Colonel Harland Sanders, the iconic founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, had strong opinions about the menu, particularly one item he reportedly disliked. After selling KFC to investors in 1964, Sanders continued as the company’s spokesperson and consistently voiced concerns about changes to its food.

One of Sanders’ major complaints was about the gravy. In a 1978 interview with the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, he criticized the gravy harshly. Sanders was quoted saying, “My God, that gravy is horrible,” as found in court records available via legal technology company Justia. He compared it to “wallpaper paste,” asserting it lacked the quality of his original recipe.

“They buy tap water for 15 to 20 cents per 1,000 gallons, and then they mix it with flour and starch and end up with pure wallpaper paste,” Sanders remarked, also stating, “There’s no nutrition in it, and they ought not to be allowed to sell it.”

Sanders’ comments sparked controversy. A KFC franchise in Bowling Green, Kentucky, filed a lawsuit against him and the newspaper publishing the interview. The lawsuit was dismissed, with the Kentucky Supreme Court affirming this, noting Sanders’ remarks targeted KFC in general, not specifically the Bowling Green outlet.

Despite Sanders’ criticism, the gravy remains popular. It has maintained a faithful following over the years. On Reddit, users expressed differing opinions. Some supported Sanders’ view, while others praised the gravy as comfort food.

Another side of the conversation involves comparisons between the gravy during Sanders’ time and today’s version. Some users stated the original included chicken cracklings, seasoned breading, milk, and cream. Enthusiastic fans shared homemade recipes and tips to emulate the classic taste at home.

Fox News Digital reached out to KFC for a statement. Kelly McGreal, a production assistant with the lifestyle team, contributed to this reporting.