordinary person. Never realized he opened so many other failed businesses. He had this KFC restaurant and had hotels and gas stations as well. Very interesting history to read about. I would not eat there though unfortunately the service is slower than molasses.

Fun experience for fans of Americana. Lots of cool info about Harland Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken. The restaurant is a standard KFC but fun to take in the KFC lore while having a meal.

Very Cool! The food was great! It's interesting to visit this place and then the next, his second wife's place. This is also a museum, so it makes it much more touristy. I love how they have shared the timeline and changes. Interesting how he began with gas stations, then food, hotels..

KFC? What? The Original KFC? Wait! You can do the drive! It's not too far from Louisville so JUST DO IT! And so I did. I've not eaten KFC in some time but there is some history to this place so I need to make the journey. Nice drive from Louisville so if you're in the area you should make pay homage to the original KFC and visit history. It was good to learn about Harland Sanders. It was good to see the original recipe is still the ORIGINAL recipe. Gas was $.18 per gallon. I could not find a sign or some literature explaining the pricing of the chicken back then but I can just imagine; especially if gas was $.18 per gallon. The biscuit is still the same and in fact, better that what I remember it to be. Of this visit, I enjoyed the museum most of all. Fun fact- KFC now owned by Tri continental global foods (NYSE symbol YUM)

On our way back home we decided to stop at the original KFC and Museum. Very interesting museum on Harland Sanders life and business venture they became a worldwide icon himself and his business. Spent more time than we thought we would. Very interesting and was quite busy as more and more people stopped in. Of course we had to have a few pieces of his famous chicken. Definitely an interesting place to stop and learn the heritage.

Perfect amount of... -distance from the freeway (75)... -Size of a museum to stretch legs on a rest stop... -Wait time for food... -Available options to pick from at the KFC cafe... Nice little road side attraction to anyone passing through Corbin KY. The original KFC, Sanderrs Cafe. Has a KFC inside the museum. And some fun items to show the history of how KFC became KFC. Plenty of room to dine in. Plenty of space for large groups. A must see attraction.

I knocked a bucket list item off my list when I visited the Sanders Museum & Cafe - the site of what would become the empire known as Kentucky Fried Chicken - in Corbin, Kentucky in December 2023. Harland Sanders was a Hoosier turned Kentucky entrepreneur turned Kentucky Colonel who remains an icon of American popular and food culture even 40+ years after his death. The museum includes original items from the motel he operated and a wild collection of all things KFC, from buckets to Crocs, hats to photographs. Even the Colonel's suit is on display. I had a breast and a leg with mashed potatoes and both were delicious. It was truly a moment to have a spork at the OG KFC. My mom had a chicken fried sandwich that she loved and declared better than Chick-fil-a. It was indeed tasty. No matter how you feel about fast food, I recommend everyone visit when in the area. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Kentucky Historic Place. It's truly an American icon.

I don't eat a lot of KFC lately. Living in Charlotte where Bojangles Chicken 'n' Biscuits is based, I've become accustomed to their taste and texture. As well, I think something changed in the KFC recipe a few years ago and I just don't enjoy it like I used to. But to come here and see the very first KFC? See the history of the world's most famous chicken dude? Heck, yeah! There's a lot to see. A collection of memorabilia. Videos with interviews, the Colonel making chicken from scratch and classic KFC commercials. A history f the company and their worldwide expansion. A mock up of a Sanders motel room. And of course, a full KFC restaurant that also sells KFC merchandise. Well worth it, especially since it's just off I-75 between Lexington and Knoxville. Don't miss it! [Review 20150 overall - 191 in Kentucky - 1126 of 2023.]

The museum is great! It follows along the giant dining space. But to be honest, it was the the worst KFC I have had at 37 years old.

This is definitely a must stop if you're in the area! Not only is it a museum but you get to eat while you're in the museum, when does that ever happen!! Not to worry though, there are a couple of super friendly folks sweeping up the crumbs and keeping the place nice and clean! Of course they've got the ever famous fried chicken and all the fixin's, cooked piping hot and ready in just mere minutes. This place is set apart by it's history and rather extensive museum, everything you could imagine Kentucky Fried Chicken! The kitchen, the dining room, a bedroom, they've got it all, even the secret recipe under lock and key! They are pretty busy so that chicken may take a little extra time, just enough to get started on the history lesson!

Well, I couldn't be this close and not stop. A very cool museum place with all sorts of KFC and Col Sanders memorabilia. It's also got a KFC restaurant inside and I swear to goodness it's the best KFC chicken I've ever had. Lots of room to walk around and some neat displays to view. The museum is just part of it, there's no fee or anything other than for food you might order.

Just off of I75 so worth a stop. Not the original building but done nicely. It is really a super fancy KFC but fun.

My granddaughter went with kids chicken finger meal. While my wife decided on a soupy chicken bowl (not best). I went with a spicy chicken Sandwich combo. This is a Military friendly location. If you ever wanted to know anything about Col Sanders history this is the place. Lots of flare and lots of history.

I came here because I was in KY and if you've never been here, you haven't been to KY. Also I came here because I went to Mrs Sanders' restaurant and therefore able to provide a review with some amount of insight. First off, this is a long drive, even for me driving from Columbia, KY - almost 2hrs - PLUS the time difference... it felt like forever. But I was determined to go just to satiisfy my curiosity. So driving up to the restaurant I could see it from a distance because it had bright flashing lights (like Vegas). I know it isn't but it's my first time seeing a fast food restaurant decked out like that. Anyway, parking was free and abundant. Before entering you'll see signage with history of the establishment and the man. There's also a mock gas station there. The side of the building had their claim to spices. Inside there was a kiosk where you could register yourself and possibly get on their mailing list. It's been over a month, I haven't received anything. Don't know why I did it anyway but I did .... duh. Pass thru the second set of double doors, there was a showcase displaying all their souvenirs. I bought a fridge magnet of the infamous Bucket. To the left of showcase, was the counter to place orders. To the back, more history fleshed out. To the right, dining hall. Within the dining hall there was a mock up of the motel that Sanders operated. Interesting read. Inside, towards the back of the dining hall was a separate room filled with more history and KFC items from around the world. And there in the corner sits the old man. Picture taking spot. Inside the dining hall there's another of him holding the signature bucket. Now the food. Between the Mrs and his, I much prefer the mrs'. The man's chicken was just like any KFC, the meat was oily, the skin was soft and salty. Overall, nothing really stood out to me as special or better. Not sure why I was expecting it to be different but it wasn't any different except it was the birthplace of KFC. Definitely a tourist spot.

When in Kentucky for a business trip, why not do tourist things in between? In route to Appalachia I had to stop at the original KFC. The structure has parts of the original Sanders Cafe. It sits on the property where he had a hotel and gas station. It has different sections in which explains the history of how Colonel Sanders began, the original kitchen, and how a room at his hotel was like. There are many dining areas. The chicken is different from the KFC back home. It was crispy and flavorful, not greasy. The service was quick and the staff is friendly.

Amazing museum and cafe all in one! Enjoyed the history and a 2 piece meal at Sanders Cafe and Museum! The birthplace and first KFC from Harland Sanders beginning days. Memorabilia and a full education on the beginning of KFC! Full menu and a delightful stop!

You know KFC is always hit or miss you never know if it's gonna be a home run or if it's gonna be terrible so you know we were here at this original Harland Sanders, café museum and had a good time that's a good food. Got to explore take some photos and just live a lot of history so it was fun.

Yelp says closed but is definitely open! I would call ahead first. I love the original chicken! We stop here everytime we pass through on our way to Tennessee

Great place. Fun visit. Excellent information. food Yummy. Just could not not stop by on my way to Ft Knox. It is worth the drive. Lots to see. I love KFC and the food here was not disappointing. This may was sharp in what he created. Didn't know about the hotel or that Corbin is half way from Fl to MI. You will have fun. Purchased a magnet that I have been to where it all began. May 2023

I saw the sign and immediately knew I needed to visit! The tourist in me loves a good museum and attraction! Sanders cafe and museum did not disappoint. Easy to find with signs leading to it and plenty of parking! There's a drive thru but definitely go in if you have the time! It's very clean and service was so kind and quick. It was the best KFC food I'd ever had. Very fresh and tasty, with no lack of quality in every item. The whole restaurant has seating in parts of the museum. It gives the history of the location in many forms. Watching the development through commercials, sponsorships, and merch was very fun to see how the colonial came to be! Very fun!

Whether you love the original recipe or the extra crispy, this place is here to let you see where it all began. Interesting and informative.

This is a neat place to visit and a must for us passing through. The history and inside information on KFC and Colonel Sanders is worth the stop. What's a bit of a miss is that the food is just a KFC. I figure (I don't know this for a fact) that the franchise has to serve the food that's the same but it's a shame that the KFC owners didn't keep this one original place where they could serve original-type foods (old fashioned sodas, original meals, etc) with updated prices. It just seemed so modern when it could've been cooler if it stayed old-timey.

Service and food were great. Basically a standard KFC with an included museum. The museum has many cool artifacts, including a model of the original kitchen and a full white suit worn by Colonel Sanders.

With lots of family in the area, we have been visitors to this cafe for decades. KFC in one place is pretty much the same as anywhere else - consistency is key for large restaurant brands. What makes this place truly special is the building and OG vibe. We have enjoyed every visit, but the expansion and investment into the museum/historical aspect of this location is definitely a huge plus! Love the memorabilia and refresh of the real-size dioramas, and the addition of the family dining table is fantastic. The new exterior markers, signage and replicas are awesome and really elevate the whole space to a wonderful tribute to Col Sanders and the history of KFC. Proud to have Kentucky roots and the ability to visit this heritage site often. Keep up the great work!

This isn't just a regular KFC, this is the original KFC! Harland Sanders's restaurant & motel is presented as a museum with a KFC to order before/after you're done reading about the history of the franchise. My fiancé and I had a blast visiting the other day. This was on our stop up to Bardstown and so glad we stopped to read about the history of the franchise as well as eat some finger lickin' good chicken! The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The restaurant is modeled like it's the old school motel with a home kitchen. If you're in the area, this is a great place to check out!

So this whole history of fricassee experience is new for the post plague world?!? cooooll... serious, I didn't have a clue, just passing through on a slow crawl home trying not to tear the gold car up any worse than it already is (hint: everything behind that three-oval mess on the grille is a mess.) Came through mid-afternoon and was feeling a bit peckish so yeah, chicken with a bit of history sounds delicious! ...and on the overhead the Colonel can be heard giving directions on a multi-stop driving tour of the countryside. welcome to the world as Harrland hoped to see it! the exact opposite of fast food, not slow as slow goes but relaxed, so relaxed that you can get a room and have a nap and wake up and wash up and have another meal. we're looking at slow with a purpose. there's lots of non-food stuff to get your attention including the contents of an actual motel room and a diorama and a dining room and display cases full of who knows how much who knows what... and there's the usual KFC food offerings. the logistics and geography surrounding Nashville Hot Kentucky Fried Chicken makes my head hurt a little but a sip lemonade cleared that right up. yea lemonade and original recipe chickens! ...my mother would occasionally tell us stories about growing up near Nago. A favorite topic was food and nutrition and a favorite story was how the people of Okinawa used to be the healthiest and longest lived people on the planet... and then the United States Armed Forces introduced the Colonel's chicken to an unwitting populace... ain't nothing been the same since :-\

Great little spot off the beaten path. We had not planned on stopping by but we're traveling through the area and saw signs so decided to grab dinner and tour the museum in the restaurant. Loads of info throughout the restraint such as displays, replicas, original items from the original restaurant and items used at the time to make the iconic chicken recipe. We came by for an early dinner and were treated to polite service. We had two famous bowls, chicken sandwich and fries, chicken tender meal and two piece dark meal with sides of corn and mashed potatoes. All was good, hot and freshly made. There was ample seating throughout the museum area so you could eat and read about the history. Some updates need to be done such as broken table and couch in one area. Large table area that seats up to 8 people. There needs to be more napkin dispensers, silverware dispensers, etc instead of two locations one of which is by the register but not clearly marked also they need to be filled more often. Nice little merchandise glass enclosure to buy souvenirs from and cute albeit small selection. Highly recommend a quick stop to learn more history.

This is a must see spot on 75 near Corbin, Kentucky. About 3 minutes off the interstate. Signs will direct you east then south off 75. The original KFC! First off, the place is super clean. Restrooms nice also. Plenty of parking. Not crowded when we visited. It's a museum (free!) and has so much cool memorabilia from back nearly a century now. The original kitchen is here too. Didn't know the whole story until now. Allow 30 minutes to walk through. 60 if you want to read everything. It's worth your time. This is a working KFC. Service and food excellent. You can sit anywhere in the place to eat. Very cool. This is a must see friends. Oh, and it was remodeled a year ago so it's all fresh too.

Cool spot to learn the history with the museum. It's just a normal kfc though so the cafe part is a little misleading. Dining area was clean. Staff seemed a little more occupied with hanging out with their friends who had come in about the same time as us. My daughter and I got sick after eating here.

If you are from KY, it should be a required field trip to come here! So cute with lots of history about Colonel Sanders and his first restaurant and motel. You can sit down and eat after ordering, then meander through the place reading and looking through what the museum offers. There is even a place to watch a little video. The layout was very nice. It had a room on how the motel room was showcased in the original restaurant, the layout of the old kitchen and some interesting memorabilia. The food was also delicious and top notch for a KFC. It also has some things you can buy for souvenirs. I got my daughter a pair of KFC socks!

This was a great roadside attraction. It was a short detour off our route, and was a fun twist on the standard fast food lunch stop. We enjoyed learning more about the history of KFC and how the famous franchise became a franchise from a traveler's stop with a restaurant, gas station and motel. This was a really interesting small history museum embedded within a KFC. I wish we had the opportunity to experience closer to the original KFC experience with waiters, real dishwater, etc., but it was fun eating the standard KFC menu in a historic building. I'm not sure I would stop again, but I'm really glad I did it once!

Fast, friendly service. VERY neat educational experience. Would recommend to anyone that appreciates history and chicken. The food was normal KFC food.

Right where it all started...in Corbin, Kentucky! Unfortunately, due to a cafe and museum remodel, only the drive thru was open during our visit. We did go through the drive through and got some yummy food but it was the experience of being in the place where it all started that gave me thrills. Luckily a remodeling contractor foreman gave us a sneak peek inside the almost-done remodel. This place will be a great homage to the iconic Colonel Sanders and his creation when completed. Go KFC!

Great place to stop because it is a beautiful location. The museum is right inside the restaurant itself so they have the same hours as the restaurant. Great ambiance, lots of room to sit and enjoy your meal, and also a great place to get some nifty souvenirs.

This original KFC shop, the birthplace of my most favorite fast food joint had always been a place I wanted to visit since 10+ years ago when I was in KY for the first time for a job interview. Sadly, at that time, I didn't even have enough time to drive to this shop to check the place out...so you bet I was so glad to finally check one of the things off my desired list of places I wanted to visit! The place was definitely interesting. It is really a clean, KFC place but has a museum/cafeteria portion of the establishment telling you how Uncle Colonel Sanders got started. If you are on the road and this place is somewhat close/along your path, definitely should take some time for a quick break/visit (wouldn't take more than 30-45min to browse around, sit and eat your usual KFC meal). The one thing I wished this place had though was some unique meal specifically for this shop (the food they sell there was just regular things that typical KFC shop has). Nevertheless, the staff there was patient and kind. One lady who works there even offered to take a photo for my companion and I sitting with Colonel Sanders statue).

I stopped by the Harland Sanders Cafe and Restaurant while visiting my friend in Pineville, KY. I wanted to see the birth page of KFC. I didn't eat, just looked at the artifacts. I enjoyed reading about all the business endeavors of Colonel Sanders. He was into oil and he even opened up the first hotel in this area. There was a replica of his hotel room in the museum. You can sit on a bench with the Colonel and take a selfie. I also saw a replica of the kitchen where the famous KFC chicken was created. After you tour the museum (which is part of the restaurant) you can grab a bite of the Colonel Sanders famous chicken. If you like history and chicken this is a must see!

This is the where the original kfc started this isn't the original as it was just a shack but uts the same town and it has a really cool museum which is free to learn all about it so if your in the area try it atleast once

As the name suggest this this is the birth place of world famous fried chicken also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC. Colonel Sander who was founder of the Sander's cafe introduced KFC in early 90's. The recipe soon caught people's attention and in no time it became very popular. It's popularity lies in the coating that it has which leaves crispy outer layer and juicy chicken inside. From their standard fried chicken they introduced various other option with time. This location has a sandwich on his name Colonel chicken sandwich though it's no different then their regular sandwich, I wish it was which could be the speciality of that particular location as it is the birth place. The place also used to be a motel back in the days and it has one model room still kept well preserved. Dining table from back in the days with authentic cutlery. There is a small portion of the kitchen preserved as well. The location is almost 1hr from Louisville. There are enough parking space. If you love KFC and you are in Kentucky you should definitely pay a visit.

This isn't a place I would go twice. That said it was neat to look around at all the paraphernalia that was Harland Sanders' back in the day. There is about 30-60 minutes worth of exhibits to look at here. Everything from a replica of what Harland Sanders' kitchen was like to a pair of clogs he was given one time in the Netherlands. The dining area is large, and the museum exhibits are all around the building. It felt a little awkward to be walking around looking at exhibits while others were eating. We had a good time on our short visit.

During our roadtrip, we passed signs advertising the cafe so we decided to make a pit stop. We ordered some food (that tasted better than the KFC we usually get. The placebo effect perhaps? Or maybe NY KFC is just subpar) and walked through the exhibits. Afterwards, we found ourselves googling Harland Sanders and learning about his shockingly interesting life. Definitely something different.

Brand new museum being built which is a huge upgrade from what they had prior. It is not quite open yet but just the displays outside are amazing. Great selfie and photo opportunities. Peeking through the windows it looks amazing. There is a drive-through that is currently open and you can order from a regular KFC menu. Lots of parking which is also an upgrade from the last facility. Can't wait for this place to open

Very very cool place! This has pretty much everything I want in a museum - cool stuff to look at, really clear explanatory signage, free admission...and food! We saw signs from the highway and thought, how can we pass this up?!?! Quick plug for KFC - I worked at one in high school and it was so sanitary and they treated the employees really well, so I have a soft spot for all things KFC. This place seemed to be the same way. On the restaurant side, the kitchen looked very clean and the employees were happy and helpful. The food was prepared well and they have so many new things on the menu. The "museum" part is throughout the building. They incorporate new displays with the old building. Clear signage throughout helps you navigate the new versus the old. It's amazing to see the original cast iron skillets that cooked chicken, and the full scale model motel room inside the building that ole Harlan used to drum up business. And it's "free" to get in, although best of luck leaving without buying food as the smell of fried chicken and freshly baked cookies wafts through the place. The seating area and the parking lot are HUGE, so I assume buses and other large groups are welcome.

Good food and atmosphere. Service is good and museum is great. Come set in Sanders lap and get your photos.

We were sad that the Dining Room & museum was closed. The Good News: you can get souvenirs thru the Drive thru window. Can't wait for my next trip!

How fun is this place? It's basically a regular KFC with a free museum showcasing its place as the original restaurant founded by Colonel Sanders. There are a lot of artifacts and just enough historical background information to keep it interesting. Also, I swear the food is better than most KFCs.

STOP ASAP! Welcome to the brithplace of KFC. Stoping to see the original KFC where it all began was a great experience. Pulled off the interstate and within a mile or two were found the museum and even had lunch. A full service KFC with all the KFC history one could find. You'll see the original kitchen, the tables, life sized figure of the Colonel and a few of his signature uniforms he wore! Lots of area to Take selfies, and learn how it begin. It's worth the extra time. KFC after all is an American icon.

This really is a must-stop if you are anywhere nearby. You'll learn so much about the founder of KFC, who it turns out was a true American entrepreneur and marketing genius. KFC was his final story but you'll learn more about the path that got him there and marvel at how he was able to anticipate changes in America through travel and leisure. Discover how he reassured women his hotels were safe to stay in, why he built sparkling white open kitchens and marvel at his work ethic and commitment to doing things the hard way. When you're done, order at the modern KFC embedded in the old Sanders Cafe. It will be the best KFC you've had in years, particularly the biscuit. Plus you'll sit in the historic 1940s section to eat. It's super fun to enjoy a piece of history with your piece of chicken.

Was with the fam in Corbin visiting with the wifey's aunt and uncle. Found out that this was right down the street so why not? First impression is that its really not much in terms of eye candy. One part you have a real live working fast food restaurant and drive thru while you have the dining area surrounded by historical artifacts. The main attraction would have to be the original kitchen in which the colonel developed his 11 secret herbs and spices. He used to pan fry his chicken until he found out about pressure cookers that just came out recently which led to a faster a way of cooking the chicken which resulted in his customers wait time for the finished product to be served in about 9 minutes. Like I mentioned above, half this place is a real live working fast food restaurant. What a lot of people dont know is that this location is not the first real fast food restaurant. That distinction belongs to the very first franchisee Pete Harman, who opened one up in Salt Lake City, Utah back in 1952. What is even more amazing is that the KFC product did not really start to take off for him until he was the age of 65. That just comes to show you that it is never too late to achieve something that much later on in life. The colonel passed away in 1980 from pneumonia. He is buried over at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, KY. In closing, I would not go out of my way to come visit here unless you want to take a break from a long drive and are hungry. After all, it is only 2 and half miles off the freeway. Also dont set your expectations too high. Just the fact that you will be standing in the very same building that gave birth to the KFC franchise should be more than enough justification to say that you were actually there. Yelp 2017 Review #14 647 overall

Ok, this is all about my personal life story ... it's about Colonel Sanders ... his Kentucky accent ... KFC's marketing strategy formulated in some Madison Avenue high rise in the 1960's and has nothing to do with the food being served. I take that back; arriving at the Sanders' Cafe KFC outlet in Corbin City Kentucky I had to get some original fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a biscuit. I missed out on the cole slaw because the bargain lunch combo didn't have it. The personalities behind the counter were overly polite teenagers off from school and working for Corporate America. None of them ever saw the real Colonel's original commercials and I was standing there wondering if their management made each employee go through the Cafe to study the history of the Colonel including how this roadside cafe grew into a global success (I know that if I was the manager I would insist that new hires pass a Colonel Sanders 101 course before being allowed to use the deep fryer and ovens.). Like I say, these kids were very polite but when you work a counter, fill a bag with the food your computer says goes in the bag, and hand a bag over the counter there isn't a lot to your social requirements but if you wanted to rate these Corbin City youth they did alright showing a bit of Southern Hospitality. The food ... well it was Kentucky Fried Chicken. My breast choice was properly coated in secret recipe breaking and heated just right. Yes, I licked my fingers ... the biscuit was a decent biscuit, which worked for me since biscuits usually fall into three potential categories: OUTSTANDING and AMAZING I WANT THE RECIPE biscuits, decent biscuits (a level my biscuit on this day achieved), and the spit it into the bag god-awful concoction. The true star of my lunch were ... or is it was ... I need the grammar police here in defining mashed potatoes or a serving of mashed potatoes so that the singular or plural can be edited in properly. The mashed potatoes starred!! Hot, tasty, and gravy whose saltiness just finished the side dish perfectly. Still it was corporate food that you can taste at your local Tokyo, Dublin, or New York City KFC franchise. Five stars in a corporate franchise location are very difficult to achieve and these stars are not about the restaurant ... these stars are about the museum SANDERS CAFE. If you grew up or were alive in the Sixties, Seventies, and perhaps even the early Eighties this is a MUST STOP if you are anywhere close. First it provides a potty break and fast food but the memories just poured out as I stood next to the Colonel's statue and there in the window glass was his own famous southern gentleman's white seersucker suit (I think it was seersucker ...). The museum teaches the history of American back in the forties, fifties, and early sixties when roadside cafes were travelers only option. It does an excellent job of telling who Harland Sanders was. There is a really nice blend of photo's and memorabilia plus you are standing where the Colonel stood and looking right into the kitchen where international magic was developed! This entire visit made me really question why KFC and their marketers have given us this new embarrassing Colonel Sanders in this new campaign. The original presented the image of a gentleman who wanted to care for people ... the Sanders' Cafe showed that was what he strived to do before he went national ... this new Colonel Sanders well no one will ever get nostalgic over him. However ... FIVE STARS for the museum I got teary eyed nostalgic and remembered days when mom and dad drove us to the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Transit near Main to get the Colonel's secret recipe southern friend chicken that outdid anything my mom could ever do with chicken!

What can I say? The original KFC. Wonderful dining experience. Will go again. Highly recommended.

This was not a dine in experience, as they are remodeling their museum space and dining room. The food we had from the drive through was really good for kfc. The tenders were perfect, and everything was hot and prepared just right.

I have to give this place five stars just for being the birthplace of KFC. That being said though, the restaurant and museum deserve the stars. The cashiers are always pleasant and smiling and orders turn out fresh and quickly - even chicken livers which I always order. The museum is located in the main area where the orders are taken. It's informative and includes some original items from the Colonel's day. There's a life size statue of Colonel Harlan Sanders sitting on a bench which tourists absolutely can't resist selfies with. Also, a scale model of the area when KFC was originally opened. The dining area in the back is the original part of the business and is rustic and roomy with plenty of tables to dine on. When you visit this place, be sure to photograph yourself in front of the "Birthplace of the original KFC" sign out front and of course, with the colonel himself on the bench.

We had to stop at the Colonel's museum to learn about the man who created Kentucky Fried Chicken ! We didn't have any intention of eating here , only checking out the museum . However , it's hard not to want to eat something here since the museum is spread out throughout the restaurant. Also, the Colonel's story is so inspiring it's hard to resist so we also ended up having lunch here . I didn't realize Harland Sanders was actually a Colonel as designated by the KY governor . I also didn't realize that at the age of 62 he found himself broke but determined to reinvent his business . His life story is truly inspiring and inside the cafe you can view old photos , newspaper clippings , an old hotel room and what the kitchen once looked like and more . You can even take a picture with the Colonel. It was all very interesting ! As far as the food , I think it's the same that you can get at any KFC. The employees were friendly and helpful . Our order was incorrect and they quickly corrected it and gave extra biscuits and cookies . I ordered the pickled fried chicken , which gave the chicken a subtle tart flavor that was delicious. If you want to learn about an inspiring story of the American dream, this is a must stop. If you want to eat some fried chicken with friendly employees, stop here . It's not far from the interstate so makes for a great pit stop along your road trip .