KC & Son & Sons, Douglas

The Legend of KCs

KC & Son & Sons is one of the most famous chippers in Cork and has earned its name as one of the best takeaways in Ireland. Tucked into Douglas Village since 1958, this family-run spot is now in its fourth generation of Crawford family ownership. Good, honest food at affordable prices. That is the KC's promise and they have been delivering on it for over 65 years.

Cork Xtra Video Review

The Queue

I visited KC's on a Tuesday evening and the line was out the door and down the street, as usual. This is partly because the queuing area is so small. It actually moves a lot faster than you would think. KC's is walk-in only and at busy times they cannot take orders by phone, so the queue is the only way in. Place your order at the station in the queue area and collect from the counter.

The Menu

Inside the store, there is a large menu of burgers, wraps and pitas, all with mouth-watering lists of ingredients. KC's is known for pushing the boundaries of a traditional chipper. This is not your standard bag of chips and a battered sausage. The menu is creative and packed with options you will not find anywhere else in Cork.

What I Ordered

I went with my usual order. The King Creole, which is KC's signature dish, a Bombay, and a can of Coke. The total came to about €15.

The Bombay was delicious with plenty of taste and spices. The Creole was packed with Cajun chicken and lived up to the hype. These are the two dishes KC's is most famous for and both delivered.

Health Factor

The health factor is not great here. Everything is deep fried, including the pita bread, so it is not the best option if you are watching the diet. That said, the taste is delicious and there is a good amount of protein that will really fill you up. This is a treat meal, not a meal prep option.

Practical Details

• Location: Douglas Village, Cork
• Phone: 021 436 1418
• Style: Walk-in only, no phone orders at busy times
• Kids Menu: Mini Chips & Nuggets or Mini Chips & Sausages for €5
• Extras: Merch and gift cards available

Opening Hours

• Monday to Wednesday: 5:00pm - 11:30pm
• Thursday: 4:30pm - 11:30pm
• Friday to Saturday: 4:00pm - 12:00am
• Sunday: 3:30pm - 11:00pm
• Open every Bank Holiday from 4:00pm

The Verdict

KC's has a bunch of tasty items on the menu and the prices are quite good for what you get. The queue is part of the experience at this stage. If there was no queue, you would nearly be worried. For a Cork food institution that has been going strong since 1958, KC & Son & Sons still delivers. Worth the wait, every time.

Cork Xtra Scorecard

• Location: 8.5/10
• Staff: 8.0/10
• Food: 9.0/10
• Value: 8.0/10
• Overall: 8.5/10

Find KC & Son & Sons at kcandsonandsons.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.